Hello potential Pacific Central Corvette Caravan participant! Are you getting anxious about joining a fun group to travel to the 30th Anniversary Celebration in Bowling Green Aug. 29-31? If so, we’d welcome your joining the Pacific Central section of the Caravan, which this time only includes Northern CA and Northern NV, with Utah moving to the Mountain Central section. Of course, anyone is welcome to join our group. In the past, we have had cars from southern CA and neighboring states join us as they preferred the route we were taking, or it was more convenient for them, or they had friends in our section. In 2014 and 2019, we even had Corvette owners from Australia join our group (unfortunately, without their Corvettes).
Background:
I am Don Herzer, Pacific Central Captain. I have led the Caravan out of Northern CA in 2014 and 2019. Both times, I received positive feedback, and thus I was invited to do a three-peat.
This was my lead car in 2019, shown here enjoying track days at Laguna Seca, before I got black flagged for exceeding the 92db sound limit. My goal is to have a new C8 Z06 to lead the Caravan in 2024, but that remains to be seen, given the strong demand for the Z06.
I take a more laid-back approach to the Caravan than some of the other Captains, making no attempt to keep us together on the road, which I consider to be a fruitless/frustrating endeavor. Instead I provide a detailed route book, with the route laid out in detail for each day (sometimes with optional scenic routes), optional activities, and hotel locations. My reasoning is that some people like to go fast, some like to follow the speed limits, and some like to take their time (or have a C1 without air conditioning, or a C2 big block that needs to stop at every other gas station). I leave it to you to find a group that you enjoy traveling with.
Carlos Mejia, shown here with his shiny new Red Mist Z51 C8 and his wife Andrea, has volunteered to help plan the event as my co-Captain, focusing on Northern NV. [email protected] for you NV folks.
Our Route:
For 2024, I have decided to return to a more northern route than we took in 2019, but even further north initially than in 2014, with a fun visit to the Jackson Hole / Yellowstone area. After that, we will swoop back down to Cheyenne, tentatively joining with the Pacific Northwest section. In order to allow for fun activities along the way, as well as not requiring ‘iron ass” treks, this will be a long duration trip of 7.5-8 days to reach Bowling Green.
Details are being developed/modified, but here is a rough outline of our itinerary:
Day 1 – Wednesday, August 21: Most likely a kickoff at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista and probably a stop in Sacramento area to pick up more folks, then along I-80 to Reno for our first night in Reno. If all works out, a dinner at the National Automobile Museum.
Day 2 – Thursday, August 22: Some fun stops and lunch as we cross Nevada to Wendover for our next night, with a tour and dinner at Wendover Air Force Base.
Day 3 – Friday, August 23: journey to the Jackson Hole, WY area for our third night.
Day 4 – Saturday, August 24: Explore Jackson Hole / Yellowstone / Grand Tetons, then on to Cody, WY and Buffalo Bill Museum.
Day 5 – Sunday, August 25: Make our way to Cheyenne for our fifth night and linkup with the Pacific NW section.
Day 6 – Monday, August 26: Travel with Pacific NW to Lincoln, NE for our 6th night.
Day 7 – Tuesday, August 27: The morning will begin with an amazing tour of the Museum of American Speed, and then on to Columbia, MO.
Day 8 – Wednesday, August 28: This is it!! – into Bowling Green, 2700+ miles by the time we reach the NCM. (Note: at this point, my “official” duties as Caravan Captain end. However, I may offer opportunities for the return trip home)
Hotels:
My goal is to arrange blocks of rooms at hotels along the way and provide that info to the group. It will be up to each participant to do the actual booking. Depending on our group size, we may have to stay in multiple hotels each night. Of course, if you have your favorite hotel chain, or are worried about points, then you can do your own thing, but miss out on being with the group.
This process will not start until at least spring of 2023. Hotels in Bowling Green will be up to each participant, unless I am somehow lucky enough to arrange a block in the BG area. However, the NCM will be providing hotel info and booking on their website, starting 1 year prior.
Registration:
Official registration for the NCM Caravan will not open until approximately a year prior to the event.
I will start a list of 2024 Pacific Central participants and keep you advised through emails and the NCM website. To start the registration process and for planning purposes, please send an email to Don Herzer at [email protected] with the following information:
- Your name and anyone traveling with you (first and last names)
- Email addresses
- Cell Phone numbers
- Mailing address
- Year, Model, Color, License Plate #
- Starting Point: Rio Vista, Sacramento, or Reno (or other by prior arrangement)
- Have you been on previous Corvette Caravans?
There will be much more information over the coming months as we flesh out the itinerary as as the NCM provides more info. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the NCM/Pacific Central Caravan and I’ll do my best to answer your questions. I’d also welcome input/suggestions on our itinerary. I am not fluent nor a fan of Facebook, but if someone would like to maintain a page for Pacific Central, I’d welcome the support.
As a fundraiser, I have 4” Caravan window clings if you would like to help promote the Caravan. If you would like one (or more) send me a check for $11 – Don Herzer PO Box 243 Long Barn, CA 95335.
I was at the Laguna Seca Raceway over Mother’s Day Weekend promoting the Caravan. If you would like to read about the Corvette Corral click HERE.
Don Herzer, Pacific Central Captain
[email protected]
(209) 586-3079