With a rare day all to myself, I topped off the MINI's tank and headed for some roads-new-to-me. My route took me from downtown Seattle to Monroe, along Rt 2 through Stevens Pass to Leavenworth, down Rt 97 to Cle Elum, and back I-90 to Seattle. In all, about 250mi. The OBC says I averaged about 50mph and kept up 37.4mpg. Not bad considering that I had to huff it up two mountain passes (Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass).

Had a great day all around. I only wished for the extra horsepower of a MCS a couple of times.

Some photos to share...

 

lovely pictures.. your mini looks great

 

Great looking Mini you have. !

Once you left Leavensworth and took 97 you went over another pass by the name of Blewett, which is the highest of the three passes. Thanks for the pics, I'm from WA and have lived in CA for the last 9 years and do miss the northwest.
First road trip after Mini break in, I'm taking the coast highway (101) all the way up to Port Townsend, ferry to Keystone on Whidbey Island. Then Clinton ferry to Mukilteo and onto home in Everett.
Should be a great trip in the Mini.

 

Unless you find Forest Service Road 7320... or "Historic Blewett Pass".

It's a somewhat maintained single lane 20 mile stretch of asphault that climbs a couple thousand feet above Hwy 97 and is as twisty as I've ever seen. Extremely easy to miss, but well worth the search. Makes Chuckanut Drive look like I-5.

 

Have not been on that road in over 20 years, but if it is still open in the summers and useable, it is a great drive. If my memory is correct, old Blewett elevation was 4,061 and new Blewett (until the 90's was actually Swauk Pass) is 4,102.
I had an aunt and uncle that lived in Liberty for 40 years, so spent a lot of winters/summers in that area, I do miss it.
Now living here in Tracy and travel the Altamont "pass" (1009ft).............come on folks, this is just a hill.

 

I am BRG with envy!

Nice pics, great looking drive.

 

Great pictures!

 

Wonderful pictures. Beautiful scenery and very sharp MC. Thanks for sharing. It sounded like a great drive.

 

Lovely scenery + great weather + a MINI = Good time!

Ahh, Life just doesn't get any better!

Thanks fbox, for posting pics of your trip, I enjoyed them.

Motor On!

 

I've been to the Northwest a couple of times and wish I was there when my new Mini arrives. Let's just say the scenery there is a little "different" than here in Ohio!

 

Looks like a great drive, thank you for the pictures. Sounds like your MC did just fine, it is a pretty MINI.

 

Now THAT will be a great roadtrip. We drove 101 from southern Oregon to northern California and it was just spectacular. I'll pray for lots o' sunshine and no traffic for ya.

 

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Here are a couple more pics for those who're interested...

 

Easy for us to say. I think we should have a pronunciation contest but with all Northwest residents disqualified.