Surf City’s ‘Good, Good, Good… Good Vibrations’
Photos & Story by David Marin

So it’s pretty much agreed and accepted that, in the world of gearheads and car shows, half the fun is in getting there, right? At least that was the attitude as we loaded the CruZin’ Woodie Wagon, attached the teardrop trailer and headed for the Chinook Winds Casino Resort about 300 miles down the road for the Surf City Classic Car Weekend, September 19 - 21, 2008. An uneventful start as we cruise onto the ferry, then Interstate 5 South through Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, then a refueling stop in Portland.



Then there’s a fight. The combatants are technology and me; the technological side being the GPS device that’s supposed to be real good at telling me where to go. I was hoping for at least a draw, but the truth of the matter is I got whupped! Through the use of modern technology I was compelled to go over 120 miles out of my way, run out of gas on some obscure back road, run the battery dead (thank goodness for AAA), and wind up, at midnight, at an over-priced motel (dead tired and starving), only to find there were no restaurants open and the only food available was a quick stop gas station market where chips, cookies and other assorted junk food were the only items on the menu. Needless to say, the silence was deafening… no one spoke for the next eight hours.



Thankfully, morning came and all was well. The balance of the drive, just a few hours, to Lincoln City, took us through gorgeous country to the fabulous Oregon Coast.

Truly, the Chinook Winds Casino Resort is a destination worthy of the incredible Oregon Coast. Perched on a bluff overlooking a striking beach and the Pacific, the ocean sounds rival that of a “hot” V-8. There are multiple restaurants, the Siletz Bay Buffet, the Rogue River Steakhouse and Chinook’s Seafood Grill, not to mention Aces Bar & Grill, so there’s something for every palate.





The Surf City Classic Car Weekend includes non-stop action, a free Poker Walk, tons of live music, a Petersen NW Classic Car Auction, all building to the Saturday night concert with the kings of surfer music, the sensational Beachboys. Nostalgia literally engulfed the packed house as Mike Love and the boys harmonized the crowd into a surrealistic reverie.

A memorable weekend and a show that must be experienced. We didn’t have much fun getting there, but, once there we had very nearly too much fun. A blast! We’re going back in 2009 and we’ll hope to see you there September 18-20. Hey, Surf’s Up and we’re goin’ to Surf City!