well if 1 person knows where the gas station is, just look for an RX8 parked out front of it LOL! :)

by the way EMSDAD, i have an exhaust and you dont MUHAHAHA!!

So looking at the map.....why not just pic a spot somewhere in castle rock ....let everyone meet up and go from there :)

Zoom......do you remember were the last gas stop is???

In watching the weather, it might be better on Saturday than Sunday - just a thought.

I have to work on sat.....so sunday is the only day I can go......but if weather does become an issue don't let me hold you guys back from going on sat:)

That is what DSC and TCS are for! Hey Ironmedic...don't forget I've go the six speeds!!! and the NAV....ha!

ok there is food at teh coldwater ridge visitor centr but its kinda like visitor center/zoo food allover- i e a little overpriced and not that good. but if your just after a hotdog/cheesesburger chips and a drink its fine.

on the fuel front- i couldnt remember exactly and while i knew there were signs i figured i should get some definite info for you. so i called the folks at the visitors center who were very freindly and helpful. here's what they had to say

the cheapest gas in the area is in woodland which is about 20 miles north of vancouver. its 20-30 cents cheaper than at around Toutle.

there are several gas stations around the interchange where you leave 5 for 504

there are a couple more in the town of Toutle

and then at Mile Marker 19 on 504 is the LAST GAS STATION before you head into the park. between 504 and this one the prices are all about the same -over 2.00/gallon. at the last palce there are signs telling you it is/was the last gas station and there are no other places for gas in the park.

have fun folks!

Thanks for all the info Zoom. You sure you can't make it? That baby room doesn't really need to be done does it? ;)

Yes, bring the zoom wife along!

Yeah, thanks Zoom!

I'll probably gas up at Castle Rock since I'm coming from the North.

So, do we have a consensus? This is what I currently understand:
Meeting at the gas station near mile marker 19 on 504 @ 11AM on Sunday 26th

My wife and I will probably get out and take what ever tour is available to take while up there; she's not from around here so we like to play tourist when we can. Of course don't let us hold you back if you're rarin to jet back down quicker than you came up! :)

I'm still not completely sure about food, but we'll probably take some snacks and such up and get something to eat in Castle Rock on the way home.

I just hope the weather man doesn't rain on our parade... :(

Does anyone know the driving time from the Salem to the meeting place? Or from the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver? I need to tell the babysitter when I'll be dropping the kid off.

Mike

I'll take a guess and say that from the OR/WA bride it will be about an hour (give or take 15 min) to mile post 19 on 504. But as I'm from seattle I could be wrong.

Just a quick FYI for you all. It is my understanding that there is an Auto X competion in Packwood on the 25th and 26th. Just food for thought. Not trying to rain on anyones planned effort.

Just took delivery on 9/19 of a Yellow RX-8 with GT package.

I wanted to go to that but there is no way I'm getting up at 3:30 AM to be there at 7:30 AM. 11 AM sounds like a much easier appointment to keep. :p

Yea, I was planning on going to that, but when this came up, I thought this would be a lot of fun, so I decided to do this drive instead.

hey Nelson maybe i should whip out my cobra and show you a real mans car!

but who will drive it for you;)

ha...zoom's got you figured out Ironmedic! LOL

ACHYellowRX8 enjoy your yellow 8, we are a minority!! The rest of you enjoy the cruise!

ah im a mustang man before an RX8 man :)
the RX8 is for my wife but i love how it corners. emsdad and i joke around about his RX8 and my stang but in the end, he realizes my RX8 has an exhaust LOL! :)

you didn't say "my automatic RX-8 has an axhaust!" I know you're just trying to make up for the horsepower you lost by caving in to your wifes demand for an auto, it's ok.

You caved, but we won't point and laugh :)....see ya at work tomorrow, I'm sure it's going to be yet another fun exciting day. ;)

So you work at the Playboy mansion too? :D

Are you guys holding out on me....come on ....hook a brother up with a JOB!!!! :D

What? I wish...USAF does Ironmedic say he works at the playboy mansion? If so, I've been missing out too!

Hey, don't feel bad I am not going to get there at 7:30. This is just a checkout. I understand they will be practicing most of the day so I expect to get there at 11 am at the earliest. Going to catch the Ballon Lift off in the early am at the Prosser Ballon Festival :cool:

hey EMSDAD, make sure you give me a call before we head out so we can cruise out! ill be sure to do ricer flyby's with my exhaust just for you HAHA!