BRPT 2009 Commitments

[jcauseyfd]

All THMMCers and friends!

In the summer of 2008 a collection of Minis, their owners, family, and friends undertook an adventure to traverse the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of our nation's most treasured national parks, a monumental public works project, and a great drive. The 2008 route followed the Parkway from the north end near Waynesboro, VA, to the south end near Cherokee, NC.For 2009, we are planning to reverse the route, going from south to north. The dates have been set for participants to gather in Cherokee on June 18, 2009 (a Thursday). Our journey will begin on June 19th and we will end up in Waynesboro that Sunday, June 21st. We will be stopping overnight in Banner Elk, NC, and Roanoke, VA, along the way.

Information regarding the accommodations for the overnight stops is posted in the following threads:

Cherokee hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1925) - group deadline is May 18th
Banner Elk hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1926) - group deadline is May 19th
Roanoke hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1927) - group deadline is May 20th

We are now taking commitments for the journey. Just post a reply to this thread and you will be added to the list. As we firm plans up, we'll edit this post to indicate those who are confirmed.

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to seeing you on the Parkway in June 2009!!!

Confirmed List:
Twister +1
wildcrazy442000
Miniboomer +1
SALEMGYM
Sgt. Pepper
MINIFIED
minimark +1
jcauseyfd
DSCabrio +1
yaemsiri +1
IloveWINICooper (last minute regrets - must cancel)
TheStreak +1
1kulmni +1 (last minute regrets - must cancel)
GBMINI
x UHOH x
filet0fish
Minifun +1 (Sunday only)
eheath49 +1
acetonic
MacLeod
Deacs55
ravioliworld
Lil Blue Coop +1
Augie05 +1
jasonite +1
leicaguy +1
gregd +1
Al_themusicman +1
dmagoun +1
Skeeter +1
JOHNNYJ +1
bobtwo +1
ROKNMINI
car4husky
Hammerette +1
QWKSLVR +1(?)
minijunkie
rnbenoit
tadybug29 +1
Phil K +1
queenb +1
ehatl
bknblk +1
VTCooper

Confirmed count = 42


The Early Commitment List:
Mark & Niki Vogler / Twister +1
Jeff Causey / jcauseyfd
Mark & Joan Roberts / minimark +1
Sandy & Kathy Barfoot / Miniboomer +1
Rudy & Terri Rudoff / RudyT +1
Jak & Dusdee Yaemsiri / yaemsiri +1
Susan Palmer / Minified
Dave Shearer /MidnightDave
Maria Winslow
Phil Keicher
Roy McGalliard
Jon & Amanda Bradshaw / IloveWINICooper +1
David & Sandra Wilson / David14 +1
Mark & Amy Mahoney / orangecrush +1
Bill Green / leicaguy
Beth Cooley / robertshill
Andrew Stenhouse / ohbuga
Robin Rogers / Robin Rogers
Al & Ellen Suite / Al_themusicman +1
Laura Dressel & Mercedes Volk / zinimini +1
LaDonna Barthelemy / miniluv
Scott & Patti Sturdy / ScottNC +1
Mark Dissen / pazuzu
Greg & Ann Marie Meurs / X5JR +1
John Rummage / wildcrazy442000
Mike Copley / Sgt Pepper
Dave & Bev Tosi / Harmless Dave +1
Stephen & Jennifer Nemrava / Step Coop +1
Glenn & Heidi Spurlock / Picture-Perfect +1
Jim & Heidi Nicholson / jnichlson +1
Donna Shelton & Stephen Moore / Beachbumdukie +1
Heather & Craig / Scootercraig +1
Chris Calohan / MININOLE
Joe & Janet Ewing / 1kulmnni +1
Pete Adams / flyfishwhisperer
Erin Wheless / GOHEELSMINI +1
Dale Blankenship / maacodale +2
David Slack & daughter Erica / DSCabrio +1
Barney Newsome / Minibugs
Sara Newsome / minivine
Wes & Jessica Fenton / fentos +1
Frank Minter / SALEMGYM
Jason Davidson & Courtney / jdavidson +1
Sallie Coleman / PepperMini
Van & Jennifer Manuel / Vango +1
Troy Lancaster + co-pilot in pink! / Paleo +1
Josh Trout / filet0fish
Sarah Read & passenger / x UHOH x +1
Melissa MacLeod / MacLeod
Brian Helton +1 / bhelton +1
Val Herod +1 / HerodsMINI +1
Grant & Sheryl Arrington / TheStreak +1
Ian Cull / GBMINI
Cheri & Paul Rondeau / ncflash01 +1
Greg & Julie Yates / Minifun +1
Don & Rosemary Pusso / Lil Blue Coop +1
Ron Sinclair / acetonic
Sam Beaver / ZEEBEES
Ned Kirby-Smith / Deacs55
Steve Lee / ravioliworld
Doug Augustine / Augie05 +1
Jason Knight / jasonite +1
Greg Dominguez / gregd +1
Dylan & Valerie Magoun / dmagoun +1
David Huggins / Skeeter
John & Patti Walsh / JOHNYJ +1
Bob & Karen Strickland / bobtwo +1
John Kieffer / ROKNMINI
Rita Burgues / car4husky
Ashley Spetter & Malcolm / Hammerette +1
Stephanie NeSmith / QWKSLVR +1(?)
Stephen Horte / minijunkie
Robert Benoit / rnbenoit
Tracy Bailey +1 / tadybug29
Donna Kimble +1 / queenb
Seldon & Pam Buck / Sidewalk
Eddy Hensley / ehatl
Kathleen Walsh +1 / bknblk
Rob James / VTCooper

Current count = 77

[Miniboomer]

Sandy and Kathy Barfoot are definitely in for BRPT #2.

[yaemsiri]

Please add Jak and Dusdee Yaemsiri.

[MINIFIED]

Depends on how much vacation time I have accrued .. my hope is to meld this trip with the GICR .. and who knows, maybe MINIs on TOP, too ... if in trying to do the multiple legs I don't have sufficient leave time, I may have to skip the BRP days and just catch up in Waynesboro .. but add me to the list as definitely interested and that will automatically subscribe me to the thread for the follow ups ..

My MINI is most assuredly interested ... :-)

[MidnightDave]

I'm so in! ;-)

[WINICooper]

My wife and I are both in... Jon & Amanda.

[WINICooper]

My wife and I are both in... Jon & Amanda.

last name is Bradshaw

[David14]

Please count Sandra and David Wilson in....Minirva definitely wants to go!

[orangecrush]

Unless our vacation lands on those dates, we'd like to go.

Mark and Amy Mahoney.

Mark

PS. Is it possible to add screennames to the list of real names?

[leicaguy]

Bill Green (leicaguy) & Beth Cooley (robertshill)

[ohbuga]

Please add me to this! Thanks

[Robin Rogers]

count me in sounds like fun!

[Al_themusicman]

Count on Ellen & I, had a grate time last time a better time this time.
Al & Ellen Suite

[zinimini]

we would love to come along!
Laura Dressel and Mercedes Volk (and zini!)

[miniluv]

I would like to participate.

LaDonna Barthelemy

[ScottNC]

Patti and I are in but will probably only be able to do the Sat. Sun. legs.

[pazuzu]

Please add me to the list! This is a good fit for me , winds up near ny neck of the woods and I look forward to getting together with you all again!

[X5JR]

I will join the Tour on Saturday morning in Boone. My wife and I will join all for Dinner on Friday night.

Greg & Ann Marie Meurs in Junior

[wildcrazy442000]

I hope to be able to make this trip.
John Rummage

[Sgt Pepper]

Definitely count me in for this trip! Thanks, Jeff!

Mike Copley

[Harmless Dave]

Hey Mark,

Bev and I are a definite, positive, possible, maybe! June is a long way away and we are not sure what will be happening then. However, we are planning on coming this year (2009).

Harmless Dave

[Step Coop]

Would like to attend but probably for one leg. Just moved to Philadelphia.

Stephen & Jennifer Nemrava

[specialk98]

Question....

My girlfriend and I are interested in this trip, however, we have a dog that rides with us EVERYWHERE we go and Id like to know if we will be staying in or near any pet friendly hotels at night?? If so, count us IN!!!
It would be GREAT if someone could let me know asap so if the hotels are NOT pet friendly, we can make
arrangements at one near by that IS, so we can still go.

Thanks!
Kelly, Vera, and Dudley

[jcauseyfd]

For our friends from up north thinking about coming down, just a reminder that the end of BRPT 2009 coincides with the beginning of The Great Ice Cream Run, which runs into both Bar Harbor Invasion and Minis On Top. So if you have enough vacation, money, and stamina, you can create a lengthy adventure (and maybe have a little extra fun instead of driving straight home from Waynesboro). Read more in the Multi-Tour thread (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1629) here.

[Picture-Perfect]

Hey Mark,

Heidi and I are a definite maybe! June is a long way away. We had such a great time at the MSSD08. If work cooperates with vacation timing, us flatlanders from down Florida way would love to join our THMMC friends.

Picture-Perfect

[jnichlson]

Emily and I would love to go

[Beachbumdukie]

Count me, Donna Shelton and Stephen Moore in. Sounds fantastic!

[Scootercraig]

Craig and I would like to go this time!

[MNINOLE]

Mninole is a definite.

[GOHEELSMINI]

I would like to go +1

[maacodale]

I'd like to be added as a definite maybe! Make that 2 for us, maybe 3 if the daughter is free. Also, if the boy, who goes to school in Charlotte is free that weekend, he'll show up in his MINI. I'll ask up and see if any other Hampton Roads MINI members wanna show. I bet they will!

[WINICooper]

Is there a registration packet to be filled out like the GICR? Just want to square away adMINIstrative stuff as soon as I can.

[jcauseyfd]

Jonathan,

No registration packet per se. We are finalizing details on the hotels and hope to have that posted within the next week or so. Assuming we do things at least somewhat similar to last year, we'll probably have a "packet" for participants to get t-shirts, stickers, swag, etc. Maybe with the new shopping cart feature on the site, that can be made available as an item.

[TWISTER]

All information on the BRP Tour will be at http://www.blueridgeparkwaytour.org/

Please stay tuned

[DSCabrio]

Greetings from Sunshine MINIs!!!!

Please add my trusted navigator/daughter Erica and myself to the list. We are going on TGICR again this year and would like to join you on your tour on the way up (after a little run on the Dragon).

I look forward to some twisties; it will be a relief from constantly searching for out on & off ramps here in the flat lands.

Dave

[minibugs]

Please put Minibugs & Minivine on the list :yes4: .......And away we GO...........:dance:

[minibugs]

OK ad Barney & Sara Newsome to the .....And away we GO ..........LIST...:yes4: :dance:........Minibugs & minivine.......:agree:

[fentos]

I will have to run it by my wife, but you can add us to the list as well. Wes & Jessica Fenton

Thanks!

[SALEMGYM]

Put Frank Minter + 1 on the list. I know it will be fun.

[jcauseyfd]

Barney,

Y'all gonna drive both Minis? Or share one and ride together?

[minimark]

WOOOT! 42 Mini's as of now, this is going to be FUN!!!:ms_yeah:

[wildcrazy442000]

All we need now is a beer truck.

[minimark]

Thought you were going John.....:haha:

[wildcrazy442000]

It was Frank who had the back of his MINI loaded down with Bud.

[SALEMGYM]

I will be there with Bud Select.

[Sgt Pepper]

I will be there with Bud Select.

:yes2::ms_thumbsup::dance::thank_you2:

[wildcrazy442000]

Well there is the Beer MINI. It's the right color too, Bud Red.

[jdavidson]

Courtney and I want to go again...you could probably go ahead and add us to the tally!

[MINIFIED]

Courtney and I want to go again...you could probably go ahead and add us to the tally!

Glad to hear from you, it's been a while!

And of course with recent posts looks like we have assurances of plenty of beer .. and now our favorite videography team! :ms_thumbsup:

[PepperMini]

Count us in for this trip.

PepperMini

[jcauseyfd]

PepperMini,

I note that your first post is not to introduce yourself, but to let us know you plan to be part of BRPT 2009. Excellent!!!!! Welcome to the club!!!!

[Vango]

We hope to go this year
Van And Jennifer

[Paleo]

Mandy and I are looking forward to running the Parkway with you all again! Wow, what a great turnout this year will be!

Paleo + 1 co-pilot in pink

[MINIFIED]

Paleo + 1 co-pilot in pink

I was planning to drive my own MINI ... hahahahahaha ...

Hopefully you'll be willing to share your co-pilot in pink for a few miles occasionally .. we GWLP (girls who love pink) gotta stick together, ya know!

Is it June yet???

[filet0fish]

Hey everyone,:ms_bye:

I'm planning on attending again this year. I look forward to seeing everyone again and seeing the was last, now first, leg of the parkway.



Is it June yet???


I'll second that. My mini is getting really tired of the cold up here in the frozen tundra of Maryland.

[ohbuga]

Count me in but just for Saturday and Sunday.

[x UHOH x]

This sounds like a fun trip - I may not be able to do the whole thing, but please put me down for a tentative +1!

[jcauseyfd]

Woohoo - we've hit 50 on the early commitment list.:dance: I know some are tentative and with the ever changing economy one never really knows what may be possible in June. Still...

Now, let's get to confirming folks!:ms_thumbsup:

[Agnt006]

Yeah! Im stoked! Im already on the tentative list, I think I'll probably catch up with you guys on friday night or saturday. If at all possible, I will BE there! :) W00T!

[Sgt Pepper]

Jeff you can move me to the "confirmed" list! :yes4:

[bhelton]

Is there room for two more on the tentative list?

[MINIFIED]

Is there room for two more on the tentative list?

This post now 3 hours old and no one has yet replied to say HECK YES, OF COURSE, PLEASE JOIN US!! so let me be the first!!

Last year was a wonderful adventure .. some club members have posted blog write ups and photos about it .. this year is shaping up to be as much fun with even more people --- and MINIs!!!

Make your reservations, and mark the calendar -- counting down the days! (140) :yeah:

[MidnightDave]

I'm on the road again, about every other month with this merger, so I can't commit just yet. Suffice to say, if I'm in town, I'm on the road with you guys...

[jcauseyfd]

Mike,

Can I add you to the hotel room lists as well?

bhelton - since Susan opened her mouth (in an Internet forum way), I suppose we'll have to let you in. j/k. Sure there is room for more. Be sure to go over to the events forum for hotel information. Looking forward to moving you to the confirmed list soon!!!

[bhelton]

Thanks! My wife and I might not be able to do the whole thing, but since you guys are ending right down the road from us, we might meet up with you and do the latter half. I know Sarah mentioned her and McLeod might do the same and meet up with you guys in Boone, so I might do that too, and then stay in Roanoke. I'll run everything by my wife this weekend and let you know for sure as soon as she can confirm time off.

[HerodsMINI]

Herod's Mini (pre shrunk) would also like to hook up to the mini train in or around boone. We may not spend the nite but I'll check the schedule on the event forum & make plans from there.

[Sgt Pepper]

Mike,

Can I add you to the hotel room lists as well?


Most definitely!! :ms_yeah:

[MINIFIED]

Please add me to the confirmed list .. I do have hotel reservations for all 3 nights tho unless I can make a work excuse to conveniently be in the "neighborhood" for Thurs night I likely won't catch up with the group until dinner time on Friday ...
(I'm taking vacation time for the TGICR to New England the following week which pretty much precludes my asking for any additional time off for the BRP)

Thanks for all the legwork on the details for this trip, Jeff!

[minimark]

Let's Motor!! All rooms booked so please add Mark & Joan Roberts to the confirmed list!:dance:

[MINIFIED]

Let's Motor!! All rooms booked so please add Mark & Joan Roberts to the confirmed list!:dance:


Personal note to Joan:

Will you please commit to doing the packing for your family contingent?

We've heard say some tales around this forum regarding the age of some of Mark's underwear and we wouldn't wanna take a chance of scaring off any of the drivers joining us on this trip for the first time ... :girl_wacko:

hehehehe ..

PS So looking forward to this trip!

[minimark]

You can be sure that I'll pass that message on.....:girl_wacko:


PS: I will be sporting Plasti-Dip on my ears this year..:happy:

[MINIFIED]

PS: I will be sporting Plasti-Dip on my ears this year..:happy:

I'll be a good MINI friend and spot you occasionally ... :girl_wink:

[minimark]

Always new you were a good egg Susan...:pleasantry:


Hey Jeff, why aren't you on the confirmed list yet?

[jcauseyfd]

Just waiting to make my reservations. Took care of 2 of 3 this evening. The Cherokee hotel told me to call back tomorrow.

I'm on there now!!!

[minimark]

Cool! When I called today the lady at Cherokee was completely clueless to what was going on, after using some of the other folks names that had already booked she was finally able to figure the deal out. They didn't have it under our club name just a motor club. She said she was putting all the info in plain site there under the Tar Heel Mini Motoring Club name.... Big thanks to you Jeff for all the work you have/are doing to put this all together!:thank_you2:

[jcauseyfd]

Thanks Mark. I've been waiting to see if I would get any feedback that someone was having trouble getting the group rate with any of the hotels.

[minimark]

Roanoke and Banner Elk went smooth as silk!:happy-smiley:

[jcauseyfd]

Just thought I'd bump the thread to help keep this on everyone's radar (and especially for our new members who may be interested). Check out the first post (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showpost.php?p=21084&postcount=1) in the thread or visit www.blueridgeparkwaytour.org.

[WINICooper]

I am all confirmed up and squared away!

[R52 WUF]

My wife and I will be making this run as well. I will confirm hotels today. We can't wait!:yeah:

[GBMINI]

I'm in, I hope! Only horribly busy work will stop me ;)

I'll be starting in Kissimmee, where GPMINI still is ... and running BRP then TGICR then on to MINIsOnTop ... fun summer :)
I'd better book some hotels!

Thanks to all for organizing.

[ncflash01]

My husband and I would like to join you folks on this drive.

Thanks
Cheri & Paul Rondeau

[jcauseyfd]

Cheri,

Be sure to look in the Events forum here on the site for the threads with hotel information. I'd appreciate it if you can let me know once you've booked so I can keep an accurate count on how many rooms our block has.

Look forward to seeing you on the journey!!!

Thanks!

[Minifun]

My wife and I would like to join with the other MINI's in Roanoke, Va. on Sunday to travel to Wayneboro

Thank you,
Greg & Julie Yates

[leicaguy]

My wife and I would like to join with the other MINI's in Roanoke, Va. on Sunday to travel to Wayneboro

Thank you,
Greg & Julie Yates

Greg, Julie,

Another PW in Roanoke....:ms_yeah: My wife and I will see you

there! :dance:

[Lil Blue Coop]

Rosemary and I will be attending.

[jcauseyfd]

Just thought I'd bump this thread to -

- thank those who have committed thus far

- remind those who are interested that you only have a couple months before the group block rates expire at the hotels

- maybe make it a little easier for some of our newer members to find this thread and learn more about this great event

Thanks!

[WINICooper]

Wow this is getting to be pretty big! The wife and I are psyched!!!

[ZEEBEES]

hi, heard about this a few months ago, but got too busy to find out more.
trying to plan this along with the great ice cream run.
The blue ridge is a great drive which i haven't done in almost a decade.
planning on adding a teardrop trailor before the route.

I turned the mini into an ice cream truck, so an ice cream run sounds like a perfect thing to do. picture is before i added the bubble machine to the roof.

http://tarheelminis.org/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=826

[jcauseyfd]

I'll take some Sundae Cones please!

Hope you can join us!

[WINICooper]

Heck yeah come on out!!! I will do both, I can tell everyone I had my own personal ice cream MINI when I go on vacation... who else can say that?

[GBMINI]

Oh yes, an ice-cream MINI *has* to come on the Great Ice Cream Run!

Will you come all the way to MINIsOnTop too? If so, get in touch, in case we can do something fun with an ice-cream MINI :)

[acetonic]

I will be there for this tour. I love the BRP. I'll either be coming up from Florida or down from Delaware, but I'm in! :ms_thumbsup:

[minimark]

What is the exact cut off date for the group rates Jeff?

18 out of 55 confirmed as of now, let's get signed up guys!!!!:ms_thumbsup:

[jcauseyfd]

The cut off dates for the group rates are in the posts with the hotel details. To summarize:

Cherokee hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1925) - group deadline is May 18th
Banner Elk hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1926) - group deadline is May 19th
Roanoke hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1927) - group deadline is May 20th

I anticipate Twister is going to be posting info about the "registration" packages soon. We'll need to start getting settled on a fairly firm number so we know how many t-shirts to order, number of goodie bags, what kind of eating arrangements we need to work on, etc.

So yeah, let's go folks! The time is getting short and we'd love to have you!!!

[minimark]

Thanks for posting the cut off dates Jeff, don't want anyone to miss out on the deals and DANG we sure had a great time last year!!!!:yes4:

[wildcrazy442000]

Lets not forget the Dave and the Park Ranger show. Diet of slim jims and Bud, optional.

[MINIFIED]

Lets not forget the Dave and the Park Ranger show. Diet of slim jims and Bud, optional.

yea, we need to get MN Dave added to the committed list.
Oh, you know what I mean ... :girl_wacko:

ZeeBees -- glad to have you join us, be sure and post to this thread too so we have an accurate headcount. Why with an ICE CREAM MINI there *will* be a Bar Harbour Invasion!! http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1629

[ZEEBEES]

may be post-poning the trip until last summer/early fall to accomodate wife's schedule. she's never seen the blue ridge and wants to see fall colors. oh well, at least the ice cream mini thing is taking off locally pretty well. will still try to make the tour, but may have to be next year.

[Agnt006]

did I ever officially add myself to the list?? I cant remember. so if I havent, I am so coming!! :dance: whoohooooo!!!:ms_yeah:

[orangecrush]

The cut off dates for the group rates are in the posts with the hotel details. To summarize:

Cherokee hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1925) - group deadline is May 18th
Banner Elk hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1926) - group deadline is May 19th
Roanoke hotel info (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=1927) - group deadline is May 20th


How close are these hotels to each other? I thought I knew where the first two listed were but apparently not.

Thanks,

Mark

[jcauseyfd]

Melissa,

You are on the tentative list. Generally I've been moving people to the confirmed list once I see they have made at least one hotel registration.

Mark,

Not sure I completely understand your question. But, the hotel in Cherokee is supposed to be right across the street from the Harrah's casino. I think the end of the BRP is mm476 just outside of Cherokee. Banner Elk will be around mm300, just to the south of Boone.

Only one month to get the group rate folks. Make your reservations soon and plan to join us!!

[orangecrush]

I apologize, I wasn't clear. I'm not even sure I understood my question...lol

In the first post, there are 3 hotels listed. Do we need to make reservations for each one? I thought the tour was 3 days and 2 nights yet there were 3 hotels listed. (I'm assuming at points when we decide to call it a night)

Signed,

confused....

[Agnt006]

actually, I'll be bunking with Sarah (xuhohx). If you wouldnt mind moving me to confirmed, I'd appreciate it! Thank you!!
:D

[jcauseyfd]

Mark,

Ah, ok, I got it now. Yes, the tour part is 3 days and 2 nights. The third "extra" hotel is the one in Cherokee, which is our starting point. We will be leaving early Friday morning for the first day of the actual tour. In anticipation of that, we reserved a block at the Cherokee hotel so participants can gather in Cherokee on Thursday. We'll have a dinner and give out goodie bags.

But you don't have to be there on Thursday night. I think we have one or two who are intercepting us along the way. And you could always drive up to Cherokee early Friday morning to meet us for the start.

The driving part of the tour itself will occur on Friday (from Cherokee to Banner Elk), on Saturday (from Banner Elk to Roanoke), and then on Sunday (from Roanoke to Waynesboro VA). On Sunday we should be finished around lunch time and participants will then head to where ever it is they are heading to next.

So if you are doing the whole tour, you will definitely want to book the Banner Elk and Roanoke hotels as they are the overnight stop locations. Unless you are planning to drive up to Cherokee on Friday morning or intercept us along the way the first day, you'll probably want to go ahead and book the Cherokee hotel as well.

Hope this helps!

Jeff

[jcauseyfd]

Melissa,

OK, thanks. Done. Looking forward to having you with us!

[orangecrush]

actually, I'll be bunking with Sarah (xuhohx). If you wouldnt mind moving me to confirmed, I'd appreciate it! Thank you!!
:D


Ohhhhh, that's cool... I didn't know we could choose who we bunked with.

Lucky for you Sarah.... :lol:




Mark,

Ah, ok, I got it now. Yes, the tour part is 3 days and 2 nights. The third "extra" hotel is the one in Cherokee, which is our starting point. We will be leaving early Friday morning for the first day of the actual tour. In anticipation of that, we reserved a block at the Cherokee hotel so participants can gather in Cherokee on Thursday. We'll have a dinner and give out goodie bags.

But you don't have to be there on Thursday night. I think we have one or two who are intercepting us along the way. And you could always drive up to Cherokee early Friday morning to meet us for the start.

The driving part of the tour itself will occur on Friday (from Cherokee to Banner Elk), on Saturday (from Banner Elk to Roanoke), and then on Sunday (from Roanoke to Waynesboro VA). On Sunday we should be finished around lunch time and participants will then head to where ever it is they are heading to next.

So if you are doing the whole tour, you will definitely want to book the Banner Elk and Roanoke hotels as they are the overnight stop locations. Unless you are planning to drive up to Cherokee on Friday morning or intercept us along the way the first day, you'll probably want to go ahead and book the Cherokee hotel as well.

Hope this helps!

Jeff

Thank you, makes perfect sense....I must have missed the explanation on the first page.

Thanks again,

Mark

[Agnt006]

haha thanks! I'm really looking forward to it!!
... maybe we should make sure the hotel puts us away from everyone else. we're likely to be pretty rambunctious! :laugh:

[jdavidson]

It's looking like we won't be able to make it this year :(
Courtney is going to start working weekends and she has her singing competition the weekend before

[Deacs55]

Jeff, please add me to the confirmation list for the BRP Tour this June. I completed my lodging reservations this afternoon!:ms_yeah:

Thanks,

Ned (Deacs55)

[ravioliworld]

I'm in! Made my reservations at all three hotels today. Any hope of a detour for Brown's baked beans?

I won't be doing TGICR this year, but I'll see the dedicated amongst you at MOT.

[WINICooper]

Wow... up to 22... what is the attendance record? It would say a lot about the popularity of this event if we break attendance records in a recession.

[Miniboomer]

Steve,
I'm sure between you and Kathy I'll be making a little side trip to Sparta for some baked beans "to go". Will be good to see you again. Still sporting the duck on the antenna?

[TWISTER]

I'm hoping that can be our lunch stop that day

[wildcrazy442000]

Wow... up to 22... what is the attendance record? It would say a lot about the popularity of this event if we break attendance records in a recession.

We had around 20 last year. It's hard to pin down an exact number as not everyone did the whole tour. I would love to see our Canadian friends on the BMW motorcycle this year. God Bless him hope everything worked out okay, he had advanced lung cancer. He smiled the whole trip last year.

[wildcrazy442000]

I'm in! Made my reservations at all three hotels today. Any hope of a detour for Brown's baked beans?

I won't be doing TGICR this year, but I'll see the dedicated amongst you at MOT.

Glad you could make it. Now if our friend Courtney from St. Louis can just make it. We'll have just about the whole gang from last year back.

[ravioliworld]

Glad you could make it. Now if our friend Courtney from St. Louis can just make it. We'll have just about the whole gang from last year back.

What about the otter? :jester:

[minimark]

Aye, will poor Hellmann finally be unshackeled so that he might attend our journey?:ms_ponder:

[MINIFIED]

Aye, will poor Hellmann finally be unshackeled so that he might attend our journey?:ms_ponder:

Could we keep this forum PG, please .. :girl_wacko:

[wildcrazy442000]

Otteriffic, Lets call him Fred, it's his given name.

[ravioliworld]

Still sporting the duck on the antenna?

A little dirty, but they're still hanging on. Will be good to see you guys again.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3477990628_6273afbab4_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravioliworld/3477990628/)

[MINIFIED]

A little dirty, but they're still hanging on. Will be good to see you guys again.




hmmm ... so let me see if I've got this straight. The rubby ducky needs a bath ??? :girl_wacko:

Looking forward to seeing you again too .. will be doing BRP, then TGICR and I guess we'll see you again at Mt Washington ..

[Augie05]

Add me to the confirmed list. Just booked all three rooms today. Looking forward to it.

[Augie05]

Jeff,

On you list, update me to be "Augie05 +1"

Thanks....... the list is growing nicely.....

[bobtwo]

Please add me to the list of participants in the BRPT. I'll be by myself the first 2 days and my wife (Karen) will be joining me in Roanoke on day 3.

[JOHNNYJ]

PLEASE ADD JOHN & PATTI WALSH FOR THE 2009 TOUR. THANKS

[ROKNMINI]

I am in; my family is headed to Ohio on Wednesday; so I'll be flying solo....

John

[car4husky]

Please, add me to the list!

[jcauseyfd]

JOHNYJ, bobtwo, ROKNMINI, car4husky,

I've added all of you to both the tentative and confirmed lists. I'm going to go ahead and add you to the hotel lists as well (except bobtwo for Roanoke). If that is not correct, please post here or PM me. If you are still in the process of making your hotel reservations, don't forget the group block pricing expires starting next week.

Looking forward to seeing all of you on the BRPT!!!

[redmini]

I live in Herndon, VA and my Mini will be off of the Boat on 22 May - will have it for the Event - Please add me to the list of name
Robert Benoit

[TWISTER]

I hope you will join us on the excursion. If you want to order a Tour Package get it to me fast and let me know here

[jcauseyfd]

Robert,

I've added you to the confirmed list. Please post here when you make your hotel reservations so I can add you to those lists. Thanks!!!

[redmini]

How do I get a Packet

[jcauseyfd]

Robert,

Check the BRPT forum (http://www.tarheelminis.org/forumdisplay.php?f=42) for several threads that you will find helpful. Besides this commitment thread, you'll find the threads with information to make hotel reservations. And you'll find the thread with the information on ordering a package (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2303) and the order form. Deadline is tomorrow for the form and next week to take advantage of the hotel group rates.

HTH! Let us know if you have any other questions!

[redmini]

I will print the form out and mail it to you Priority email - I can not make the whole trip the 18th is my wedding anniversary – will joy you at Roanoke - I need to know how much is the package – will use a Postal money order – does that speed up thing - do you have a phone number that I can contact you

[minijunkie]

It took some horse-trading but I managed to get my schedule cleared for the BRPT........ I'm in. :ms_thumbsup:

[jcauseyfd]

Robert,

Package is $28 per the form unless you order any extras. MO should be fine, but the forms are actually delivered to Twister. PM me if you need any other help.

Stephen, glad to hear you made it in. Be sure to get right on those hotel reservations. The clock is a tickin'.

[TWISTER]

You can send paypal@tarheelminis.org

[MINIFIED]

It took some horse-trading but I managed to get my schedule cleared for the BRPT........ I'm in. :ms_thumbsup:

YEAH!! Long as it didn't take any MINI-trading! You'll have a great time! Be sure and post to the ATL forum, too, so perhaps a few others will join the ATL contingent!

[redmini]

Money sent $28.00 Paypal Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID #4MD07457M4206941E) - I wiil meet you at Roanoke - Next year will plann better (Hope my MCS is here by them (smile))

[redmini]

Just booked hotel add 1 more to Roanoke

[minijunkie]

YEAH!! Long as it didn't take any MINI-trading! You'll have a great time! Be sure and post to the ATL forum, too, so perhaps a few others will join the ATL contingent!

Nope. the MINI is safe. I just posted a notice on AtlantaMINIs. We'll just have to wait and see who nibbles and who takes the hook.

[tadybug29]

I am unable to make the 1st night of the tour on 18th. I need to know before I book.. what time is the group leaving Cherokee?? I will be coming over from Fayetteville NC... Thanks Tracy (tadybug29)

[TWISTER]

Around 9am

[MINIFIED]

I am unable to make the 1st night of the tour on 18th. I need to know before I book.. what time is the group leaving Cherokee?? I will be coming over from Fayetteville NC... Thanks Tracy (tadybug29)

Tracy

Re: Twister Mark's post that they will be leaving Cherokee at about 9am .. don't let him fool ya, they'll be on the road no later than 8:55am .. ha ha ha .. just a joke .. he knows :girl_wink:

FWIW, I don't expect be catching up with the group til Friday in Banner Elk .. I plan to leave Raleigh about 1pm so should be there about the same time they are arriving (just before dinner) ... let me know if hitting Raleigh about 1pm from Fayetteville works for you and maybe we can plan a caravan from here ..

Anyone else doing a mash-up on Friday from the Triangle or even Piedmont area that we should include in the caravan to Banner Elk?

[tadybug29]

Susan, I will meet you in Ral at 1pm on Friday.. I have confirmed for the Friday and Sat with hotels. Just let me know where to meet up. I will be bringing one guest... Tracy

[queenb]

Howdy....I'm working out details to see if I can tag along. Not sure if I will meet up in Cherokee on Friday AM or do an overnight on Thursday.

Cheers ya'll
Donna

[queenb]

Okay....I'm in unless some work related issues arise. Congrats to you all for taking the Mini show on the road. I used to do a 6 day jetski trip, the length of the Tennessee River, that was a blast. This seems to be along the same line.

[FERNO]

... let me know if hitting Raleigh about 1pm from Fayetteville works for you and maybe we can plan a caravan from here ..

Anyone else doing a mash-up on Friday from the Triangle or even Piedmont area that we should include in the caravan to Banner Elk?

Newbie here. Considering trying to get in on this. Dunno if the budget will allow, and I realize the group block rate may have expired, but do you all think that it'd be possible for me to join the event this late in the game?

:wacko:

[TWISTER]

I wouldn't think so, Just call the hotels and get a room. The tour package orders are closed. I might have some extra decals/badges but not extra shirts

[jcauseyfd]

Um, I think the answer is yes, you can get in. Can't get a package and you may end up having to pay more for the hotels since the group blocks have expired. But otherwise you are welcome to come along.

[MINIFIED]

Newbie here. Considering trying to get in on this. Dunno if the budget will allow, and I realize the group block rate may have expired, but do you all think that it'd be possible for me to join the event this late in the game?

:wacko:

The hotel in Roanoke at least still had group rates through today .. a couple of other thoughts -- one, last year we had people join us on the "day of" and others for only part of the trip (ie one day) so join us as you are able ..

2ndly - there are generally a few guys traveling alone who don't mind splitting room costs (tho not likely in Roanoke since the group rate is for a single only, not double :-) .. post a request to the thread if that's the only way the budget will manage it and see what responses you get ..

Last but not least, Tracy (Tadybug) and I are catching up with the group in Banner Elk on Friday afternoon leaving Raleigh around 1pm .. keep it in mind and keep us posted if that syncs with your plans ..

You will LOVE it!!

[FERNO]

Cool, thanks for the responses. I am strongly considering attending.

I'll check my short-term schedule this weekend, find out which Fridays I have class after work and see what I can put together.

The budget issue is more a case of replacing the banged up S-lites that came on the car and performing some needed mechanical fixes.

[MidnightDave]

What time are you guys leaving the hotel in Cherokee on Friday morning?

You know how unreliable I am these days, so don't read too much into it, (and I'm going to SF for a week sometime this month so I may not be able to do this at all), I'm just speculating about skipping on over to meet you for your departure, spend the day driving with you, and then head back once you get to Blowing Rock.

[TWISTER]

9 AM

[MINIFIED]

What time are you guys leaving the hotel in Cherokee on Friday morning?

You know how unreliable I am these days, so don't read too much into it, (and I'm going to SF for a week sometime this month so I may not be able to do this at all), I'm just speculating about skipping on over to meet you for your departure, spend the day driving with you, and then head back once you get to Blowing Rock.

Oh yeah!! Austin Powers in the house .. :yeah!:

And please get all the way to Banner Elk for dinner .. some of us aren't catching up til then .. we'll even let you buy the dessert!!!

(and you KNOW I'm only kidding on that one!!)

[VTCooper]

I'd like to participate in at least the last leg of the event. I live in Roanoke, about two blocks from the Tanglewood Sleep Inn, and could meet up with the group for the rest of the leg to Waynesboro, heading back to Roanoke that night.

It would just be me. No guest.

It'd be my first club event. I'm looking forward to it.

[TWISTER]

Please join us!

[TWISTER]

ATTENTION!
If you attended last years drive, please bring your shirt from last year to wear on Saturday the 20th!

This years shirts are going to be worn on Friday

[bknblk]

Tom and I are interested in meeting up in Raleigh on Friday for the cruise over. Who is gonna be there, just say where and when?? We're excited! Thanks!

[jcauseyfd]

Looks like (see post 145) Minified is planning to leave Raleigh @ 1 pm on Friday to intercept us in Banner Elk.

[TWISTER]

Wait, she's not doing the entire trip? What's wrong with that picture?

[bknblk]

We're going to be coming up from Hampstead to Raleigh on Friday for the first leg of the trip

[MINIFIED]

Tom and I are interested in meeting up in Raleigh on Friday for the cruise over. Who is gonna be there, just say where and when?? We're excited! Thanks!

Hi Kathleen and Tom!

We'll be so glad to have you .. Tracy from Fayetteville will be convoying with us and depending on what time the VA contingent can break free, they may be also.

We're headed out of Raleigh around 1pm depending on where we meet -- tentatively planning to depart I-40 at Exit 290 (near the RBC center) but that's flexible .. send me a PM about where in Raleigh you'll be leaving from and we can discuss options ..

Anybody else?

YEAH!!! And countin' down the days!

Clarification: The group is starting in Cherokee on THURSDAY; Kathleen your reference to "first leg" of the trip, you'd want to catch up in Cherokee on Thursday. Friday will be the 2nd leg, from Banner Elk (overnighting there Friday) to Roanoke .. just confirming that's your intention? ..

[Augie05]

The best and nicest part of the parkway (in my opinion) is from Cherokee to Banner Elk.... most scenic and highest elevations.

[Miniboomer]

Doug, I agree plus it has the best twisties.

[GBMINI]

Uh oh ... so it's all down hill after that? ;)

[minimark]

Yep I agree from Cherokee to about Blowing Rock is the best part of the parkway!! We need an early start Friday to have time to take it all in!!!! The upper half is great too, just more rolling!:ms_thumbsup:

[TWISTER]

I agree, what time should we plan on starting? 8am?

[minimark]

No later!:yes4:

[GBMINI]

No earlier! Margaret is going to murder me!

[minimark]

She can sleep in a bit Saturday, not near as much ground to cover that day..:laugh:

[TWISTER]

Mine too Ian!
The plan is to be at the sign by 8 for a group picture and then head out. We stop randomly during the day to take in some views and take pictures. It's going to be a very tight day with trying to be in Banner Elk by 7pm. Maybe a picnic lunch is in order?

[minimark]

Mine ain't gonna be real happy either so I'll tell her Thursday night...:sad::lol: A picnic lunch sounds like a good idea Mark as we could combine lunch and one of the scenic stops!

[Augie05]

Sounds great. 8am start with a picnic lunch. Just need to remember to bring food for picnic on Friday!

[ehatl]

If there is still room for one more, I would like to join in the fun.

[TWISTER]

Eddy, sure!
You'll need to find hotel reservations.

[ehatl]

Thanks.

Put me down for 1 mini and 1 me.

I will get the hotel taken care off.

[queenb]

LOL, there's only one Eddie!

[minimark]

Picked up our BRPT package and as usual Twister has done a great job putting this together, the Tee Shirts are AWESOME!!!!:ms_thumbsup: Thanks Mark!

[gregd]

Mine too Ian!
The plan is to be at the sign by 8 for a group picture and then head out. We stop randomly during the day to take in some views and take pictures. It's going to be a very tight day with trying to be in Banner Elk by 7pm. Maybe a picnic lunch is in order?

Is it a definite plan to picnic on Friday? If so, it might be a good idea for you or Jeff to post something official so attendee's get the word.

my 2 cents

[GBMINI]

I thought it was Saturday for the picnic? I'm getting confused now, and it's not even started ;)

[TWISTER]

I think it's best we plan on picnic lunch on Friday. I plan on stopping by a Subway the night before and get some subs for Friday. We can eat near Craggy Gardens or Mt Mitchell

[GBMINI]

Thanks, Mark ... I like your plan too :)

[minimark]

Yep Friday would be the day for a picnic. We will have the most ground to cover and a lot of places you'll want to see on the first leg, that's why a picnic might help time wise and the reason for an early start.

But not to worry Friday will be a lot of fun and Banner Elk is a great place to overnight with a bit slower pace Saturday and Sunday!! It's going to be a blast!!!:yeah!:

[gregd]

Thanks for the info, this was the first I had seen of the picnic plan and just wanted to make sure so the wife and plan for it. I look forward to meeting all of you in person finally.

[R52 WUF]

Mark,

I know that over the past few weeks I have been in and out of topics. Work has played a large part in this and I am not using it as an excuse but I was wondering if you were going to put together some kind of agenda for this run?

I can go back over all the threads but it would be nice to see a daily schedule. It does not need to go into a lot of detail, just what time we leave each morning, is lunch a picnic or do we stop somewhere and where and when dinner is each night.

You may have this planned for Thursday night already, but are we meeting at a certain time and place Thursday? I noticed that a lot of new faces have been added over the past few weeks and I want to make sure everyone is on the same page.

[jcauseyfd]

Grant,

Mark may have some corrections, but I think the following is a loose schedule -

Thursday evening (June 18th)
Group dinner (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2090) at Brushy Mountain Smokehouse @ 7:00 p.m.
Other than checking in at hotel (which now shows up on Google Maps), no other activities planned.

Friday (June 19th)
Driver's meeting around 7:30 - 7:45 a.m.
Group picture at southern terminus at 8:00 a.m.
Lunch - picnic at a spot probably somewhere between Asheville and Craggy Gardens
I'm thinking a run to the top of Mt. Mitchell shortly after lunch?
Later that afternoon, stop at the Rough Ridge Trail (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2547)
Group dinner (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2551) in Banner Elk at the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria @ 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (June 20th)
Driver's meeting around 8:45 a.m.
Wheels up at 9:00 a.m.
I think our first stop will be Moses Cone Memorial?
Lunch @ Brown's Restaurant in Sparta, NC
Dinner (http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2553) @ The Roanoker Restaurant in Roanoke, VA @ 7:00 p.m.

Sunday (June 21st)
Driver's meeting around 8:45 a.m.
Wheels up at 9:00 a.m.
Reach northern terminus around lunch time.
Probably find somewhere in Waynesboro for lunch for those that don't need to immediately hit the road to get back home.

In between the various stops listed above there will surely be several other stops. As I've told a couple folks via e-mails, stops can be little 10 min stops long enough to stretch up to around 30 minutes or so to more fully explore something.

All times are estimates. We'll do our best to at least get to dinner on time each night.

hth!!!

[TWISTER]

Sounds just like I have imagined. Thanks Jeff

[R52 WUF]

Oh Jeff you are the best. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I am sure others will appreciate this as well. :yes2:

[GBMINI]

Thanks, also, Jeff ... helpful info :)

[minimark]

Well done, thanks Jeff!

[wildcrazy442000]

Looks like a great plan Jeff. Thanks for all the hard work.

[maacodale]

We'll be heading out of Hampton Roads Friday and meet up with y'all in Banner Elk and do the last two legs. We didn't get registered "officially" but we'll have as much fun tagging along with y'all.

And...even look slike we might have another HR MINI member join up in Roanoke as well.

Can't wait! It's gonna be a loooong week.

[JagAlfaOwner]

I will be joining family that are already part of the BRPT, as I live in Roanoke. I am trying to take them to Breakfast / Brunch at Peaks of Otter Sunday but am concerned on being able to meet the group following. I will be at the Roanoker for dinner Saturday. Is it possible to get a few phone numbers or suggestions on how we can catch up or wait depending on where everyone is from the Peaks of Otter?:thanks:

Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.

[TWISTER]

Al if you have a walkie talkie, we'll be using channel 20 sub channel 20. Here is my cell # 336.391.8084

[maacodale]

Good Lord! Is this week dragging by for everybody else or is it just me?! It feels like it should be the end of the week already, but I just checked and it's only TUESDAY! I can't leave until Friday, so not only do I have two more days, I gotta watch everyone else post they're leaving tomorrow or Thursday! This weekend is never gonna get here!

[ScottNC]

Patti and I will try to join in at some point saturday. We will most likely be waiting where the BRP crosses 52.

Scott:patsak:

[MINIFIED]

Good Lord! Is this week dragging by for everybody else or is it just me?! It feels like it should be the end of the week already, but I just checked and it's only TUESDAY! I can't leave until Friday, so not only do I have two more days, I gotta watch everyone else post they're leaving tomorrow or Thursday! This weekend is never gonna get here!

Dale I'll be commiserating with you on Thursday .. and while this week is flying by (cuz I'm not quite ready so fate has to ensure I have less time than I need to finish getting ready!) I know Thursday at work while everyone else is driving is gonna be merciless ..

Tell Regina she can sleep in the car and catch up with our little caravan outta Durham! (Have you got my cell in case that does happen to work out?)

[MINIFIED]

my apologies to those who got an email regarding my post of "the rest of the story" and then couldn't find it here .. i had posted it on this thread and it was subsequently deleted.

You can still find it on the "Triple Crown" thread:

http://tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?t=2625&page=2

might want to make sure you've got an hour to kill, however :girl_wacko:

(be sure and check out my MINI-FRIENDs album if I got your picture on the BRP part of the Triple Crown -- I'm sure I've got a few missing or mixed up names!)