Mini Multi-Tour Extension - Commitments

[jcauseyfd]

I'm sure everyone has seen the commercial for the Clubman that has the "pinball" theme. If you are familiar with pinball, you also are probably aware of things like multi-ball bonuses, multi-spins, etc. - basically, good things that happen that involve multiples of something (and since I have twin daughters, I know a little something about good things coming in multiples). Like having more than just one pinball during a multi-ball. The imagery seems a little appropriate for this.

This past summer we had a great multi-day drive known as the BRP Tour in which the club (and friends) travelled the Blue Ridge Parkway from the northern end to the southern end. Some preliminary planning is being done to get things rolling for BRP Tour 2009 with a run in the opposite direction.

At the same time, through a confluence in the Mini-verse, three other events are lining up for the same time period. These include The Great Ice Cream Run 2 (http://www.thegreaticecreamrun.com), the Bar Harbor Invasion (http://www.barharborinvasion.com), and Minis On Top (http://www.minisontop.com). In fact, the timing is such that one could run these events consecutively over a 10 day period during June 2009. Based on some preliminary calculations and mapping I've already done, it looks like about a 3,000 mile adventure. And an untold number of curves.

While the potential costs involved are getting a little bit scary to me, I am tentatively planning to try to do all of these events next summer. So, putting together all the tours yields the "Multi-Tour". And since they are starting with the home team's (THMMC) event, the BRP Tour, I am kind of thinking of the other events as an extension of what will be a great event.

So, who is up for the challenge?

I know everything is tentative at this point. If there is enough interest, I'll help to keep everyone coordinated and up-to-date and serve as the cat-herder during the event if we get that far (including helping everyone get back - well, at least as far as central NC). Might even look at doing something to recognize those who throw sense out the window and participate.

So just post here and I'll start a list of tentative participants (with hopes of turning it into a confirmed list at some point).

Thanks!!!

Jeff

Tentative
jcauseyfd
MidnightDave (maybe, tentative)
jdavidson (maybe part of TGICR)
Sgt Pepper
IloveWINICooper
minimark (Skyline Drive)
wildcrazy442000 (TGICR)
leicaguy/robertshill (probable definite - but which Mini???)

More Definite
jcauseyfd (confirmed)
MINIFIED (confirmed)
yaemsiri (confirmed)
IloveWINICooper (confirmed)
DSCabrio (confirmed)
GBMINI (confirmed)
filet0fish (2 days of TGICR)

[TWISTER]

If I had more than 10 days vacation I'd do it! But It will be hard for me to do more than the BRPT

[MidnightDave]

Thanks for stepping up on this, Jeff!

The time away from work might be the biggest issue for some. Perhaps we can find capitalize on your good work to extend the BRP, even if you don't make the whole run.

I'm thinking $1k for hotel, $500 each for gas, food/bev and incidentals such as car washes and speeding tickets puts us around $2,500 total as a worst case scenario for me. Camping and NOT eating/driving like an idiot, you could probably pull it off around $1K--that's just not an option for me--the not being an idiot part. ;-0

All that said, put me down as a yes to BRP, a yes to some part of the other runs and a maybe on the whole deal = Tentative.

[jdavidson]

I could probably do a little bit of the Ice Cream Run, but that's about it. Jeff if you really do all 4 you're the man!

[BThayer23]

Bah Hahbah is a wicked fah drive. Good luck to ya. It's just gowjus up theyah any time of the yeah. You won't rugret takin youh cah up to Maine. Make shuwah tah try the lobstahs, too. Theyah wicked good with a little buttah fah dippin.

[Sgt Pepper]

I'm definitly doing the BRP tour again, and for the rest? Well, I'd love to do it all, or at least some in addition to BRP, but we'll just have to see how things look a few months from now. Don't think it will be a problem getting time off as I've got a bunch of comp from our recent server project, as long as I request in advance. So I guess for the "Multi-Tour" put me down as "tentative" also. :yes4:

Mike

[GOHEELSMINI]

I am for sure doing the BRP trip in 09...but don't know if I will have the money or time for anything else.

`Erin

[WINICooper]

I think the wife and I might actually be in. We have been talking about trading in our vacation to San Fran to do this trip. We went to Bar Harbor last year as part of a New England cruise and really loved it. Keep me posted if plans come up.

Jon & Amanda Bradshaw

[WINICooper]

I think the wife and I might actually be in. We have been talking about trading in our vacation to San Fran to do this trip. We went to Bar Harbor last year as part of a New England cruise and really loved it. Keep me posted if plans come up.

Jon & Amanda Bradshaw

Jeff... #1, I look forward to meeting you someday. #2, this idea is fantastic and I have the wife bought in, so we are now promoted to certain participants. PM me if you have itineraries and or hotel information. Thanks for planning this and posting this idea.

[minimark]

Def will do the BRPT and the Skyline but doubt we would have time for anymore then. Sounds like a great Adventure and wish we could do them all!

[WINICooper]

So it seems like between BRPT and GICR there is the aftenoon/evening of the 21st all the way to the evening of the 22nd. The wife and I are going, but anyone else in for a visit to Monticello? Charlottesville isn't too far away. Also, in reading about some of the events, we arrive in Bar Harbor on the 25th, MOT is the 27th and 28th, what do we do on the 26th. There is no info on what the BHI events are. Any thoughts? What about the drive home?

[jcauseyfd]

Not sure yet on what might be in store for Sunday afternoon between BRPT and TGICR. Besides destinations like Monticello or Charlottesville, may also want to look into a run down to the Natural Bridge. Some good roads in that area as well for anyone who hasn't had enough twisties.

We'll be on the road with TGICR on the 22nd.

TGICR winds up in Bar Harbor on Thursday and we'd probably have that afternoon for some down time, shopping, whatever. I'm thinking the Bar Harbor Invasion will spend Friday on a drive through Acadia National Park. Not sure what other activities they may have. Keep in mind we'd probably want to get to bed early that night to make the run out to Cadillac Mountain on Saturday morning for the sunrise.

Haven't decided yet how to approach the drive home. One part of me is thinking of making a speed run down the Interstates to get back home to minimize the number days of vacation that need to be used (and the cost by avoiding extra hotel nights). But another part thinks it would be a waste to do that and instead we should come up with some type of non-Interstate route back - but that probably means extra cost for an extra hotel night and yet another day of vacation from work. So still up in the air.

[wildcrazy442000]

Jeff, Put me down as tentative as well. I have downloaded the form and will try and do the BRP and the TGICR.

[MINIFIED]

Sent in my registration for the post-BRP legs of this adventure this week .. I likely won't be catching up with the BRP leg until Friday night in Banner Elk since I'm taking off the whole following week; will be interested in Sunday plans for the time between the end of BRP and the start of TGICR II.

I've got a few deviations from the mapped route for the trip to New England and will likely need to either skip MINIs on TOP on Saturday and head back south to be able to stop overnight en route, or will be doing the 15 hour straight-thru ("speed run") return on Sunday -- have to be back in the office on Monday -- if anyone else is planning the same.

(There was a thought to taking the CATFERRY to Nova Scotia on Friday, too, especially if not doing MINIs on TOP .. lots of ideas floating about!)

I think I'm just ready for a drive --- Helenblitz in 2 weeks oughta be a fix!

[jcauseyfd]

Susan,

Your calendar must be off. :yes2: The BRP will be in Banner Elk on Friday night. We get to Roanoke on Saturday night.

Just a couple other updates for folks. This past week, Jerseygirl posted that she had five registrations for TGICR. Interestingly, none of them are NEMINI members, which is the "sponsoring" club. I sent mine in as well, so it looks like at least three of the five are THMMC members.

I had hoped to start making hotel reservations. However, Jerseygirl still does not have the group code for the Best Western in Staunton (the Sunday night hotel). My plan is to stay at the EconoLodge in Frackville, the Super 8 in Sturbridge, and the EconoLodge in Freeport. As you might note, I'm opting for the cheaper hotels in an effort to control costs (which are racking up). Haven't decided where I'm going to stay in Bar Harbour yet and likely will not stay at the Attitash for Minis On Top. Looking for some less expensive alternatives. I've even toyed with the idea of camping to keep the cost down, but I'm thinking that ain't gonna happen.

If you haven't been by there recently, the Bar Harbor Invasion is looking for a "rally master" to coordinate that event. Hopefully someone will step up to keep that going. I may even offer to help them only because it will help give me something to do on Friday.

I'm on the mailing list for Minis On Top. Hopefully they will have registration forms ready soon. I'll alert everyone when they are available as the ride up Mt. Washington is limited to 200 cars (which hitting that limit may not be such an issue this year given the economy).

[wildcrazy442000]

We have a meeting at work Monday concerning the amount of work we have, or don't have. I may not be able to make the Ice Cream run.:bad:

[WINICooper]

I booked my rooms for TGICR, not yet sent my registration.

[MINIFIED]

Susan,

Your calendar must be off. :yes2: The BRP will be in Banner Elk on Friday night. We get to Roanoke on Saturday night.


Jeff, thanks for the correction .. I do have reservations for the "correct" hotels on the correct dates, fortunately .. :-)

Guess that's why it's best on this MINI stuff that I follow ... :-)

There's still a couple of weeks til the registration deadline so perhaps there will be a last minute rush .. I also wonder if maybe people who are only going to make a day drive of it will join up with the caravan but aren't registering since they won't be making the whole trip .. ?

Sunday will likely find me in Waynesboro for lunch or dinner .. that "salad pizza" I had there last summer -- haven't been able to find anything like it locally, I'll have to get my fix since we'll be so close ... :girl_wacko:

Thanks for all of your co-ordinating on this ..

[jcauseyfd]

OK, that is some pretty good timing. Minis On Top (http://www.minisontop.com) has opened registration. Visit their web site and download the registration form to fill out and mail back in. The deadline to register is May 2nd.

For those who make it as far as Bar Harbor, I'm thinking at least one thing I'll do while I'm in that area is to visit the easternmost point in the contiguous US (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Quoddy_Head) mainland. I visited the southernmost point (ok, maybe not technically, but the most touristy one) down at Key West (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West,_Florida) with a friend back in the 80's. Now I'll be able to check off another of the extreme points.

[WINICooper]

We are modifying the Multi Tour, we are going to spend one day in Bar Harbor after TGICR and then we will be doing a New England Tour of Ivey League Colleges... we went to Boston and visited Harvard a few years back, I think we will motor around to the rest this time around. This is also a nice bargain for my wife who was reluctant to dedicate all of our vacation funds to a strictly MINI event.

[MINIFIED]

This is also a nice bargain for my wife who was reluctant to dedicate all of our vacation funds to a strictly MINI event.

I predict that reluctance will dissipate after this trip .. will maybe even take on a 2nd job to help fund MORE MINI trips! :girl_wink:

Will be glad to have you along!! I am expecting this trip to be a sampler tour that leaves a longing for more .. kinda like the BRP was last summer!

[leicaguy]

Put us down as a probable definite :happy-smiley:. That will be leicaguy and robertshill in 1 MINI (not sure which yet).

[DSCabrio]

We will be doing BRPT and TGICR but I have to head back to the auto train the weekend of MOT. We have all of the reservations completed for BRPT and for all but one of the hotels on TGICR (still waiting to get the group code for Staunton). I 've registered for TGICR (did the original run two years ago and MOT...had a great time!).

On the way up we are stopping in Knoxville to see my daughter's Nana and then one night at Fontana Villiage (never drove the Dragon so we just had to do it). We will be in Bar Harbor one additional day after TGICR so we start the drive back down on a Saturday to avoid "some" of the traffic.

[WINICooper]

I predict that reluctance will dissipate after this trip .. will maybe even take on a 2nd job to help fund MORE MINI trips! :girl_wink:

Will be glad to have you along!! I am expecting this trip to be a sampler tour that leaves a longing for more .. kinda like the BRP was last summer!


I hope so, the only other event she has ever done was a day-long drive through the Wisconsin Dells when I was with the Chicago MINI Motoring Club... so as long as she likes this everyday as much as she did that one day, we are golden.

I love owning a MINI!

[MINIFIED]

We will be doing BRPT and TGICR but I have to head back to the auto train the weekend of MOT. We have all of the reservations completed for BRPT and for all but one of the hotels on TGICR (still waiting to get the group code for Staunton). I 've registered for TGICR (did the original run two years ago and MOT...had a great time!).

On the way up we are stopping in Knoxville to see my daughter's Nana and then one night at Fontana Villiage (never drove the Dragon so we just had to do it). We will be in Bar Harbor one additional day after TGICR so we start the drive back down on a Saturday to avoid "some" of the traffic.

Hi David!

Just as a quick note .. when I called the hotel in Staunton I was told that the group rate for this group is actually at the Sleep Inn "across the street" .. I went ahead and booked the Best Western that was on the list anyway since with AAA the rate was $71.99 .. just a couple of dollars more than the quoted group rate (was also told that the only rooms available are on the "railroad track" side of the hotel) .. that way I'm covered til we get a clarification from Robin about any changes ..

There will be several of us likely spending Friday night in Bar Harbour and then heading to MoT in the early AM on Saturday ..

Looking forward to meeting you -- you have a great trip lined up! And after your visit to the Dragon hopefully we'll see you back in the fall! :girl_wacko:

[WINICooper]

you can officially take me off the tentative list... I am IN! all comfirmed.

[filet0fish]

I'm in for "Day 0" and at least half of the driving on "Day 1" of the Ice cream run. The day 1 routes go really close to home and I haven't decided if I'm going to peel off part way, or just head back the morning of "Day 2."

I will also be doing a pre-BRP extension to visit the Dragon on my way down. I will be staying in Knoxville on the 17th, then heading to Cherokee via the Dragon. The first time I had Google give me directions to Cherokee, it had me take US-129 after 8 hours of interstate. Fortunately I recognized the route number and decided to stop and make an overnight rest before attempting that strech of road.

[WINICooper]

I'm in for "Day 0" and at least half of the driving on "Day 1" of the Ice cream run. The day 1 routes go really close to home and I haven't decided if I'm going to peel off part way, or just head back the morning of "Day 2."

I will also be doing a pre-BRP extension to visit the Dragon on my way down. I will be staying in Knoxville on the 17th, then heading to Cherokee via the Dragon. The first time I had Google give me directions to Cherokee, it had me take US-129 after 8 hours of interstate. Fortunately I recognized the route number and decided to stop and make an overnight rest before attempting that strech of road.

exceptionally smart move!!

[jcauseyfd]

Just to alert anyone who has been waiting on it - the group rate info for the host hotel in Staunton has been posted on the TGICR2 web site (http://www.thegreaticecreamrun.com) on the Accommodations page.

[jcauseyfd]

Just an update for folks. I've gotten what is probably as official a word as we'll get that there will be no "official" Bar Harbor Invasion (http://www.barharborinvasion.com) this year. At this point we've still got a small contingent working on plans to proceed on to Bar Harbor at the conclusion of TGICR and conduct our own Bar Harbor Invasion Invasion. Probably looking at some runs in/around Acadia National Park and possibly a run out to West Quoddy to see the lighthouse. At this point, I think I'm the only one planning to make the run to the top of Cadillac Mountain on Saturday morning (for a 4:40 a.m. sunrise!!!).

Also, looks like we are just going to make a straight shot back on Sunday via Interstates.

For those interested in being an official part of TGICR2 (http://www.thegreaticecreamrun.com), the registration deadline is next Monday.

[WINICooper]

I know my wife and I have planned to go to Bar Harbor and be there for a day or two. I am sure I could convince her to go on some runs in Acadia without much arm twisting. We are going back down and staying at least one night in Boston in lieu of the sunrise run.

[jcauseyfd]

For anyone interested in the BHI part, we is it! My understanding is that DSCabrio made his reservations for the Wonder View Inn (http://www.wonderviewinn.com) in Bar Harbor. I have done the same thing. They still have rooms available.

It will be a very "organic" event, but we'll figure out something to do up there for Thursday and Friday before heading over to MOT on Saturday.

For anyone interested in MOT, my understanding is that the host hotel has sold out of rooms. Those attending may end up a little bit dispersed on Saturday night, but the plan is to get a caravan back together to make the run all the way back home to NC on Sunday.

I don't have any updates on TGICR2. Even though the deadline has passed, I think you could probably still register if you wanted to.

[robertshill]

You can take leicaguy/robertshill off the tentative list. We've decided not go on the BRP extensions. We will be doing the BRP in parts, though, so see ya there!

[WINICooper]

For anyone interested in the BHI part, we is it! My understanding is that DSCabrio made his reservations for the Wonder View Inn (http://www.wonderviewinn.com) in Bar Harbor. I have done the same thing. They still have rooms available.

It will be a very "organic" event, but we'll figure out something to do up there for Thursday and Friday before heading over to MOT on Saturday.

For anyone interested in MOT, my understanding is that the host hotel has sold out of rooms. Those attending may end up a little bit dispersed on Saturday night, but the plan is to get a caravan back together to make the run all the way back home to NC on Sunday.

I don't have any updates on TGICR2. Even though the deadline has passed, I think you could probably still register if you wanted to.

In lieu of Bar Harbor, the wife and I will be heading down to Boston, we may pick you guys up there or down in Philly to ride the wave home.

[WINICooper]

Booked a room for Bah HahBah today! We will stay at the Wonderview Thursday night when we get into town, then we are heading back south on Friday... back home Sunday.

[MINIFIED]

Booked a room for Bah HahBah today! We will stay at the Wonderview Thursday night when we get into town, then we are heading back south on Friday... back home Sunday.

I think we'll actually all be at the same place .. and btw, you may end up tempted to stay in Bah Hahbah through Friday night once you see what Jeff Causey's putting together for Friday plans .. it may be (Not) Bar Harbour invasion, but it's going to be awesome!

(so make that reservation for Friday night, you can always cancel it if you still want to check out on Friday morning)

I am sooo counting down the days!!!

[WINICooper]

We may, I have some family time booked in Harrisburg, PA. Cuts the trip back to Charlotte in half.