It's time to start thinking about the planning and coordination for this event, and this discussion thread is the place!

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The basics:

1. This will be the third trip out to the Black Hills for EIM and as such, we think we've fine tuned the best roads, stops, and sights in the area. The beautiful Black Hills area of South Dakota is likely the premium destination within a day's drive of eastern IA for top-notch MINI motoring and sightseeing.


2. We plan to motor out to Keystone in a somewhat organized fashion on Thursday, 8 May and perform our return trips ad hoc (i.e., depart as desired) on Sunday, 11 May. In between, the possibilities for fun are endless.


3. For our transit west, the planned route map is based on our tried and tested experience from past events. The route map may be accessed here:

EIM Elk, Buffalo, and MINI Stampede Transit Route Map

This route includes three separate rendezvous locations, providing folks the opportunity to join up with our caravan along the way as they choose:

a. Rendezvous Point A is the McDonald's across from the Flying J Truck Stop on Evansdale Drive in Waterloo -- depart at 8:00 am (changed from the original plan).

b. Rendezvous Pt. B is the I-90 Rest Stop (westbound) just past Exit 119 near Blue Earth, MN. Arrival time is ~10:30 am with a 11:00 am departure.

c. Rendezvous Pt. C is the BP Station at Exit 387 near Hartford, SD. Arrival time is ~1:30 pm (allowing an extra half-hour for a precursor lunch stop) with a 2:00 pm departure.

Note that the planned route takes us through scenic Badlands National Park. If the weather that day is not conducive to this side route, we'll stay on I-90 and head straight for Keystone.


4. I believe most of us plan to stay at the K Bar S Lodge near Keystone. There are/were a limited number of rooms blocked off at a reduced rate for our participants (see the Lodging Information below). Availability of the special group rate will expire on April 8th. Wherever you plan to stay, you'll want to make your reservations ASAP to make sure rooms are available.


5. The multi-day Event Calendar Entry here on NAM does not provide a link for folks to indicate if they're coming. We know of several via separate correspondence, but probably not all. You can help by posting a reply to this discussion thread with your intentions.


6. Feel free to leave a reply here with any questions, comments, recommendations, etc.


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**Things you'll want to be sure to bring along (we can't reasonably expect Sandy to have everything!):

- Your camera (don't forget the battery charger)
- Your GMRS/FRS radios if you have them -- it makes communicating during drives SO much easier
- Any leftover local maps from previous Black Hills drives
- Sunglasses
- Warm clothes and a coat (the mountains can still be quite cool in early May)
- Glass cleaner and wipes for de-bugging the windscreen
- Cell phones
- Quarters for the coin-op car wash (if you're into that kind of thing)


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K Bar S Lodging Information

We have managed to acquire a block of rooms that are being offered at 10% off the advertised rate. These rooms include either two queen-sized beds or one single king-sized bed with balcony views of the mountains. The associated block room rates are $129 or $119 per night, respectively, with awesome views and deluxe breakfast included.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this reserved block of rooms, here is what you do:

1. Call the K Bar S Lodge reservations desk at 605-666-4545.
2. Ask for the "IOWA MINI COOPERS" group room rate.
3. Make your reservations -- remember that our planned arrival date is May 8th, checking out on May 11th.

There are marginally less expensive rooms not included in the group rate that you can choose if you so desire. There are also AAA and Senior rates, so you'll want to double-check to make sure you're getting the best deal when you book.

While the group rate is available up until 30 days prior to arrival, you can bet that the K Bar S Lodge will start filling up quickly as we get into the Spring months since this is one of the more popular venues in Keystone. I highly recommend that you make your room reservations as soon as you can commit!

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Just a little taste of things to come...



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We are all signed up and rarin' to go!

 

Room reserved and counting the days. We will meet up with the group in Hartford SD

 

If I'm not mistaken, I believe MeenieMom, 05MINI, and meeek have already committed to going as well.

...oh, and I forgot to add me.

Awesome! I'm wondering if meeek (aka, Michael) might want to hook up with you for the jaunt up to Hartford.

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And, Bobbi and Steve with Koolblu are also signed up, reserved, calendars marked, and more than ready for the trip!!!

 

 

You are not mistaken! We are looking forward to this!

 

I would like to propose another meet up point for those passing through Waterloo. So far I think that includes Denny/Sandy and Steve/Bobbi. There is a McDonald's on Evansdale Drive near the Flying J truck stop. Is Hiawatha about a half hour from Waterloo? That would make the meet up time 8:00am. Sound good?

 

We will be staying in Council Bluffs with Steve and Peggy on Wed evening so will meet up with everyone at the last meet up point.

 

That should work, we can be there about 8.

 

We will see you there!

 

Maybe we should just make the "official" initial rendezvous point as the Micky D's in Waterloo at 8:00 am. It would be just as easy for any CR/IC area folks to join up there.

Edit: I just updated the Google Map to reflect this new Rendezvous Point "A."

 

I am ready to start packing!!

 

We are looking forward to joining you at Rendezvous Point B.

 

Glad you can join us!

 

Room is booked and ready to go.

 

Great news.

Will you be heading west with the group and if so, at what location do you anticipate joining up with us?

 

Well i think we will shoot for Rendezvous Point A. Not out of the way, but the road to there not that great and its to darn straight.

 

Got it. Note that Pt. A was changed from the original plan and is now up near Waterloo (I fixed the Google map but still had the old description in the first post in this thread...that is also fixed now.)

 

Hi everyone, Its Coalvalleyers, We'll meet you all in Waterloo. We've had our room reserved since Day one. By the way, is there any previous visitors to SD that know if theres any Mini Dealerships that we'll pass on the way ?

Sorry Gary, my plans were to meet in Waterloo and go on, But Laura has taken it upon herself make arrangements with Denny/Sandy and Steve/Peggy to meet them in Council Bluffs and drive up from there.

 

Unless you decide to take a different route (i.e., through Omaha) there are none. From the Black Hills the closest dealership is 350 miles away in Loveland, CO.

 

Ok Gary, thanks for your response .

 

Only one more week away! I am pretty psyched for this trip

 

Me too.

Sure glad were weren't out there over the past few days...off and on wet snow. The temps should be much more agreeable next week!

 

I was beginning to think no one else was getting excited about the trip. Looking forward to meeting up with everyone and putting on some miles with curves.