Yeah! You made it back safe and sound. Now you have a story for the grandkids.

sounds like a successful trip RIWWP and most importantly you made it home safely.
get some (long overdue) rest and we'll talk to you tomorrow.

congrats man. nice to meet you at ss

glad you and your car made it home safe mike.

Congrats!! i'm stoaked you were able to make it out here for sevenstock n' glad you made it back safe n' sound.

:rock:

EPIC ROAD TRIP IS EPIC....

So the major picture update from Oregon to back home:

As usual, lots of fog, but some cool shots from it
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Lots of back woods logging roads...almost all of them look like this.
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The stop at Crater Lake was cool. Literally. Gorgeous views, deep blue lake, and just above freezing at that altitude.
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A pair of cool shots, of nearby mountain tops. Summit and Peak mean the same thing basically, but not quite exactly the same thing :)
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There was a road closure for a bit up there, as a helicopter was retrieving a vehicle that rolled over the side when the owner left the e-brake off...in a stupid part to park on. 1,800ft, almost straight down. Not much left of the car that would be recognizable.
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This road was annoying. Can you tell why?
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This is basically eastern OR, northern and central NV, western UT. Not much changes. See the line slanting upwards to the right against the cliff face? That is the road. We got there ~45 minutes later.
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...it all is basically the same. Empty.
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1 day before a full moon in Utah, my sister occupied herself across the Bonneville Salt Flats trying to take long exposures from a moving vehicle. She got a few almost perfect :)
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http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a.../ORtoCO284.jpg

An interesting pass in eastern UT.
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And back to mostly nothing for a bit, but with mountains lurking in the distance.
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And finally to, and through those mountains
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The entrance to the tunnel, marking the highest point on the US interstate system, 11,200 or so feet. The traffic lights are there to hold up traffic if the tunnel backs up, or if the overheight sensor is triggered. A truck tripped it just before this picture, and was pulled around off to the side.
Attachment 253312

Another moon shot, full moon from just north of Colorado Springs. About a 3 second exposure from a tripod.
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Too busy driving to take pictures of nothing, so nothing between CO and home.

But, at least I snapped these before removing the wrap. It did it's job well, even it made my 8 look a bit tattered on the drive.
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1285609408
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1285609408

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1285609880

Overall, not bad at all on mileage. Quite satisfied to see that I can still post fantasy levels of mileage at will, and that even when having fun, my mileage doesn't drop all that much. That tank at 13.99 was some of the funnest roads I've ever been on, and well worth the gas spent :)


The trip was definitely worth the cost, time, effort, preparation, and energy. Plenty of memories and friends from this trip, things that will last far longer than the tangibles that I could have used the money on instead.

It looks like my final cost for the trip is about $1,580. I am not sure what Maxx's cost was. My sister picked up about $380, and I am getting a $250 donation (hasn't arrived yet, so not counted or applied to my total). Yes, this includes my $62 ticket. :)

So over time, over mileage, and over budget. But plenty satisfied.

Special thanks to:
- Maxxdamigz for the co-driving for the haul out there, and splitting the gas cost of that part
- Charles R. Hill for putting us up for the night in Phoenix, and the honor of a spot at the BHR booth for Sevenstock
- Bern for putting on a show well worth attending!
- Khaf for putting me up for the night friday night
- Sephyobsessed for the basic design and concept of my side vinyl
- Greenblurr93 (Horne Design) for the final design, printing, cutting, and installation of the side vinyl
- The socal crew for making me feel welcome and part of the family, even if us east coast people were taking over :suspect:

Nice pics Mike.

amazing pics!

Looks like my cost was about $950. Really didn't think it was that much until I added it up. $271 in gas, $350 for flying (I paid more for a ticket to get the time I wanted to leave and avoid flying over night), about $150 in hotels, and then spending cash/food. Really though, not bad considering the net value of the trip.

thanks Mike for the wrap up and the sweet pics :)

wow dude this was a hell of a trip I can see! would you do it again? and thanks for keeping the rotary spirit alive!

Would I do it again? Yes.

Will I? Probably.

Will I soon? I doubt it :)

I doubt my wife is willing to tolerate me doing this more frequently than every few years. I will be flying back each year I think, Sevenstock is well worth it.

MAJOR THREAD REVIVAL!:wavey:
All I have to say it, thank you and congrats! Sitting here in school in RI right now reading this, kept me occupied for the better half of my 6 hour break between classes! This seems like an amazing trip and life experience, im sure you still remember this trip! I wish I had my 8 and everything when you went, would have loved to join! I really want to plan a trip like this and Id be coming from Attleboro MA, right next to RI! I did plan something for SSIX but nothing serious after realizing my true budget. REALLY hope Im financially able to make SSXX!! Not sure when the last time youve been in RI but some of the bridges here have been overhauled, only took almost a decade! :mdrmed: