Hi Everyone,

I know this is absolutely scary, that I am trying to get organized this much in advanced, but I am putting an overnight trip together in February. Feb 23 and 24th. David and I will be going up on the 22nd in case anyone wants to come up for an extra night. I wanted to do something fun for Valentine's day, that doesn't necessarily mean couples. Just a nice getaway for miniacs.
I called today, to talk about reservations and the like. So.. the hotel I wanted, was too far out of town, so I chose a different one. Now the gentleman I spoke to on the phone, said this hotel has done "car events" before. The prices aren't too bad. They don't normally discount prices, unless we book 20 rooms. Although that would be wickedly cool to do, I'm not sure we will book that many rooms.
Here is the price breakdown on a room.
$54.00 a night for a standard room NOT over looking the river
$79.00 a night overlooking the river

If your more interested in a room with a fireplace/jacuzzi, that requires a two night minimum at $150.00 to $170.00 a night.

They are right in the middle of town, so facilities to eat @ won't be that difficult to find. David and I will go up in January, scout out perhaps a fun drive and some great restaraunts. Depending on the response, we can even look to find a restaraunt for saturday night, that can accomodate all of us. Also, we can put some fun stuff together to go and do when every one arrives.
I wanted some input, about putting this out to the Atlanta, Florida, Charleston mini's as well, and see just how many people would could get. I think it would be great for all of us to get together in a different place.
From what I have read, Helen is fantastic. Having moved here from Germany, I look forward to going to this little Bavarian town.









[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=-1]Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, this Northeast Georgia village has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and Indian burial mounds as well as early settlers who arrived to mine for gold and cut virgin timber for a thriving lumber industry in the early 1900s. Helen is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. We've got shops, restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, mountains, both rustic and luxury mountain cabins, theater, recreation, romantic getaways, beautiful scenery, family activities, waterfalls, museums, history, art, fishing, tubing, golf, and more. Something for every member of the family.[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

it's a cool place, with alot of neat shops! Plus, there's some great roads over there. Don't know if we can make it, but will try, and do recommend it!

 

That would be great if you motored out with us. I am looking to get a definite by mid january. Giving people plenty of time to make plans and be ready to go on the "MiniLovefest 2008"

 

It is definitely a fun place to visit - and definitely some good roads - the road that heads north out of town back towards Fontana is excellent - we drove down for the day this year at MOTD.

Hope y'all have a GREAT time!

 

There's nothing scary about planning something well in advance. In fact, more people ought to try it. I've seen too many posts go up for events with only a week or two notice. It's no wonder the turn out to some of them is less than it should be. Kudos to you!!!

 

So Moorlock lol can we count you in? I dont think we have met

 

I will tentatively put us down, my family lives around there, and I can kill a couple of birds with one MINI.

 

I'm there!

 

Sounds like a fun weekend; been there years ago and was lots of fun. Let me check my retirement schedule: this would be in Feb; Vegas with the MINIs in March; DRAGON in early May; Hawaii in mid May....hey, I think it works!! So many places to go and nothing else to do (except golf and watching birds)...ain't it great!!! Seriously, sounds great and could turn into something big (by getting the word out early). Good job.

 

Helen is a blast. We used to go there a couple times a year when we lived in ATL. Will try to make this one, and thanks for organizing it...so early, too!

 

Count me in!

 

Sounds like fun, I count me in.

 

Include me in (2 people)

 

I know the roads up there like the back of my hand.... if you want some suggestions for drives or would like me to lead you on a drive.... I can plan any milage you want and gaurentee some great "motoring"

Bob

 

Bob, that would be awesome if you could come on this adventure with us and lead us on some motoring. If you would pm me your phone number, then when we get back from Mexico.. I'll call you .. ( 6 Jan 2008 wow where did the time go.) Should I put you on the list of peeps attending?

 

PM sent,

in tthe next few mo I have to be in Salt Lake, Miami, Nashvillle, San Francisco and LA.... I am not sure about the dates as I write this as i am refusing to look at my business calendar until Monday.... but if i am in toown I will lead on some of my favorite N GA roads... If I can not make it I willl give you a map of a great drive.... anyway, I'm in....

 

Carol, I've made reservations at the Helendorf River Inn for Feb. 22-24. If you're going up that Friday, we can motor up together. PS: The hotel mentioned a hospitality room, type arrangement, for $179 per night which included a private bedroom (overlooking the river), a large center room with fireplace, and a kitchen with bar. Regular riverfront rooms were $79/night; maybe you could talk the club into picking up the extra $100/night so we would all have a gathering/meeting place (After all Luke knows Santa really, really well!!)

 

Lilruffcat, Moorlockx is the past President m2c2. Great guy and helps me with all my mistakes as prez. I sure wish he would go with us.

 

Luke,
I would love to meet Moorlock!! So hopefully he will see this again, and really consider going with us...

Jim,
David and I are planning on going up that Friday... so as far as motoring up together.. as always my answer is.. Jackee is in!! of course you know my car loves hooking up with sweet lil tilly.. I'll talk with ya'll ( i am goin suthern ya know) @ the Christmas party about the other arrangements.. im hoping to be able to make the announcement and have more info by the party! David and I are planning on running there in January.. to test the waters, and get info to make it an awesome M2C2 kinda gathering.. As always there will be stickers.. and other surprizes im not at liberty to tell right now.. soooo there ya have it!

 

We have dubbed this trip as.. Mini's in kleine Deutschland, USA

 

As luck would have it... I passed nearby today, and had time and a little daylight to kill... so I looped through Helen - really pretty. And found a KILLER road I hadn't been on before.

Here's the map.

GA-75 is the main road northbound out of Helen - and it's fantastically twisty with passing zones on the climbs. Awesome. I drove it both ways this spring when we drove down from Fontana. It T's into US-76 near Hiawassee - turn right on 76 and you're on the Lookout Mountain Scenic Highway - a beautiful road with some twisty sections. Several miles of this runs along a mountain ridge and I happened to be there at and just after sunset - absolutely SPECTACULAR views in every direction. I HIGHLY recommend y'all find a way to be on that stretch of road (between 75 and Lake Burton) at that time of day - it's incredible.

 

Thank you Paul-- It looks great! I'm thinking about motoring that way from cola, to get to Helen... Thanks for the headsup

 

Lilruffcat did you get my personal email?

 

no email here :( and i love email!

 

wooohoo i have mail!