After 3 consecutive major go-live weekends at work, I was seriously ready for a break and have some fun. I kick started my weekend with a drive to Payson and Rim Country with the S2ki crew, then checked out the 9th annual Midnight Run event at Speedworld. After getting a few hours of sleep, I joined some fellow local NSXers for delicious dim sum at China Palace, followed by a visit to the Queen Creek Olive Mill, and ended the day with a drive on route 88 to Tortilla Flat. 600 miles of NSX bliss, good friends, and great times. Enjoy the pics.
Saturday morning - met up with the S2ki guys at Desert Ridge for the Payson/Rim Country drive. We all assumed the yellow S2000 was part of the drive, but the owner meandered out of CVS, got into his car and took off without so much as a word to the rest of us (other than a "hey" when we said "hi").
Stopped in Payson for a break
Enjoying the weather and spectacular views in Rim Country
OyATL, my NSX bro for the weekend
My shirt says "The internet is broken so I'm outside today."
Marcus from the S2ki forums
Kerry from the S2ki forums
Chris from the S2ki forums and his son
Sandeep and his charming wife Bal
Nik - Ariel Atom owner and my passenger for the drive
NSX buddies for life!
Nik getting a shot of the butterfly on my door lock, I need to get a copy of that photo.
The butterfly was drawn to the Monte Carlo Blue paint
Mike testing the ledge with some pebbles
Seems stable enough
What better spot to meditate, right?
Mike daring me to get up on the far ledge
Challenge accepted
I have a moderate fear of heights, and my legs were shaking a little bit.
Mike is two thumbs up!
Pristine view from the top
It was a little bit windy.
What the ???
I think Mike is a legs man
Back to Payson for a yummy lunch at Gerardo's Italian Bistro
Andretti's picture at Gerardo's
We weren't quite ready to return to the Phoenix heat yet, so we ventured up to another part of Rim Country after lunch.
Saturday evening - time to cruise to Speedworld with Mike and Nik!
Gotta love the Atom!
Some pics from the Midnight Run event at Speedworld
Sunday morning - dim sum time! I cruised with Peter (firstnsx) and his wife Linda to China Palace.
Mike and Sam & Wendy joined us
What a nice group of NSXers!
I was very impressed with the quality of food at China Palace, will have to go back.
I'm a foodie so here's another shot.
The ladies next to their NSXs.
Time to head to Queen Creek Olive Mill.
I found the drive to be pretty scenic.
I like Mike's LED tail lights
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is by Schnepf Farms
Parking is unpaved, but that didn't deter us.
This place is so "green".
Nice market and restaurant inside.
Interesting looking wine
We decided to take a tour, and our tour guide Brandi is on the right.
Thankfully the majority of the tour is inside in a comfy 70° air conditioned room.
One of the olive oil holding tanks
This is what happens to an iPhone if you leave it in the car in AZ heat
Screen reads: "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it"
Mike, Sam & Wendy, and myself headed up route 88 to Tortilla Flat to enjoy some twisties
We decided to leave behind a momento
Look for it the next time you're here!
Saturday morning - met up with the S2ki guys at Desert Ridge for the Payson/Rim Country drive. We all assumed the yellow S2000 was part of the drive, but the owner meandered out of CVS, got into his car and took off without so much as a word to the rest of us (other than a "hey" when we said "hi").
Stopped in Payson for a break
Enjoying the weather and spectacular views in Rim Country
OyATL, my NSX bro for the weekend
My shirt says "The internet is broken so I'm outside today."
Marcus from the S2ki forums
Kerry from the S2ki forums
Chris from the S2ki forums and his son
Sandeep and his charming wife Bal
Nik - Ariel Atom owner and my passenger for the drive
NSX buddies for life!
Nik getting a shot of the butterfly on my door lock, I need to get a copy of that photo.
The butterfly was drawn to the Monte Carlo Blue paint
Mike testing the ledge with some pebbles
Seems stable enough
What better spot to meditate, right?
Mike daring me to get up on the far ledge
Challenge accepted
I have a moderate fear of heights, and my legs were shaking a little bit.
Mike is two thumbs up!
Pristine view from the top
It was a little bit windy.
What the ???
I think Mike is a legs man
Back to Payson for a yummy lunch at Gerardo's Italian Bistro
Andretti's picture at Gerardo's
We weren't quite ready to return to the Phoenix heat yet, so we ventured up to another part of Rim Country after lunch.
Saturday evening - time to cruise to Speedworld with Mike and Nik!
Gotta love the Atom!
Some pics from the Midnight Run event at Speedworld
Sunday morning - dim sum time! I cruised with Peter (firstnsx) and his wife Linda to China Palace.
Mike and Sam & Wendy joined us
What a nice group of NSXers!
I was very impressed with the quality of food at China Palace, will have to go back.
I'm a foodie so here's another shot.
The ladies next to their NSXs.
Time to head to Queen Creek Olive Mill.
I found the drive to be pretty scenic.
I like Mike's LED tail lights
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is by Schnepf Farms
Parking is unpaved, but that didn't deter us.
This place is so "green".
Nice market and restaurant inside.
Interesting looking wine
We decided to take a tour, and our tour guide Brandi is on the right.
Thankfully the majority of the tour is inside in a comfy 70° air conditioned room.
One of the olive oil holding tanks
This is what happens to an iPhone if you leave it in the car in AZ heat
Screen reads: "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it"
Mike, Sam & Wendy, and myself headed up route 88 to Tortilla Flat to enjoy some twisties
We decided to leave behind a momento
Look for it the next time you're here!
