Details for the Jim Thorpe, PA Run:

Meet at 10 AM May 22, 2004 at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Hamburg, Pa. (same meeting point as the Rt. 125 run) There will be a sign-in for the run as well as the poker portion. Please arrive as early as possible so we can get all that taken care of. Driver's meeting will take place at 10:55.

Directions to Cracker Barrel:
Exit 29b off Rt. 78 (Route 61 Exit)
Go 0.3 miles North on Route 61
Right onto Jetson Drive
Right onto Industrial Drive
Follow to the Cracker Barrel

The run will start at 11AM

What you need to bring:
- full tank of gas
- 2-way radio
- snacks/lunch (if you're not interested in the scheduled lunch stop)
- Money to park in Jim Thorpe (last I was there it was $1.00 for the day but I will confirm on my next pre-run)


There will be an Ice Cream/Lunch break at Leiby's Restaurant along the way. Their food is pretty good, but I HIGHLY recommend the ice cream! They have a belgian waffle/ice cream sundae to die for!

The run will end in the quaint little town of Jim Thorpe, PA. From there you will be on your own. You can stay and enjoy the town, get some dinner, or simply head home. Jim Thorpe is located very close to the Northeast Extension. For those interested in making a weekend of it, there are a few little bed & breakfasts available in town.

I'm also setting this run up as a poker run. This will be completely optional, but to steal a quote from the lottery commercials... "Ya gotta be in it, to win it!" You can sign up for the poker run at the start of the run. The cost will be $10 per car. At five stops along the run you will receive a card. At the end of the run, there will be a first, second and third place awarded for the best poker hands. First place will receive 50% of the "pot", 2nd place 30%, and third place 20%.

If you are planning on attending, please give a shout either here or on the Yahoo Group. If you are interested in the poker run, please mention that when you sign up. I'd like to get an idea how many decks of cards I'm going to need.

Info about Jim Thorpe, PA:

For those unfamiliar with the town... Jim Thorpe, PA is a former mining town which was originally named Mauch Chunk (Indian for "Bear Mountain&quot. The name was changed in the 50's to honor the Native American Olympian, Jim Thorpe, who is buried there. The town is known as "The Switzerland of America". It was made famous by it's swtichback gravity railroad, used for bringing coal down to the canal for transport. The switchback was used as a tourist attraction in the evenings and was essentially one of the first "roller coasters". Track length was 40 miles and top speed was 100 mph! This made Jim Thorpe the 2nd largest tourist attraction of the 19th century (in the US) right behind Niagara Falls.

Today the town retains it's historic charm. Many of the old buildings remain, and some are still privately owned. You can tour the Asa Packer mansion which sits atop a hill overlooking the town, or tour St. Mark's Episcopal church with it's Tiffany stained-glass windows and one of the oldest operating elevators in the country. Or take a 35-minute train ride originating from the town's 1888 train station. For the shoppers, the town's main street is lined with small shops, including an old-fashion candy shop. For the outdoor lovers, there are plenty of hiking/biking trails in the area as well as access to whitewater rafting, paintball, and camping!


Confirmed so far on MINI2, NAM or MINIUSA...

Jerseygirl and IanF
GMINI03 (poker)
MINI Girl (USA) (poker)
laughscott (poker)
kavorka123 (poker)
abigkid56 (poker)
JaySnyder and Rhapsody (poker)
dodad (poker)
Bob and Susan Highfield
Mark and Jody
cycleguru
ontheroadagain
AckerMINI
Herby74

on PhillyMINI Yahoo Group...
Ron and Vanessa (poker)
Ken and Carol Ann (poker)
Rick N.
Steven P.(poker)
John, Leslie and Baby Bear
Craig and Jack (poker)
Scott and Sarah
Bill and Patty
Dave G. and Jenn W.
George and Karen
Heather P.
Jeff and Marge
Michael W. and Kelly B.
Steve D. (poker)
Joe, Annette and Jenny
Shane
_________________
Robyn
<p>Nittany: 03 IB/W MCS, Lapis Blue lthr, 3 packages, H/K, rally lts, THE ORIGINAL blue dash, US flag OR White sunroof decal (depending on mood)

 

Did you know that Jim Thorpe PA used to be named Mauch Chunk? Can you imagine a Mauch Chunk MINI Run?

 

Indeed. Mauch Chunk, the "Switzerland of America". Famous for it's switchback gravity railroad which made it the 2nd most popular tourist destination behind Niagara Falls in the 19th century.

The town was later renamed for the famous Native American Olympian.

 

"Switzerland of America"

You're too much! I love it when someone teaches me something in return!

 

Well then trivia boy here's a bit more for you... The switchback railroad was used during evenings as entertainment. One of the first "roller coasters" in essence. Track length was 40 miles and top speed was 100 mph.

But enough about all that! You going to be joining us on this trip? I have yet to meet you, schlub.

 

I've been to Jim Thorpe several times for their anual mountain bike festival, I love it there. I'll have to see if we can fit the run into our schedule.

 

No can do. I am working that day in Philly. That weekend is our union convention. :???:

 

Updated the original post with some info about the town... :smile:

 

NEWS FLASH: Looks like we're going to have at least one door prize to offer for this run. I won't give details until everything is nailed down but stay tuned!!! :smile:

 

Robin,

How large(number) is this group for this 'Run'? From my experince from the past..that these 'Runs' are starting to be uncomfortably large as far as safety and convenience is concerned..

Just an observation

 

Given that this event isn't until May and I have only received a limited number of responses so far, I don't see how I can give you any kind of reasonable estimate. However, I would assume it will end up being similar in size to the Rt. 125 run.

 

NEWS FLASH! After major negotiations late into the night last night, I have nailed down another door prize sponsor. The Bag Lady has agreed to donate one of her Jumper Cable bags for the occasion. Isn't she wonderful?

Bag will be similar to this...


Additional door prize info to follow in the coming weeks...

_________________
Robyn
<p>Nittany: 03 IB/W MCS, Lapis Blue lthr, 3 packages, H/K, rally lts, THE ORIGINAL blue dash, US flag OR White sunroof decal (depending on mood)

 

That sounds like a fun run, I'll chill with my buddy in Hazleton the night before, he drives a Turbo Bug and wants to trade it in for Cooper S. Count me in.

X2

 

>>That sounds like a fun run, I'll chill with my buddy in Hazleton the night before, he drives a Turbo Bug and wants to trade it in for Cooper S. Count me in.
>>

Great! Gotcha down. See you in May! :smile:

 

Leslie and I were on the first pre run. This is going to be a great run thru
the Counties of Berks, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Carbon. Robyn and Ian have a
special knowledge of the back roads in this area. Great back roads with
little traffic and great pies and ice cream at the lunch stop. Jim Thorpe is
great for browsing thru shops and has a really cool penny candy and ice
cream shop. I am sure our group of Mini Maniacs will be welcome there.
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

I'll put it on the calendar.

Deli -- maybe we can caravan up together again....

 

Deli, are you going to do this rally?
I have a conflict for the weekend of the Propeller & WIngs Rally
Too bad, we could have brought the MINI and the M-technic 325is!

 

Sounds like a fun day - If there was any question, you can confirm Jay (Snyder) and I to be there. And, we're in on the poker game!

Kim Snyder

 

Great! Got both of you down.

 

Count me in also for both. Question regarding the 2 way radio - are you talking about walky-talky or something else.

josh

 

That's an interesting question. I don't exactly know the difference between the two. I believe 2-way radios have a greater range, which is needed on these rallies.

Personally, I've got Motorola Talkabout T5710s with a range of 5 miles.

Maybe someone with some more knowledge can jump in here and answer your question.

 

Jay:

I won't be able to make it. I've got work our state convention in Philadelphia that weekend; it won't end until about 3:00 on Saturday. We're have about 1,000 delegates in from schools all around Pennsylvania. I go there on Wednesdayand camp out for four days. If you want you can borrow my radios for the weekend.

David

 

I am going to try to make this run. :smile:

 

Deli,

Thanks for the offer on the radios. We may take you up on it if we don't get around to buying any
before now and then (too many to choose from, haven't decided which ones).


Thanks,
Jay

 

Hey, can I give you some bucks to play a poker hand for me???