Chasing Cars: Portland and Sonoma (and the North West)

[kroozn1]

Hi !

So, your stopping off at one of my favorite places in the world ... the Salt!

There won't be any racing going on. Speedweek is in the middle of August every year. This year Speedweek is Aug. 18 - 24.

Check out Speed Week's Sponsoring Organization Site

I noticed your headed to my old stomping grounds when you leave Craters Of the Moon.... the Tetons. I don't know what route you planned to get to Jackson. But...If you drive to Arco and then go to Mud Lake you can pick up Route #33 and it will take you thru Teton Valley with an awesome view of the Idaho side of the Tetons.

Then 33 will take you over Teton pass with another awesome view. Of the Jackson Hole country.

If your planned route has you driving hiway 26 out of Idaho Falls you might think of taking hiway 31 out of Swan Valley over Pine Creek Pass to hiway 33 at Victor and then hand a left (North) about 12 miles for a scenic view of the Tetons. You can then backtrack on 33 over Teton Pass.

[UKCraig]

Thanks for your tips - good work. I appreciate that there is no event going on whilst I'm there but, well, I'm passing by and I just have to stop by!

What route would you take for the Great Basin NP - Bonneville - Craters Of The Moon NM - Grand Teton NP section if you had never been to Bonneville before and wanted to get a feel for the place and, as a motorsport fan, get a few photos? I haven't yet found much in the way of locations on the net?

[kroozn1]

Hi Craig,

If old trains interest you, stop in at the Great Northern Railway Museum in Ely, NV. It is only a few blocks North of U.S. 93 as you drive thru town.

If you turn right when you go thru the sleepy, near dead town of McGill there are a few old mansions on the hillside worth seeing. McGill must have been something else in it's heyday.

Warning: Do not break the speed limit in any of these little Nevada towns.

After the Pony Express Station (yes, it is worth stopping to read the marker and there is a bathroom there) you will get to where U.S. 93 splits at Lages Station. Staying right takes you to Wendover. I usually see lots of wild horses on the drive to Wendover. More horses than cars usually!
For some reason I really enjoy driving this road.

There is not much in Wendover for the gearhead even tho it is next to the Mecca of Land Speed Racing..... Bonneville salt Flats. Land Speed Racers are almost all back yard builders. Even the real fast guys.There just isn't any money in it.

Wendover does have something that is unique to see.
The air base where the bomber crews trained to drop the atomic bomb in WW2 is mostly still there on the South (Utah) side of town. The HUGE hangers for the B-29s, old barracks, etc.
There are some old faded signs next to some of the buildings describing what you are looking at. Too bad it is all getting so run down.

Leaving Wendover:
If you go back West and take U.S. 93 to Twin Falls you get a nice view of the Snake River Canyon that Evil Kevil tried to Jump.

If you go East and catch 15 North you can go to Lava Hot Springs for a soak.

It is just South of Pocatello and about 15 miles off the Interstate Lava does not have any sulfur smell like most hot springs. I love the place and was just there with the Grandkids. Go to the hot springs in the center of town and not the huge pool. You can rent a towel so you just have a wet swim suit to deal with.

I hope this gives you some things to think about.
kroozn1
(Carl)

[UKCraig]

Thanks Carl
That's a shame about Bonneville. Are there no markers or anything for a photo opportunity? How about at Black Rock Desert where they set the land speed record recently? I will definately stop by the area still though - it's like Pikes Peak, Le Mans, Nurburgring, etc. Doesn't matter if anything is happening - it's mecca and you just have to go!

Thanks for the other tips too - some very good stuff there - appreciated!

I am looking to book my flights tomorrow but I've made a few changes to the itinerary for this leg of my trip based on my car rental insurance only covering me for 31 days at a time. It has squeezed things up just a little bit but it has opened up a window for me to do some other stuff in the trip that I am very excited about. So it's all good!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Are there no markers or anything for a photo opportunity? How about at Black Rock Desert where they set the land speed record recently?

That is one of the conditions of the use permit at both places -- Leave no Trace....

On the approach to Black Rock Desert -- be sure to take the Guru Drive and on the far side of the dry lake bed is a very unique three holer hot spring geyser -- look at this site and look for the Fly Geyser photos.

Mark

[UKCraig]

Nice links - looks very interesting.

I'm actually tempted to cut Craters Of The Moon loose now :s It's kinda out the way anyway...

[kroozn1]

Hi Craig,
If you decide to skip Craters Of the Moon .. be sure and stop at the Hell's Half Acre Lava Flow rest area on Interstate 15 between Blackfoot and Idaho Falls. About 5 miles out of Blackfoot.
There are walkways thru the Lava flows and it looks a lot like a good bit of Craters of the Moon does.

[UKCraig]

Well I am writing from Eureka, California - somewhat ahead of schedule due to a) me getting a bit carried away and pressing on some and b) the weather affecting full opening of some of the places that I have been so far. Anyway I am going to head off in the morning and have until Thursday PM to reach San Francisco. My plan is to head on over to Yosemite and Death Valley - I think I should have enough time for that.

I've been to both previously and loved them so am quite excited about heading back. I have checked and Tioga Pass is now open so that's all good - the question relates to access to the Racetrack Playa. I didn't make it out there last time and I'd love to head out there this time but I have a normal sedan (a Pontiac G8) and I'm concerned whether or not its possible to make it out there? I have read on this forum that its sometimes possible if its been recently maintained but - realistically - is it on?