Yes, it is that time of the year when a small but merry band of MINI5280 members, and other MINI enthusiasts, head down to Deal's Gap, NC and the Tail of the Dragon. A few notes about the event:

• The event is scheduled from Wednesday, April 30th thru Sunday, May 4th, 2008. The actual location for most festivities is Fontana Village, NC which does not really exist on your map. Look somewhere between Robbinsville, NC and Deal's Gap, NC and you will find it there. Right at the SW corner of the Smoky Mountains. Beautiful.
• This is our 4th Trip from Colorado. We first went in 2005. Last year we had about 10 merry MINI's from Colorado, including Jim from C.O.R.N. as well as Whitlow and Eleanor, Rick, Mike and Brian, and more.
• Last year we road-tripped it for RoadFood and fun. Our stops included Omaha, KC, StL, somewhere in Illinois, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Columbus, IN and Corbin, KY the home of Col.Sanders Fried Chicken. Oh, and the Corvette Factory in Kentucky somewhere. That was cool.
• Also last year, MINI5280 hosted and sponsored the Dragon Brew-Swap, a big event. We sponsor that again this year.

To my knowledge, those going so far are: (Please POST to confirm)

• Jim Petersen, the Colonel of C.O.R.N.
• Mike and Brian
• Jonathan
• Briyhanna
• Dan and Hap Tannery from Grand Junction
• Dan's Brother and his wife
• Of course we are meeting the StL contingent, Dan and Doug, along the way
• And perhaps some fine folks from KC will join us too
• Maybe you?

The return trip leaves Sunday AM and arrives back in Denver late late late Monday night. After all, it is 1,500 miles one way. That is a lot to do in two days.

Please POST if you are going. You can find more info on the event right here in NAM or at www.TailoftheDragon.com or at www.minisonthedragon.info or you can write to us.

Hope to have you join us.

 

I will be going to Tulsa 1st to pick up my son Brian & hanging there for a couple days (Sat - Mon).

We will pull out of Tulsa by Monday mid day on twisty back roads, or can wait until Tuesday morning if that fits, to caravan together.

That schedule allows us to meet up w/ Jonathan & Jim (Kernal of Corn) in Memphis on Tuesday evening for some authenic Memphis BBQ.

From that point on our main objective is to have fun motoring as a group & get to Fontana Village mid day Wed. for check in. Trip plan actuals are in the works but are negotiable as long as we can enjoy a great adventure doing so.

Anyone wanting to join me in or in-route to Tulsa is welcome, Brian is a SWM but has a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home. You can get to Tulsa & spend 1 or more nights w/ us. Let me know ahead of time.

Mike
719-338-5901 cell

 

I will be with the caravan out, but not back. Unless y'all want to come spend a week with me and my crazy family in Iowa.
I am sooooo looking forward to this!!!!!

edit: Oh, what is the planned leave date for heading out there?

 

Jim (Zyamfier) and I will be leaving KC on Monday the 24th late afternoon.....headed south on 71 Hwy towards Joplin. Then, if it works for him, we will overnight in far NE Oklahoma (Disney, to be exact) by the lake. All the roads here are 2 lane, curvy, twisty and hilly. There are no amenities, save the SONIC. Like I said, there are no amenities.

If you and Brian and Bri leave Tulsa early AM, we can meetup and do the twisty route I have plannned in Arkansas, on the way to BBQ in Memphis for dinner.

Do let us know.

JPS

 

I now know of two cabins with space. PM me if you need the contact info. It is someone who hangs with us and whom we trust.

Jonathan

 

Brihyanna / others:

I leave C/S on Frid. afternoon, April 25th. Planning to visit my sister overnight in Wichita. Then on to my son Brian's home in Tulsa by noon Sat. (<3 hrs). He has a 4bdrm home w/ 2.5 baths, anyone is welcome to hang there w/ us over the weekend or just Sunday PM.

We will leave Tulsa sometime on Mon. & go to a couple hours to Grand Lake to meet Jonathan & Jim. This is a great area & we could play around there Mon afternoon / evening. Then find a place to stay. It is off season so motels should be cheap.

Mike
I need to hear from anyone wanting to join us.
719-338-5901 cell

 

which is in Disney (Langley) are in Vinita, 18 miles north. There is a Walmart and Holiday Inn Express I believe. Easy to find each other that way.

Jim and I will leave KC on Monday, it is about 4 hours down to Disney and the lake. Not sure of arrival times.

JPS

 

Although I'll be flying instead of driving, I'll be at the Dragon again this year and look forward to seeing MINI5280 and other Colorado folks.

Just wanted to post to say that I'd much rather do the drive with y'all! Unfortunately, it's just too time-consuming and expensive (at least when one has frequent flyer miles!) vs flying. Maybe next year?

I hope the trip is great and I'll see you all there!

-Heather

 

Heather, I'm sure the convoy would take turns hauling you, strapped on the roof, absolutely free. The entertainment value would offset any additional fuel consumption.

 

Hey, I don't want to be strapped to any roof! Besides, transporting "me" would also entail transporting my dog (a large Deerhound), umpteen boxes of products and promo stuff, PLUS my personal things. I don't think there's a MINI that can handle "me".

What are you doing over here in MINI5280-land, Blimey?? Not that you're not welcome, of course... just curious. Are you jealous of this super-cool club?? Indeed, most are.


-Heather

 

I'm mostly jealous of Chuck's super-coolness and proximity to mountains and DP...

And Jon's interior....

And most everyone's ability to attend MITM...

Other than that, I'm just an equal-opportunity friendly NAM-troll.

 

I am putting plans together to go to this. Hopefully everything will work and I will be able to go with you guys.

 

RockyMC40:

We are excited to include you if your plans work out. Please keep in mind that we need to know who is coming for lodging / bed count.

There is still capacity available as you can read above but I suggest you contact jsouz ASAP.

Mike

 

Ahh I didnt know that we had a group lodging thing going on. Do you guys have a day to day type schedule at all?

 

at the MINI5280 cabin and other options.

Jonathan
303-807-9483

When are you heading down?

 

Mini5280 cabin is getting full.

Brian, end bed room
Jonathan, snoring room - bed 1
Mike, snoring room - bed 2
Dan & Hap - master bed room
Jim in the front yard / trailer park
Abbe (& friend) tent in back/side yard

We can still squeeze in possbly 1 more male in a bed. There is also room for a cot w/ sleeping bag.

If any couples, or multiple singles, are still wanting to go, see Jonathan's post above. We want to hear from you!

Mike
719-338-5901

 

Looks like im in. Itll be me and my passenger. If the cabin is too full I understand dont go out of your way to squeeze us in. Ill be giving you a call mike probabley tomorrow some time.

 

just let me know or contact MINIPLAY here in NAM. He is here in Vegas with us and I can talk to him for you.

Jonathan

 

Sounds good.

 

your contact info and I will hand it to him - Ron Watt is his name - and I will ask him to contact you if you wish.

Jsouz@allstate.com

303-807-9483 also works.

JPS

 

I'm not sure yet what day I'm going to be able to leave, but probably not until at least Sat/Sun. I'm moving (staying in Co Spgs) at the end of April, so will be cutting it close with that.
I'm getting excited!

 

Colorado to MOTD up date:

I am still leaving Colo. Springs mid day Friday April 25th for Wichita, on to Tulsa Saturday AM.

The change is that we will likely leave Tulsa early-early Tuesday April 29th to meet Jonathan & Jim in (or near) Disney, OK.

Anyone is welcome at my son Brian's home for Saturday, Sunday &/or Monday night.

There are some fun roads around Eastern OK. that are a half or full day trip out & back from Tulsa.

[Ft. Gibson, an old 1800's Army Cavalry Fort, is East of Tulsa & South of Disney where a couple connecting tight twisty roads began through a hilly area & past a big lake & on through a State Park. This dumps out not all that far from Grand Lake / Disney area of N.E. OK.]

This is an alternate plan for Monday if anyone is interested. Lodging for Monday night (closer to Grand Lake / Disney) would need to be investigated.

See previous posts on this thread.

[Actually, the closest motels to where we will be which is in Disney (Langley) are in Vinita, 18 miles north.]

Mike
719-338-5901

 

I talked to RockyMC40 this week (Matt) and he plans to be in KC that weekend. I have invited him to join Jim and I leaving KC on Monday afternoon on our way towards Disney. There may be 3 of us coming from the North.

Thanks, we now need to organize the group meeting us in Memphis for BBQ on Tuesday night. Let me see what I can do.

Jonathan

 

Im getting real excited for this and frantically trying to get mods on the car!

 

• Oil
• Brake Fluid
• Black WOW!
• Top off your washer fluid. It rains a lot there.
• Tire Guage
• Tire repair kit
• Emergency Air for repaired tire
• Cell phone charger
• iPod charger
• Extra sunglasses for when it might actually be sunny

More later.

JPS