That sure sounds good!

 

I wish we could go. My wife and I both love Skyline, though she would rather have Gold Star Chili. And of course, now living in C. FL, there are none of either, unless we drive over to the Clearwater area. There's a Skyline there on the beach.
Wife says if we are off, maybe we'll drive over and be with everyone in spirit.

 

I'm with kseckel99, I prefer Goldstar Chili , but this is not the place to get into the old Goldstar vs Skyline discussion... Either way, Cincy Chili is the way to start a visit to Cincinnati!! I know where the Skyline is on the entrance road to the Beach..

kseckel99,
I've been to that Skyline in Clearwater.. I think it was in Dec 1987... . If you have a Kroger's there, see if they can get you the seasoning packs for Gold Star. I have a family member pick up several packs for me when they're coming down for a visit.. It tastes almost as good as it does in the restaurant..

Eric,
the directions you have are the way to go... I-40 from Asheville to Knoxville, I-240 around the north side, I-75 thru Lexington to Cincy (Have your cameras ready in high resolution as you descend the big hill for a great photo op of the city, preferrably with my MINI in the foreground), cross over the lower level of the double decker Brent Spence Bridge in one of the right hand lanes, then I-71 N to exit 19 (Fields Ertle Rd exit), and north on Mason-Montgomery Rd into Mason.. The only thing that I'm not certain of is which way to turn on hwy 42 for the hotel.. I'll ask my sister, she used to live on Kings Mills Rd in Mason..

It's 420 miles from my door to my family's house in Greenhills, about 7 hours driving time, although I've done it in 6 hours and as many as 12 (winter Xmas trip, ice and snow between Knoxville and Lexington ).

 

Trainman,
My wife and her brother visited the Clearwater place last year. I haven't had the chance to visit yet. I thought it was interesting since they sell beer. Never seen one up north that does that. We don't have a Kroger down here. Wish we did. We do buy the Gold Star in a can but it's not the same. Also wish we had White Castle. Not for a steady diet, but they are good once in a while .

 

See you there ... RED FURY

I purchased season GOLD PASSES for my whole family (4) at a cost of 79 $ per person.

I live locally and Anytime I want to go to the park again, no cost, all season, the 50$ for one day is a bit high !!!!

 

[size=4]CinciMINIS Pre-PKI/Italian Job Stunt Ride Meet 'n Greet - 6/17/05[/size][size=2]

Description
Come meet MINI owners from all over the country! MINI owners from all over will be coming to Cincinnati for the opening of Paramount's Kings Island's "Italian Job Stunt Ride." A pre-party meet 'n greet will be held by the CinciMINIs at a city favorite -- Skyline Chili!

Date

• The date of the gathering is Friday, June 17th

Location

• Skyline Chili (Kings Mill) [/size][size=1] Map[/size][size=2]
  2711 Water Park Drive
  Mason, Ohio
  SkylineChili.com

Time

• 7:00 PM

Contact

• If you have any question, please feel free to contact webmaster@cinciminis.com

[/size]

 

Skyline for dinner Friday night and White Castle for dinner Saturday night, sounds like a plan.

 

Sounds like everything is coming together.

George, yes, I have been in contact with the CinciMINI club and we are invited. Sounds like a great way to start our weekend adventure. BTW, I understand dinner in the park on Saturday night is included in the package we're getting so don't know about White Castle.

Ed, glad you know where everything is. I officially nominate you for "leader of the caravan". I guess we need to start taking about meeting times. There are a few folks from AtlantaMINIs that want to join up with us. I'll find out what the exit # of the first rest area west of Asheville is. I think that would be a good meeting place for everyone. And I'm thinking between 7 and 8 am . Then, there is queenB who wants to join up with us as we go thru K'ville. This sound good to you?

Eric

 

Dang, You're in a hurry to get up there!! From Asheville, Cincinnati is about 6 hours.. We could leave around noon and still get there in plenty of time to check in and get to Skyline for the meet and greet.. :smile: Between 7 and 8 am is is a little early for me, and probably also for the others that have to drive to Asheville.. Maybe meet around 11-11:30 and be on the road no later than noon. The first rest area west of Asheville is in the Pigeon River Gorge, probably a good 30 miles out.. What about where y'all met to caravan to MOTD, first exit west of I-26??

Also, the AtlantaMINIs may want to meet us in Knoxville with QueenB, as I believe it's more direct for them to drive straight up I-75 than coming across I-85/I-26 to Asheville, then back across I-40 to Knoxville...
I'll be happy to lead the parade, once we get up around Florence, KY.

And someone had better get a picture of me going down the big hill with Cincinnati in the background!! I'd love to blow that up into a poster!! It's kind of a "going home" thing....

 

I'm with you Trainman. That would be even earlier for us AtlantaMINIS. It looks like we are leaning towards meeting up with you and Queen B.

 

Ed,

I know it is going to be hard to come up with a time that EVERYONE agrees with. Maybe 7-8 is a little early but I don't think we should meet any later than 10 to get away by 10:30. I think if we wait til 12, that would push us too much and gives us no time to allow for traffic, delays, etc. And after riding for 6+ hours, I would like to have a little bit of time to rest up before heading out to the Skyline for dinner. I know that the Atlanta folks will have to leave a bit early but so will Chris coming from Raleigh or Keith coming from Winston-Salem. Hey, it's a long trip and it's going to be a long day for everyone. Is meeting at 10 west of Asheville an adequate compromise? What do some of the rest of you think?

We actually met at exit 50 on the way to the Dragon, which is before I-26. We could plan to meet at the first exit west of I-26 tho, whatever that is.

Eric

 

The first exit is exit 44, the Enka/West Asheville, Hwy 19/23 exit..

 

Ed,

Do you know if there's a good place on that exit to meet, ie, gas station, fast food place, etc.?

 

Raleigh chiming in here...

7-8AM!!!! Yikes!

I would agree with the 10am in Asheville.

We will most likely will drive to Asheville Thursday evening, stay the night, and have a fresh start Friday AM.

With that said, we could leave a little earlier depending when Atlanta MINI's think they will be arriving in Knoxville.

I just need a room at the Biltmore for Thursday evening for $49/night

Do we know yet if we will need tickets/passes to get into PKI for the 18th or are they letting us in for free ?

Also... Anyone near Charlotte... you should be able to buy a season pass for Carowinds and it be valid at all Paramount Parks. I was just looking online and not sure why Carowind pass is cheaper than PKI, but it may be worth looking into.

 

Chris,

I understand that we will be offered a "package" that includes park admission, a few meals and some other goodies and have been told that we will be able to register on the PKI website "soon". The cost I've heard is anywhere from $45 to $50 per person. That's all I can tell you at this time. I checked the website today and there was nothing yet.

I've noted your "vote" for the 10 am meet time in Asheville. I thought maybe you guys would want to come on over Thursday night. That makes sense. I wonder if Keith will do that as well?

Eric

 

And someone had better get a picture of me going down the big hill with Cincinnati in the background!! I'd love to blow that up into a poster!! It's kind of a "going home" thing....[/QUOTE]
Trainman,
I LOVE that view, coming around the left bend and seeing the Queen City. I especially love it at night when the stadiums are lit up. Would love to have a picture of it with MiamiMini in the forground. (Miami as in the 'real' one).

 

Now we're talking about my alma mater!! MU, class of '81

 

Mine too, Class of '78 and '82. Didn't take the first go around, had to get another dose.

 

Jenny (jcgbrg) and I are really excited about the trip. Boy are we going to have some fun!

We are flexible on the time. But the later time does sound better. We probably have a 4 hr trip to get to QueenB's(d&*n Atlanta traffic), then we'll meet up with you guys.

I can't wait to try some of that chili!

Scott

 

Hey Scott, we need to motor up together to QueenB's. The later time sounds better to us also. Chrisfb1 is leaving on Thursday.

 

Scott and Jill,

OK, 7-8am was a bit ambitious on my part! When you guys refer to "the later time", I hope you are referring to the 10am time we are now proposing leaving the Asheville area. This should get us to Knoxville to meet up with you guys in the 12-12:30 range. That way, you wouldn't have to leave the Atlanta area until around 8. Hope this works for everyone and we look forward to motoring up with y'all. Remember to bring your radios, channel 7, sub 21.

Trplezero, minicoopermike and Casepoint,

I haven't heard anything yet back from you guys about your room reservations. I have you on my list as going but don't know if you've got your rooms yet or not. How about letting me know. Thanks.

Eric

 

PaulC and BeckyC are in. Made reservations our today.

 

I haven't read this whole thread, so this may be old news. I just received this email from Cincinnati MINIs this morning and thought I'd pass it on....


-------------------------------------------------------
CinciMINIS Pre-PKI/Italian Job Stunt Ride Meet 'n Greet
-------------------------------------------------------

Join the CinciMINIs on Friday, June 17th's for a pre-party meet 'n greet.
MINI owners from all over the country will be motoring in to Cincinnati for
the opening of Paramount's Kings Island's "Italian Job Stunt Ride" on June
18th. Our pre-party meet 'n greet will be held at a Cincy favorite --
Skyline Chili! Come meet lots of other MINI owners and see what our cheese
coneys are all about!

Date -- Friday, June 17th

Location -- Skyline Chili (Kings Mill), 2711 Water Park Drive, Mason, Ohio

Time -- 7:00 PM

For more information, visit
http://www.cinciminis.com/events/2005/2005_0617.htm

Let's Motor!

 

Yippee!

 

Oh yea Mamarazzi, we have to go up to QueenB's together! It wouldn't be as fun without you guys! Now if David and Alicia meet us up at Rome, then Paul and Becky meets us in Chattanooga, we'll be set.

Eric - the new time (10am Asheville) sound great! Will that give us enough time to get checked in and get over to the dinner? I haven't been to Cinci. :smile:

Thanks for being the lead on the trip Eric!

Scott