Hey, everyone!

Following this Saturday’s Mini Morning Breakfast at Tim Horton’s (Sat. October 21 @ 8:30-10:30), Kara and I were planning on driving down to the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway to see the fall leaves. If anyone wants to join us, you’re more than welcome to come - the more the merrier!

From New Albany, we’ll be traveling down Rt. 33, past Lancaster to Rockbridge, and from there will get on 374 (for a map, click HERE). We know we’ll be stopping at Cantwell Cliffs to take some pictures and to see the cool rock formations, but had no plans to stop anywhere else in particular – if there’s something you want to stop and see, just suggest it. Of course, if any photo opportunities present themselves, just sing out and we can pull over. The whole drive should take a few hours and we should be done by early afternoon(ish).


Somewhere in there, we plan to get lunch – there are plenty of places in Rockbridge or in nearby Lancaster to eat. If anyone knows the area and can make a suggestion, we're all ears.

If anyone has any questions let me know, and we hope to see lots of fellow MINI folks at breakfast this Saturday!

 

Whats A Microwave ?

 

I'd like to join you, but Babs & I will be down in the Smokies looking at leaves & getting our fix of g loadings. Sorry we can't make it.

 

Sounds like fun. I am 50/50 on the drive and 100% on the breakfast.

Matt how did the pics from the detailing party come out?

 

You know, I've been so slammed I haven't even had the time to look at them, sorry. :( I'll take a look this week and will burn yours to a CD for you.

 

Cool I am interested to see how the ones with the three cars in the drive, those should look pretty sweet.

 

I'd love to go but we've got OSU tickets and the game's at noon. Have fun!

 

Well, y'all are going past my house! I live just off 374 about 2 miles from Rockbridge, just before you get to Cantwell Cliffs.

I know this area extremely well. I used to terrorize the curves here with my BMW Z3. Now, I'm doing it in the MINI.

I'm scheduled to work Saturday, but I think I'll see if I can get off and join you on the run.

This is a great place to drive. I enjoy it immensely. You'll have a blast

Shannon

 

I'm 100% on breakfast but will not be able to make the hills. Don't forget the Shake Shoppe in Logan

 

Shannon, we were just going to do the Scenic Drive loop, but is there anyplace else aruond there that you'd suggest? There's nothing better than an expert on the area to show you the hidden gems...

 

I just arranged to get off work early (10:30am). I work in Lancaster, so I can meet you guys down in Lancaster or at Rockbridge and I can lead for a while on some of the curvy roads if you wish.

I'm at work right now, so I'll get back with you later on the details.

Shannon

 

Works for me. We'll miss you at breakfast, but we'll call when we get close to Lancaster or Rockbridge. Maybe you can suggest a convenient assembly location close to the beginning of the entrance to 374? That way, people that might want to skip breakfast can still show up for the drive.

Also, PM me your cell number if that's OK, and I'll take it with me, in case we miss each other.

Thanks!

 

I suggest that you NOT try to meet at the intersection of 33 and 374. There is a shopping complex/flea market there and the traffic is highly congested. There was a fatality there last weekend, and I fear more to come.

Instead, I would meet at the Sunoco gas station just before you get to Rockbridge.

When you come down 33, take the Lancaster BYPASS -- if you haven't been on it, you'll be pleasantly suprised at how beautiful the drive is. The bypass will merge with 33 again south of Lancaster. Go past the town of Sugar Grove. Just before you get to Rockbridge, you'll see a sign for Clear Creek Metro Park. Turn right onto Clear Creek Road and pull into the Sunoco gas station parking lot. That way, when everyone is ready to roll, we can turn Right back on to 33.

 

Sounds like a plan. We're done with breakfast around 10:00 or 10:15 most of the time, so we should be in that area about 30-45 minutes later - I'll call you when we're in the area.

Thanks!

 

This is going to be fun, I just know it!

 

I think it will be great fun. I know some good off-the-beaten-path roads that will offer curves and chances at spirited go-cart driving if you wish

The foilage is still pretty nice, despite the rain. And the great thing about Hocking Hills is once the leaves are down, you can see the beautiful rock cliffs.

Can't wait to be amongst some fella MINI enthusiasts.

I'll assume you will leave New Albany (my old home!) at 10:30am. I'll leave Lancaster at the same time and drive to the Sonoco on the corner of Rt 33 and Co. Rd 116 (Clear Creek Rd) to wait for you.