SD RX Club: Desert Run 2008 (Upd 2)

San Diego RX Club

Desert Run 2008

Update 2: 3/22/08

· Google Earth files now available. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to utilize the information. If you cannot make the run, or you just want to get an idea of what to expect, you might want to check this capability. [See below for more information.]

General

Sunday, April 6^th at 10:00am, sharp, we’re off! Check below for departure point and driver’s meeting time.

I know April 2008, especially the first weekend, will be a busy month, but since we have not had a run for some time, I wanted to get this one in before the desert got too hot. People have been asking me for the last couple of months and I have been “out of sorts” since my car was not running. Got that taken care of by the March meeting and I have to stretch the legs!

This run will be a great one. We start in Escondido and end up in Pine Valley. The desert should still be putting on a great show, even if not at peak display. Estimated mileage is 180 miles, not including to and from the rendezvous points, and approximately 5 hours, not including lunch, etc.

Bring FRS radios, w/ privacy codes, if you have them. It is much easier to keep in touch. There will be times for breaks and at least two (2) fuel stops: Borrego Springs and Ocotillo.

The run is divided into four (4) segments of 45, 31, 67 and 47 miles, proceeding clockwise from Escondido. Below are four detailed maps, showing elevation profiles, to give you an idea of the drive. We will be stopping for lunch in Borrego Springs at Carlee’s, as noted below.

I may get a chance to pre-run the drive to get a better estimate of timing, but cannot guarantee that. Just be flexible and plan on a day’s event. You can always depart early, but once you get to a little beyond Borrego, you are essentially committed to the day.

If you are into mapping / GPS applications and care for a dump of the information, drop me a note. I have a Garmin GPS V unit and utilize MapSource v6.13.4, as well as National Geographic TOPO! v4.2.8. The latter was used to create the maps provided herein. Sorry, I do not have the current ability to import into Google Earth and provide that data.

Google Earth Data

The Desert Run 2008 trip is broken into an “A” and a “B” section, different routes. A goes from Safari Coffee to Carlee’s; B continues from Carlee’s to Major’s Diner in Pine Valley. Waypoints are also included. The link below points to the KMZ file that contains the necessary information for Google Earth (GE). You may either click on the link, at which point it will try to launch Google Earth and import the file. Or you may RIGHT click on the link and save the file for future use.

http://where-yat.net/sdrxc/KMZ-Files/Desert Run 08 - Total_Google.kmz

Once you get all set up, you will be able to go for a virtual run. Check the application help files for the details, but, essentially, there are two ways to play the virtual run, or “Tour,” as it is called in GE. The picture to the left identifies what you will see in the “Places” area of GE. First, select either the A or B portion of the run. Then you may either click on the right arrow at the bottom. Or you may select “/Tools/Play Tour” from the menus of the application. The “/Tools/Options/Touring” menu will allow you to tailor the performance of the tour. I do not know if the KMZ file provided contains any special settings for the Tour. Check out the “low flying” setup for some interesting effects. A word of CAUTION is offered here. When GE moves through a twisted section of road, the map can spin around a lot. Some may get queasy, so just be forewarned.

If you need Google Earth, go to the following link to obtain it and follow the instructions for installation. < http://earth.google.com/ > There is a more recent version, but I am currently using Google Earth version 4.0.2416 (beta).

If you have any questions, drop me a note or post on the rx7club.com forum, at the appropriate thread.

whodatRX7 (John)

gtu88rx-drive@yahoo.com

Departure Point

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2008

Meet: 9:30 am; driver’s meeting at 9:45am

Depart: 10:00 am (sharp)

Directions to departure point:

Safari Coffee (http://safaricoffee.com/Findus.htm)

1012 West El Norte Parkway, Escondido

El Norte Parkway Plaza

Park to RIGHT, near Wendy’s.