When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The story begins with being invited to my goddaughters wedding in Calgary. On Wednesday 12/15, When I got to the airport with my family to get on a plane to go to Calgary, I found out my Passport was expired. I couldn't fly to Canada but the gate agent said I could possibly drive to Calgary. So, I put my wife and daughter on that flight, grabbed my luggage, went home and did some research. I found out that as long as the passport hasn’t been expired more than 6 months, a non-expired NY Driver’s License and proof of citizenship as well as proof of Vaccinations and a negative Covid Test, I also had to fill out the Canadian App (ArriveCanada).
So, coincidentally, I had the car fully serviced on Monday (12/13) before this trip just so I didn't have to do it when I got back. Oil Change, New EBC Yellow Pads, Brake Flush w/ Motul 660, Coolant Flush, New Cabin Filter, New ALTA Air box Filter and switched to my Winter Tires.
I started on my 39-40 hour trip on Thursday 12/16 6am with a goal to get to Calgary on Saturday 12/ around 3pm, just in time to for my goddaughters wedding. Filled the tank and grabbed a cup of coffee. First Leg of the Trip did 12 Hours, avoiding tons of State Troopers (BTW people don’t update WAZE as much outside of NY and had a few close calls) and a few Bathroom-Coffee-Gas Stops, I made it to Chicago by 8:00pm. Fill the Gas Tank, Checked the oil, Checked tire pressure, grab some great Chicago Pizza and crashed.
Grabbed a cup of coffee and got started on my Second Leg by 6am. Chicago drivers are nuts. Speed Limit is 70mph, I was doing 80mph and getting past like I was standing still. At one point I was doing 120 and was keeping up with the local drivers. I was doing this for almost an hour. Made a few stops along the way and I have to ask all the Wisconsin People in here, #1 Why in the land of Dairy doesn’t anyone use regular milk (only half and half or Cream) in their coffee. #2 Why does all the coffee taste like it got filtered through a sock that was used by a homeless man running through the NYC subway system in those socks for a year, but they forgot to use coffee grinds. EVEN STARBUCKS. I did 11 hours this leg and did a Layover in Burlington, ND. Same deal, Gas, Oil, Tire Pressure, Grub and Crash.
Grabbed a cup of coffee from the hotel and it was crap, BUT better than every cup I had in Wisconsin by miles, figuratively and literally. Started driving @ 6am up a 2 way road. Empty roads lead to poor speed judgments (aka doing 80 in a 55) about 40 minutes in a wonderful, beautiful athletic deer decides to hop on to the road directly in my path. My track survival skills kicked in and swerved onto a narrow shoulder, barely avoiding the ditch and bounced around pretty hard, downshifted throttled up went sideways but managed to get back on the road. The car felt smooth so I continued to the next gas station. I checked under the Mini and didn’t see any damage, leaks etc. Checked under the hood and did my best to see the lines that go under the car and again nothing seemed out of place and I didn’t smell any fuel or oil then again it was -22 degrees Fahrenheit, like I could smell anything at that temperature. Continued up and entered to Canada through Portal, ND. After going through the scrutiny of USCBP they went through the car in search of contraband and reported nothing of interest. I continued my way up to the Trans Canadian Highway at this time Waze had my only 6 hours away from Calgary putting me at 32 hours of the initial 39 hour drive.
I finally made it to the Trans Canadian Highway and minutes after arriving and passing Moose Jaw, I smelled smoke and since I was passing and industrious area I thought it were my surroundings. I rolled down the window to make sure, but when I did, a poof of smoke came through the vent and that was my holy **** moment. I quickly, without wrecking, pulled onto the shoulder, but while doing so the car’s engine and power cut out and that’s when I saw the flames. I pulled the e-brake and the car barely came to a stop when I pulled out of the car. At this point is when the weather reminded me it was -19 degrees Fahrenheit. Grabbed my go bag cause all my identifications were in that bag and grabbed my phone and left everything else, hat (tuq?), scarf and gloves that were on the floor of the back seat. Within a couple of minutes the Flames had the whole front of the car. At that time a couple of Canadian Long Haulers pulled over and tried to put out the flames with fire extinguishers and the fire just laughed. So I had one of the truckers break the rear window and got my suitcase out. Just a few minutes later, nothing but a ball of fire.
Upside! The Cops (RCMP) were super nice and the Firefighters, they were funny. The Paramedics were weird ask 1 question and then just took off and one of the truck drivers that stopped to help gave me a ride to Calgary, So, we invited him to the Wedding Reception. From here on out we all considered him my Knight in Hi-Vis Armor. I arrived in Calgary smelling like smoke and starving, but safe and sound. We also took him out to dinner the week after.
So, I urge all you Mini Cooper Fans in Canada. Whenever you see a Truck with the Bison Logo on the side, give them a Thumbs Up/peace sign/or whenever! Because you’ll never know when you end up in a situation and need that assist.
