I'm used to the Hinsdale Oasis route... but I'll take a look at a map today to get an idea of the LSD route.

Dustin, do you have a PDF of the route? I'd like to take a look at it prior to the run.

 

At this time there is no one best way to get to NW IN, there are orange cones everywhere. I've done both routes in the last month and will stick to 294/80. Hope to see some of you at Hinsdale on Sat.

 

FYI, the Taste of Chicago is in Full swing with roads closed in the area till July 9th.

 

Hey hefro! Welcome to the area!! Spotted your message, and we can pick you up at the D-I-C-K's Sporting Goods store parking lot (South of the Woodfield Shopping Center... and just off 53/I290) on their East side, Streets of Woodfield, if you like. (Hey, there is a Starbucks practically next door!) Can't give you a time yet until we see how the Hinsdale Oasis situation works out.... and waiting to hear from John.... U out there John? Do you have I-PASS?

Radios!! Remind everyone to bring one, as we are sure to get alittle broken up in the coneage, and like to confer. Since not a "club" sanctioned event, how about channel 7.0? (channel 1.0 is noisy anyway... anyone have a better channel suggestion?) guys??

Our input on the route debate.. did both last month... both have issues... if we get onto 80 at a decent time, we should move through the whole area pretty smoothly (MOT departure was around 7:30 from Hinsdale)... returned on the skyway in the afternoon... and 90/94 was typically slooow. Suspect early AM would be similar to 294/80. Paul... what you say?
Looks like we will have great weather!!

 

:impatient

 

Radios are great, I will have two, one for me and one for you. Whoever YOU are. LOL

I will plan on being at the Hinsdale Oasis ready to motor at 830am, come one come all.

 

gtshnzr just sent me an IM he will not be able to make it this year.

Looks like 9 MINI's and 14-18 guests. I added to our Lunch res at Tabor Hill so they will be ready for us.

 

Hey Cliff, how much is gas down there? Thinking maybe I should come to NW IN on fumes to save a few bucks.

 

Last month I did Detroit trip and there was no difference in the 3 states (except Cook County was higher than everywhere else). The duckaround for Taste is I290 E to Ryan S. To I55 E to LSD. But, I guess I will meet with the group at Hinsdale.

Re radios, A group to MOTD in May used 8/1 with no problems all the way. Range is a little shorter, but it was clear.

 

**** important update ****

The good news our group this year is more then twice the size of last years and may still grow by a handful.

Due to the size of our group two of the vineyards want to charge us a person fee for a private tasting room. Round Barn wants $5 each for use of the room. Contessa wants $4 each with cheese and crackers in private room.

Round Barn is also hosting a wedding Sat afternoon. Because Round barn wants $5 for nothing, is hosting a wedding, and has a very narrow gravel driveway and parking lot, I think we are better off skipping Round Barn this year.

Contessa is a great place with 1st Class service. Please plan on paying $4 each for the final stop in our private room. We can linger there too.

 

PJ - we'll be at the oasis at 8am - unless you want to meet up elsewhere. Blake - do you want to meet up near 88 and 59 or 31? Isn't there someone else in our neck of the woods (western burbs)? Maybe we can have another meet up point.

 

Good to hear the group is growing!! (yo zinvestor!+)

If anyone is interested in a pre-Hinsdale/northern gathering, we will pull into the EAST parking lot of D-I-C-K's Sporting Goods (Streets of Woodfield) around 7:30, and head out for Hinsdale Oasis by 7:45. Anyone (Hefro... you see this?) welcome to join in! (Paul?)

I-PASS
RADIO ~~> channel 8 sub 1...... mentioned. Any nays?

Aiming to get into the Hinsdale close to 8:00 so we have alittle free time before line-up for 8:30 depart. (Sound good, Dustin?!)

Throwing this idea out... If you want everyone to top off when we get into Indianna, once you go from 80 to IN90, (nice right exit/curve) we pass the George Ade Service area.... it might also be a good place to regroup...
(Paul and I are familiar with it because this is where we pick-up Dennis, Liam, & Michael on our east coast adventures:^) ...unless you have something else in mind.

As for driving down on fumes, Dustin... do I need to add gas can to my list of bug dope and cooler?

 

We'll be at ****'s at 7:30. Anyone got a radio we can borrow?

 

I have a radio Hefro can use.

PJ is funny, just bring a hose. Theres also a gas station just up the road from the starting vineyard. But if Cliff doesn't report gas prices, I'll get some local. Plus theres a new station on the Corner of Washington and Hainesville in Round Lake thats selling gas at 3.02 a gallon.

 

Hey guys.

It looks like I can join you. Sorry for the last second decision.

 

Thats Great BeeJay, look forward to having you with us for the day. Let me know if you need anything. Welcome to the CMMC and NAM family. BJ, what are you driving and will you have a co-pilot?

 

I have a 2006 blue MCS, white roof ,and white wheels. I will be alone and will do the Saturday drive portion only since I have a family gathering to attend on Sunday in New Buffalo.

 

Barbara and I are going to be making an additional stop on the way to our meet up point in Indiana... we're planning on stopping at the new Kwik-E-Mart in Chicago at 6754 W. 63rd St. to pickup some Buzz Cola, KrustyO's cereal and Squishees!



We'd love to have others join us -- PHOTO-OP?? (Becky -> Olaf???). We'd have to plan to leave a some time earlier, the Kwik-E-Mart is near 294 & 55 so it is on the way

 

But Homer, Squishee flavourings have, if ingested in sufficient quantities, hallucinatory properties!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwik-E-Mart

Gas stop?

 

A gathering of MINIs by the Kwik-E-Mart? I'd be in for that. Even though I'm not going on the vineyard tour.

 

I'll still be at the Hinsdale Oasis. Ready to roll out at 830am, Will have radio on 7, Paul maybe we can merge together south of Oasis.

 

What time do most of you leave the car show on Sunday.... maybe we could make it a Kwik-E stop on the way back...... and if mauberley's interest is any indication, maybe we need to post this idea to the club for a fun rally stop?!

Sounds like a neat photo opp, for sure! How long will it be here? (Don't want to complicate vineyard plans... )

 

Barbara and I will be at the Oasis at 7am for a drive down to the Kwik-E-Mart. The Mart is about 20 minutes away. We'll hang out for about 30 minutes then hop back on to the tollway (south of the oasis) and make our way to Anderson's Orchard and Winery (probably merge with the folks leaving the oasis). Traffic should be good at that time and I'd expect there to be less activity at the Kwik-E-Mart that early in the morning too.

mauberley -- I hope that's not too early for you?

The Kwik-E-Mart is only going to be around for a couple of weeks.

Dustin -- we'll call you when we leave the Mart to try and meet up on the road.

 

Paul.. you are like a kid in a candy shop!

Hefro!... Are you game for a true MINI adventure to the Kwik-E-Mart? If so, we need to meet at 6:30ish (leave by 6:45) at D-I-C-K's. Game?

(You do take great pics, P&B!)

 

Have to convince the wife. 7:30 already had solicited a fair number of groans. Not sure she'd go for 6:30. But don't let me hold you up. If nothing else, we'll meet up in Indiana.