As you may already know on December 16th we will do our 3rd Annual Toys for Tots run.

As of now the run is just being organized. Tentatively we will meet at 2pm, leave at 2:30 pm, and arrive at the restaurant sometime after 4pm.

We need to decide on the restaurant because The Hitching Post (last year's restaurant) no longer offers buffet. Everyone liked the buffet last year so I am bringing up another choice. I have called the Angler (the first year's restaurant) and am waiting on a call back about availability.

Please let me know what you think because it will affect where the run starts.

Things you need to know:

Bring 2 way radios (channel 7 sub 21)
Bring at least 1 toy (new, unwrapped)
Make sure everything is secure for twisties

I will post as soon as I know about the restaurant choice and run route.

If you have not been on the run before, the Angler is a seafood restaurant (but they do offer other food) and The Hitching Post offers seafood, chicken and sub sandwiches.

The run will be on the twisty roads of Cullman County.

Bring your appetites and a toy and we'll see you on the 16th!

 

I have the calendar marked . We were unable to make it last year, but look forward to making it this year.

 

I thought we were going to get steak this year (like y'all did last year). I don't care if it's a buffet or not I was just looking forward to a steak. If that's not doable the Angler is fine

 

Either place is fine with me.

 

The Hitching post it is. I called them about it and told them we wanted to come back but we wanted the Prime Rib. They said they still do it on Saturday night. So that is good. I was told wrong by someone that works there. Anyway all is good now.


The Run will start on Exit 310 at the Texco. From Birmingham you will come up I-65 to exit 310 and go right off the exit to the first Texco you see. From Huntsville you will come down I-65 and Turn Left and go back over the Bridge to the First Texco. The Texco is on the Right.

I hope to see everyone there.

 

Just so I won't be paranoid & looking left & right for miles...Yahoo shows the 1st Texaco to be approx 3 miles from the exit. Is that right or is there one sooner?

 

Any BAMA folks want to caravan up 65? If we could pick somewhere high-profile (5pts, Vulcan, Tom & Jerry's Chevron in Southside) it might increase club visiblility.

 

I'd do that. Man was Barber's fun.

 

I think in past years we have met at the Hobby Lobby in Gardendale since it's on the way for the North of town folks. Haven't heard yet for this year

 

It isn't very far off the exit at all.

 

We can start at the Hobby Lobby as we have in the past, or we can start somewhere else to give us more visibility as Chris suggested. We couls also make a large sign to say "MINI Cooper Toys for Tots Collection Point". Vulcan park may be a good place to start from, then to Red Mountain Expressway, to 59/20, to 65 N. Let's hear your ideas.

 

We are in for wherever the start point is . I personally don't think that Vulcan will give us much publicy, but that is just my opinion.

Does anybody from the south part of town want to caravan to the other meeting point? Like meet at the DQ in Cahaba Heights and then go from there to the next meeting point?

 

I would

 

If you guys wanna meet us Pelhamites you come down Rocky Ridge Road & meet us in Hoover (say at the big white hotel where Barrister's Tavern is. It used to be called the Ramada Inn but the name has changed. It is right beside I-65 @ the Hwy 31 exit where Lorna Road merges w/Hwy 31). We could go from there & if Yucca & Purple are coming they could meet us there too.

But if we are meeting somewhere not off I-65 on down the road that won't work too well. Thats' all I got suggestionwise

 

I don't care where we meet, I've just missed the last several drives and am anxious to get with the pack as soon as possible.

I'll happily drive 10 miles south if it means I can drive (an additional) ten miles north with other MINIs.

 

I am coming from the South & heading North all the way so it doesn't matter to me how far north we meet. We can always meet in Hoover & pick you up along the way 10 miles north or we can meet a bit more northward (around the Oxmoor Rd exit?). I can't remember exactly where you are coming from. I have 2 conflicting recollections in my head :impatient

Or the Southmost Mini can leave at around 7AM & go to the next closest house to pick Mini #2 up & then those 2 Minis go North to pick up Mini #3 & then those 3 Minis go pick up Mini #4 & on & on & on

 

I live in Irondale but will motor out to meet the group wherever a group may converge, be it DQ or Texco.

 

Oh yeah I have been meaning to say yeah on the Prime Rib. I sure am looking forward to a good steak.


& Louispup I wanna hear you chattering away to us all ride long on that freaking new radio BREAKER 19 BREAKER 19

 

Gimme a time and a meeting place and I'll be there. I too will be coming from I-ron-da-le.

 

Glad you guys are coming ONO haven't seen ya in awhile.

Well maybe we could have a quick meet somewhere around UAB for the Irondoles/South of Town crowd & then convoy on up to the Hobby Lobby in Gardendale to meet everyone else.
Doesn't matter to me just tossing it out there

 

That'd work for me.

And I do like hearing the conversation, especially when folks share the word on the law.
Don't worry bamatt, I'm sure you'll hear me even if it's only my tires.

 

Isn't there a Huddle House or Waffle House or something like that just off of I-65N on the right side of 8th Avenue? We could meet there at 12:30ish for a 12:45 drive-off heading to Hobby lobby in Gardendale & then leave hobby Lobby at 1:15 to arrive at Cullman at 2PM (Provided we are still to meet in Cullman at 2PM). What do you all think??

You mean the be smokeys?? (or the popo as I like to call em) 10/4 good buddy

 

Yucca suggested the Waffle House as a meeting place when he was good enough to lead me up to the dragon last May. I felt like I had a personal MINI escort, it was so cool!

The Waffle House is also right off of (and easy to get back on) I-65. And lots of traffic goes by there, so there'd be visibility. But anywhere is fine. If we all met at mile marker whatever, at cruising speed, at a specific time; I'm down with that.

Heard a lot of great things about this event, sure looking forward to it.

 

Yep I looked it up, I think it is the Waffle House (800 11th Avenue South). I will talk to shorn but I am sure he will be up for meeting there for stop #1 at 12:30 (does that time sound good?). Y'all think on it & let me know.

 

Two weeks from now!! Just a reminder.