is organizing. The Caravan leaves Denver on Monday, April 28th, 2008 and this year is headed SOUTH. Yes, the Southern Edition. We will go from DENVER thru western KS and down into TULSA. From there, perhaps LITTLE ROCK then MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE and to KNOXVILLE.

Back roads, of course, with arrival noon-ish on Wednesday, April 30th. And with as much RoadFood as possible. Southern Style.

Wanna tag along? Please do. Just post here, let us know where to pick you up, and away we go.

Jonathan and the MINI5280 crowd
1st cabin on Welch Road, by the lower lot, as always.

JPS

 

If you were leaving a day earlier to arrive on Tuesday we'd hook up with you in Tulsa but no can do with arriving on wednesday

 

I Might be interested in meeting in tulsa

 

Day 1, April 28 2008 - Denver to Somewhere in Oklahoma, OK ~ 700 miles via backroads and Hwy 50 thru KS

Day 2, April 29 2008 - Somewhere in Oklahoma to Somewhere past Little Rock, AR ~ 610 miles via backroads thru Fayetteville and Hwy 50 in AR

Day 3, April 30 2008 - Little Rock to Nashville to Fontana, NC ~ Many miles via backroads

Arrive Fontana Village early afternoon on Wednesday...

Please POST if you wish to join along the way. Feel free to suggest routes, stops, roadfood, or other interesting sidelights.

Jonathan

PS: we WILL play "Roadkill Bingo".

 

I'll be starting with the convoy in Denver....

 

Uh, you might want to check the dates there, Pam.........

 

And yes, the route may change. We are in search of Roadfood...

JPS

 

Will you be at MITM2 MINIs in the Mountains this weekend?

Jonathan

 

Little Rock to Fontana is a loooong drive. Are you guys planning an all nighter for that leg?

The MINIacs usually pull out of Memphis around 4:30 am. By the time we make a few pit stops and pull off for lunch, we get to Fontana around 1-2pm. We usually take I-40 to I-75, then catch the Skyway around Sweetwater over to 129. Avg speed is probably 80-90 mph. We were talking about skipping the Skyway this time because that route adds a bit of time. I think it is about time for a new route anyways.

Let me know if you guys want to meet up with us in Memphis...I don't know about the rest of the group, but I am heading up early Wed.

 

Where we do come thru Memphis and meetup with you all.

Keep in mind that, for the 4th year in a row, this is also a ROADFOOD tour for us so we have some mandatory stops to make such as at a special little BBQ place in your town.

Who knows. Every time I think of it I change the route. Now I want to do Lubbock and then Dallas, Little Rock them Memphis. We can do that in 2 easy days, then another easy day to Fontana.

Please keep posting.

Jonathan

JPS

 

I totally understand the foodie thing...my husband is a chef. I can hook you up with some food - breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Having BBQ will all depend upon what time you guys roll into Memphis. At the very least, we can get you some sandwiches packed up for the road.

Feel free to contact me once you have an idea of your route and schedule. I am guessing you will be coming in from Arkansas. I could meet you as you come across the bridge over the Mississippi and escort you through Memphis. I'll pm my contact info.

 

Sorry guys, when I first looked at it I thought it said 2007 not 2008. Either someone changed it, or my bad.........

 

Oh, I hope I can get time off this time!! Last one, my sister decided to get married, and I couldn't go! No more siblings to get married tho. :D
Depending on which route you take, I'll meet you wherever nearest Co Springs, might just come up to Denver.

 

from Denver so we will pick you up on the way.

JPS

 

Awesome!

 

This ALMOST makes me want to drive to Denver first, just so I can drive BACK to Fontana with you guys. Note that I said ALMOST....

I'll get my fix on the MITM08 drive.

 

Depending on how far south you go before heading east, you might get some NM folks to tag along. Me for one!

 

Is this great or what!!! I think it is wonderful that you are taking this route in 08. Being very familiar with the OK/AR portion of the trip might I suggest a slight detour. When you get to Fayetteville take Hwy 16 east to Hwy 7 north to Harrison. This route will prepare you for the Dragon I promise you. It has little traffic, is very scenic along the Buffalo river and will test your driving skills.
Continue east on Hwy 62 till you hit 63 and then south into Memphis. You will NOT average 80 to 90! From Memphis to Fontana should be easy.

If you are interested in this PM me. I traved the 7/16 run last year as a warm up for MOTD5.. If you wish I could probably get some interesting video of this road before you decide. Motor on!!

 

After thinking about this some more, another route would be straight east from Tulsa taking route 62 in AR to Harrison, then south on 7 to I40 then east on I-40. This would be faster to Memphis as most travel would be on interstate. The hwy 62/7 would be enough backroad for most people as it is way backroad.