Planning my cross-country trip...
Yes, it's true, I *finally* ordered my new MINI. :grin::grin::grin:
Anyway, it should hopefully be arriving in Chicago around early-mid May. I'll be flying out to Chicago to pick it up and then make the long drive (with my friend) back home to Seattle. I'm starting to plan out the trip, and also make sure I have enough time to take it easy for the first 1000 miles and do a proper break-in. I'm looking for suggestions on things to do/see/drive/meet/go while on the way back. :thumbsup: Thanks! |
:grin: Congrats, o-ron! I haven't roadtripped that route, but I suggest that you post in the various regions you plan to pass through and connect with other MINI folk along the way! That has been a great source of pleasure for me the past 3 years....good luck! :grin:
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You can do I-90 all the way back to Seattle. One point of interest along that route is Devils Tower in Wyoming and the Black Hills in South Dakota...
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Well you have to drive Lake shore drive heading north out of the city, it is a series of tiwsties that goes on and on and has one really tight spot. A drive along the Fox River is nice (esp. down by St. Charles), going around some of the closer suburbs there are some nice intustrial parks you can twist through. Any town with the word Barrington has some good tiwsties. A trip into WI and you can find some nice twisties and hills. Lake Forest has some good tight roads just off of lake shore drive. Woodstock has some good roads that connect sub-divisions. There is a thread of good Chicago drives, but I can't seem to find it right now. Also on your way west Galena has good tiwsties and if you go further north along the Minnesota WI border there are some fun mountains to drive through. Definately check out the CMMC club hompage for a list of events and people to meet. I'm heading back to Chicago some time in May, but don't know when just yet, I should plan my trip back to meet some NAMers.
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Originally Posted by C4
You can do I-90 all the way back to Seattle. One point of interest along that route is Devils Tower in Wyoming and the Black Hills in South Dakota...
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Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons and Mt Rushmore are all highly recommended stops along the way.
If you want to engage in one of the most thrilling drives of your life in your new MINI, I highly recommend to climb up the majestic Big Horn Mountains in Northern Wyoming and check out the mysterious and beautiful " The Medicine Wheel Passage". Absolutely breathtaking views and a great work out for your MINI. Warning: This is not a drive/road for people that get easily scared! http://www.wallpaperdave.com/wmwp07.jpg http://www.byways.org/library/displa...eWheel_map.gif Wyoming Highway 14A, known as the Medicine Wheel Passage, rises from the Big Horn Basin to high elevation rangeland. Named for the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, the Medicine Wheel Passage celebrates the rich Native American history and culture of Wyoming. With the panorama of the Big Horn Basin and Absoraka Mountains in the background the Byway provides a unique and informative view into the spiritual qualities of ancient history. Just as its name implies, the Medicine Wheel Passage has always been much more than a byway, it is a passage |
Originally Posted by o-ron
Yes, it's true, I *finally* ordered my new MINI. :grin::grin::grin:
What did you end up getting? Or did I miss that post? Congratulations! Paul |
'06 DS/B/B MCS LSD, Sunroof, SP+Webspokes, Cruise/MFSW, H/K, G/B Lette, Silver/Chrome interior, and black carpet floor mats for free :lol:
These are great suggestions! I've seen Yellowstone and Jackson Hole and Mount Rushmore, but it's been a long time since I saw Mount Rushmore. I've *always* wanted to see Devil's Tower, but never have. I like the "twisty road" suggestions, except that I probably won't be utilizing them to their full extent until 1,000 miles :cry: (montana area..??) Also, I'm wondering what the recommended mileage for first check-in / oil change is, since the last dealer until I get to Seattle is in Minnesota. THANKS! |
Originally Posted by C4
If you want to engage in one of the most thrilling drives of your life in your new MINI, I highly recommend to climb up the majestic Big Horn Mountains in Northern Wyoming and check out the mysterious and beautiful " The Medicine Wheel Passage". Absolutely breathtaking views and a great work out for your MINI. Warning: This is not a drive/road for people that get easily scared!
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>>>I've *always* wanted to see Devil's Tower, but never have.<<<
Me too. "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" really gave it the mystique for me. One day... Congrats on your new MINI. That drive home sounds like a great way to break it in. Enjoy! |
THe Badlands in South Dakota is great too. Black Hills has alot of excellent roads.
Justin |
Originally Posted by o-ron
Also, I'm wondering what the recommended mileage for first check-in / oil change is, since the last dealer until I get to Seattle is in Minnesota.
THANKS! Enjoy the trip! You might want to see if you can find a spare used tire/wheel in Chicago to stuff in the back. You're going a long way in some sparsely populated areas. It's not likely that you'd suffer a catastrophic tire failure, but ask Averywo, who just got stranded in Lone Pine on the way back from AMVIV... MINI roadside assistance will help, but that's no help if you're not in cell phone range, and the MINI tires aren't always in stock. You may also (or alternatively) pick up a set of tire plugs and a small compressor. |
Good point about the spare. I'll ask my dealer if i can have a an old used spare for cheap (or free).
I presume that since I ordered my upgraded 17" web spokes through the manufacturer, that the 16's aren't coming across on the boat... (?) Good to know that the oil change is at 10k. However, I thought it was good to do an oil change after the break-in period to clean out all the "gunk" that's rubbing off during that period?? :confused: |
Some folks do that for piece of mind - others say that mfg tolerances and processes make such practices unneccessary/out of date. Even if you wanted to to that, 2K isn't too late.
If you're really anal, pick up a filter and a jug of Castrol (or your favorite synthetic 5W-30) and have it done on the road. Beware, though, the Jiffy Lube in Bozeman likely will not have done a change on a MINI, and be mystified when they have to put the oil filter in the canister. Given the possibility of the unanointed screwing something up, I'd say you're better off waiting until you get home!:nod: |
Originally Posted by C4
You can do I-90 all the way back to Seattle. One point of interest along that route is Devils Tower in Wyoming and the Black Hills in South Dakota...
Once you get to the badlands, they're worth a look. The Black hills have some beautiful roads. Don't miss Spearfish canyon, going into Spearfish. The Devil's tower isn't far from there. From one of my motorcycle buddies when I was planning a trip out west:
Chuck in Indiana |
Originally Posted by Chuck in Indiana
From one of my motorcycle buddies when I was planning a trip out west:That ought to get you close to home.. :thumbsup: Got plenty of time??:lol: Chuck in Indiana now i just need to find all that stuff on the map... :wink: |
Originally Posted by o-ron
awesome - thanks!
now i just need to find all that stuff on the map... :wink: It's a great unit...I have nothing bad to say about it. Never get lost again :) Nice car btw! Paul |
Going into detail...
So i'm planning out the detailed route I'd like to take.. and I'm wondering about specific side/back roads getting out of chicago and heading west.
The easiest thing i can do is hop on 94/90 and head west, but i'd rather get some varied driving in for best break-in procedure. Any specific roads/destinations i should build in to my route between Chicago and Mount Rushmore? Thanks! |
Originally Posted by o-ron
So i'm planning out the detailed route I'd like to take.. and I'm wondering about specific side/back roads getting out of chicago and heading west.
The easiest thing i can do is hop on 94/90 and head west, but i'd rather get some varied driving in for best break-in procedure. Any specific roads/destinations i should build in to my route between Chicago and Mount Rushmore? Thanks! You know who would be a good person to ask... Gabe, the founder of www.motoringfile.com He posts here in NAM (Look him up and send him a PM). Gabe did a similar roadtrip back in 2002 with his first MINI from Chicago I believe all the way to Denver (Obviously much closer than Seattle) but I believe he followed a route similar to the one you planning to have. He may give you some routes, tipsa, etc |
Thanks! :thumbsup:
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"X" marks the spot
Thanks to EVERYBODY for all your great suggestions, tips, and help!
For those interested, here's my trip all laid out on yahoo maps beta: http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/#maxp=loc....305803&mag=13 WARNING: This link opens a pretty processor-intensive map as yahoo calculates the whole trip on the fly... I'm thinking about blogging the trip, and if I do, I'll post an URL before I leave. I fly out this Wednesday (th 24th) :grin: Can't wait... :impatient p.s. if anyone has suggestions/changes/comments or wants to meet me somewhere along the way, let me know! |
Nice route. Wish you happy travels and a safe return home.
Can't wait to see your pics. |
This looks like a great route. We went the opposite direction last year and covered a lot of the same territory. If you have time I would VERY STRONGLY recommend Yellowstone (the whole loop) and Grand Tetons. Jackson Hole is a nice place to spend a night....unless you've already seen those two places. The other recommendation is to visit Badlands...although you can see part of this from the highway as you're driving past.
Have a great time. Looking forward to a post-trip report. |
I'd have to recommend a GPS.
Looks like it's gonna be a blast, motor on. |
I-90 will take you all the way to seattle. BTW, That is a GREAT way to get over the break in! It'll be over before ya know it!
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