Ahh, you're in Utah. I didn't see that in your post. You probably have about 3 weeks then, which is about what I'm expecting for mine. We'll have a longer trucking time from the VDC to our dealers than our CA compatriots. I'm hoping the Isolde might show back up on the AIS system maybe this Saturday or Sunday. I'm not sure how close to the shore it will be as it goes by San Diego, which is the next place I think that I'd be able to get any info on it.

You can rest assured though, I'll be checking on a regular basis starting again this weekend . If you haven't already, you may want to say hello in the Week 26 Support group thread. That is where we initially started out at but we've branched out here for Isolde specific conversations.

If I can be of any help, just let me know. I freely admit that there is a lot I don't know, but I'm glad to share what I've been able to find out with my obsessive scouring of NAM and other things Mini .

 

Utah it is...and no, I'm not a Mormon...(sorry, I knew it would come out)...anyhow, I too feel like I'm on the ultimate scavanger hunt trying to learn all the tricks, prepare myself for all the noises and quirks...but now my husband is starting to feel like I'm cheating on him...with NAM of all things...(but he's cheating on me with his golf bag...) I don't think I did this much research when I was expecting my first child...and speaking of child, thanks to NAM I've been able to really see how safe this little car is going to be for our 3 year old...he'll be riding in style with me all around town...

 

My wife really enjoyed this quote from amazingrando in this thread.

She particulary enjoyed the PITA comment.

Yes, they are very safe vehicles to drive. There are countless posts and pictures here on NAM showing where a Mini sacrificed itself letting the occupants walked away virtually unscathed. The hold up very well in a crash and are nimble enough to help you avoid a lot of possible "incidents".

 

Hi Emily! Welcome.

I'd been pondering setting up some sort of twisty-road reunion for the MINIs of the Isolde. Didn't know if there would be any interest.

BTW: My name is Emily too

 

I'd be interested depending on the time of year and location.

 

My husband has always wanted to drive up the California coast...this could just be the right excuse to do it...and I don't see us going to the Dragon any time soon...but AMVIV is also a possibility...hmmmm...

Thanks for the warm welcome Emily...it's good to know that I'm in great company!

 

You guys do know there is a "Mini Dragon" in CA near Yosemite, right???

I know of lots of great twisties in NorCal from my Motorcycle adventures... I can hardly wait to take my MINI out to CA HWY 36 (look it up on a map).

** Note: this is in FAR Northern Cali... a great meeting point from the Bay Area and Oregon folks

 

FYI: http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/Highway36.htm

 

No, I hadn't come across any info on that yet, but that does sound very promising. Do you happen to have a link handy for info on it? If not, I'll do some searching around when I get home.

 

Check the link ^ Yummy. My Nirvana.

 

I'm definitely going to make a trip up there within a few months of getting my MINI. Will probably take HWY1/twisties up to Fortuna on a Friday and spend the night there, then spend Saturday doing 36 to Red Bluff and back (or maybe some roundabout way to Red Bluff and then take 36 back to Fortuna and drive home on Sunday.

 

Ah hah, I wasn't aware of the terminology. I thought you were refering to a scheduled event in that area and not the road itself .

Yes, that does look like it would be a fun motoring experience.

 

Oh, IC... now after rereading the series of posts, it may have sounded like I was saying there is a MINI - mini dragon event. Nope. Was just trying to share that there are some totally awesome motoring (motorcycling) roads in the Pac. North West.

Maybe some of us will get to meet up for a motoring adventure someday

 

So is anyone else going as nuts as I am thinking that our MINIs will be on dry lond in 3-4 days? :impatient This wait is killing me esp. now that other week 26 people are already driving theirs

 

Yes, it is difficult. :impatient

 

I'm there with you guys. It's so hard for me espcially since my current car, a GTI, is choking out on me. I'll be writing a review/my experiences about the transition.

It's going to take a tad bit longer for me as well since I ordered some dealer installed options =(. Slowly but surely.

Where do you guys plan on going first? I plan on going home to San Diego, cruise the coast, and possibly stop to eat if I can even stop for a moment. If any of you are familiar with San Diego there's a nice curvy road called Otay Lakes road which I'm planning to do laps on. The view is pretty so I'll be sure to take pics to share with you guys.

 

My first trip will actually be my trip home . It's about 125 miles or so one-way. After that my next big trip would be up to WA the last weekend in August to visit with family.

 

Document and share your trip! Even if it is just home!

 

What part of WA, I'm from Everett and have not been home in about 5 years. I may take a road trip up with the Mini and the Spyder before winter.

 

Intendoe, please tell me more details how to get there, San Diego is my first trip from Orange County. And then may be Yosemite park or Death Valley.

I assume guessing to pick up Mini Rocket next Saturday.

All the co workers are waiting to see mine.

 

I'll be headed over to the Aberdeen/Hoquiam, Cosmopolis area (along the coast) first to visit with my mom. Then I'm headed to Olympia/Lacey to visit with one of my brothers.

 

I haven't made any firm plans on a road trip yet, though I know I will do a weekend up north and take a ride in motoring bliss on CA 36.

I have started planning the long way home from the dealer in Mountain View, up into the Santa Cruz Mountains, out to HWY1 and then up to my home on the Peninsula. Should be some great photo opportunities on my est 114 mile drive home.

 

Otay Lakes road is no where as long or as spectacular as that one stretch of mountainous road north of azusa passed the 210.. I don't know what its called but it's very curvy... I remembered reaching some height before I decided to make a u-turn and head back. Now that was awesome. Otay Lakes road is just a back road that's about 5 miles in length that I take from my house in Rancho San Diego over to East Lake. That's pretty fun but doesn't last long. Take the 805 freeway going south exit telegraph canyon road east and just keep going. After the residential zone you'll see otay lakes on the right and enjoy.

I honestly think that if you're in SD you should just cruise around the coast like La Jolla; the view is awesome and I'm pretty sure you'll get lots of attention. Don't forget to grab some Phil's BBQ while you're down there =)

 

I know everyone is anxious for an update. She still isn't back in the AIS system. I'm hoping maybe sometime tomorrow or early Monday. But then I'm also being optimistic that she'll make Port Hueneme sometime on Monday before my trial subscription to AIS runs out.

Hmmm... I wonder if a stay logged in if they'll kick me out when it expires . I guess I'll find out!!

 

Thank you for the instruction.

The Azusa Canyon area indeed is good place to drive around (twist roads). I was up there last Saturday and saw a bunch of bikers and police who enforcing the laws . I think I drove 200 miles that day in my 986S.