Word is in!!! We will be meeting up with everyone in Dubuque at the Wendys. Can't wait to see everyone and have a good time.

Does anyone have any suggestions for hotels that would still have vacancies for the Saturday night? We were a bit late deciding on going, so I'm not sure if there will be vacancies anywhere.

 

^^ I think there a few on the east and southside that should have some rooms. I went for a cheaper option and choose this hotel: Super8

I think it's still up in the air if we are staying both nights now. Was hoping to stay both but not sure if thats going to be possible. :(


We have two radios so we'll be bringing those along

 

There are a ton of rooms in the Greater Madison area, it's rare to not find a room at any price, unless it's Homecoming. We may also be headed home after the wine drive on Sun afternoon, because of our new puppy that will be along for the ride.

 

Dustin, when and where are you beginning the winery tour on Sunday?

 

Winery Tour info:

Meet at 9am for Breakfast in Downtown Middleton WI at the Hubbard Ave Diner, http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...3&z=16&iwloc=A At 10am street side drivers meeting and head out. Anyone that wants to join us is welcome. We will visit 4 local Winery's in a tour of 160 miles. The 2nd and 3rd vineyards are near the Iowa state line, the 4th is half way back to Madison. Should be back in Madison late afternoon. There will be a stop for lunch TBD.

 

Maria,
I was looking at hotels on line Friday and there was plenty of availability on the western side of Madison also.

 

I would like to meet the group on the trip into Madison on Saturday. I am doing a trip with the Madison group out that way later in September. I will be near bagley. I can meet you at the Dew Drop Inn if you give me an approx. time. I also have a radio I can tune if you are using one on the drive. Hope to hear from you soon.

 

^^We'd love to meet up with you. Dew Drop is right off our drive and we should get there right around 11:15-11:30 I'd say if we are on schedule. (hopefully we will be)

We'll be using radios but we dont have a channel decided yet.

 

The weather forecast is taking on the look of perfection for this event. Let's hope it holds!

 

I will put my radios on the charger this afternoon

(still planning on meeting at the wal-mart in Marion right?)

 

Yep still planning at meeting at the Wal*Mart in Marion nice and early to get to Dubuque and meet up with the others.

I updated the post on the EIM Site with the Times but here they are for clarification

• 8:30am meet at Marion Wal*Mart parking lot (Corner of HWY 13 and 151)
• 10:00am meet at Wendy’s in Dubuque (Wisconsin Bridge)
• 12:00pm Lunch stop in Boscobel WI
• 3:00pm Arrive in Madison WI
• 4:30pm Meet up at Marshall Park
• 5:00pm Taste of Madison
  

Lisa Walt and I look forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

 

do you mean 13 and 151 for I dont believe 151 and 30 cross in Marion?!?!?!

 

Riiight...got my hwys mixed up thanks Brian.

I promise to do my best to not get us lost on the ride...haha. Good think Lisa and I drove the route already.

 

Meet location for Saturday to meet with the Chicago MINIs joining up with us will be Marshall Park more than likely. Marshall Park butts up to Lake Mendota there and hopefully offers a good backdrop for a photo of all the MINIs there

We should be rolling into Middelton area around 3pm if all goes as planned. I'll try and keep a decent pace from Boscobel on. Once in Middelton we'll break up for a bit to give everyone a chance to go and check into their hotels and get cleaned up. Then we'll meet back at the park at 4:30 and head down to the Taste after that.

 

Just booked $59 a night at http://www.visitmiddleton.com/lodging.php Colonial Motel, looks nice and clean family owned in great local.

 

Well the time is looming and I am looking forward to this. Cant wait to see all the MINI's and enjoy all the company...

Rob, Where were stoping for lunch in WI do you know where were eating yet I am bringing the dogs and cant really have a true sit down meal anywhere.

Car is clean and packed just waiting for the alarm to sound

 

We will have our dog too, so we can tail gate on Sundays Lunch

 

The stop in Boscobel is a quick one. A&W and a Subway nothing special, so it can be a quick in and out to get to Madison.

 

On top of everything else, root beer in a frosty mug. Life is good.

 

^^Yep I might need a Root Beer float while I am there.

Walt needs to get cleaned tonight and packed for the morning. The rain left him nice and dirty :(


Well in any case, time to print out some direction sheets so I have some for tomorrow.

 

Hi gang, I managed to upload the keeper pics I took from Saturday's activities -- here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmm57/s...7607039053008/

Many, many thanks to the R56MINICooper team for all of the hard work and preparation in planning and setting up this event and for leading us through the Wisconsin countryside. Much appreciated! I had a great time, and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too!

Hope Sunday's winery run was equally fun!

 

Thanks Gary for getting those up so quick. I still need to pull mine off the camera!

I hope everyone had a good time on the drive..at least the second half, and enjoyed taste of Madison.

Thanks to Dustin from the Chicago Group for gettig Sunday all lined up and planning the fun route..I had Lisa screaming "Holey Buckets" on one turn so you know it was a good route All the winery were great and I had a great time on both days.

Thanks John for coming out and meeting us for the second half of the drive. Sorry we lost you at the Taste! It was nice to meet a few of the Madison MINI on Sunday too, Thanks for coming out ladiest and gentelmen.

Again thanks everyone for coming out and making this event fun!




I also have some commemorative Vinyls from the event, so if you were at the event and you are not an EIM member but would like one anyways shoot me a PM with where to send it and I'll get one out to you. Thanks!

Rob & Lisa

 

Kudos, Rob & Lisa, for setting up a great drive! We had a terrrific time. I enjoyed the whole trip, gravel & all!

Thanks to Johhny for helping us find the correct route out of Madison!

 

Thanks Rob and Lisa! The route was great. Even the dust couldn't put a damper on our fun. You did a wonderful job with this event!!

Here are a few pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/deanman2/MINILaborDay08

 

enjoyed all of the company in Wisconsin this past weekend. It was very fun and enjoyable. I am glad I could meet all who attended and hope to see all of you soon.