08/22/09 - Let's go for a drive!

[TWISTER]

Anyone up for a drive to get out of the house for awhile and motor with your MINI friends?


http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/38563/1280726792043447880S500x500Q85.jpg


We'll head out from Winston and cruise up to Stone Mountain (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=Stone+Mountain+State+Park,+United+States&ie=UTF8&cd=9&geocode=0,36.395905,-81.082035&sll=35.53166,-82.20704&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1) through some great twisties and then have a great lunch/dinner at a local restaurant in Sparta!

http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/stmo/main.php

There is an empty furniture store across the street from a Wilco/Hess gas station (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4019+Reynolda+Rd+Winston+Salem+NC+&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=A) that we will meet at. Starting time I think should be 10AM with a departure time of 10:30

GOOGLE MAP LINK OF ROUTE (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=36.166289,-80.334048&daddr=36.251749,-80.85062+to:US-21+%4036.502860,+-81.117790+to:NC-18+to:Joines+Rd%2FNC-1121%2FNC-1128%2FPine+Swamp+Rd%2FRifle+Range+Rd%2FWolfe+Rd&geocode=FZHaJwIdIDM2-w%3B%3BFUz9LAIdoj0q-w%3BFVJ6LAIdEMsp-w%3BFeazLAId9JAq-w&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=13&via=1&sll=36.249119,-80.839634&sspn=0.083477,0.12394&ie=UTF8&ll=36.312912,-80.753632&spn=0.667268,0.991516&z=10)

[TWISTER]

Rifle Range Rd is on the route!

[bknblk]

Negative for evilmini. Daughter is having surgery on Friday. We know you'll have a great time and hope you post lots of pics!

[fllythecoop]

Wow that sounds like fun. Don't know yet, but thanks for the info!

[ssigmon]

I'm Coming from Charlotte and have not been in that area. I need a street address and city to get me to the starting area or maybe I can meet you somewhere on the route. Let me know.

[TWISTER]

There is a BP gas Station at the interchange of 67 and I77. Meet us there around 10:45-11:00am

[orangecrush]

I'm Coming from Charlotte and have not been in that area. I need a street address and city to get me to the starting area or maybe I can meet you somewhere on the route. Let me know.

If you go, let me know... I've got a list of honey do crap to do but I've been working so long on it, surely I can get out of the house. I'd love to make a fun drive.



There is a BP gas Station at the interchange of 67 and I77. Meet us there around 10:45-11:00am

Exit 67 just north of statesville exit?

[TWISTER]

yes just north of Statesville.

[MiniCuse]

Perhaps I will come out from Durham. I have a rare weekend off.

[Lil Blue Coop]

Statesville is exit 51, so this is about 30 miles north of Statesville. I think we will be able to meet you at I 77.

[MidnightDave]

Man, I haven't been out in a LONG time! WFH today to sneak in some remodeling work, if I can get it done this week, maybe I can come out and play. I usually go up I-85 and hook up at the beginning, however, I could join the other CLT peeps and go up 77.

Will figure all this out later in the week...and thanks for Mark for setting this up, it's a fun one!

[BThayer23]

Not sure, might have plans that night. I'll check back later.

[wildcrazy442000]

Sounds like a plan.

[wildcrazy442000]

Bubba, should we pack heat going down Rifle Range Rd? Or just bring a MP3 of Dueling Banjos.

[Miniboomer]

FYI. It is Hwy 67 which I think is exit 82.

[Lil Blue Coop]

Thanks, updated my post.

[minimark]

Dang it, we're already booked until after 2:00 Saturday.....:sad:

[MINIFIED]

Dang .. the work schedule interferes (still hoping to sneak out early enough to catch dinner with the Eastern club members on Sunday, but even that will be pushing it!) .. plus my MINI will be at Flow .. and that's no fun!

Have a good time and hopefully my life will go back to normal soon!

[knightowl]

I am not a member but may be able to go for a road trip on Saturday. Is there somewhere we could meet near Charlotte and drive up to Winston together?

[TWISTER]

Well I hate to break it to you... You are a member and one of the very newest members! Congrats on joining the BEST MINI club out there!

[dmagoun]

I have to miss will be in Hickory at the Mother-in-Laws working on her house. Take some twisties for me!!!!

[Augie05]

I would like to go but my son has a cross country meet Saturday.... darn it.....

[knightowl]

Thanks Twister! I would like to join you on your drive this weekend. Hopefully I can meet up with some other MINIs in Charlotte and we can ride up together.

[Lil Blue Coop]

I am not a member but may be able to go for a road trip on Saturday. Is there somewhere we could meet near Charlotte and drive up to Winston together?

I am in Charlotte and plan on joining up with the group at I77, exit 81(Rt 67).

[orangecrush]

How about us Charlotte guys meet up at exit 28 at 9:00am Saturday. There's a Hess station as soon as you come to the traffic light off the exit ramp.

Just a suggestion.

Mark

[jcauseyfd]

Sigh. Soccer matches Saturday.

[TWISTER]

first post updated with link to the Wilco Hess

[Lil Blue Coop]

How about us Charlotte guys meet up at exit 28 at 9:00am Saturday. There's a Hess station as soon as you come to the traffic light off the exit ramp.
Just a suggestion.
Mark

Sounds good Mark.

I will bring my parts for you to paint to your shop tomorrow afternoon.

[orangecrush]

Sounds good Mark.

I will bring my parts for you to paint to your shop tomorrow afternoon.

Cool, I'll try to have them done before the weekend.

Mark

[orangecrush]

Hey guys, just a thought... I looked at the map and since we're on a run anyways, how 'bout we break Minified's gap cherry?

I mean, we ain't gonna be that far from the Dragon. Any thoughts?

Mark

[orangecrush]

DRAGON, DRAGON, DRAGON...... :ms_thumbsup:

[maacodale]

Wish I could make it, instead I'll be driving up I95 taking Tyler to school in Providence, RI. Like that'll be any where's close as much fun. Y'all will have a blast, you know, like ya do on ALL of your runs! I'm sure Mark has a great route planned out. Please post pics for those of us that can't make it!

[Chachamaru]

I'll check the schedule but I'm thinking I'm free on Saturday. It would be great to take a drive. I've had such a crap two weeks (excluding the picnic of course) it would do wonders to cheer me up I'm sure.

[BThayer23]

DRAGON, DRAGON, DRAGON...... :ms_thumbsup:

What map are you looking at? Isn't it like another 2 hours away?

[orangecrush]

What map are you looking at? Isn't it like another 2 hours away?


Yeaaaaah, and your point is? :ms_thumbsup:

[BThayer23]

HAHAHAHA, you're crazy, but I don't think I'm telling you something you don't already know. =)

[1QukMINI]

We really are there. Coming from Charlotte with David and Courtenay and their MINI! We can meet everyone else at exit 28 at 9am! Can't wait!

[colejd]

I'll be there. Gotta try out the Clubman's new shoes on some twisties!

[bryman10]

I soooooooo need this, after a hellacious last few days, lost job, etc.

Anyone coming from Asheboro or Greensboro meeting up for a caravan?



bryman<-----planning on coming with Heather (wifey)

[TWISTER]

Glad everyone is making it!

YOU WILL NEED CASH FOR LUNCH - no credit cards accepted

[orangecrush]

I soooooooo need this, after a hellacious last few days, lost job, etc.

Anyone coming from Asheboro or Greensboro meeting up for a caravan?



bryman<-----planning on coming with Heather (wifey)

Man, I'm sorry to hear that.... the economy is getting tighter and tighter. Hope you find another job soon.

On a side note... did we ditch the idea to make the extra few hour run to Deal's Gap? If I'm gonna blow off a day working on the house, I wanna blow off the whole day. :laugh:

[HyperKelly]

Sure wish I had a rider to journey this far. I enjoyed meeting you all at the picnic. I catch up another time! Have fun!
Kelly :bye:

[colejd]

Man, I'm sorry to hear that.... the economy is getting tighter and tighter. Hope you find another job soon.

On a side note... did we ditch the idea to make the extra few hour run to Deal's Gap? If I'm gonna blow off a day working on the house, I wanna blow off the whole day. :laugh:

Deals Gap is a 4 hour drive each way from Winston-Salem. There wouldn't be much time to drive once there.:fie:

On another note, anyone in the Triangle area or coming through the Triangle on I-40, lets meet and convoy to the drive on Saturday. :no: We can meet at the Starbuck's (address below) at 8:00 and leave for the run at ~8:20. This Starbuck's is opposite of The Streets at Southpoint (Mall).

Starbuck's - Renaissance Center at South Point
6813 Fayetteville Road
Durham, NC

[goose2000]

Anyone gonna start off from Cary? meetup?, I want to go...

EDIT

Ok, Jeff looks like I can meet you there:

Starbuck's - Renaissance Center at South Point
6813 Fayetteville Road
Durham, NC

John


EDIT

No go, my wife reminds me we have plans...

[fentos]

I'd love to come, but am trying to get all the time I can IN my house! I have been so busy this summer it seems I don't even have a weekend at home anymore to get simple things like mowing done. I'll have to p**** but hoping once fall hits life will slow down and my weekends will become enjoyable once again!

You guys and gals have fun!

[orangecrush]

Deals Gap is a 4 hour drive each way from Winston-Salem. There wouldn't be much time to drive once there.:fie:



That's cool. I was just thinking you're gonna have to spend some time driving to our destination. From there to Deal's Gap is only a little more than 2 hours add'l drive.

But hey, I understand, who wants to motor just for the sake of motoring our fun cars? :lol:

[MidnightDave]

With all the Charlotte peeps going, I'd better go, too. I won't have my remodeling done and the wifey will blow a gasket, but hey, I'm always in trouble for something anyway, it might as well be this! ;-)

[wildcrazy442000]

Thats the spirit Dave

[knightowl]

Hey Charlotte MINIs! So are we meeting at exit 28 of I 77? I want to make sure I dont miss you guys; and gals.

[orangecrush]

Thats the spirit Dave

Oh yeah, I'm sure that's the first thing out his wife's mouth....:laugh:





Hey Charlotte MINIs! So are we meeting at exit 28 of I 77? I want to make sure I dont miss you guys; and gals.


Yup, going North on I-77, get off exit 28 and turn right at the light. There is a hess (I believe) gas station right there.

We'll be the ones that have cars that look like yours.

[Vango]

If nothing happens we will be there

[ohbuga]

I should be able to make it.

[knightowl]

Sounds like fun! I will meet you all at exit 28 off I-77 on Sat @ 9:00AM. See you then!

[MiniCuse]

On another note, anyone in the Triangle area or coming through the Triangle on I-40, lets meet and convoy to the drive on Saturday. :no: We can meet at the Starbuck's (address below) at 8:00 and leave for the run at ~8:20. This Starbuck's is opposite of The Streets at Southpoint (Mall).

Starbuck's - Renaissance Center at South Point
6813 Fayetteville Road
Durham, NC

I'm coming out from Durham. I will see you at Starbuck's at 0800. Are they open that early? I could use a cup of coffee for the drive.:lazy:

[colejd]

Dave,

Your in luck! The Starbuck's opens at 7 AM.

[BThayer23]

Looks like a good group going. Thought I was going to make this, but I have a soccer game with my new team Saturday at noon. Catch you guys another time.

[jdavidson]

hmm.. I think I can sneak this one in!

P.S. I'll have the BRP 09 DVD loaded on my eeePC if anyone wants a peek.

[Al_themusicman]

Can a slow mini join in with super-fast Coopers.
What is address of meeting place.
Al

[Thumper]

I am going to try and make this run and meet in WS.
Is this going to be at SS pace or something a bit milder?
I'm fine either way. Just wondering if I need to secure all loose articles!

[TWISTER]

This will be an adventure drive! no speeding allowed

[TWISTER]

Al
Please read through the posts. There are 2 meeting places

[TWISTER]

Don't forget your walkie talkies, camera and your cash for lunch

[MidnightDave]

Al, leave the tuba at home! ;-)

[Al_themusicman]

Hope to catch someone @exit 28 on 77. What do U think travel time Concord.
Al
Velvet Red:meeting:

[orangecrush]

This will be an adventure drive! no speeding allowed


Well, guess this leaves me out....

Ya'll have a good time.

































































NOT!!! Cya'll in the morning.

Mark

[sezen]

if i wasn't working from 8 30 - 6 ish on saturday, i'd love to go :(

[orangecrush]

Man, I hope I can go. When I got home, I was playing with my girls and when I chased them into the bedroom, I stubbed my two baby toes. I think the second one is fractured and the baby toe had the skin ripped off it.

I've been limping for the last 5-6 hours. Though we have a riding lawn mower, I had to use a push mower for freshly planted sod. You want to see something stupid??? Watch someone attempt to hobble behind a self propelled lawn mower...lol.

Tomorrow should be interesting....


Mark

[minimark]

Wish I could go too, looks to be a great turnout and drive and lunch will be superb!

[Vango]

Wish I could go too, looks to be a great turnout and drive and lunch will be superb!


Mark we'll eat some apple pie for you....Wish you could go

[MidnightDave]

Oh frickedy, new guy at work had Prod issue--oh yippedy, he handled it just right and with others not me, so I can go play without being on a conf call! ;-)

See, it's a good day already...now off to get gas/wash/air, all the stuff I was supposed to do last night but fell into the YouTube vortex! I thought FB was bad, YouTube is worse!

[ohbuga]

Wish I could go too, looks to be a great turnout and drive and lunch will be superb!

Not apple pie it has to be banana pudding for Mark :yeah!:

[orangecrush]

Anybody bringing an extra walkie talkie? I just took mine off the charger from charging all night and it's not working.

Damn radio shack crap....

Thanks,

Mark

[ohbuga]

I'll bring extras ... See ya soon

[minimark]

Not apple pie it has to be banana pudding for Mark :yeah!:

Exactly, me loves Momma's Nanner Pudding!!!

[Lil Blue Coop]

Anybody bringing an extra walkie talkie? I just took mine off the charger from charging all night and it's not working.

Damn radio shack crap....

Thanks,

Mark

Got one for you Mark.

[TWISTER]

Thanks everyone for such a great day!

[Chachamaru]

Jenova and I got lost. ;-;

So once we hit 421 I headed back to Winston.

It was fun while it lasted. I'll have to invest in the walkie talkies so if I have another crazy lady with a bunch of dogs that I have to stop and let cross the road, and then get behind some old man in a pickup truck that would not let me pass to save my life, I'll be able to find where everyone is again.

[knightowl]

Same here! We got lost also. What is the deal with the walkies? One of us had one but could not get in touch with anyone.

Thanks everyone for the great time! This was my first MINI run and I appreciate everyone welcoming me and my family.

Oh well...Til next time

Thanks again!
Chris

[wildcrazy442000]

Had a great time, no ZZ-Top looking guy with overalls and a gun on rifle range road this time. Kinda disappointed, I like seeing wildlife in its native habitat.

[orangecrush]

Hey all, can't believer some of ya'll got home so fast. I just rolled in... It was great meeting new people and seeing some old ones. (No pun intended Don.... :lol:)

Anyway, here's a link to a few pics.

Stone Mountain Run (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y294/MyBlueC5/TarHeel%20Minis/)

Mark

PS. give it a few minutes, it's still loading.

[TWISTER]

Great pictures, I'm really happy to see old and new friends. You guys are the best!

[MidnightDave]

Hey guys, fun to get out again and ditto on seeing friends old and new. I bailed with Vannifer down I-77 to hit the mall with the wifey, big brownie points for only being 15 minutes late. ;-)

To the cast of LOST: They're FRS radios, you can get them anywhere electronics are sold for $50 or so, and they're priceles on these drives.

To Al, my tuba toting friend, glad you showed up when you did or the five of us would have been lost, too! ;-)

Mark, we really need to hand out maps and/or have somebody hang back at turns when you have newbies, Just-a-I mean Coopahs, and those who aren't willing to run red lights in front of local cops like me. ;-)

Eliza, that doll was creepy and cool and huge doses--loved it! John, you having your furry little friend strapped in was also creepy and cool in equal measure. ;-)

Take care all...

[1QukMINI]

Hey all! Great time, and good seeing my Tar Heel MINI family as always. You guys are the best. Sorry we lost half of ya. I have some pics posted, they should be finished uploading in about 5 minutes....
http://gallery.me.com/jasonandapril#100418

[MiniCuse]

We are back in Durham after a couple of pit stops. We had a good time. I will post pictures later.

[ZOOOOOM!]

:yu:Had a wonderful wonderful wonderful time!!!!!Needed a map near the end though... Had Andrews radio but never picked up on a turn or something... I could't have had a better time ..Thank you Andrew for all your help...My Grandson said it was a major blast....Now about the speeding Mark, Well maybe my speedometer was off but I kinda doubt it!!!!Can not wait to see everybody again real soon.Thanks for a fun filled day!!!!Have a blessed weekend...:yu:

[Vango]

had a great time good to meet new people and see old friends cant wait till next run

[BlimeyCabrio]

Wish i coulda been there - sounds like y'all had a great run!

[orangecrush]

Wish i coulda been there - sounds like y'all had a great run!

It was a good time. I think we need to start a little earlier and use two people that know where they're going so we can make two little packs instead of one.... that way if they get separated, they'll still know where they're going.

Mark did a great job of pulling over and allowing everyone to get caught up but with 20 cars, sometimes things like traffic lights (or cops at traffic lights but that doesn't mean anything to Dave...lol)
gets us separated.

I think a run through something like Cherohola Skyway where you have a looong "stay on the same road" course would make it easier.

Overall, it was well organized, we lost almost half the pack when we finished with lunch. I don't know if they just decided it was time to go home or what....

Can't wait till next time, I definitely need to do this more often. And as for driving with my two toes crunched, you should see my foot this morning, it looks like my foot ate a small animal, it's swollen like crazy.

Oh well.

Hope you can make the next one.

Mark

[jcauseyfd]

When I was on my Triple Crown adventure this summer, got to talk to some folks from other clubs about how they organize and manage their runs. One of the tricks was to have a leader for about every 10-12 cars plus a sweeper for the whole group. They also reported success with an idea I had to move the less spirited drivers to the front. I'll be looking to try some of this my next run.

[ohbuga]

It was a great day thanks to all.
One way it might help to stop loosing people would be, to watch for the person behind you if you can not see them you slow down or stop. This eventually has the leader stop. If you are at a turn and can not see the following car stop and wait. This how a Land Rover Club I Used to belong to operated.

Anyway! It was a great day and here are my photos I took.
http://picasaweb.google.com/webharper/82209#

[MiniCuse]

Pictures uploaded.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40200378@N04/sets/72157621994454449/

[ZOOOOOM!]

Drew, your pictures were great, THANKS!! will get them on my computer soon.Again thanks to all for a wonderful time.

[bryman10]

Same here! We got lost also. What is the deal with the walkies? One of us had one but could not get in touch with anyone.

Thanks everyone for the great time! This was my first MINI run and I appreciate everyone welcoming me and my family.

Oh well...Til next time

Thanks again!
Chris

Ummm.....yeah. Chachamaru, knightowl, zoooom and myself all were lost in the end. We were behind Sneedspeed and the other dark silver MINI (not sure who that is), they pulled over, we weren't sure why, then the next thing we know, we are all alone w/ a walkie-talkie but no one on the other line:fie:

Never did find that rifle range dirt road.
Oh well.

Midnight Dave, it was nice chatting with you at lunch time:)

Still had a great time! Some decent twisties and good company.

Man, ZOOOOOM goes fast on the highway. I was doing 74 in a 65 and couldn't keep up w/ her......:stop:


bryman<----looking forward to the next get together

[TWISTER]

I feel bad people got lost. I wish I would have known. I'll do better next time.

[minimark]

Team work, helps if everyone keeps an eye out for the folks behind them. If ya see that the car behind you didn't make it through a light or make a turn, get on the radio and pass the info on up to the leader..:ms_thumbsup: 2 cents.

[ZOOOOOM!]

bryman10...Bryan Shhhhhhhhh!!!!don't tell everything....Wish Sneedspeed had waved for us to stop, thought he was just going to check on the very back people....WE could not have known what to do...They have some real good ideas for next time..YES!!! can't wait to see everybody again soon I HOPE

[wildcrazy442000]

I was last to make it thru, I was too busy trying to pull up Dueling Banjos on the ipod. Had to settle for Bill Monroe which Ohbuga did not like by the way. Did not notice we had lost the back half of the pack.