I'm really excited as I will be heading out (probably) tonight or first thing in the morning for Springfield, IL from Phoenix. Just me, the Mini and the iPod. This will be the first trip of any distance in the Shortbus and I'm looking forward to the bonding experience.

Former record for the straight through drive stands at 23.5 hours. We will see if that can be beat with fewer fuel stops. Love the all night drive so that will be the highlight for me. I compiled a 9 hour playlist of loud and trashy music for that leg of the trip. Will try to post some photos upon return.

See y'all in a week and a half.

 

Good luck on your trip and stay awake.

Please do post pictures. We all want to know how comfortable you think the MINI is as well.

I drove mine for 8+ hours one day after just getting it and find it to be very comfortable.

Again good luck and waiting for pics.

 

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of naming your car, but Shortbus is by far the coolest I've heard of.

Enjoy the roadtrip!

 

I think its awesome too!

 

Via con Dios and please sleep when you need to! Have fun, too!

 

That is a heck of a trip! Safe travels!

 

Be safe and enjoy the scenery while there is daylight!

 

Shortbus is my favorite name also.. Have a great trip...

 

Be keerful. We're doing the same in a little while, two of us though, the iPod, Sirius, and enough crap in the back to rival the Beverly Hillbillies. We'll compare notes!

 

Wow! I'll stay posted! We will probably drive from Harrisburg to Disney this coming spring, so I want all the details!

Plus, I have a three hour drive home once I purchase my Mini!

 

Motor Safe

 

Safe travels my friend. Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

Donna

 

May be force (and smooth but twisty roads) be with you.

p.s. I think you might have caught fire with the Shortbus reference. I like it!

 

Just got back. Sorry to be so long winded but here it goes.

I have returned and very happy to report that the Clubman long distance experience was the most comfortable trip I have ever made, bar none. Now if I could find a desk chair that matches the comfort of these seats, life would be a wonderful thing. I arrived on each end of the journey refreshed (well, as refreshed as one can be after 24 hours behind the wheel) with no stiffness, aches, back pain or anything else that usually accompanies a long trip.

On the trip heading back east I got started a bit after 5:00 PM. I saw three Mini's within 5 miles of leaving the house (one captured in a pic) and never saw another one the whole trip there. I got the night driving out of the way early on which I prefer and caught the sunrise in eastern Texas close to the Oklahoma border. It took three tanks of gas to make the trip with ranges in the area of 500+ miles per tank. Leaving Phoenix, the first gas stop was in Moriarty, NM, second in Tulsa and the third in St. Louis, which I drove on the entire remainder of the time I was in Illinois. Final mileage on the trip east was 40.0 mpg as it kept inching upward along the way.

While in Illinois I got to visit with my parents, run into a lot of old friends and get out and see a few sights locally. Oh yes, and eat a lot of good Midwestern (fried) food.

Heading back I started out on Friday morning about 9:30 with the last remnants of the rain from Gustav still drizzling. The skies finally opened up to blue around Springfield, MO and were pretty much clear the rest of the trip. On the way back I crossed paths with 4 Mini's including a Red Bull Mini in Tulsa but I was too slow on the draw with the camera to get a shot. The trip was smooth and passed quickly as I arrived back home in Phoenix about 7:00 am Saturday morning. Return mileage average was 39.3 mpg. Return stats courtesy of Garmin were total average speed of 67.4, moving average speed 70.3, total time 23:47, moving time 22:47, and stopped time, 59 minutes.

The Clubman proved to be an extremely comfortable vehicle for long distance travel. The general interior layout is very convenient and everything I needed during the trip was easily accessible. My gearhead friends were extremely impressed with the car. I ended up driving everywhere we went because everyone wanted to ride in the Shortbus. Tall folks in the back seat, no problem. I packed about twice the amount of cargo on the way back but had plenty of space to spare and was still able to achieve a clear line of sight out the back windows through the mirror. I never cease to be amazed by the fun factor of driving the Clubman, even after 24 hours behind the wheel I was ready to jump back in and go for more. Now I'm wondering, is there any way to get a full time job driving a Clubman? Mini USA? Anyone?



The cockpit all set for travel.





First encounter- yep, he waved.






Flagstaff skyline






Rearview sunset






Texas sunrise






Oklahoma bugs- the only thing more annoying were a few of the drivers encountered in this state





Crossing the bridge into Illinois






40 MPG!






No shortage of cats






All cleaned up and ready to go!






On the old Cascade Bridge






At the Starlite Restaurant in Kincaid, IL






At Lake Sangchris






Illinois country sunrise






One more






My folks' house






From the gardens at Washington Park in Springfield






Another garden area






From the rose gardens





The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon






Another section of the park






One of the many beautiful old homes surrounding the park






The Old Illinois State Capital Building






At the Illinois State Fair Grounds for the Ethnic Festival






Highlight of the Ethnic Festival was The Screaming Vatos on stage. Great Santana and War songs meticulously covered. I went to high school with two of the band members







Shortbus passengers enjoying the band






Large owl flying across the front yard






First time in the rain






First leg of the trip back pretty much looked like this






Highest mpg of the trip






Oklahoma wind generators







Texas evening storm brewing






Texas sunset






Arizona sunrise






Perfecting the Mini shadow shot






Back home, final mpg




Thanks for viewing and enduring!

 

Woo Hoo - you made it back safe and sound! What a beautiful pictorial tour - thanks for sharing your trip with us. Glad to hear the Clubman did not disappoint you....

Donna

 

This is quite possibly the most fulfilling thread I've ever read. Thanks for the pics!

 

Thanks for sharing the adventure and great pics -- esp those with the Clubman ; ). I was born in Illinois and the pics of the capital made me think back to my junior hs trip there. I too am glad to hear that you loved all the time in the Shortbus.

 

Very nice trip pictures. I can see why you call your Clubman the short bus.

 

great pics thanks for sharing. Cannot wait to take our drive from LV to LA when we bring our Clubman home from Mini Of LV.

 

Great write-up! Thanks for the travelog!

 

Nice pics! I am really glad to hear that the ride was comfy out and back! My biggest problem with cars is that a lot are not comfortable to sit in for more than a 5 minute drive! Can't wait to get mine and take a long trip or 3!

 

Welcome home! So glad you had a good trip with Shortbus! Thanks for the pics!

PS-- I just got back home from 4 days in Phoenix. WOW is it ever gorgeous there! Stayed at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa. Totally fabulous!

Here's a pic of Friday night's sunset.

 

Thanks for sharing your pics of your trip. Really cool to see parts of our great country.

 

Thanks LadyGodiva! Glad you enjoyed your visit. I do like Phoenix. I came here for a vacation, three months later I moved. No job, no friends, just out of the blue. Twenty five years later I'm still here. The sunrises are pretty choice too! This one is from out front of my house.

 

Love the travelogue - thanks for sharing it!