Black Hills or Dragon..

I will be able to attend just one what is the rest of EIM willing or planning on doing this next year?

 

I'm heading west, for sure!

 

Since EIM is a card-carrying member of the High Plains Motoring Society (HPMS) we will continue our practice of putting the HPMS mid-May event on our calendar each year as long as it continues to happen. The whole idea of the HPMS event is to provide it to the Midwestern and Mountain MINI clubs as a closer alternative to the long drive out east for MOTD. We certainly don't discourage our local folk from going to MOTD if they so choose (and, in fact, always put it on our calendar as a courtesy) but because of the distance it's not realistic for us to plan a trip there as a group event. If one or two of our MINIs decide to go to MOTD, that's great and we'll look forward to hearing all about it. Regardless, I'm planning to head out to the Black Hills again this coming May. The trip we took together out there in 2009 was the most fun I've had in a MINI.

 

I'll 3rd the Black Hills. I've been wanting to do a MINI vacation with the family out there for some time now. It would be great to do it in May (once my school is done for the year, please.....)

I would love that, as would the family.

 

The dates are May 12-15. I hope that works for you, Viper. HPMS schedules the events to avoid the vacation crowds, I'm afraid.

 

I already have the Black Hills event on my calendar! Can't wait.

 

I doubt that we are going to make it to the black hills event, we have alot going on that time next year.

 

"You're killing me Smalls!"
I have wanted very much to go back to the Dragon...but I've never been to the Black Hills. I guess its Black Hills for me.

 

I hope that works....

We don't learn about the Spring Semester until the middle of October. As soon as I know, I will post.

 

Black hills it is!!

Looks like this will be a solo trip for me this time around as Sevyn and Cora will still be in school. Has anyone made hotel plans yet?

 

We can't get the MINI rate at the MINI hotel until December, but are you doing to stay someplace else? It will be handy to stay where everyone else is staying, but I'd be willing to stay someplace else if the EIM folks are going elsewhere.

 

Yikes! The "discounted" rate is $89, plus tax! I haven't paid that much for a hotel in many years

 

That seems pretty reasonable to me for the quality of the place. I thought it might creep into triple digits. Guess I'm used to rates in the coastal metro areas from my business travel. Until recently I was paying a $139 club rate in Alexandria, VA which seemed like a bargain compared to the $219 per diem.

Did you check out their AARP rate?

 

ARRP is a four-letter word! Before Priceline came along, I did pay the rack rate, but not since. I keep forgetting that most MINI owners have lots of cash to throw around. This will be worth every penny, however. After a long and exciting day on the trail, I can rest my weary, and contented head in comfort.

 

I have a tent and sleeping bag you can use

 

Must be the ones living somewhere other than my neighborhood...

 

Got my reservations made. Also, they even noted when I called that deanman had requested a room in proximity and wanted to know if it was okay. It would be cool to have the EIM rooms close by, so I encourage the rest of you -- when you call in to make your room reservations, ask if you can be located near Daryl or me and they'll try to honor your request (unless you think we snore so loudly that you want to be on the other side of the building).

Don't be thrown for a loop when you get your e-receipt. Mine showed the regular rate for the room of $119 (Thu) and $144 (Fri and Sat) -- -- but then the total amount below that for all three nights was correct, i.e., based on the advertised $89 group rate plus tax. I called back just to make sure, and they confirmed it.

Edit: BTW, in case anyone is confused (since it's not in the thread title) this thread is tracking EIM's trip to the Black Hills next May

 

I didn't know they would give out top-secret information!!!! I was planning on wild cowboy fun long into the night! Now people will know where Miss Kitty, Festus, and the gang are partying.

 

Wow! I just made my reservations before I read about the party with Miss Kitty & Festus. I will be calling back ASAP to get proximity.

 

Sweet! I will be close to the party crowd!

 

Originally Posted by deanman
I keep forgetting that most MINI owners have lots of cash to throw around...

I do not fall into that category.

I'm still in negotiation with myself about this event.
I have to decide if I go it alone or have 1 or more Co-Pilots.
It's difficult being the CEO of DMV Industries.

 

So, where exactly are you all making reservations?

 

Mica, check your email from last week -- I sent everyone the directions for accessing this info. If you didn't receive it, PM me and I'll get it to you by other means.

---[BREAK]---

For all, I see that Steve and Peggy from Council Bluffs are joining us too. Sweet! So far, I believe we have...

05MINI
Atomic #47
deanman
densan57
Gil-galad
lapshoffman
smieska
Smokin' Jo
sdbryant
FiremanMike
D3M0N

...and counting!

 

I made our reservations last night so we are committed or should be. We look forward to hooking up with the EIMers again if thats OK, as we always have a good time with you. Are you planning to meet up and caravan out with the CORN group? I have not talked to any CORN's but I think I heard Duane say he hoped to go.

 

Wow...I entered it into Priceline for this weekend and for 3 days, the hotel came up at $44 per night average....

Change the date to May of next year and it comes out to $119 per night average. What gives? Must be busy that time of year, so they can charge more.

We just stayed at a 2* Days Inn in Orlando that was just completely renovated, with a full hot breakfast for $34/night, so I guess we are spoiled.

I'm with deanman on this one. Priceline bidding is GREAT! Hotwire is very nice too and with them you can guarantee you get a continental breakfast with your bidding.