Air-cooled in Oregon (Where it's Cool)
“Actually, it makes a lot of sense to ship a car halfway across the country so I can drive it in a different place for the summer.”
The words sound absurd even as I’m saying them, but by the fifth or sixth run-through, my denial and confidence grow to the point where I have no trouble believing the line.
Oregon is a beautiful place to drive. Thanks to my friend Daniel Sloan, I’ve gotten to see the far reaches of the Beaver State (actual nickname) on nearly a dozen road trips over the years. When he offered to garage my 911SC for the summer, so I could experience Oregon from behind my own familiar steering wheel, it seemed like a fun plan. Plus, I’d be beating the sweltering Texas heat, which is generally unpleasant in a 40+ year-old car with a lot of glass and no AC to speak of.
Plans were made, a car was delivered, and over the last weekend in June, I joined Daniel and a group of friends on a birthday weekend in Summer Lake, Oregon.
With highs in the 70s (°F) and lows in the 40s, it was just what I needed. With non-existent internet and nowhere to be, the weekend was relaxing and laid-back, but there was still time for a few activities, with visits to the Paisley Caves, Fort Rock, and the Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
There and back, plus a lengthy photo detour on the return trip, came out to about 700 miles, and, honestly, I was thrilled for just about every one of them. Seeing these familiar and unfamiliar roads out of the Porsche 911 windshield was a treat that I couldn’t get over. I look forward to going back.
![Summer Lake Hot Springs](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_45_2048x2048.jpg?v=1688149316)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_46_2048x2048.jpg?v=1688149347)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_47_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149381)
![911SC](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_48_2048x2048.jpg?v=1688149399)
![1980 Porsche 911SC](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_49_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149421)
![1980 Porsche 911SC](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_50_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149442)
![Daniel Sloan outside Fort Rock, OR](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_52_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149456)
![Driving past Fort Rock, OR](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_53_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149478)
![911SC in Madras Oregon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_54_2048x2048.jpg?v=1688149497)
![dials while driving in Oregon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_55_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149516)
![Driving through Oregon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_56_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149532)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_57_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149551)
![Shaniko, Oregon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_58_2048x2048.jpg?v=1688149563)
![Porsche 911 SC (Grand Prix White) and BMW E46 M3 (Phoenix Yellow)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_59_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149584)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_60_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149611)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_61_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149624)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_62_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149636)
![Car wash 911 SC](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0515/7250/6777/files/Post_63_1024x1024.jpg?v=1688149645)
Always appreciate the stories and especially the photos.
I’m thinking seriously about escaping the August of Texas. Maybe Alaska.
Stay cool.