Hello from Whidbey Island, Washington

[Tear Les]

I'll see if I can get someone to get a shot of Shelley and I this wekend so I can do a proper avatar photo. I'll pick the nicest teardrop in attendance at the Spring Fling and stand in front of that for the photo!

[Ohhh...don't wanna do that...that means I'll have to pick the nicest (not possible I'm sure) and if it looks better than mine when it's done (which is likely) I've got a problem!.]

I found out the frame is going to be a couple hundred dollars more than I anticipated (maybe a tad more). I guess I'll swallow hard and keep going as now's not the time to get cold feet! On the other hand, if there's a really cool TD for sale at the Spring Fling that might just save me all kinds of trouble. I'll take my checkbook just in case.

[Kankujoe]

Hello Les,

Welcome to T&TTT...

Whidbey Island.... I love where you live.... Two years ago I stayed at the Navy Lodge on the Naval Air Station. I spent a week exploring & bicycling around Whidbey & the San Juans... very beautiful country you have up there...

[Tear Les]

KJ,

Thanks for the welcome. I have to agree, it's beautiful here. I get so busy and wrapped up in work and such I forget to appreciate it as much as I should (or could); thanks for reminding me!

I've traveled most of my life (a Navy kid and then work); a good family friend retired in the Springfield area and we visited a few times. I've also spent some time in the Ozarks. Lots of pretty places out your way too for sure.

[Tear Les]

Hi Lee,
I'll leave it to Paul from down under to bug you aboot your avatar (unless thats really you), but welcome to the board!
We're getting together in Morton, WA this weekend if you want to meet a great bunch of people and see 50+ teardrops and TTTs.

"This year we will be camping at Gus Backstrom Park in Morton. Take exit #68 off I-5, head East, and you’ll be on Highway 12 for 30 miles. When you see the “Welcome to Morton” sign (and the cemetery), turn left onto 7th. Pass the hospital and, after the stop sign, you’ll see the Park on the right."

Come for a day if you can. I'm sure the several hour drive will save you 10 times the time on your build.

Hope to see you (course I won't recognize you),
Your across the water neighbor,

Ok Paul, I've got a question for you. If I follow the above directions I've got 20 miles to the freeway, 162 miles down the freeway, then 30 miles on Hwy 12 to Morton...total 212 miles (I don't know how I did the incorrect math earlier). If I do a Google map it runs me down the freeway then down 161 (East Valley Freeway) all the way to Elbe where it picks up 7 right into Morton. The mileage that way is 170 miles. Am I going to save the extra time it takes to run the extra 42 miles by heading all the way to exit 68 on I-5? I know early Sunday morning that it won't be any faster on I-5 than on 161 as far as Puyallup but I really can't remember 161 south of there (been lots of years since I was down that way). If it's not a lot slower on 161 and 7 I could do without the freeway; I'd rather be on smaller roads.

Thanks!

[Jack J]

Les

I was about to suggest that route for you but you beat me to it. Yes that is a shorter way to get there. Sometimes the south hill area of Puyallup can get congested but overall, it is not that bad. A nice country drive after get south of Puyallup. That is the route I am taking from the NE Tacoma area.

Jack

[Tear Les]

Les

I was about to suggest that route for you but you beat me to it. Yes that is a shorter way to get there. Sometimes the south hill area of Puyallup can get congested but overall, it is not that bad. A nice country drive after get south of Puyallup. That is the route I am taking from the NE Tacoma area.

Jack

Thanks Jack. My wife Shelley and I are really looking forward to the trip down to see all the teardrops and owners. Even more so now since it looks like the trip is a lot shorter!

[pgwilli]

OK I’m busted…

I did a cut and paste from the NW Spring Fling directions.
They are written to work from the north AND south.

I will be taking the route you describe through Puyallup. I’ve been using this route to the south side of Mt Rainier for so long, I didn’t think about it.
On the other hand, the event has been held in Randle, WA (even further away from Snohomish/Island counties) in the past. The I-5 route prove the faster for us last year on the way home.

[halfdome, Danny]

Welcome lblampman . If your planning on going down hwy 161 (Meridian) in the South Hill area for Spring Fling try this alternate route and you will save time & aggravation. I-5 to hwy 512 (Puyallup) take the Canyon Road exit ( right turn south) and travel 4 miles to Fredrickson and turn left at the Fredrickson signs by Arco @ 176th St E. Travel about 4 miles to Meridian (hwy 161) and turn right after the Fred Meyer and follow to hwy 7. Canyon doesn't have strip malls and is much faster. Hope to see you Saturday or Sunday. Danny

[Tear Les]

Hi Danny,

Thanks, I'll take a look at that route too.

I work on Saturdays so it will be Sunday when we head down.