Calling all Gay, Lesbian and Liberal-minded MINI Owners & Enthusiasts!

While planning is still quite in the early stages, I am working on coordinating an East Coast rally from Philadelphia to Provincetown from 12 September to 14 September, stopping along the way to pick-up fellow enthusiasts.

To take advantage of less traffic and lower costs of overnight stays, plan on taking off from work that Friday, and trek up the coast to spend time with "family" and friends. I welcome input on places to "trek-stop" along the way, scenic vistas and other worthy riding moments.

The intention is to leave the Philadelphia area by 9:00AM, then make stops every 2 hours or so, matching up with other Rainbow Owners along the way (Northern NJ, Central CT, Rhode Island, then upon crossing the Cape Cod Canal) for a final Rally ending at Race Point for a sunset photo op.

Plan ahead, put it in the books. Either post here, or send an email to me at laughscott@aol.com. Further details will be made available as timing gets closer!

Cheers.

 

Since this is a double post, I'll use it to say "Welcome to MCO LaughScott"!!!!!!

 

Dear All,

As we are working on the agenda (and input and ideas from the field are always welcome), here's the initial thought to date:

12 September:

8:00AM - Leave Philadelphia
10:30AM - First Pit-Stop at one of the three MINI Dealers around NYC(Westchester MINI, MINI of Fairfield Co. or Prestige MINI, depending upon interest from the Dealers)and meet up with more MINI owners.
1:30PM - MINI Mystic Pizza Pit-Stop - photo ops and short jaunt through scenic Mystic, CT and meet up with more MINI owners.
3:30PM - Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich, MA - MINIs merge to view the J.K. Lilly Antique Automobile Museum and meet up with more MINIs owners.
6:30PM - Sunset Photos on Race Point, Provincetown, MA
8:30PM - MINI "Drag" Race down Commercial Street

13 September:

Details are being formulated, but our goal is to have a competitive MINI Scavenger Hunt around the Lower Cape, with an evening fun activity in Provincetown.

14 September:

There are two major events happening on Sunday, and if timing permits, we want to take advantage of both of them.

The Harwich Cranberry Professional Arts & Crafts Festival runs from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, and the Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta.

Hype it up to your fellow MINI enthusiasts, and let's have some fun!!!

Email me if you need additional information at laughscott@aol.com.

Lodging at several of the local B&Bs are being reviewed as we speak!

Cheers.

Scott

 

We have received confirmation from two MINI dealers to host our Rally (and I'm working on sponsorship of prizes!).

Otto's MINI will be our starting point on Friday, 12 September. Start your day off bright and early with coffee and donuts in West Chester, PA at 8:00AM!!! Our next stop will be hosted by Westchester MINI in Westchester County, NY for all those joining from NJ, NYC, Long Island and Eastern CT!

Thanks to Hugo at Otto's and Lori at Westchester!!

We've gotten a group discount from a chain of B&Bs in P-Town. More to follow on that soon!!!

Sign up, have fun, lets' Motor!!!

Scott

 

Well,

Either there aren't many New Englanders interested in Motoring along the Cape, or the planning is still too far in the future!

More news from the organization front.

We've secured a Host Guesthouse in P-Town (The Aerie House) that will be providing a Cocktail Party on Saturday Night (when we award the Scavenger Hunt winners) and is providing complimentary access for Car Washes (a rarity in P-Town) for all ROME Rally-ers.

Accomodations are being provided by http://www.provincetownfavorites.com, a network of 11 guesthouses. With a wide variety of facilities and price ranges, they are thrilled to host our group! Mention ROME in the comments section on their online registration, or when calling to obtain a 10% Discount at any of the Guesthouses.

Dinner reservations are secured at The Lobster Pot for Friday Night. While still gathering final details from the Judges, our Scavenger Hunt already has over 30 items, with the potential for 600 points through 4 towns (Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown). We've secured a photo lab to develop quickly for the awards and general laughs!

We're picking Stonington, CT as the stop-off point for all of our Southern New England Motorers to meet, a lovely restaurant on the harbor.

More details to follow, and Scavenger Hunt details will not be posted until the week before, so we don't have too many "cheaters" taking early photos (but cheating during the week-end of, is certainly allowed!).

We're waiting to hear from you!!! We have about a dozen cars so far, let's get this thing up to 40-50 MINIs, and take the Cape by storm!!

Drop me an email at laughscott@aol to confirm!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hello All,

Well, I think everything has been coordinated! Only one meeting place to be confirmed, but here are the details:

Friday, 12 September:

8:00AM Otto's MINI - West Chester, PA
10:30AM Westchester MINI - Elmsford, NY
12:30PM Skipper's Dock - Stonington, CT
3:30PM Heritage Museum - Sandwich, MA
6:30PM Sunset Photos - Race Point - Provincetown, MA
8:30PM Drag Race down Commercial Street
9:00-9:30 Dinner at Lobster Pot

Saturday, 13 September:

8:00AM Meet (location TBD) for Scavenger Hunt Rules
8:30AM Scavenger Hunt begins!
11:30AM Lunch - Beachcomber - Wellfleet, MA
2:30PM Scavenger Hunt ends-drop-off film at Aerie House
5:00PM Cocktail Reception - Aerie House
6:30PM Announcement of Scavenger Hunt winners
8:00PM Dinner at Licata's

Sunday, 14 September:

10:00AM Brunch at Bubala's
11:00AM Depart for Harwich Cranbury Arts & Crafts Event
3:00PM Depart Harwich for points home

I have a detailed agenda, with further details, and confirmation form. Please send me an email, and I will forward further details.

Cheers.

Scott

 

I realize I have posted in the Mid-Atlantic forum too for this event but I have to say it here too. This looks like it's shaping up to be a great event. Hat's off to Scott.
If anyone wants to come down and harass me on my home turf please do so.
The more the merrier.

 

Aw Shucks CCM,

You are too kind!! It's been a blast pulling this one together, and glad we can come up to your neck of the woods!!!

I used to have a house in Falmouth, so I've explored many parts of your "home turf"!!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Thanks to HARMINI,

I now know how to post pictures to the threads!!!

Thought you might enjoy seeing my ZOE in all her glory, on the day of her delivery!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Cool,

Four more New Englanders joining in for the fun, 2 from RI and 2 from CT!!!

Still two months away, and already 15 MINIs!!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hey Everyone,

I've been so busy with HARMINI and Pocket_Rocket coordinating the Bucks County Covered Bridges Rally for this coming Sunday, I've not been able to focus much on the Provincetown Rally!!

Still plenty of time, and looking to get my feet wet this week-end with this whole Rally thing!!

Been getting some private emails from you folks, have a few people added to the list that haven't posted yet here on the thread! Still sitting at around 15-20 MINIs so far!

Once Bucks is done, then there's the Downtown Philadelphia Photo Safari next week-end, then full-force focus on Cape Cod!!

So, who went to Litchfield??? Heard it was a hair-raising experience, wish I could have made it!!!

Looking for more takers in September!!

Post away, come along. September is beautiful in Cap Cod!! Just ask CCM (aka, Cape Cod MINI, aka Steve!), or otherwise known as a Grande Potentate and Visier!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hello Everyone,

Have quite a few threads to get this posted on, but we are only 1 MONTH AWAY from our visit to Steve's fair Cape Cod!!!

A few points for you:

1) We have had very few people actually BOOK their rooms at http://www.provincetownfavorites.com. This week-end is starting to fill up with regular vacationers, so PLEASE stop procrastinating, and get your rooms booked!

2) Still working with Otto's MINI and Westchester MINI for the Scavenger Hunt Awards! Will post the items when confirmed!

3) Our SAT night dinner location has closed (Licata's) permanently! Working on a new venue!

4) Two of the P-Town B&B Owners are members of the MINI family!!! Gary (from The Revere House) received his MINI last month, and Harvey's partner (from The Watership Inn) is one of the original MINI owners in New England! His vehicle was #189 sold in New England!

5) Remember to send me your confirmations via email once you've decided where you will be joining the caravan, and have secured your B&B!!!

Looking forward to next month!!!

More to follow shortly!

Scott

 

Everyone,

OK, we've painstakingly put together a plethora of Scavenger Hunt items, and look forward to meeting everyone in less than 2 weeks!!

Please note, Friday meeting places HAVE BEEN CHANGED!! Please email me at laughscott@aol.com for the particulars!

The Upper Cape abounds with interesting shopping, scenic National Parks & Beaches, a multitude of artists and great restaurants. It is your job, in the next six hours (that’s right, 6 hours!) to find as many of the following items along the four major towns!

1. Provincetown
2. Truro
3. Wellfleet
4. Eastham

The rules are simple, more points are awarded for more items found!!! Be creative and map out your strategy, because you’ll be Motoring with the best of them, and gallivanting around the Cape, trying to find the same things as your fellow Motorists. Some people may choose to go after the highest points, some may choose to start at the end and work their way back, and some may just have no clue!! You may notice, higher points are awarded for those locations further from Provincetown!

It’s all part of the fun!

The mid-day break is scheduled for 11:30PM, where we will converge for lunch, and to compare progress from the morning!!

All Motorers MUST be back by 2:30PM to drop-off your film at The Aerie House. We have been guaranteed that all film will be developed in 2 hours! Read to the VERY end, there’s an important caveat to your photos.

10 Pts. A photo of your MINI, a local police official (in uniform) and their vehicle. 40 Pts. maximum, 1 from each town!
10 Pts. A photo of your MINI in front of as many of the “Flower” cottages on Old Route 6A in North Truro. 50 Pts. maximum (yes, there are a lot of “flower” cottages!)
30 Pts. Motor up to historic Marconi Station, and discover where wireless communication began between Cape Cod and the U.K. in Poldhu, Cornwall. Prove that you too, were present!
5 Pts. Collect everything Rainbow, but… it must have the name of a Cape Cod business included. 1 item per business. 30 Pts. maximum!
15 Pts. A photo of your MINI and any large lobster-related item you can find (fake one’s only, we don’t want to endanger our future dinner!). 45 Pts. maximum.
15 Pts. A photo of your MINI and another MINI that is NOT part of the ROME contingency. 45 Pts. maximum (must be different MINIs).
10 Pts. Show us that you’ve seen the Provincetown landmark by getting a photo of your MINI with Pilgrim Monument in the background!
10 Pts. Any item from a Provincetown store with the Union Jack on it, receipt required!
30 Pts. A photo of your MINI in front of Highland Light, the oldest & highest Lighthouse on Cape Cod!
20 Pts. For the bird lovers in all of us, a picture of your MINI with “something” in flight behind you (be creative, it doesn’t have to be a bird!).
20 Pts. Find “The Secret Garden” in Wellfleet, and bring something home for your MINI and your garden.
20 Pts. “Drive-In” and get acquainted with the Upper Cape’s only remaining outdoor movie house! Be careful, on Saturdays, it’s hard not to get caught up in the Flea Market finds. Remember, you have more Motoring to do! Get a ticket-stub, or something with the Drive-In’s name on it!
20 Pts. Counter-balance your MINI with something from Moby’s Cargo on Route 6!
20 Pts. Collect a minimum of 5 items from Provincetown Business Guild Guesthouse members. Matches, Business Cards, Room Keys (could come in handy!) or other items promoting the Inns. Remember, you have to prove they’re a PBG member!
5 Pts. Show your pride with a sticker from Human Rights Campaign!
10 Pts. Recover after a long day with something from Recovering Hearts!
10 Pts. Scoop up your little memory of Cape Cod by bagging a bag of sand. Remember, don’t take the sand from the National Seashore Park!
20 Pts. Celebrate your British heritage by buying a six-pack of British beer. Remember, no drinking and driving, all six bottles in-tact at the end of the Hunt!
20Pts. While you are at it, change your preference to wine, and bring back something from Truro vineyards!
20 Pts. Celebrate your Pepper White MINIs (or any other color for that matter) and bring back some specialty pepper from Atlantic Spice in Truro.
5 Pts. One MINI Bic lighter (or similar brand, but keep it small in stature!)
10 Pts. Take-Out menus from three Provincetown restaurants.
30 Pts. Do you remember your First Encounter with your MINI, relive it by taking a photo of your MINI in front of First Encounter Beach in Eastham.
30 Pts. While not Dutch, celebrate your European heritage by taking a photo of your MINI in front of the windmill in Eastham.
30 Pts. Any MINI collectible found on your journey! Must have a receipt!
50 Pts. The most outrageous photo of you and your MINI. Points awarded to one Motorer at the SOLE discretion of the judges!

630 Pts. Maximum points eligible!!

Now, we realize that some of you may take a jump on the rest of the crowd. Remember, we get in on Friday around 6:30PM, and no-one said the Scavenger HAD to start at 8:30AM on Saturday morning, so cheating is certainly allowed!!!

Now, to make sure that everyone reads to the very end, there is one important caveat to the photographs. Due to the limited capability of the photo-processing lab, each MINI vehicle is allowed only 1 roll of 36-exposure film for the Scavenger Hunt. Take those pictures wisely!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hello Everyone!!!

Well, we could not ask for a more perfect forecast for Motoring around the Cape this week-end!!!

Friday: Mostly Sunny - Low 59, High 69 (for the ride North)
Saturday: Mostly Sunny - Low 61, High 71 (for the Scavenger Hunt)
Sunday: Mostly Sunny - Low 62, High 72 (for the Harwich Arts Festival)

Anyone waiting untilt the last minute to decide to come along, join in!!!!!

Send me an email at laughscott@aol.com!!!

Looking forward to a fun week-end!!

Cheers.

Scott

 

Scott,
Which bridge are you coming over and about what time? Bourne or Sagamore? If I can swing it I'll try and be around when you hit the canal to say hi.
-Steve

 

Hey Steve,

As we are coming from Providence, I thought we would come over the Bourne Bridge, then immediately cut along Canal Road to sandwish to make it to the Heritage Museum.

I wasn't planning on stopping, but if you want to wait by the Rotary, I can call you mobile when we are approaching the bridge, tehn you can "cut-in" and join us to Sandwich!!

Recruit more friends for Saturday!! Have had a few more sign-up for the day!!

Would welcome a call prior to leaving on Friday, believe you have my number, if not, send me a PM.

Cheers.

Scott

 

Hello All!!!

Well, as Steve mentioned, I had a very long trip directly after the P-Town Rally. I'm finally back in Philadelphia, by a very circuitous routing as follows:

P-Town to Falmouth to Boston to Paris to Nice (Sunday)
Nice for work (Monday to Friday)
Nice to Paris to Boston to Philadelphia (Friday)
Philadelphia to Washington DC (Saturday)
Washington DC to Philadelphia (Sunday)

Now, the photos have been loaded, go to the following:

http://www.clubphoto.com, then put in my email address (laughscott@aol.com) to view the photos!

So, the event was a BLAST! While the participants were small in number, they clearly made up in competitive spirit and creativity! As you will see, Steve and I (aka THE JUDGES) were heavily influenced by the preponderance of nudity in the winning "Most Creative" photo category!!

The locals (Harvey & JIM) did win, but it was a very close contest, and many of the participants got MOST of the points allowed!

Yes, the police were troublesome at some times, but at others were very supportive! My P-Town Cop posed beautifully, as you can see in one of the photos. She did say that, when I posted the picture to the web, to make sure everyone knew that she worked too hard, and didn't have time for dates!!

Everyone has asked that we make this an annual event, so plans will be made to do this again, third week-end in September in 2004!

Cheers.

Scott