last901

Any of you going to Lake Chelan during the first weekend of October? It's the annual gathering of the vintage hydroplanes as well as, hopefully, some participation from the local wineries and from the City of Chelan.

With the recent fires and associated evacuations and prophecies that the End is Near notwithstanding, I think the City of Chelan and neighboring communities could use some support this year. Moreso than ever.

The people at the Hydroplane museum have been working hard to get at least 5 vintage Unlimited-class boats over there for this annual playday. I'm sure we'll see a good turnout of vintage limited-class boats again together with a nice gathering of vintage Chris-Craft, Century and Gar Wood runabouts. Not sure what the wineries plan to do this year. I did have the good fortune a couple of years ago to attend a "concert" at a local winery featuring an Elvis impersonator from Croatia or some such place not far from Twisp that was pretty good. If one likes Elvis with an accent.

Poodle Girl promises (threatens?) to make an appearance and it looks like we're (Mary and I) going to stay at Campbell's (do not tell Poodle Girl, as the last time he showed up the bar at Campbells, they closed mysteriously at 4:15 PM) . The neighboring Grandview (owned by the same people) should have a few rooms left. Be sure in either case that you mention you're part of the Hydroplane Museum and coming over for the Mahogany and Merlot event.

As I say, the community is open for business and could probably use an influx of visitors. It is a fun, no-admisson event and hopefully the weather will cooperate - even if the casino at Manson won't.

Just hoping to see some of you there....

XC6VETTE

Im pretty sure I'm not what you were hoping for....but I'll be there.

MACE_Hardware

Short notice for a workin' man, but sounds more than a little interesting.

last901

I'll alert the media, Walter. CU on Friday. Bring Scotch. Stop by Aaron's to "borrow" some good stuff, if you must.

I had planned to do so, but had to hide it from my first wife and now I can't remember where I stashed it.

VIK TOY

Was that you bringing in a Hydroplane to World of Speed last Wednesday?? It was a busy day and I was parking in back parking lot and saw it going into the side door. Had a club with over 100 members there. Busy volunteer day!!

last901

Wasn't me, but the boat we sent down (I believe the Slo-Mo V) actually belongs to Bruce McCaw, a familiar name to vintage racing enthusiasts. That boat is one of the most historic race boats of all time. Fascinating history. We needed to bring the Budweiser back to the museum since we use it to let people sit in it for photos etc. We've been letting them sit in the "Blue Blaster" but its windshield is very fragile and people tend to use it as a brace when climbing out of the cockpit. Besides, it's nice to rotate exhibits once in a while.

Love having the boats down there at the World of Speed. Hope visitors enjoy having them there.

JETninja

Saw several small Hydro's on the 5 going N before the 90 few days ago after work....

last901

Probably coming from a race down south. With all the outboards, inboards, hydros, drag and ski boats, there are a great many races around this country than one might expect. I find it interesting, as an example of what seems to be our more environmentally conscious public that so many events have over the years fallen to their pressure. Of course one must also respect the demands of the people who have homes along the lakeshores.

Not a bad thing necessarily, but did you realize that more boat racing world records were set on Green Lake than any other body of water in the country? Can you imagine a couple of 200 mph Top Fuel Drag Hydros racing side by side from the Aqua Theater to near the Shoreline near the Spud Fish and Chips and the Bath House theater? Can you imagine there were 4 unlimited hydro races (like today's Seafair Races) within an afternoon's drive of here? Seafair of course, The Apple Cup in Chelan, the Diamond cup on Lake Couer d'Alene and the Atomic Cup in Tri-Cities.

I guess you can't "go home again" as the saying goes, but the gathering at Chelan is always good for us elderly old people of a time-long-ago to refresh our hydroplane memories before there were Seahawks, Mariners, et al

I was going to send some photos of the event, but then realized that the people at Campbells resort and other produced this short promotion which probably says it better than I can.

http://www.mahoganyandmerlot.com

BTW, John, if you ever want to bring Jacob down to the HydroMuseum, let me know.

George's_Vette

We were there today. Got up at 0445 hrs and washed the car as soon as the rooster started crowing.

No signs of Phil. Must have been down in the pits working. Enjoyed the big boats out on the lake giving rides. Also several very nice old cars and some Ferrari's.

Beautiful day, not too windy, not too warm. Just right for hanging out and chillaxing.

We left at lunch time and as always gave our $5.00 all day parking permit to an arriving woman to use for the rest of the day. She told Sally it was the 1st good thing that had happened for her today. I figure give it forward and it makes one less Corvette hater in the area.

George
Twisp, WA

last901

Wish I'd given you my cell #, George. Poodle Girl was with us and We had a pretty good time. I was, indeed, probably in the pits when you were there, but not working very hard. The boats behaved themselves pretty well so not much to do anyway. Nice turnout this year what with Miss U.S. 4 coming out from Omaha for the event. We got Miss Burien back in the water with her new sponsons, but not without some other issues. The '67 Miss Budweiser also came out for the first time in a few years. I think we had 7 Unlimiteds there this year, though the Gale V didn't make it this time.

We also had at least 3 7-litre/GP boats, but the "Deepwater Special" a stunning Lauterbach hull with a blown 427 Chevy didn't run well. At least "Miss Marion Bluegrass" echoed her own blown Chevy noises off the valley hills and looked to be turning in some fast times.

I was pleased to see the whole Mahogany & Merlot event appears to be gaining in popularity. I thought the car show was better than ever with, as you point out, some classics and some Ferraris on display.

The classic boats turnout was spectacular. First time I've seen a 30' "runabout"

We left Sunday morning and drove about a block before my DIC informed me my LF tire was flat. I can saw with authority that there are not any Tire Shops open in Chelan on a Sunday. I suspect even if there were, they wouldn't be overstocked on Corvette-size run flats anyway. We made it back on the original run-flat, but not without having to apply some strategy to the route home. Let's just say we spent $50 on fuel and $8.00 in quarters to pump up the tire at every opportunity. Ordered new tires from Discount Tire yesterday. Probably about time anyway since I still had the originals on the '07 and it's probably time anyway.

Sure had me thinking over the run-flat vs non-RF discussion all the way home.

Let me know if you decide to do this next year so we can hook up. I hear from my spies that you're much more sociably acceptable than Poodle Girl anyway.

last901

And there you were, indeed.

Sorry it took me so long to make bail for you. The closest bail bondsman was in Wenatchee. East Wenatchee at that. How'd you like the pizza we brought to you? We tried to get some of that Scoresby Scotch to you, but we discovered it's difficult to hide a bottle in a pizza. Maybe next year we'll go on your birthday. If you pull that naked Superman stunt again it might be easier to get something into a birthday cake. If you survive again that is. I guess you neglected to notice that you were staying on the third floor even though your room number implied you were on the second. Oh, the people at Campbells want their bath towels back. Without the big "S" you put on them with the Sharpie.

Had a good time though. I think leaving at 5:30 AM on Sunday as you did looked a bit suspicious considering my LF tire went flat. Still I can understand that the warning you got from that deputy made you think the earlier the better. Can't fault you for that. Were you scared when he pulled his gun? I think the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" thing you screamed may not have been the most appropriate thing to say at the moment.

Oh, that elderly lady you were "talking to" in the pet grooming store next to the Safeway actually came over to our hotel as we were leaving and asked us if we had your phone number. My word, but she was all (sorta') dressed up and smelled like the cosmetics counter at Sears. What did you say to her anyway? Wish I'd had the wherewithal to take a photo with my new iPhone.

Fun trip. You owe me $8 in quarters.

JETninja

Would have like to have been there, but we had Soccer games both weekend days....

No run flats on mine Phil, just a can of Yellow Slime (ok to use with TPMS) and the old stock compressor. And I watch the road for debris all the time when I can....

last901

Believe me, I always figured I would switch to non-r/f's, but after that Goodyear got me home from Chelan I have kind of a new respect for them. I'm still wondering though if I'm making the right decision. Considering I managed to put 32K miles on them and probably still have another 5K of life, well, it wasn't as though R/F's were all that much more expensive.

I think you just answered a question for me though. I was wondering what the C5's used for tires and related emergency solution. Thanks, John.

JETninja

I run a pretty aggressive street/track alignment and my front Nitto's have over 30k on them, and the rears have almost 30k and both have lots of tread left. Drove in the pouring rain to Everett and back today with no issues and my rears are NT05's...which have 2 vertical channels and not much more.

XC6VETTE

Well, after a weekend drinking with you I gave serious consideration to quitting. In fact, I'm heading to Happy Hour now to contemplate and make the final decision. I wonder if they'll have any of that "Very Rare" Scoresby you served in your room....well bath room.....which is where I suspect you distilled it. Makes bath tub gin look good in comparison.Maybe it's the 3 whole months of aging that makes it so rare.....but honestly, even ice couldn't save it and I have more respect for my tools than to clean paint brushes with it.

Explaining all this to the Sherriff didn't elicit the empathy I had expected. In fact he tighten the cuffs and suggested to the Poodle grooming that she follow us down to the "shop" to file charges. Thank goodness for the blessed Virgin Mary....cause I know damn well you had nothing to do with bailing me out. In fact the Sheriff told me they received the complaint from someone who smelled of turpentine ......

So, off I go. Had my first seniors breakfast this morning and now heading out to drink my dinner...I have to be back for my first nap by 8.
And yes Aaron....double Dewars on the rocks.