Mountain Loop 10th Anniversary (10-25-08)

[Jerry]

Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
and
Fall Colors Tour
October 25, 2008

Help us celebrate a decade of exploring northwest backroads by joining us in retracing the tracks of our very first Backroad Drivers Northwest driving tour. We will meet in south Everett, Washington and drive county roads and country lanes to Granite Falls, enter the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and follow the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway to Darrington. Fall colors should be spectacular!

Enjoy a stop at the falls (Granite Falls) then meander along the twisty Stillaguamish River slowing for the communities of Robe, Verlot and Silverton and make note for future reference of the entrance to the Big Four Ice Caves and the trail head to the old mining town of Monte Cristo. At Barlow Pass the road turns to improved gravel for about ten miles where under a canopy of multi-colored foliage we will be guided by a soft carpet of recently fallen leaves as we follow the rugged Suak River, making stops to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Just down the road is the mountain town of Darrington where we will stop for lunch and a mini 10th Anniversary celebration. Afterwards we will make plans for the afternoon leg of our tour. Virtually any vehicle can make the trip, but please note there will be about ten miles of improved gravel road. We suggest you bring drinking water and snacks.

Meet us at Denny's Restaurant, 132 128th St. SW, Everett, WA (435-355-2210). Come early for breakfast or coffee and plan to leave at 9:00 AM. The restaurant is just west of Interstate 5, Exit 186. Look for our copper colored Ford Escape with Backroad Drivers Northwest window stickers.

We hope you will help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary and we are looking forward to seeing you on October 25th!

Jerry & Evelyn

[Albino94ltd]

This is on my calendar.

Happy Birthday to more than just PNWBRD

[Jerry]

That's great! I'm glad you can make it.

[Decidion]

Happy Birthday guys!

Sorry I can't make this... I'll be down in So Cal running the Old Mojave Road at this time. But have fun, and maybe I can join next time!

[Jerry]

Happy Birthday guys!

Sorry I can't make this... I'll be down in So Cal running the Old Mojave Road at this time. But have fun, and maybe I can join next time!

Your trek over the Old Mojave Road sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Jeff. I read a little about the trail at:
The Mojave Road in the Mojave desert - DesertUSA
There are several other sites with info, but I stumbled onto this one and enjoyed a good read. Please bring us up to speed with a trip report when you get back.

[Jerry]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BACKROAD DRIVERS NORTHWEST!

IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS! ...and the celebration continues with the
Mountain Loop 10th Anniversary Tour on October 25th!

Today, September 23rd, is the official TENTH anniversary of
Backroad Drivers Northwest. On this date, ten years ago the first
names were added to the mail list and one month later we enjoyed
our first road trip.

Our sincere thanks to all of our members, the folks who have supported
the group by making suggestions, arranging road trips, writing trip reports,
commenting on and off list and telling their acquaintances about us.
Backroad Drivers is indeed a group effort so Happy Anniversary to all of
our subscribers!

Today is also the changing of the guard. It has been a wonderful ride for
Evelyn and me, especially getting to know so many folks personally and
via email. And we still look forward to seeing everyone at upcoming events
only from now on without our moderators hat.

Please welcome STEVE from Edgewood, Washington as the new
owner/moderator of Backroad Drivers Northwest. Besides being an active
back road and overland adventurer, Steve has been a moderator of the
BDNW group and is owner/operator of the PNW Backroad Adventures
Forum.

So Happy Anniversary to everyone in the Backroad Drivers group, a big
welcome to Steve and here's to ANOTHER TEN YEARS of exploring Pacific
Northwest backroads.

HELP US CELEBRATE OUR FIRST DECADE ON OCTOBER 25TH!

[Steve]

I have a big set of shoes to fill.

Again, thanks Jerry (and Evelyn) for all you have done.

Steve

[Jerry]

Only 14 more days!

I talked with the folks at the Darrington Ranger Station and they say the fall colors have started to turn and they will be even more beautiful when we drive the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway on October 25th. Leaves have started to fall and if Mother Nature does her usual handiwork the gravel portion of the loop will have a multi-colored carpet of them.

You may have already told us, but please tell us again if you are coming and remember that any car can make the trip. Hope to see you there!

[Binford]

Jerry, I was *just* about to let you know that I was going to talk my family into doing this trip when it dawned on me that both my boys have soccer games on Saturday.

Oh well.... Perhaps the next time.

I'll be monitoring for you on the K7PP repeater though! (147.200 PL 123.0)

[Jerry]

Jerry, I was *just* about to let you know that I was going to talk my family into doing this trip when it dawned on me that both my boys have soccer games on Saturday.

Oh well.... Perhaps the next time.

I'll be monitoring for you on the K7PP repeater though! (147.200 PL 123.0)

There's no doubt those kids come first, Tim. Enjoy them while you can and we'll catch you next time.