Hay James did you not use a lens hood? You got some glare, not like you.

Nice seeing you guys, my day got offtrack @ Toys for Tots, the line to get in was horrible. I saw most of you guys leaving as I was stuck in line. Then we just made it to NWHarvest. That was a bit of a cluster as well, & with a newborn, the wife was ready to go.

I also think it's a SHAME all the people who show up with out any donations! We were stuck in line while they checked everyones car, it took about 50min!

Hope everyone had fun, it was nice to get out in the sun, & see some old friends.

I hope Mark didn't get any road range on the way home, 405 was the SUCK, even with the HOV lane.

 

I was using a hood but it does no good when shooting directly into the sun

The line to get in when I left was insane. It was all the way from the gate, out the main entrance and to hwy 18. It was also backed up almost on to 18 from the eastbound exit.

The NW harvest run was great too. Good seeing you guys today.

 

Mike, sorry we missed you today at both events. I was glad we got there early when I saw the line as we left! I too noticed that there were alot more. Today was about giving, not the cars.

james: wonderful pictures!

 

I tried to meet up at the park & ride but everyone was leaving when I pulled in. I got stuck trying to leave the parking lot and didn't see that everybody went north on 405 so I ended up so far behind when I finally got on the freeway that I never saw anybody again and ended up driving alone.

It took me about 35 minutes to get through that line. I was about ready to just give my toys to the guy behind me and go home but I stuck it out.
Then I finally got to the front and found the reason for the delay was the single lane through the slow check-in gate where it appeared that about 75% of the people didn't have any toys when they showed up (wtf people??).

Once I parked and got my son to put the toys in the pile the ricers were starting up with the annoying engine revving and I realized I didn't really want to be there so I left (most of you were already gone I think).

I don't remember it being anything like this last year.

 

First off, when we left the P&R, the first group went South on 405 and then Vic led the second group which I was in North on 405 then over to I-90. We got caught in a huge line leading off Front Street. We should have taken the Highland exit bypass. I tried to point that out to Vic but he kept pointing to Front Street. We eventually made our way over to Hobart Street then to Hwy 18 where some of us were able to break loose for a little bit of fun.

And next, what's up with that? People showing up at a donation event without anything to donate! You would think that these folks would have some sense. Did they actually turn away those without toys!?!? I sure hope so..it did look like a HUGE turnout today judging from the line I saw when I left which went all the way almost to Hwy 18! I saw poor Mike on my way out and again at NW Harvest. I barely made it to that because I had to make a stop to pick up something and then I missed the exit because of a stupid sign saying it was closed. Those construction guys really need to get their act together sometimes. It also appeared that there was traffic on 405 because of rubberneckers checking out someone on the shoulder with a WSP on his tail. Stupid if you ask me...I eventually made it to Marymoor barely in time and then we had us a merry drive through RTC like lost mice before finally making our way to the drop off point. I had no idea where I was going.

Well, at least everything that happened was all for a good cause and that's all that matters. The weather was awesome too!

Here are my pictures which also has the same glare too...the low sun made that happen.

NW Toys for Tots

 

Even Santa wanted to get in on the action with Vic










There are little reindeers in there I swear!












This M3 wasn't alone for long










Check out this line!

 

NW Harvest with MINIs vs Porsches which I thought was amusing given the fact that PCNA declined the challenge from MINIUSA so

we're having our own little challenge here! Who got to the drop off point first?!?!








There's James!




There's Mark, me and look Mike made it too.




Mark, where's your jacket?
















I think I see Greta and James














Some of the gang went to eat at Coho Cafe afterwards. I took a few pictures of the cars in the parking lot.

 

3 generations of Porsche Turbos

 

LOL, I was just giving you a hard time, I never see shots like this from you. Then I thought you were using the lens, that you dropped the lens hood in the water with.

When we left TFT, the line was all the way out of PR, all the way up the street as far as I could see. It also also all backed up on the off ramp. '

Funny thing, we could not get back on the FW, as all the cars were blocking the onramp. None of them would give me room to get on.

They made the ASSHATS who didn't bring a donation pay $$, I hope it was more then if they got a toy. We say this a couple of years back as well. It's a shame, & it seams to be the younger people, I hate to think what they general morals are.

Online, they said over 1200 cars showed up.


No worries, the whole day was a CLUSTERF! But at least I was there. The goal was to leave the house almost an hour before we did. Everything takes longer with a newborn, & packing up the MINI is a bit of a challenge.

I forgot our food donation in my kitchen, all it all packed up & ready to go, then realized @ TFT that the food was left home. Good thing they took $$ @ NWHarvest! The baby was getting fussy, & my wife was a bit frazzled by the whole day, so we gave our $$ & went home.

I also was not allowed to introduce my Daughter Sophia to the group, next time.

I ended up not taking a single shot @ either event.

 

Mike, you sure love using acroymns! Can you explain what they mean? I don't know what TFT is?

 

ClusterF is Cluster FU!K
PR is Pacific Raceways
FW is freeway
LOL, Toys for Tots, is there anything else that needs to be explained?

Yea, I guess I do use a few....

 

I'm sure glad the group of us went to the track early.

Mike (red Countach) and I left the event at the same time around 12:30PM and the line of cars waiting to get in was absolutely INSANE. It had to be over a mile long and it stretched almost all the way back to HWY 18.

Next year, they should split the entrance line and have check points on each side of the guard booth instead of just one.

 

I could not believe the line when Gary and I left!!!!!! It was all the way from the gate, back to Highway 18!!!

I think 2 lines next year would solve that issue. One for people with gifts (waved right through). The other for cash donations, etc...

Does anyone know why they had the folks at the gate anyway? The only thing I could think of, was they were charging people without gifts for parking?

As Gary and I were leaving I noticed about every other car had a camera hanging out the window shooting us as we were leaving. Felt like a rock star! hahahahhha...

Great time for sure!

James, Jason, Todd and Jody: Fantastic pictures of the Countach as usual!!!! I could only be so lucky to have your talent!!!

Mike

 

I'm glad we got in and out of there early. When we got to PR, it was only Jeff, Jody and I in line at the gate!

Mike,
I'll be shooting you a message about your car shortly....