Art, I am so bummed I didn't "officially" meet you! Hopefully we'll get to chat next time!

 

If you were driving topless, which I know you were...
Just glad he didnt land in your car. That would have been real bad.
Happy Birthday and hope it gets fixed FAST!!!

 

Honestly, I leave the board alone for one weekend and look what happens!

Sorry to hear about the damage, at least there's a good story behind it though. I trust your pride and joy is doing well otherwise?

I wish I could have made the trip with you guys but this weekend was just a bit busier than I thought it would be.

So there were cabins available? Hmm, might have to start making some phone calls.

 

That bear incident is insane, sorry about the car. It is really good that you escaped with as little damage as you did.

 

Wow! Floyd and I really missed the excitement! So sorry about your mini....and our birthdays must be about the same day (minie is tomorrow). We were going to possibly join up with you guys...but got a late start and found our own "dragon" run pretty close to home. If y'all get a chance, Hwy #215 off of 64 is very challenging! Think the Dragon but for 30 miles!! (minus bears and state troopers). I drove this one and Floyd gave me instructions.....we came home via 276 and the Blue Ridge Parkway...not much traffic on the road at all...except for one very slow Volvo who got so mad at me for trying to push them along...that they came to a complete stop on the parkway...whoops! Floyd insisted I pull off at an overlook to dispell some of my impatience (which I did) then caught up with a whole line of cars later backed up behind (you guessed it) the same Volvo. ah well! At least I wasn't hit by a bear! So sorry! I think I would of screamed something....and then cried! But....what a great story!!!! That will last long after the dent. Happy Birthday David! Great Pics!

 

What is it about Volvos? I don't think I have ever seen anyone drive one at normal speeds.

 

David, Sorry to hear that your baby got hurt. At least you and your daughter are alright. I missed this whole thread until today, thinking that maybe the Dragon trip was on for today.I was busy yesterday installing a Dice interface for my ipod in my mini.Now my hands don't have to leave the steering wheel to adjust the pod. See you all at 5 guys this week.

 

Me too. Hopefully soon. I was very happy however to finally see Lady Godiva in the flesh although it was from too great a distance. She is beautiful!!

 

Glad to hear that everyone is okay. What a story! Being slammed by a black bear in a Cabrio. I take it the top was down during this adventure? Wow!!! I doubt they'll replace the door, but if they do I'd surely mount that piece of the story in my office or something. Again, glad to hear that everyone is okay. So, will your daughter continue riding with Dad on The Dragon?

 

Bummer man, but just remember your not the 1st Mini to tangle with a Bear on the Dragon, although there have been other incidents. Seems like the Motorcyclist do the worst damge followed by Deer then Bear and Turkeys flying low to the ground. If it didn't break the paint you did get lucky. Couldn't tell from the photo. Anyway know it is not a good feeling to have ding and dents in MINI's.

 

 

Wow you guys! Glad you had such a great, if exciting time, and that everybody made it home alright. You can replace sheetmetal, and what a story! That's one for the ages...

P.S. I'm kind of a tree hugger so I'm glad the bear's okay, too. Bet he/she thinks twice about looking twice before crossing the road next time!

 

That's the only way she'll learn the proper response to avoiding any animal that runs into her path.
This was my way of giving her a first hand example of why you don't steer off the road or slam your brakes on causing the vehicle behind you to colide into you.

But I think from now on I'll try to use text book examples...

Besides this gave an opportunity to earn an extra badge for my MINI.

 

I don't really know if the bear is OK, I didn't get out to check its pulse (for obvious reasons) but judging by the way
it took off into the woods I would say that it at MINImum it has one massive headache this morning.

 

David I am LMAO @ your new siggy!

 

Hey Boo-boo, that is one heavy pic-a-nic basket! Owwwwwww!

 

LOVE the sig!

 

Yes indeedy! verrrrry verrrry heavy!

 

Ooops. Snuck on at work, laughing out loud at SIG and attracted unwanted attention. Have to get back to work now...

Thanks for having such a great attitude about this, that really is hysterical.

 

Wow, no kidding! Just got back on and still recovering from our own weekend.

cabriopilot, we're glad that you and your daughter are OK!!!

 

Glad everone is ok!