All Thunderbird Picnic for PNW in Eatonville, WA Aug 22

[5bird7]

We can keep better track of this on it's own thread.
I've copied what skipife said from the concours thread.

Well I have not been able to make a serious search of places to stay at or near Eatonville yet so I really do need to get on the ball here I guess; There just is not a lot of places around there it seems unless you do Like Dot suggested and stay up to an hour away, but then you may as well stay home and just show up for the picnic.
If anyone is interested in meeting somewhere and making a "grand entrance" we could sure arrange that without to many problems at all. I know there are three or four up in King county and a couple here in Pierce county plus Bryan and his blushing bride down in Kelso.
I know a couple of ways to get there and one that I do NOT recommend, Meridian on SouthHill in Puyallup is a real mess most of the time until you are well South of the business district. If everyone wants we can meet at the new Starbucks at SR-512 and I-5 just on the Pacific Hyw. (SouthTacomaWay) at a comfortable time, keeping in mind it will take about 45 minutes to get to Eatonville from there.

[5bird7]

On August 22, there will be an All Thunderbird Picnic at Glacier View Park in Eatonville, WA. This is close for the Seattle & Tacoma area residents but fairly far for the Oregon residents for a day trip.

It's a potluck affair for the food conscious person. bring hot or cold covered dishes - there are electrical facilities to keep things hot.

Bring your own table service.

water, coffee and soft drinks will be provided.

There will be live entertainment

They're asking that you also bring chairs even though there are picnic tables there. I'm not sure how the park is laid out.

It's hosted by the Olympic Classic Thunderbird Club of which we are members. George & I will be going there as it'll be the only time we'll get to see those club members while we're up there.

Time is from 11AM to 4PM

Directions:
upon entering the town of Eatonville, on Hwy 161, look for Carter Street. Turn right on Carter and go five blocks to Fir Street. This will be the entrace to Clacier View Park.

There is no rain date for this picnic - if it rains it will still be held but that time of year is usually still dry.

[5bird7]

George & I will be coming down from Snohomish so this will be about a 2 1/2 drive for us. Anyone from The North end is welcome to meet us and we can pick up anyone on the way down if you let us know where would be a good spot. I haven't looked at the map yet to see what route we would take and where would be good meeting spots. We might even hook up with the Olympic club members coming from the Seattle area. I'll be watching the newsletter and make a few phone calls for any caravan plans from that part of the Sound.

[SKIPIFE]

Shame on me...I should have posted all that here on this thread sorry about that; I just sorta figured this is a small forum and we all see each of them anyway.
We have a tentative plan to meet at the Starbucks at SR-512 and I-5 on SouthTacoma Way just south and west of that intersection, across the street from the McDonalds. From there I can lead us through some of the back roads to Eatonville and the picnic.
We should try to set a departure time 10 or10:30 AM from the Starbucks for an arrival time of 11:30 or so if you want to arrive a little later that would be fine with me, we can be very flexible with the time but I would really like to get there no later than noon.
It should take just under an hour to get to the Starbucks from Kirkland, 40 minutes from Enumclaw and an hour and a half from Kelso; If Dot and George come from Lynwood it would also take them about an hour to get to the Starbucks.
This is at the Exit 127 from I-5, go West and then turn South on South Tacoma way to get to the Starbucks, it used to be a Burger King.
For more info on how to get there PM or e-mail me.
I am open to other suggestions so speak up and let everyone know what you think about this plan.
remember...RIDGED FLEXIBILITY...is the rule :biggrin:
WOW... I am trying to catch up here; I shall try to keep my messages regarding the "PICNIC" here from now on. :candle:
So its Snohomish not Lynnwood, OK then just add more time to the above.
Thanks for doing this Dot. :number1:
Bryan...are you there?

[5bird7]

I'll help things along alittle more and post links in those other 2 threads to this thread.

[SKIPIFE]

Karen and I have some time alone for a week, so we made a practice run up to the picnic site from the Starbucks, I passed up the first two Eatonville turns to go the "more fun way" and it took right at an hour to get to the park; I only doubled the speed limit once to take advantage of the passing lane on a hill, so the timing should be good.
On the way back we took the shorter route and it was only 15 minutes less, same goes for speed here to.
Now I will explain the "more fun way", more curves, more scenery and at least one good photo op, if there are not to many other's there.
I was going to take some pictures of the park but the class of 94 was having there reunion and I did not want to bother them.

[Catbyrd]

Dot, count me in on the caravan down south!

[Bryan Sloop]

Skip, Dot, and everyone,

If it was not for bad luck, I would not have any luck.

I appologize for not responding. On the 4th, I had a BBQ explode on me. I got 2nd degree burns on my face and right arm from the hand to past the elbow. I am healing better than expected, but it still hurts like *&%%. Needless to say, I have not in much condition to do much typing as it was my right arm and I am mostly right handed. It is real tough to type via "Columbus method" with my left hand.

I finally had a chance to catch up on all the threads, and I think I will be healed up enough for us to attend.

August 22? That sounds good.

Skip, I will email you or call you either tonite or tomorrow. Sorry I have not been in touch.

[SKIPIFE]

Dang Bryan, I guess your right about that...sorry to hear that.
I won't be home until after 7 this evening so if you plan on calling wait until after that.
I may get off a little as the aircrew I am training right now a pretty sharp, if don't hear from you I will understand though.

[5bird7]

George & I will be heading for the NW this week and still expect to attend the picnic. I'll have internet access off and on during the week.

Skipife, at this point, with your scouting ahead of time, we'll meet you at as you suggested.

Catbryd - We can meet up with you just south of Bellevue. I think there is a Denny's somewhere along I405 just before the Renton exits. I'll pm you for further info.

Dot

[SKIPIFE]

George & I will be heading for the NW this week and still expect to attend the picnic. I'll have internet access off and on during the week.

Skipife, at this point, with your scouting ahead of time, we'll meet you at as you suggested.

Catbryd - We can meet up with you just south of Bellevue. I think there is a Denny's somewhere along I405 just before the Renton exits. I'll pm you for further info.

Dot

Dot, do you mean at the Starbucks? if so it would be a great place to meet and easy to find. We can also tank up on some great coffee and treats there :smokin:
I am going to have a trip down to Bryan's place next weekend so I will try to hook up with him and see what they are planning also.

[5bird7]

Next weekend is the picnic so hope you're visiting Bryan before next Sunday. :nervous:

Yes, I do mean the Starbucks. It's a little out of our way but since you've scouted a route from there to Eatonville, that'll be more fun than fighting alot of the traffic lights on 161.

[SKIPIFE]

Next weekend is the picnic so hope you're visiting Bryan before next Sunday. :nervous:

Yes, I do mean the Starbucks. It's a little out of our way but since you've scouted a route from there to Eatonville, that'll be more fun than fighting alot of the traffic lights on 161.
I am going down either Friday or Saturday, not sure yet.
if you take the SR 512 west you will end up practically in the Starbucks parking lot, take a left at the last light on SR 512 and it is there on the right.
I need to get busy and figure out what to take for a picnic entre, maybe I should have Karen drive her Sonoma up with one of the charcoal grills and a cooler, that way we could burn some meat, or sausages if we wanted to. :biggrin:

[5bird7]

Skip, there'll probably be 60 people there if it's like past picnics. I don't think you want to fire up a grill for that many. Drive your bird.
Something that will serve about 10 to 12 people is all you might want to bring.


For anyone caravaning from the north, please say so here so we can plan to meet you as we travel down to meet with Skipife. WE'll probably be leaving Snohomish at 8 in the morning.

[Yello 7676]

Dot are you planning to stop for breakfast.

[5bird7]

Dot are you planning to stop for breakfast.


Glen - if we stop for breakfast at that Denny's, we'll have to get there earlier - like 7:30 so we can be out on the road again. I've lost track of how long it takes to get any place down there.
Catbyrd lives off of I90, so thought we'd hook up with her on the way down 405.
Did you want to hook up with us somewhere near Everett? or are you caravaning with others that morning?

The above has changed, see later posts.

[SKIPIFE]

Dot, it should only take you about 45 min. to get to the Starbucks from the I 5 / I 90 junction, its about 40 miles down from there.
Dot, and anyone who is coming south with Her and George, if you come down I 5 take Exit 127, Puyallup / South Tacoma Way; Keep right and that will put you on the West end of SR 512, get in the one of the left turn lanes, right is best and the Starbucks will be there on the right; Bryan the same for you if you come up from the South take the same Exit but keep left and go under the I 5 bridge and enter the end of SR 512.
I sure do hope those directions are correct :nervous:

[5bird7]

Got word from Catbryd. She won't be meeting us. She'll be coming a different route if she's able to make it, so won't have any reason to stop at the Denny's or be on I405 unless Glen & Kathy need a breakfast stop - they might.


Glen, If that rest area is still open just south of Everett we'll meet those (you) from the north end. Which bird are you driving?

pm me and I'll answer on Wednesday.

[Yello 7676]

Dot were taking the 02 Kathy wreaked the 57 bird an it's in the body shop. Give us a call when you get up here. Glen

[5bird7]

Got the roster with us, Glen, so I'll give you a call. may still have you on our cell phones too.

sorry about the 57 - bet she has a story to tell.

signing off till Wednesday.

[Bryan Sloop]

Skip, I finally had a chance to catch up on posts again. Yes, we ARE in. I will call you tonite and make sure everything is all set for meeting place, etc.

Dot, Skip, and everyone else, I want to appologize for not keeping up with this thread, but I do look foreward to meeting everyone there.

[SKIPIFE]

Bryan and I just had a long phone discussion, he and Margelee will be here on Sunday to join us on the ride to Eatonville, there was some talk about him bringing "chicken" I discouraged him thinking the red and white tubs of fowl may not go well in the elegant Thunderbird setting. :thumbsdow
anyway we are all looking forward to meeting people we have only chatted with here and also getting to see some that we have already met.
When Bryan called I was in the process of rinsing off the gray after a nice shampoo so when my bird does not quite measure up we know who to blame :naughty:...just kidding Bryan I will make another effort to get it all nice again, the wheels are the one thing I just can't get right though, I think its a design thing though.

The departure time from Starbucks still looks like 10:30 AM to maybe 11:00 AM, thats figuring on George and Dot's 1 hour and Glen's 2 hour drive, Glen, it looks like its 105 miles to the Starbucks from downtown La Conner if you are coming down with George and Dot.

Side note for Glen: do you know Larry Yonelly (Badge)? I know La Conner is a big town so you may not, just curios, if you do and you see him tell him Skip says he needs some green paint, he will understand. :saint:

[SKIPIFE]

The route from Starbucks is 40.2 miles, time 01:07:26, according to MapSource and Garmin that is. :nervous:
Pacific Hwy to Union Ave. to 112th to the Spanaway loop Rd. to the Mtn. Hwy. (7) past the first two Eatonville cutoffs to the Alder cutoff and on into town, Larson St. W to Cedar Ave. N and Glacier View Park; we could drop 15 minuts off the time if we take the first cutoff but there are some wonderful roads that are perfect for us to cruise on using the above route.

[SKIPIFE]

Saturday 8/21 forcast for Eatonville, WA
Partly sunny
High 78° F

Sunday forcast to come...

[SKIPIFE]

Catbyrd you are coming down for this arn't you? we are looking forward to meeting you and I promise I will not drive to fast :nono: if you want to join us for the ride from Starbucks :saint:
We can compare stories about our cats to, well my daughter's cats anyway, they just won't leave me alone.

[Catbyrd]

I never cancelled our Cannon Beach reservations that I made a couple of months ago when we were all tentatively planning to meet up down there, so we decided it would be fun anyway and we're headed down there. On the way back from Oregon, the plan is to stop at the Eatonville T-Bird picnic, but I'm not sure we'll make it up there in time to caravan with everyone or meet at Starbucks. Hopefully I can get up early enough and everyone will still be there when we finally make it to the park. I am looking forward to meeting everyone in person and sharing cat stories too.

[Catbyrd]

p.s. In Kirkland last night we met a Desert Sky Blue T-Bird owner. I gave him a Thunderbirdnest.com card and told him about the picnic on Sunday. Maybe we'll see him at the picnic or at least on the nest!

[SKIPIFE]

OK that is good to hear Catbyrd, enjoy your Oregon trip, it looks like a 3.5 hour drive to Eatonville from Cannon Beach. I think there will still be a lot of folks there when you arrive.

[Yello 7676]

Skip yes Larry is here in Shelter Bay. Don't no him looked in the roster. When George & Dot get up here we will make a plan. Glen

[SKIPIFE]

Skip yes Larry is here in Shelter Bay. Don't no him looked in the roster. When George & Dot get up here we will make a plan. Glen
Thanks for checking Glen, Larry and I have the same model motorcycle but his is red and mine is green.
Larry was the chief of police in La Conner until the city decided to contract law enforcement to the sheriffs dept.
See you Sunday.

[5bird7]

Caught up with this thread but in only 3 days - over 600 messages to catch up elsewhere here - don't think I'llmake that tonight.

Nothing wrong with Bryan's KFC bucket coming - Those are usually the first to disappear at picnics.

Glen, will be seeing Bob on Friday and probably call you sometime that day. We should be in Snohomish that evening.

[SKIPIFE]

Well there you go Bryan bring on the KFC, it has to be acceptable if Dot says so right :high5:

[SKIPIFE]

Eatonville,WA.
Sunday 8/22
Mostly cloudy
High 70° F

[Yello 7676]

Skip would you give use directions to Starbucks if we come down 167 Glen

[SKIPIFE]

Skip would you give use directions to Starbucks if we come down 167 Glen

Sure Glen, assuming you are getting on 167 at I-405, continue South on 167 past Sumner, west of there will be the SR 512 interchange, follow the signs to Olympia, that will put you on SR 512 (one heck of a turn here, so you may want to slow down) now all you have to do is follow it to the end.
There's a couple of lights at the West end where it crosses over I-5 as it approaches South Tacoma Way. That is where you want to get in one of the left turn lanes, (the right left turn lane is best) and just after you make the left turn the Starbucks will be there on the right; looks like an old Burger King cuz thats what it used to be.

If on the off chance you miss the SR 512 interchange just go ahead and cruise through Puyallup (class of 63) on Meridian, when you get to the fairgrounds at the South end there will be another way to get on SR 512, take that entry (its uphill) and it will put you right where you need to be, heading West on SR 512. there ya go, any questions just let me know.

[Catbyrd]

The forecast seems to be changing for Sunday. A couple places I've checked are showing showers for that day. :bawl:

Is everyone still on if it's rain or shine?

[SKIPIFE]

The forecast seems to be changing for Sunday. A couple places I've checked are showing showers for that day. :bawl:

Is everyone still on if it's rain or shine?
I am...rain or shine :nervous: sun would be good though.
I always look for the good forcast to post...round here you would always be safe to say at the end of any forcast "with a chance of rain" :wink:

[5bird7]

we'll be going, rain or shine. will just have to dress a little warmer and find an umbrella. think 1 might be packed in the car.

[SKIPIFE]

The good ole "Pacific North Wet"...I do not remember ever worrying about the weather when we planned a picnic, we just went...and delt with it. There was always a tree or something to stand under to stay dry anyway.
I am sure we will have a LOT of fun regardless of the weather.

[5bird7]

Talked with Glen yesterday and those from the north end will be meeting at the rest area just south of Everett (scale house) at 8:30am Sunday. So far, just looks like 3 of us meeting there. We'll probably be on the road south by 8:45am or earlier if we're all together by then.

Glen also said there's a car show at the casino in Marysville today so George & I will check that out this morning.

[SKIPIFE]

Talked with Glen yesterday and those from the north end will be meeting at the rest area just south of Everett (scale house) at 8:30am Sunday. So far, just looks like 3 of us meeting there. We'll probably be on the road south by 8:45am or earlier if we're all together by then.

Glen also said there's a car show at the casino in Marysville today so George & I will check that out this morning.
Show sounds like fun, there will be one at the King county fair grounds in Enumclaw next Sunday, sponsored by Les Shwaub tire, looks to be another good show also.

Dot if you stay on I 5 from the rest stop it is about 68 miles and just over an hour to the Starbucks;

NEWSFLASH: There will be lane closures on I 405 in the Bellevue area for road repair work until 0500 Monday morning.

Karen and I tried to go to Kelso yesterday but I 5 was at a standstill :snail: due to a wild fire that was started by some burning material thrown from a car (common practice up here for some reason)...and further South by a roll-over accident, we even tried the alternate Hwy 507 route and it was the same way...guess we were not supposed to go yesterday, I will try again today...shake Bryan loose from whatever it is he is up to. Its 9:30 so I need to hit the road and get down to Kelso...Bryan I will call when I get in town.

[Bryan Sloop]

Skip, sounds good.

We plan on being there come rain or shine.

Catbyrd, I sure hope you can join us as well. I look foreward to meeting everyone.

[SKIPIFE]

OK everyone lets shoot for a "NO LATER THEN" 11:00 departure from the Starbucks; we can depart sooner if all the couples we expect arrive early and we all had our fill of coffee and treats.
If anyone has a problem let me know here or give me call on the cell phone after 09:30 in the morning.

[SKIPIFE]

side note: I did make it to Kelso today and met up with the Sloop's, we had a good visit and I got the tour of the new 5th wheel, we tried to hook up so we could bring it along to the picnic but my hook up didn't match his...pictures soon.

[SKIPIFE]

Karen and I had an enjoyable day at the picnic but the highlight was getting to meet George and Dot, Glen and Kathy, and Catbyrd and Ken along with several other thunderbird owners. We did miss the Sloops though, especially the chicken they were going to bring :bawl:
I did not expect to see as many people there as there was due to the weather forecast but it was nice and didn't rain the whole time; there was a bit of a sprinkle on the way home but it did not last.
Dot thanks for bringing the picnic to our attention.

[5bird7]

What Skip was really trying to say, is that he didn't expect to see so many old T-birds there. Those north of Seattle had to go thru pouring down rain to get there. Yet about 60 people were there including about 6 early t-birds up from Oregon. sorry that Bryan wasn't able to make it afterall.

There were 7 new T-birds there. 3 03 grey, 1 02 red, 1 02 yellow and 2 02 blues. I didn't count the rest but there were 2 vintage t-birds, a 57 Ford and about 15 55-57 T-birds (I really didn't count) and several other transportation cars.

Following are a few of the pics. Never take enough.

Catbryd wasn't there yet but one of the grey's is Skip's, then mine, then yelo7676. Hobobo's is parked out of sight. The other grey belongs to an Olympic club member.

In the 3rd pic is Glen (yelo7676), Catbryd, Skip (skipife), and his wife Karen

[5bird7]

Forgot to mention,
Skip grilled some sausage and it didn't last long! very yummy!

[SKIPIFE]

Dot I sure am glad your shutter did not snap a few seconds sooner, I would have been in BIG trouble.
I sure do like the road shot you took on the way into town, did you get anymore like that.
I will post the pictures I took when I get my desktop back from the shop. I was using a 256 card in my camera and my portable card reader will not read anything bigger then 128; right now I can look at them with the entertainment machine in the living room but it does not have a regular monitor on it or the software I use to downsize photos installed yet.

[5bird7]

yes, Skip, I got more on the road shots plus a "movie" - will send those to you on CD when we return home. Just pm me your address.

[Bryan Sloop]

Darn, it sounds like I missed out on a really good time. I was so depressed when I got the call from work.:cussing: In addition, I was quite ticked when I found out I would not be off in time to meet up with everyone.

But, the reality is, with my trade, I have to make hay when the sun shines. Hopefully, I will not miss the next get together.

Dot, thanks for posting some pics.

[SKIPIFE]

In light of what has happened on the "louiefest" thread I have decided to open a yahoo site for the PNW owners for a more intimate gathering place to plan for and set up events in this area, it is not in any way meant to replace TBN at all, there is way to much good stuff going on there to even consider leaving; so if you are from the Oregon Territory, Western MT, or Northern CA. please consider this site.

Subscribe: PNWRETROT-BIRD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: PNWRETROT-BIRD-owner@yahoogroups.com
__________________

[SKIPIFE]

I finally got my desktop back from the shop so here are some of the pictures I took at the picnic, and some that were taken while getting ready to go: to begin with we thought about bringing Bryan Sloops 5th wheel but it would not match up to my hitch... :laugh:

[SKIPIFE]

The next day we met George and Dot, Glen and Cathey at Starbucks, the gal with the yellow sun shade is Karen.

[SKIPIFE]

We had a pleasant drive up to the park and met with the other Thunderbird owners; there were several very nice, and I might add, quiet cars there.

[K.P.]

Interesting color of soft-top on that dusk rose! (kinda looks Merlot!)
DOT, what was the original color soft top on this color? white or black?

[5bird7]

lol, Karyl, white or black. didn't ask, but both colors were available on the 57s. "merlot" was not.