Basic Race Report...

So the 2007 edition of the Putt n Putt went off without a hitch, well maybe a couple small ones, but nothing this awe-inspiring group couldn't handle!

Logistics were solid as Graham, Raber, Todd and I made the 6:25 boat and were at the Starbuck's by 7:00. Jimmie showed up only a couple minutes later leaving some time to enjoy a short latte should anyone else decide to come along unannounced. We headed out around 7:30, but hit a solid parking lot heading into Everett where 4 lanes necked into one. Todd, having lived in the neighborhood in the past got us off, and onto SR 9 using surface streets. While not as fast as the interstate on a normal day - I'm sure this move saved at least 30 minutes of frustrating stop n go on I5. Getting off SR 9 in Arlington, we head out SR5 530 through Darrington to Rockport. Intermittent traffic slows the pace a bit, but we manage to hit a couple sections of warm-up.

Turning on to SR 20 in Rockport, there is already a line of cars - and knowing of at least one common speed trap - we just motor into Marblemount to fuel. With everyone fueled up and ready to go, off we go to the best part of the ride. With the temperature hovering around 60, and the skies mostly cloudy, conditions weren't too bad - and the road was dry and clean. After dispensing with a group of cruisers and the usual gambit of occasional RVs, we worked our way up in earnest. Overall, I think I was able to hit around 80% of the corners unencumbered. Todd usually filled my mirrors the whole time with Raber filling his. Approaching the end of the tighter stuff, I made a series of passes to get away with Todd and Raber catching up quickly, but leaving Graham and Jimmie behind. The three of us move ahead up front but hold the straightaway speeds down a bit to let Jimmie and Graham catch up. They do at around Rainy Pass and we finish the NCH and hit Winthrop around 11:00.

Rolling into Winthrop, the town plus a thousand or so visitors have lined the street in lawn chairs to watch us - as you may know, no matter where you go - a group of Clowns will always gather a crowd. I ponder a power wheelie or two, but think better of it. The crowd, probably disappointed by our single pass through town, stay in place for an impromptu parade. Reluctantly, we leave and pull into Twisp for some more fuel. The weather on this side is great with the temp around 80 and not a cloud in the sky. Everyone filled up, and with some water down, we're off again.

Out of Twisp, the traffic is really light, so we made some good time. Through Chelan, we hit quite a bit of traffic heading south to Wenatchee. Out of Eniat, the traffic thickens more, so the tempo and frequency of our passing increases. And this is where our only encounter the law takes place. Evidently, droning along at 50 to 55 miles an hour in a 60 mile an hour zone is okay for the locals, but passing said drones in a brisk manner is not. Pulled over, and my helmet off, the first words from this WaSP trooper were "Don't worry, I'm not giving you a ticket." Uhh?!? He proceeds to inform us that he caught us at 73 in the 60, and said that he was sure we were going WAY faster at points earlier. Said locals were calling our passing maneuvers in to 911, and I guess creating quite a light show on the proverbial switchboard. After checking us for endorsements, he notes that he has our names and information, and to please slow down - any future encounters today will not be as "pleasant".

Heading into Leavenworth with our tails between our pipes, we get to the Putt-Putt place one minute ahead of schedule. Shedding the equivalent of five-plus cows, we head up the street to the Leavenworth Pizza Company for a reset. There are no words for what a good Supreme or Meat Lovers pizza will do for the attitude - which we are obliged with one each.

After an hour or so of bench-racing, we head back down to the course for the 18 holes of high-contact, knock-down drag-out that is Putt Putt golf. The course is challenging, sporting both fast and slow sections depending on whether a section was shaded or not - but then that would be common knowledge to assume for as veteran a group as ours. Out of the gate - the man to beat is Raber. A previous champion, he demonstrates his craft with swift accuracy, and then totally annihilating any hope for any of us with his hole-in-one on the 11th hole. We bow to his Putt Putt auth-or-it-tay, and assume the position in his shadow. On 16, Graham raised a club in his shadow to land a death blow, but I talked him down - Raber - you owe me one.

For the record, here are the results - as you can see it wasn't even a contest:

Raber - 58, which was par...
Todd - 67
Tom - 70
Graham - 78
Jimmie - 79

Our leathers, having sat out in the 80+ degree sun most of the afternoon, beckoned, and we obliged. We stopped in at the Chevron east of town for a splash. Since the pumps there didn't have a fastpay interface, we paid inside. The kid inside notes all of well-earned scuffed knee-pucks, and smiles and says "Ah, nice pucks." I note they're from track days, and he comments that he keeps his scuffed on local roads. Immediately, we're average guys, and all previously noted respect was lost. In the back of my mind, I wonder how many 911 switchboards he's caused to light up...punk.

Off we go, over Blewett Pass in order to make some time home. It's around 4:30 - and the 7:20 boat was the target. Leading us up Blewett, I take the earlier bits of wisdom imparted by our WaSP friend to heart, and try to keep the pace reasonable, and passes during the truck lanes. About a quarter of the way up, Raber figures the cell coverage is gone - and with no way for locals to blow the whistle - Raber is gone also. Todd and Graham bite, and tag along. Jimmie and I stay back ... a hundred yards or so. The 50 mile distance between Leavenworth and Cle Elum are dispatched quickly, and Raber pulls in again for splash. Overall, Leavenworth to Coleman Dock in around 2 hours with a stop for gas (around 150 miles).

So it was 499 miles my door to door. Thanks everyone who came - it was a great trip. Looking forward to next year!

Putt n Putt - 2007 Edition