Location for 2010 Regional Rally

[Netnorske]

After careful research and consideration, I have listed three sites that I feel would represent the best opportunity for the greatest number of members to participate in our 2010 Regional Rally. I originally had four in mind, but think these three are really all we need to find an awesome location. All are centrally located in the NW Region, and all offer spectacular opportunities for local rides during the duration of the rally.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

Orofino, ID.
Orofino offers a small town atmosphere located right along the Clearwater river. From here we can do a day trip to Missoula, MT and back via Hwy 12 and the famous Lolo Pass (350 miles round trip).

There are also some really nice rural twisties going north on Elk River Rd. to Elk River and Bovill, returning via a more westerly loop (Hwy 8). Those roads offer a very unique ride through some sparsely populated back-country.

Kalispell, MT.
Kalispell is the gateway to Glacier National Park and the famous "Going To The Sun Road". The road through the park is just about 50 miles long, but offers some of the most majestic scenery and viewpoints in all of Montana.

There are some other roads to run in conjunction with the park road and a nice loop up through Libby might be a worthwhile ride as well.

Jackson, WY
Jackson sits nestled near the eastern base of the Grand Teton Mountains and is the gateway to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

A run north from there will take us up through Grand Teton NP and a spectacular loop through Yellowstone NP, then back south returning to Jackson. That run is 300 miles round trip and would be the major highlight of the rally. There would be a lot of tourists to contend with for sure, but YNP is one of our nations greatest treasures, one that I would very much enjoy seeing sometime in my life.

So.....

Before voting, I would encourage everyone to look these areas over using Google Earth. If you don't have it, it is a free download. Just go to Google, then click on "more..." at the top left of the page. Scroll down to the bottom of the next list and click on "even more.....". Scroll down to the "Earth" program and click on that. Follow the download directions.

Google Earth is one of the coolest programs I have ever seen...and by tilting, circling and zooming you can take virtual rides down any road in the world! Give these three places a good looking over then try to make a pick. To this end....once you pick you will not be able to change your vote, so be sure of your choice before voting! I am fine with any of them and will refrain from the early voting so as not to influence anyone's vote.

I hope these three choices for our initial NW Regional Rally meet with everyone's approval. There are so many great places to choose from, but ultimately we have to narrow the field, so I opted to follow the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) and tried to pick three places with a lot to offer in their own way.

Again, I ask that only members of our NW Group actually vote. Our 2010 Regional Rally will be open to ALL members who wish to attend, but I think those of us in the NW Region should ultimately decide the location.... !

"All votes are final and once tallied, you will be asked to leave the Tribal Council immediately".....oh wait......that's another deal....sorry.... !

Cheers....Kris