What do Minis have in common with BBQ and bluegrass music? Come to this event and find out Melindalou and I are planning this event, which is on a Saturday, and we will probably meet to motor over to Sims Country BBQ in Dudley Shoals about 4:30. If you are not familiar with this famous local (to the Hickory area) establishment, they feature all-you-can-eat pork and beef BBQ with all of the trimmings served buffet-style, served in a very rustic setting. They have BBQ chicken as well. They also have live bluegrass music with dancing (for those who are so inclined). The drive over, which is an adventure in itself, will take about :45 to an hour. More details will follow about where we will meet, an exact time etc., but we wanted you to get this on your social calander and it is not limited to M2C2 members only. All Mini owners are welcome. See y'all on the 26th!!!

Eric

 

OK guys, talk to me. Is this just a bad weekend for most folks or just something you don't think you would enjoy? Melindalou and I believe this will be a fun activity with great food and a great atmosphere and if you've never been to Dudley Shoals, you don't know what you're missing! Some feedback one way or another would be good. If enough folks aren't interested in doing this, we can plan something else. Eric

 

Sorry Eric, we won't be able to make it. The 25th is girls night out and based on past nights out, I don't think I'll want to be on the twistys :smile: Barbeque is not my thing either being a vegetarian for 14 years, but that's just my 2 cents.

I'm surprised folks aren't responding, this sounds well put together. Good luck. Now if they had clogging--hmmm, I'd bring my specially made "DEBI" clogs and put a clip on my nose.

 

Eric

This sounds like fun. I wil try to round up some Charlotte MINIs and come up as a group.

Thanks to you and Melindalou for putting this event together.

George

 

I'm up for it! You know me, a time to drive is a great time!

 

I'd be up for it Eric..... if I wasn't working nights that weekend

So I'm going to have to pass on this one, but I know that there are some great roads out that way and wish I could come. Maybe next time

 

I'll try to make it. I should have a MINI by then.

 

Eric,

I haven't been on the boards for a few days , so I'm just now responding.

This sounds great! I'll check with Sierra to make sure we don't have anything else going on and will let you know. Pencil me in for now.

Kevin

 

debiw,
Actually, they DO have clogging and square dancing! Hope this influences you decision (and the twisties will be BEFORE the BBQ). But they have other things to eat too, slaw, baked beans, corn fritters chips, etc. besides BBQ.

Eric

 

Ok, here's the latest on the Sims' Country BBQ adventure. I will be going this weekend to check out the route, road names, mileage, etc. and post this information on 2/14. I will also have details at that time as to exactly when and where we will all meet. It is likely that the folks coming from WEST of Hickory (Asheville area) will meet at one location and those coming from EAST (Triade/Triangle areas) and SOUTH (Charlotte area) will meet at another and we will all then rendezvous at one location. This will prevent folks from having to backdrive. I hope all of this doesn't sound too confusing. It won't be once it all comes together. More details to follow. Ahh, I can almost smell that BBQ now.

Eric

 

Lightly pencil me in for this. With the winter slowdown, I haven't been able to get my motoring fix fulfilled and I'd hate to go into withdrawal!

George, if I do make this run, I'll probably cut over to Charlotte and meet up with you there. Keep me up on the plans.

 

Bob,

Hope you are able to make it. Look forward to (hopefully) seeing you on the 26th!

Eric

 

Ok, here is the plan. Folks traveling from west of Hickory (Asheville area) will meet at 4:30 at the McDonald's at Exit 116 (Icard Exit) on I-40. I will meet you all there and then lead you to the next rendevous point.

Folks coming from east and south of Hickory will meet at Hamms resturant at 4:45 on Hwy 321 N., which is approx. 2 miles past 1-40, immediately past the 2nd traffic light on the right. Those coming from east of Hickory will take Exit 123 B and head north on 321 to Hamms. Those coming from the Charlotte area should already be on Hwy 321 heading north and will follow the above directions after passing under I-40. Melinda will be at the resturant to meet you guys and I will be leading the folks from the other meeting location. We will then head out to Simms BBQ, which is about a 30 minute drive from that point. This will be a pretty drive up around Lake Hickory with some nice twisties along the way.

Just a little info. about Simms'. This is a fun place in a very rustic (barn-like) setting. The food Is always good and the music usually is as well, with different bands appearing there each week. Simms' is a NON-ALCOHOL establishment, so folks need to be aware of that. You can purchase the standard drink items, tea, coffee, sodas, or bring your own. Adult prices are about $10 each (not including drinks) and children under 12 are about $6. This is what they were when I was last there in December and I assume they haven't changed much. Also, the approximately 1/2 mile entrance to Simms' is an unpaved gravel road but it is well maintained.

We will plan on leaving from out there to head back by 8:00 so folks from out of the area will not be real late getting home.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I will have detailed directions printed for you when you get here and I suggest everyone bring a radio that has one. I would appreciate those planning on coming let us know and which direction you'll be coming from so Melinda and I will have an idea of how many to expect. We hope as many folks as possible can make it and we look forward to seeing you on 2/26. This will be a fun evening!

Eric

 

You want me to print all THAT in the newsletter???!!! I guess I need to send out an update ASAP!

 

Ed,

Just post a link to the info... much easier!

Kevin

 

May have to rethink my plans on this. I misread the initial post and was thinking we'd be at the restaurant about 4:30. That would have worked perfectly to swing down to Hendricks in Charlotte for the Saturday morning get together, then leave there heading up to the BBQ place. Now I'm going to have to figure out how to kill a few hours in between if I go that route.

Not to mention getting back home after midnight if I leave at 8 (making for about a 17 hour day).

 

Wow! that would be a long day Bob. We hope you can come though. I hope DebiW comes, I want to see her clog! It should be a fun evening. I hope to see some of you there!

melindalou
PS- I want to hear about Trainman's recent close call.

 

Bob,

I agree with Melinda, that would be a long day. However, I said we will plan to leave from there BY 8, meaning we could actually decide to leave earlier if folks are ready to do that. Since we will be arriving there between 5:15 to 5:30, some might want to leave before 8. I will have written instructions of how to get back from out there to 321 S. and to I-40 which should be easy to follow. We want this to be fun without being too much of a burdonsome task. Hope you decide to make it.

Eric

 

Like I said, I'll see how it goes. I may have to cut the Charlotte segment out to make it a more manageable day. Of course the final decision will be Mother Nature's

 

Count me in - Plus the Hubby!

George - is there going to be a "Charlotte Caravan"?

 

Kicksnake,
Look forward to seeing you. I've got you down. The last time I spoke to George, he was planning on getting some folks together and leading them up from the Charlotte area. I assume he still is. I am hoping to make it to Hendricks this Saturday and I will talk to him then, if not sooner.

Eric

 

Just wanted to bump this up as it is next week.

George definitely is talking of coming up. We talked some about this last night....but I'll let him fill in the details as he proposed to me.

 

I am going to be a Hendrick around 1:30PM on Saturday for a late morning at Hendrick MINI. We will leave Hendrick MINI at 3:30PM and head for the meeting place near 321 and Rt40.

Please join us. I think we have about 6 MINIs joining in so far.

 

Sounds great George. Melinda and I look forward to seeing you and all of your Charlotte "cohorts" My only advice at this point is come hungry!!! See you on Saturday.

Eric

 

I won't be able to make this one guys....I have a family birthday to go to at the beach! Maybe next time and possibly if a co-pilot is needed!!!!

Michelle