Milford NJ June 13

[BruceBowker]

Hoping to get a few together for a drive.

Who would like to meet at Milford's Ship Inn at 10 am Saturday June 13th. Maybe a 2 hour drive and back to Milford?

Bruce

[KStier]

I'd probably be up for it, I'll have to check with the wife and family etc etc etc... It should be ok though since I'd be away for only a few hours...

You should try and include Jack, Mike (Croc), Al Navarro (he can ride as a passenger), Roman (EvilRomeo) and Alan and Kathy...(just met them at Carlisle today)

Kyle

[BruceBowker]

Only one interested? We can change the location or.... Can we get a few together for a nice run?

Bruce

[Boxologist]

depending on car status i may be in.

[BruceBowker]

Great! I'll keep checking and seeing who all we can get.

Bruce

[Croc]

Count me in :)

[BruceBowker]

Excellent. We can meet somewhere outside the Ship Inn. Any suggestions for a route? I was thinking heading north on the PA side or heading south on the PA side.

Bruce

[Croc]

My suggestion would be to go along bridge street, across the bridge, turn right and head north to Easton. Cross over the river again at Easton (which is north of I-78) and come south on river road to Milford. At least I know that route.

You could go south towards New Hope but....lots and lots of traffic goes that way for lunch. Also route 29 coming north along the NJ side of the river is a 35mph zone full of slow cars.

But what if we go straight ahead up into the hills on the PA side instead of following the river? I don't know that area....

Lunch follows at Ship Inn? There is a community parking lot opposite the Ship Inn next to the Church. Thats where we should meet - plenty of room to park.

There is also a park about 4 miles south off Milford on the PA side where we could do a picnic or group photo.

[Al Navarro]

Guys, I have a route mapped out that I always loved in a Se7en that might work...I'll forward to Bruce (do I have your email mike?)...

[BruceBowker]

"But what if we go straight ahead up into the hills on the PA side instead of following the river? I don't know that area...."

I know this entire area very well. I would like to go up as far as route 80 and back down but on mostly back roads when possible.
Would everyone be game for that long a ride?.

I am guessing about 2 hours. Milford to Easton and back isn't so far. We would be on 611 part of the way. Also I am hoping a section of road is open again that goes north on the PA side at the Belvdere bridge. A nice road.

Bruce

[BruceBowker]

"Lunch follows at Ship Inn? There is a community parking lot opposite the Ship Inn next to the Church. Thats where we should meet - plenty of room to park"

We can also park at my house after. About 1 minute form the Ship Inn and safer. But meeting at first at the lot mentioned above is best.

Rain date June 20?

[BruceBowker]

If all the way to Rt 80 is too far we can cross at Belvidere and make our way to Bloomsbury where this is a great road over the mountain back to Milford.

[Croc]

Al's ideas are always promising - so a mapped out route is an excellent idea. Of course I am sure he (hopefully) plans to join us in his new car :D

2 hours sounds about right. The catch is that it will be a late lunch back at the Ship Inn.... I think I can survive the starvation! :p

Only real problem I see is keeping a group together on backroads so that the tail enders do not get lost. You may know your way around but I guarantee I do not ;) .




Al - you should have my email from when I sent the data sheet to your work address. If not I can send another.

[BruceBowker]

The route is not that complicated and I am sure no one will get lost unless we have dozens of cars!!!!. We should be back by 12:30 latest if we leave on time.

l suggest we head over to PA. Over the hill to Rt 611. Either 611 all the way through Easton to Belvidere or a slightly longer and nicer road off 611 and back to 611. Then back down to Milford.I know some great roads.

Al explained how he highlighted his map online which I won't be able to do. What I will do is print up some maps, highlight them and hand them out. I can also explain the route here if anyone wants.

Bruce

[BruceBowker]

I made a highlighted map of the proposed trip. I have driven this before and it has some nice roads and scenery. Couple of places to stop for refreshments if necessary.

Now - I am not sure how the map thing works.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109051210535462998278.00046a5b6278061a70a1f&z=11

Apparently it works.

Bruce

[S1Steve]

Hi ,
I see you have a 7 day planned, you are in my backyard almost. I live in Ambler, but not sure were the Ship Inn is , close to New Hope ?

Sounds like a nice day !!! Steve

[BruceBowker]

Steve - if you can join us that would be great. The Ship Inn is in Milford - about 20 minutes up the road from New Hope. Just come up the PA side on 32 or up the NJ side on Rt 29 to Frenchtown and then on to Milford, NJ. Don't mix this up with West Milford or Milford PA. They are quite a bit farther away.

Ship Inn is on the main street - Bridge Street.

Let me know if you need better directions. We hope to meet at 10 am. I see you are near Willow Grove. You could come up 611 also. I would guess it is about a 45 minute drive to Milford?? MapQuest says closer to an hour... Still think it could be done in less - on the gray side of legal.

Really hope to see you.

[BruceBowker]

So far it looks we have

Kyle
Steve
Boxologist
Mike
Me

If we can meet at the Ship Inn - Milford NJ at 10 am.

Lunch at the Inn after.

I hope we don't have a chance of rain.

June 20 or 21 rain date is Ok with me or even another drive!

Bruce

[Al Navarro]

I may or may not have a community day chili-cook off to work this day (which you are all welcome to, of course!).

Mike, I sent that map file to the pwc address I had...I also realized later on Sat that I owe you a few more stickers and a membership card! Oy.

Also someone should post to usa@se7ens.net...I'm sure you'll shake loose a few more people from the area...like Karl D in his Twin-Cam S2 (all I can say is that on a certain straight stretch of a certain road, Orange was hard pressed to keep up with Karl' blue and ali car)...

[BruceBowker]

I'll post on se7ens.

Thanks

Bruce

[Croc]

Thanks Al! :) I saw it and have been studying it this morning against my map.

Bruce - Add 1 tentative in for another local I know who is waiting for a part to get mobile again. He can join us on the bike if the Seven is not mobile by then.

[jvbtte]

Bruce

I orderd a new motor mount from Caterham USA last week. In the meantime, I welded my broken mount Wed. night and it seems to be holding for now. So if all goes well, I will be joining the blat. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[BruceBowker]

Jack - nice to see you are going. I see you are quite a bit east and north. Do you drive you car to Milford? I assume you know the way but if you need any directions, please ask.

See everyone soon.

Bruce

[jvbtte]

No problem, we will take 287 to 78 and drop down to Frenchtown through some county roads, should be fun.

[BruceBowker]

Just a reminder that June 13 is still on at 10 am meeting at the Ship Inn Milford, NJ

I am leaving for the US on June 7th and will have limited access to a computer.

My cell phone only while there will be 908-329-0603.

Hope the weather is OK and to see a bunch of Sevens. 7 Sevens would be nice!

Bruce

[Al Navarro]

Guys, I think I have to work at the chili cook-off/school fundraiser, which you are welcome to stop in at (post-drive, I'd think)...Bruce, it's at the Alexandria Township park at the junction of 519 and 631, just up the hill from Milford. I'll email my cell to Bruce or someone else on the list...

FWIW, I'm competing, and every vote counts!

[THERE IS A CHANCE I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE RENDEZVOUS BEFORE MY CHILI-COOK-OFF STARTS]

[BruceBowker]

I know exactly where it is. Not sure if everyone is going to have lunch at the Ship Inn.

Guess we can decide June 13 when we meet.

Bruce

[Croc]

Weather looks encouraging for Saturday - sunny 74 degrees. Hopefully the rain from Thurs/Fri will have cleared away.

[BruceBowker]

I'll be in the parking lot next to the church which is on the opposite side of the street from the Ship Inn and the creek.

Hope to see everyone there.

Bruce

[jlbtrans1]

I plan on getting some great shots of this run as well as a nice group shot and will share all photos with the group. Digital is ready to go!!!

[S1Steve]

Hi,
The weather is going to be great, so I'll see everybody Sat. morning. I am going to take 32 also known as river road, one of the best 7 and bike roads .

Steve

[Boxologist]

i'm still going to be 7-less, if anyone can stand a passenger, i'd like to get se7ening in my system.

[S1Steve]

Box, You have shotgun !!! Steve

[Croc]

Sorry to hear that your Seven is still misbehaving. I would offer you my spare seat but Kyle has reserved it since his Birkin is unfortunately also off the road.

Two of the other cars are already paired up - Jack/Jen and Alan/Kathy. The only car that comes to mind with a free seat is Bruce's (or possibly Steve's?). Give Bruce a call on his cell (on this post) as I dont believe he is checking email or this site regularly now that he is back in the country this week. It would be great to have you along.

Edited - Problem solved for Box by Steve.

[Boxologist]

steve, tahnks for the offer, I'll see evryone @10am.

[BruceBowker]

I have wife in the seat next to me. So no extra passengers unless you want to try the back seat.!!

[BruceBowker]

Any count on how many so far? I sort of count 4 Sevens.

We don't want to leave too early and have someone left behind.

Bruce

[jlbtrans1]

I count 10 people and 5 sevens

[Croc]

Roll call

1 - Bruce and wife
2 - Jack and Jen
3 - Alan & Kathy (At Carlisle they said they would come - not sure if they have seen this post? I do not have their contact details).
4 - Steve and Box
5 - Me and Kyle

And Al doing a chilli cook-off! :p

[BruceBowker]

Thanks. 5 cars will be great. See you all soon.

Bruce

[Al Navarro]

I'll be there to send you all off, I think. Anyone coming back to the area is welcome to come by Alexandria Township Park to eat/vote in the Chili Cook-off...all proceeds support local school district and it's people's choice so the more ringers I have, the better.

The event starts at 4:30, but I need to get into the approved Board of Health kitchen at noon...fortunately, it's in Milford, where the rendez point is.

See you tomorrow! Yes, I'll bring stickers and such.

---

FYI, I got Alan & Kathy's info from Bill T. in F-town and sent them the deets and a link to this thread.

[BruceBowker]

We are back and dry from the actual drive. Not sure how everyone made it back home though???!!!

I met a great bunch of people and have been wanting to do a drive like this for a long time. Had one the best times of my life.

Thanks everyone.

Bruce

[S1Steve]

Bruce,
You and your wife showed all of us a great time, I like the Ship Inn, the roads that we took were
some of the best I have been on. As for the ride home, I hit very hard rain and alot of flooding, glad I was driving the S1 with no doors or top. Again, Well done, let's do it again !!!!
Thanks to all that made the drive, Steve

[jvbtte]

Bruce,
Thanks for the great blat. The country side and roads were fantastic!
Your a lucky guy to have a wonderful wife who understands and accepts your minor car obsession LOL, which by the way, is quite a collection. I would really like to go for a ride in that mini someday, and the red jag really does need to have some run time. Im sure any of us would be willing to do this for you since you are not home much and we all know jags need to be run to maintain a good state of tune :)

It was really nice to have met all the other guys as well.

It started to rain pretty hard on the way home, so we just took the highway back.

Steve, your car sounds great and sorry you forgot to bring your coast guard approved vest for the ride home.

Al Navarro was there to support the group as usual. Sorry I didn't get to stop by and visit your chili cook off, it started to rain pretty hard.

Kyle and Box, I hope you get your cars on the road soon. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call.

Mike, it was good to see you again. If it weren't for you, I would not have a 7.

[KStier]

I agree with all of the above. Thanks to Mike for the seat in his car and to Bruce for the route. The only thing missing was my car and a little better weather...I thought about you all while I was driving home in the Mini!

Thanks again.

[Croc]

I just want to echo everyone else with thanks to Bruce for putting this all together. I had a great time!

For those that did not make it some photo links to enjoy:

We started at Milford NJ, a sleepy little town on the Delaware river:
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05608.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05608.jpg)

And proceeded to drive what I though Bruce described as "Tail of the Gecko" I could have misheard.....but it was fun!

Some pics from the drive:
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05611.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05611.jpg)

During the drive we passed Bikie diner heaven on Rt 32 - there had to be at least 100 bikes at this diner - even a dealer would not have a forecourt so crowded. Plenty of waves from those guys - they get our "habit"!

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05610.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05610.jpg)

This is Steve (and Boxologist) smiling just before my car decided to give him his cardio workout for the day - yes the brake lights decided to go to lunch early on the drive...oops! Sorry Steve.
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05609.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05609.jpg)

Steve then caused alarm at the front by disappearing from the rear vision mirror. Was it mechanical problems? Was it electrical? Had his passenger puked? Noooo.....he saw a port-a-potty! Pit stop:
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05613.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05613.jpg)

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05614.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05614.jpg)

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05615.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05615.jpg)

Post drive we ended up at Bruce's house to redecorate the driveway before then adjourning to the Ship Inn for some lunch, tall stories and lots of laughter:
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05617.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05617.jpg)

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05620.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05620.jpg)

Due to the threat of impending rain Jack and I did decide to use our hoods as a preventative measure - good idea since it bucketed down while we were in the Ship Inn having lunch

Following lunch we had a peek at Bruce's exquisite taste in motor vehicles - original Mini Cooper, Austin Heally in stunning Pacific Blue ("No its not an Aston Healy Jen":D), a gorgeous cream Jaguar E-type V12 convertible, and a concours condition red Jaguar E-type coupe.

At this point its time to leave and its still raining. Bruce was concerned about Steve's ability to swim while driving and had a brilliant solution:
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05623.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/Milford%20NJ%20run/?action=view&current=DSC05623.jpg) Other suitable captions are welcome for this pic

I decided to drive home (with hood up) by way of a lengthy detour. I retraced Rt 32 and 611 north to I-78 and headed west to bond with my inner red neck at Cabela's at Hamburg PA. Wrong move. The rain was torrential and I was leaking everywhere. I know I did not have the James Bond's Lotus Esprit submarine car but geez the water coming in from the top of the pedal box was like a rushing tap! I also discovered that while it is more fun to have 2 people in the car heavy breathing really only 1 person is needed to fog up the windows so you cannot see where you are going. Good news is the windscreen wipers worked well on the outside but the running water on the inside of the screen (yes hood was installed correctly - the rain was that bad!) meant that the wipers were about as useful as boobs on a bull. Still the car handled beautifully in the paddling pool that was I-78 - plenty of traction - better than I expected.

At Cabela's I had fun viewing the stuffed wildlife, checking out the fish tank and BBQ section, viewing the guns, and generally pretending to be a red neck Q:"So you say you can fit gun racks to any car? I have a Caterham will that work? :D A: "Wha type of hoity toity pick up is thart? Is it a furriner vehickle?" :rolleyes:

For the drive back to NYC I took the hood off to drive au naturel. Well that lasted 20 mins before I ran into the back of the rain front that I passed through on the way to Cabela's. Hood back up, I then experienced the joy a submariner has on discovering his submarine has an open porthole! Has anyone installed a bilge pump in a Se7en? I actually wrung a boatload of water out of the carpets last night!

If anyone is interested I can email around the "rally book" of the driving route that we took.

Should we use our rain day on June 20 to do another drive - I had a lot of fun!!!

[jlbtrans1]

Ironic?? Some times the writing on the road can be taken to the extreme. JK :) We love ya Steve. Beside, your tag does say that your car is quick.

[S1Steve]

Hi,
I really enjoyed looking at the great photo's, that really was a fun time.
Dear Jen, I will find a much nicer place to pitstop next time, sorry !!
Mike you get the iron butt award.
Bruce, You don't know it yet, but WE are coming over to drive the Jag's, and the rest of the fleet. Please fill them up with gas before you leave for Bonaire.
Look foward to Box and Kyle leading the pack next time.

Your's truely, A dryed out Steve

[Boxologist]

Jack and Jen since they don't have pic of them on this trip yet
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/42651/2736088530099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2736088530099946657nprweB)

said pit stop
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/44239/2765199280099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2765199280099946657UbtdmC)

this one is nice
http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/40726/2943525060099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2943525060099946657JNSZqz)

re-evaluate your selfimage!
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/17744/2253254280099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2253254280099946657Naorlo)

[Boxologist]

Scenery
http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/43657/2986788460099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2986788460099946657ibjZAW)
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/36741/2024212020099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2024212020099946657PkDRaP)
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/18279/2629742220099946657S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2629742220099946657qZTXhb)

[jlbtrans1]

Box, thanks for photo recording the memory for Jack and I. That is a great shot, wish the camera wasnt in my face though :)

You got some great shots.

Im working on a little video, but who knows with my technological know how, when that will be done LOL

Thanks to all of you guys for a great day. Thank you Bruce and wife for being great hosts. I never laughed so much in my life. Thanks Al for the send off. Hope your chili was a hit.

Hope to do it again.

[Al Navarro]

Great to see everyone again (Bruce, it's been like what, at least 8 years). We have some nice roads up our way, no? I could host the next USA7s national at my house, if people are interested ;-P

For the record, we took home the top prize in the chili-cook off. With a very "dark horse" I might add: Chicken with roasted poblano and posole.

Bruce, if your water bottle is too leaky, I have a few spares at my office. Just shoot me an email. And thanks for organizing and becoming an official club member (you too, Kyle!).

[BruceBowker]

Al - congratulations on your win and glad to see you again after almost 9 years! Lets make it a bit less next time.

I was at the Hellertown show Sunday and met the owner of the green 7 with claim shells whose car picture appeared in one of these threads. I gave him this website and hopefully he and friends may join us next year with 3 more 7's.

Bruce