The calendar between MTTS '12 to the end of July and through MITM '12 was just begging for a nice, laid back, local gathering -- especially for our folks who can't get away for the more distant events. And so...here you have it.

We'll be meeting for lunch at Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack in Iowa City on Saturday, July 21st. Plan to meet at the restaurant at 11:00 am. Following lunch, we have a fun, scenic drive around the Coralville Reservoir planned, complete with some photo op stops, along a superb route planned by oldsbear.

***Restaurant contact info, drive map, and the sign-up link can be found in the companion Event Calendar Entry (<--link). ***

[Remember when we went there in May of '09? HYPRRR06 and oldsbear were sporting their brand new Clubmans, and 1BADJCW and TAZ didn't even have their proper tags yet!]

 

Maria plans/hopes to offer "Dessert-on-the-Circle" at our place after the drive. It all hinges on when Daughter's Baby Boy decides to be born

 

Sorry I didnt get back to you with route ideas Gary I have been lax...

but a couple ideas of good roads

http://goo.gl/maps/VlqK

http://goo.gl/maps/V0Rg This one because the round about is always fun in MINI's

http://goo.gl/maps/ppYp A couple more round abouts also close to the Hotel that Willis had there Coralville show at so good parking and photo ops near the river if the river isnt dried up by then? :\

http://goo.gl/maps/ovYF Great patch of road technically park land but very tight twisty and a nice beach and picnic area at the end with frisbie golf as well

 

We'll be ready to respond to either contingency!

 

Hey gang, here are a few pictures from today's Meet-n-Eat --

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmm57/s...7630687848080/

What a great turnout! It was fun seeing everyone today. Nice to see Tim and Jan again after such a long hiatus. It was great having Jim, Tony, and Hans and Deb come out and join us for the first time in their spanking new '12 model year MINIs -- hope we'll get the opportunity to see you again sometime soon.

Last but certainly not least, three cheers for oldsbear and Gram Maria for the planning and the ice cream today. It was most generous and most appreciated.

 

I had a great time! Nice to meet all of you.

 

Here are a few photos I have to share.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3028273...7630697420004/

We sure had fun. Thanks to Oldsbear and spouse for a really great time!

 

Great pictures! I really like the tilted view of the MINIs by the dam...I wish I could go back and take a bunch more experimental shots like that!

Linked these to our EIM FB Page and will get them added to the EIM Website Post ASAP.

 

I want to thank the EIM crew for an awesome first outing. I met some very nice, welcoming people. Thanks for making me feel welcome.

If any of you saw me at the first staging area north of Iowa City jump out of my car, run to the center of the group and spin in a circle, I was recording a 360 degree image of all the cars.

Here you can see it for yourself.

http://360.io/2Cgg8n

I took some other photos that I will be posting a link to soon.

Thanks again!

 

Now that's pretty darn cool! Thanks for sharing Jim!

BTW, I've a special prize for anyone who can find me in Jim's panorama...

 

Cool photo, Jim! (And you got my best angle ;-)

 

Great meeting you, too, Tony

 

Well, I could not find you! I would guess you were on the other side of Roheryn cleaning a spot on him or perhaps climbing the building to get another one of your awesome photos. Am I close?

 

All,

Here are the photos I took at the meet. Sorry there are so many of my car (Sheldon). I also created a stitched panorama that I thought turned out pretty cool.

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjAReCKw

Jim

P.S. Gary: Based on a few of your posted photos, I would bet that you are up behind the bushes taking picture.

 

I would have bet my bottom dollar that you Photochopped me out, because my ugly mug was too close to the camera and too much of a distraction.

Great pics by the way...and no need for apologies on the volume of Sheldon pics. We've all been there too!

 

Geewillickers...when Hans told me Saturday that folks referred to him as "mayor" I thought it was an affectionate nickname. I just discovered that he really IS the Mayor of West Burlington!