So I'm driving cross country from California, stopping in Phoenix AZ to pick up my co-pilot and then heading to the dragon. So called "off the beaten path" places to see and go. Like the "world biggest.." or the "oldest.."

According to yahoo maps it looks like the 40 will be our main route:

Take exit #340A/ALBUQUERQUE onto I-40 E - go 867.2 mi
Continue on I-35 N - go 0.8 mi
Take the FT. SMITH Left exit onto I-40 E - go 477.2 mi
Take Left exit #12C/NASHVILLE onto I-40 E - go 365.7 mi
Take exit #376/OAK RIDGE/MARYVILLE onto I-140 E toward #376B/MARYVILLE - go 11.2 mi
Take exit #11A/ALCOA onto US-129 S - go 11.8 mi
Turn Left on US-129 - go 32.7 mi
Turn Left on NC-28 - go 2.9 mi
urn Right on NC-28 - go 5.5 mi
rrive at NC-28, FONTANA DAM


I need to find some great locations along the way to stop and shoot photos of the MINI I’ll be bring to the Dragon.

The plan is to leave mid-day Sunday the 27th, take our time and stop a lot along the way. We don’t plan on arriving until tuesdAY morning of the 30th.

I’d love to meet up with some minis on the last stretch of the drive. If you or know of people who are caravanning out there, I’d love to figure out how we can meet up along the way.

If you know of any little old towns or cows along the side of the roads please let me know so I can add that stop on my list!

 

Wow! What a drive.
Is this your version of MINI takes The States?

Maybe there should be some sort of 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize for the farthest drive to the Dragon.

Good luck and be careful.

 

Give THIS a look

 

Petrified Forest is pretty cool...and it's close to 40. I could make other suggestions out west, but they would involved side trips that could take a whole day....

 

I'm game for any suggestions if there like 20 miles off the beaten path.

 

Definitely check out Meteor Crater, you can spend an hour or more there in the museum and taking pictures.

You can also stop in Winslow, AZ and stand on a corner it is a fine sight to see.

 

yeah, the meteor crater is awe inspiring...well worth seeing..

Canyon De Chelley is beautiful...you can actually walk to the bottom in a short time. It contains the famous White House ruins..Anasazi, I think..

 

I'm staying with a Texas caravan just south of Nashville on Tuesday night so we can do this the next morning. It's not so far out of the way but you get to see some beautiful roads that you might not see otherwise (and get some MINI caravan action in early).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=119485

 

There's the Cadillac Ranch just West of Amarillo with the caddys lined up with their nose in the ground. Also stop at the the "Big Texan" in Amarillo
and try and eat their huge steak and get it free. All are on I-40.

 

bump!

please keep them coming if you know of any places!

 

I think there was a prize for the furthest away given at last year's Farewell dinner. No raffles at this year's dinners though.

 

awesome link

 

This one is called "A MINI Takes The States".

 

I won a beautiful award for motoring the furthest to get to MOTD in 2006. I've gone to every Dragon Meet since the original one in 2003. This is the first time I won't be able to motor cross-country, due to family illness.

Have a great time, wiked! All the suggestions are really good and very easy to access based on the route you're taking. Be prepared to stop just to clean the bugs off now and then!

 

So i just spent the better half of my day maping out places to see along the way.... Now ijust got to make sure i dont get lost along the way

 

Sounds like an epic drive. Enjoy every mile. Maybe I'll see you at the Dragon.