Thanks, guys. Molly2 ran great on the way home. We will see how she is on future cold mornings.

 

Mine displays the cold start cough at times as well seems to have to sit at least 12 hours in the cold

 

Well, Molly sputtered just a bit on startup this morning, so I'm thinking the software re-install didn't fix the problem.

 

I see this morning that HPMS officially announced the dates and destination for their 2012 event --- 10-13 May 2012, "MINIs Occupy Branson" in the vicinity of Branson, MO.

The designated hotel (Chateau on the Lake) is over on Table Rock Lake and not in Branson proper which is a good thing traffic-wise. It is relatively "high-end" and advertises rates at $129+ so I'm guessing that the group rate will likely still be in the triple digits. I know at our Dyersville Meet-n-Eat there was some justifiable squeamishness about the potential cost of lodging.

Alternatives for EIM? I noticed that there are several lake-area resorts to the west with nice cabins that could bring the cost down to ~$65 per couple/person depending on the number of private rooms per cabin desired. Or we could ditch HPMS altogether in 2012 and do something else in May, though this would be a greater planning burden if we went it alone.

There's always MOTD from 2-6 May (keeping in mind that it's a ~13-hour drive one-way and will be an absolute zoo given that it is the 10th Anniversary of the event).

Thoughts, preferences anyone?

 

I hope Bill and Alyce will be able to give us feedback on the appropriateness of Chateau on the Lake (http://chateauonthelake.com/) as a base of operations for an EIM trip in May.

"squeamishness" isn't the right word to describe cheapskate Daryl's thoughts on spending $129+ for a bed.

 

 

Alyce knows of a place 2 miles away for "much less."

 

Just received word on the official dates for MINIs in the Mountains 2012 for those interested in making initial plans -- August 2-5.

 

A winter hater I am... In the rare time that I take REDMINI out in the winter, I'm kind of anxious to see how my Continental ExtremeContact DWS's (Dry/Wet/Snow) handle in the snow. Season's greetings to all of you. Our Christmas shopping is done, presents all wrapped, cards mailed and preparing to have all our kids and grandkids over for Christmas Eve and some for Christmas Day.

 

Overachievers! And I know why you're reluctant to winter motor in REDMINI -- 'cause you'll feel the need to turn right around and do this...





From what I've heard, your Contis should perform superbly.

 

You are right, REDMINI doesn't sit in the garage dirty! I'll bet ROHERYN doesn't either...

Shopping is easy for me; I sit at home watching football and Pam and the girls hit the stores on Black Friday... Anything she doesn't get, I find on Amazon and order it.

 

Y'all should check out the cool MINI Christmas card on our website.

 

I'll give it an additonal thumbs up

 

Cool!

 

Just Curious, how long have you had the Conti DWS skins for the Mini. I am getting close and that tire looks like a good multi season/purpose tire.

 

Had them a couple of months... Enough to try some spirited driving. BTW: They are not run-flats. I have a compressor aboard with a tire repair kit. They come highly rated. I also went a size larger 215-45-R17 to make the speedometer read closer to the "real" speed.

 

Does the 215 give a bit better ride as well? Sounds like a good alternative. I really want to get rid of the run flats, while my teeth are still in my head.
But hate coughing up the $ until I have to.

 

The Conti's are a very quiet tire. I run them at 35 psi normally but for a spirited ride I run them at 40 psi. Lot's better ride than the run-flats I got with the car new.

 

I know I may be out of the loop but what happened to the EIM website? We are missing it at our house! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

 

Rob is having "server issues." Hopefully it will be back up and running soon. I miss it too...

 

The discounted rate for High Plains Motoring Society folks at Chatateau on the Lake is $119 plus tax, which is a little better than the $129 rack rate, but Alyce has some tricks up her sleeve, so we could get by at a more reasonable rate at another location.

Can we get a "maybe" count to see how many of our MINI friends might be able to join in the adventure near Branson, May 10-13?

 

I threw together a few of the EIM Calendar pics from the last three years. It's fun to try and recall where the pictures were taken. The 2012 motoring season is going to be great fun! Hope to see you, soon.

http://youtu.be/u0E9SuD8fDE

 

Sweet video. Brings back lots of great motoring memories. Thanks for sharing your creative talents! We'll have to get this posted on our website (once Rob gets it fixed... ).

I'm also looking forward to lots more fun MINI times in 2012. Started populating the Event Calendar this morning, so the motoring juices are already flowing.

Happy New Year to all!

 

Great video Daryl! And, Happy New Year to all of our friends in EIM... May the next year be another with all of our MINI friends. REDMINI is resting comfortablely in his garage.

 

+1 (Molly2 and JazzMINI are enjoying the road pretty much every day, though )