First cruise in 2008 from Phoenix area to ???

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Well... we have some vacation time before/after New Years, and are considering some type of interesting relatively local Lotus drive.. i.e. we're not driving across country or anything! Could be a day trip, could be an over-nighter... could be 5 days! Regardless, no snow destinations... or other road hazard conditions. Scenic and serene preferred!

We will probably depart New Years Day (or day after). If you're interested in hooking up for a cruise... post ideas, destinations, timelines, points of interests, etc...


Note: Our only real consideration is that we must be back by Sunday 01-06-08 afternoon to pick up someone at PHX airport.

[cdn_alien]

Hey Jeff,

My wife and I went up Mt. Lemmon yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny day,35F. When we got into Tucson, the wind was howling -- maybe 35 mph, and starting to get dusty. We started encountering snow at about 5,000 elevation. By the time we got to 8,000 ft, everything was snow covered, except for the road itself. That's when we turned around. We didn't want to chance encountering icy conditions especially if we have to climb up a hill to get out. Besides, my rear tires are past the wear bars. I'm getting new Yoko AD07's tomorrow.

At the base of the mountain, there was an odd sign that says "carry chains or 4-wheel drive" vehicles beyond this point. It hadn't snowed in at least a week, and the road was clean. The worst we could have encountered was ice, but how would chains help in this case? I guess it must have been a generic sign that's up all winter.

Still a really nice drive though. Real scenic. Nice hoodoo formations. Lots of traffic... slow traffic.

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Hey Mike,
Yeah, it was windy here that day too. I'm surprised you ventured up on Mt. Lemmon that day. We're heading down to Tucson tomorrow, but we'll be back Monday for a neighborhood New Year's Eve party.

Did you get your new tires? What was the damage (cost)? As you know, I'm going to need rear tires very soon as well.

Nevertheless, we're still trying to figure out a little ride for next week. My wife is off work next week too... so we were tying to pick a little location that would be fun to drive to, and also have a destination of sorts as well. I guess I'll have to peruse through a Arizona visitors guide for some ideas. Let me know if you and your wife would like to join us.

[cdn_alien]

Originally Posted by 2006PolarBlueElise

Did you get your new tires? What was the damage (cost)? As you know, I'm going to need rear tires very soon as well.

Yeah. It was $650 out the door at Discount Tire. I put the owners manual on the passenger seat, and had a yellow sticky on the lift points for the car. The picture of qball's 'incident' made me nervous. When I went to check up on their work, I was pleasantly surprised to see the car was on floor jacks, and they were using torque wrenches instead of the guns. They even figured out how to start the car without my assistance.

My wife and I are both working next week. If we're going for a drive, it'll have to be next weekend.

[Brad B]

Next time you guys have a drive count me in.

Thanks
Brad

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Originally Posted by Brad B

Next time you guys have a drive count me in.

Thanks
Brad

Okay Brad, well set something up once the weather breaks, perhaps a weekend toward the end of January.

[lt0302]

Hi guys I live in glendale and would definetly be interested in a cruise with fellow Elise "lovers".......let me know if you guys plan anything..

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Originally Posted by lt0302

Hi guys I live in glendale and would definetly be interested in a cruise with fellow Elise "lovers".......let me know if you guys plan anything..

Well, I'm up for a drive next Saturday or Sunday Jan 19th or 20th, provided that the weather is as fantastic as it was today. I was driving all over locally here today, it was such a beautiful day! So if others are interested too... just add your name here to the list and we'll set something up!

[lt0302]

that sounds good......today was really nice took a drive on 101 west and got pulled over by DPS.......he said I was speeding which I wasn't (this time) but if I showed him around the car he'll let me go with a warning....so I showed him around

and that is a picture from last month...the officer actually emailed it to me!!

[2006PolarBlueElise]

With the big games coming on Sunday (especially as a huge Chargers fan), let's make the drive start sometime this Saturday morning 1-19-08. Perhaps we can take a scenic drive to somewhere nice and end up in an interesting location where we can park and grab some lunch. Not too far though. Offer your suggestions and confirm that you are joining us A.S.A.P. We'll confirm where/when we're meeting and where we're heading to this Friday evening.


In addition...
There is a *L.O.O.P. mtg at 7:00 pm (Thursday 1-17-08) at the
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
8668 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Drive your Lotus!!!

Basic Directions:
AZ 101 N
Exit 41 Shea Blvd.
Left at E. Shea Blvd

*Lotus Owners of Phoenix

[lt0302]

So where are we going??? anybody up for a little drive??

[Z-dculus]

that is one outrageously large picture

[lt0302]

Believe me I did not think it was going to be this big!!!.....

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Sorry I'm posting this so late... I was still at work until 8:00pm!

Anyway... here's the proposal.

1. Let's meet up at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery @ 8668 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 tomorrow (Sat) at ~9:00 am in the parking lot.
AZ 101 N
Exit 41 Shea Blvd.
Left at E. Shea Blvd

2. Depart ~9:30 am

3. From there we'll get back on N. 101, and basically head North on Pima to Dynamite Rd. in N. Scottsdale. Going East on Dynamite about (about 10-12 miles) will take us in to the town of Rio Verde where we will have to turn right. This takes us through town and then down past the McDowell mountains and in to Fountain Hills. (Probably another 15 miles or so). From there we can head out the Beeline Hwy. and turn right on Bush Hwy (which becomes Power Rd.) and follow that to Saguaro Lake for lunch. Afterward, we can travel S. on Bush Hwy (which again becomes Power Rd.) and back in to Mesa to Rt 60. From there ??? (we can decide during lunch)

Its suppose to be a beautiful, sunny and 63+ degrees day tomorrow... perfect for a cruise!

At lunch we can also talk about the possibility of an upcoming ride to Salt River Canyon:

Why???

Scenery: 2,000-foot-deep river canyon, vast overlooks, prehistoric petroglyphs.

Road appeal: Lots of steep grades, hairpin curves, scenic bridge.

Traffic: Can be dense on weekends, but road often breaks into passing lanes on upgrades. Slow-moving trucks can be frustrating.

Facilities: Small visitors' center at bottom of canyon has restrooms, drinking water. General store nearby with gas and provisions.

Travel time: Three hours from downtown Phoenix, about 40 minutes north of Globe.

This trip is something to consider...

Want more information? contact the Greater Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-804-5623.

[lt0302]

I will try to make it........if I can wake the wife up???!!!

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Here's a few photos of vehicles from Thursday Night's L.O.O.P. meeting and Saturday's arrival at Saguaro Lake. It was a beautiful day. We even rode all day with the tops off!



We hope to see more of you at our next ride!

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Didn't want to miss this Lotus either...

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Wow! What a beautiful weekend this was! 75+ degrees... sunny... top down... very enjoyable! !

So... with next week being a three day weekend, providing that next weekend is relatively nice as well, is anybody up for a cruise somewhere???

Post your destination suggestions and let's see what happens!