Seattle Drive South - Update WIth Pics

[Zippy]

Okay, I know the car show is on Sunday, but since Sunday is Easter, I won't be able to go. Also, it's supposed to rain on Sunday. HOWEVER, tomorrow, Saturday it is supposed to be 65 to 67 and only partly cloudy with no chance of rain! So I am going for a drive in my Fiat with the top down all the way. If anyone wants to join me they are welcome. I will be at Celebration Park in Federal Way, WA at about 11:00 AM. Try to be there between 11:00 and 11:30 and we will leave by noon. We will take a few of my favorite roads from there to a restaurant over in Gig Harbor. Massimo Italian Grill
13802 Purdy Drive Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA 98332-8641, (253) 514-6237. http://www.massimobarandgrill.com It will take between 60 and 70 minutes of driving to get to the restaurant depending on traffic along Ruston Way and through Gig Harbor. After lunch we will head over to Hood Canal, Shelton, Olympia,and back to Federal Way. If anyone wants to meet up along the way and join in, great, just let me know. If you live along the route and don't have a running car and just want to say hi we can arrange that, too. Send a PM or email and I will give you a call.

http://goo.gl/maps/pIUn

[DougC]

I'd love to join you, but the car's not running. I hope to get around to figuring out why soon in case we actually get more good weather!

[Zippy]

I'd love to join you, but the car's not running. I hope to get around to figuring out why soon in case we actually get more good weather!

Is this still the problem since September? You have such a nice looking spider it's a shame it isn't running. Let me know if you want me to look at it. I may not be a real mechanic but I have been able to keep most of my cars running myself. (trannies freak me out)

[Rascal]

Sounds like fun, but my Fiat won't be ready for a longer ride until I do the brakes and the timing belt.
I just got all the parts from Ricambi. I think I'll go for a ride around Green Lake ( 3 or 4 miles)

[Ptoneill]

My car is also on rollers in the garage, however I could meet up with you when you get lunch. Feel free to give me a call when you are in the area. 253-226-5596,

Thanks,

Pat O'Neill

[Coyote2000]

That sounds like a blast -- if I get my car back as planned (and meet my other obligations) I'm in. I probably won't know until 11 though so hopefully I'll make it and see ya there.

[Zippy]

All I can say is WOW! What a great day for a drive. It got up to 66 degrees in the Tacoma area today with not a cloud in sight. By afternoon I was driving in my short sleeve shirt.
I met up with Coyote2000 around 11:30. After introductions and checking out each others cars we took off for some fun driving. A couple of short twisty roads and then off across the bridge to Gig Harbor. We met up with Ptoniell at the restaurant and talked more car stuff, had a great lunch and looked at iPads for pictures, web sites, potential suppliers and dream interiors. It was almost 4pm before we left the parking lot of the restaurant. Coyote headed north and I headed south. I almost made it to Hood Canal before I realized how late it was. I turned around and went to Tacoma instead and checked out the new Fiat Dealership they are building before heading home.
I had a great time, you guys are great and I look forward to our next drive.

[Zippy]

Here is a short video as we follow the GPS directions through a couple of Round Abouts.
http://youtu.be/cKcP0yjjGck

[baltobernie]

What a beautiful day! Yes, two cars does qualify as a Road Run. With the limited number of dry weekend days you guys get, could you establish a broadcast e-mail list for last-minute drives?

Oh, and I could tell you weren't driving in New Jersey. Those drivers waiting for a slot in the rotaries? No way

[Coyote2000]

I spoke with a lady that lived in the area for 50 years -- she said that particular roundabout is so controversial that they redid it a year or two ago to try and make it more intuitive. It's a fairly new concept to we northwesterners, and the multi-lane ones really throw us for a loop (har har).

Anyway, zippy is the man -- thanks for a GREAT drive down some awesome roads. That was really only the 2nd time I've had the Fiat out on a proper drive and I enjoyed the *&#! out of it. Earplugs helped -- a lot. I didn't need those in my younger years but now they make all the difference. I'll post a vid or two when I have some spare cycles...

[Coyote2000]

I spoke with a lady that lived in the area for 50 years -- she said that particular roundabout is so controversial that they redid it a year or two ago to try and make it more intuitive. It's a fairly new concept to we northwesterners, and the multi-lane ones really throw us for a loop (har har).

Anyway, zippy is the man -- thanks for a GREAT drive down some awesome roads. That was really only the 2nd time I've had the Fiat out on a proper drive and I enjoyed the *&#! out of it. Earplugs helped -- a lot. I didn't need those in my younger years but now they make all the difference. I'll post a vid or two when I have some spare cycles...