Ok...... I have prolonged posting for a little over a month. Here is my story. I purchased a 2005 R53 while in Chicago in December. The end of April I motored from Chicago to Washington (state) for shipping of my MINI home to Alaska. Loved the drive and became thoroughly attached to my MINI.

Jump to June

Ordering goodies from the new MINI dealership in Anchorage, as it opened while I was away. While in the showroom, I could feel the presence of a Countryman. Checked it out. WHY? I already have a SUV! More research. Nice comfortable payment? Check. Lower insurance premium from current SUV? Check. Gain garage space? Check (lol). Another trip to dealer. More in-depth research.

Long story short, around mid June, I ordered a 2013 Countryman JCW: Crystal Silver w/Red roof; 19" Crushers; premium1; tech pkg; etc. Had build date of 26 June, but was built on the 24th and awaiting transportation. It's somewhere on the high seas. Will port in California where they do what they do to it, then put it on another barge for transport to Anchorage. This time of year, vehicles play second fiddle to our fresh fruits and veggies for shipping space on the barges! So my MINI could be bumped by incredible edibles and that would cause a delay of at least a week because (according to my MA) there is only one barge a week arriving as opposed to the normal two.

I always thought that I was a patient person, but in this instance, ............

So I wait (note I did not say patiently!)

 

wow, great story !! You didn't mention if you kept the R53 or traded/sold it for the 2013 CM. If it's the later, get ready to be thrashed by the Mini purists around here

That is a wild trip your CM will be taking....it might arrive with banannas and grapefruit packed inside it!

Our CM JCW is now on a truck transporter to the dealer....a much closer trip than yours I'm afraid....That CM is going to have a lot of sailing time by the time you get it.

You have a very popular color scheme. I know there are at least a couple of CM JCW owners here with it...

Welcome!

Jeff

 

Thanks ZO6_PILOT

Don't want to hear/feel the wrath of the purists! I kept the R53. Sold one of my motorcycles and trading another vehicle. I'm having fun with it. I have been in "downsizing" mode.

I just finished speaking with "1-866-ASK-MINI" and they said my vehicle is on a vessel called "Grand Venus" due to port in California on/about August 1st (Did I really want to know that info?). They said to call back around the 1st and they would let me know the ETA to Anchorage.

 

Not sure about your color and wheel selection

I love Lucy, and her color. The wait is worth it.

 

Ah yes, I knew Mississippi Lucy would show up on this thread

BTW, I assume you are near Memphis...Olive Branch or Horn Lake perhaps? I was born and reared in Memphis....

 

*MIminiclubman: Thank you. Your Countryman is NICE! Loving your color combo! Very good pictures. Gives me a great visual fix until arrival of mine.

I have not decided on a stripe combo yet or if I want to remove the rear "COUNTRYMAN" letters. I went ballistic on interior color combo (interior color -carbon black; interior surface - chili red; color line - polar beige).

*Z06_Pilot: I see you are in Columbus. I visit with friends in Zanesville quite often.

 

Oh yea, we ride our bikes down RT 555, "the triple nickle", south of Zanesville, several times during the summer. Great twisties and some nice sweepers over there...

 

Z06,
I am way over in the Golden Triangle area. Columbus, Westpoint, Starkville area. I lived in Ohio 20 years ago in Delaware. back then I played golf and loved Eagle Sticks.