Then we flew over the reefs and saw the Iron Wall where US Airspace ends. We could not go farther and turned back.



Kenny drove us to the Port and we checked if any of those ships have a helipad or any suitable strip. Remember that picture from previous post?





Time is up, looks like the Orange Bird ate our hard-earned dollars faster than we expected. On the way to the airport I saw my MINI. MINI saw us too. She is right there where the arrow points.



Landed so smoothly I could not even feel the touch down. Good job Kenny! Thank you Orange Bird. We will be back some day.





The next crew from Germany was already aboard.

 

The day after next it was time to leave the Key. Those couple days flicked like NY minutes. Last view from the window



Last shot



After we checked out a beautiful long legged blonde left front desk and came to us. "I am building my MINI online now" she said, "it will be red cabrio with that package and that roof and this..." Jessica if my memory still serves me. She sat in my MINI and ohmygoshed it, she drives a truck on daily basis. Good luck to you nice lady.

Then I position my MINI on Duval Street for a farewell shot.



And we left.

 

The way back was lot of fun too. We drove well rested and planned to drive about 6 - 7 hours that day. Missed a toll on Florida turnpike, some lane signs are confusing during road work. They do not accept our EZpass either. So do we theirs SunPasses War of states?

I remember ronnie948 advised always keep the tank over 1/4. Well, I was disciplined to a point, then decided to stretch a bit till next gas station. And that next station was almost in the middle of Alligators Valley. Boy I got scared, drove using the most economical regime thinking how I can get MINI roadside assistance here in Everglades. Made it. The Micco Tribe served the gas. Not pricey but half of pumps were not accepting international plastic. Payed inside with cash.



Parked next to a retro.





Took a bite, bought a crocodile souvenir and stepped on accelerator again. Next stop will be Lakeland Regional Airport. Sun-n-Fun airshow.

 

What? No picture?

 

Enjoying the show, keep em coming...

 

I feel as though I went with you on this trip. I really like the pictures as well as your great captions. I'm happy you had a good time.

PS: I'm sure glad you did not run out of gas.
Ronnie948

 

Forgot to put film inside the camera Would be great addition to "Girls in MINis thread". Hey ACE, I may have incidental business in your area late Oct, do you have any MINI related events in your woods at that time? Sure fall colors are great in Maine.



... Arrived at Lakeland Regional Airport after 7 pm. It's nice to have right connections. I signed up to volunteer at the show but could not get my credentials, nice gent in his late 80s was not able to find paperwork. One phone call and a golf cart was heading in our direction with a coordinator (it was margarita time for her btw ) Got pass for the MINI and wristband for myself for free but my co-pilot had to separate with a hundred dollar bill that night because foreigners cannot volunteer Somebody else pitched a tent for me in area 462 two days ago. I was all set but Sergey needed a ride to a Ramada he booked a room there. It became dark by the time we arrived at his hotel and I was tired. The room he booked was actually for two. Shame on me, I pitched the tent for one and had only one sleeping bag and air mattress. But the temptation was so great to stay in comfortable room after long drive that I surrendered. I was worried about MINI but there were several guardians outside. Take a look what do ya think? Are those bodyguards able to keep my MINI safe?







They did great job. MINI was smiling at me early morning ready to shuttle whoever I choose wherever they go.

 

 

Little quiz here. There are three things down there -a Hot, Hotter and the Hottest. Which one is which? ( Guy to the left not counted )

 

The fall colors are great in Maine, but LATE October is pushing it. There will still be quite a bit of color but it will most likely be past the peak by at least a week or two. The closest thing we would have to a MINI event would be the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Here is a link to their activities for this year:

http://www.ohtm.org/events_2000.html

Not specifically MINI related and it will depend on how late "late" is. It can be downright cold that time of year. Not unforeseen to have snow then, or temps in the high 60's, but not the best car show weather. But there are plenty of roads to drive with the MINI kicking up leaves. Let me know where in the state you will be and maybe I can recommend a route for you to travel.

 

On the way home we planned one more stop in Georgia. Drove two hours, stopped, then couple hours more. Got hungry, asked TomTom and he recommended this restaurant. Soup and steak were good.



The platz was huge but no minis were observed. Circled two times.



Then while approaching Cumming we saw that car. My MINI screamed from joy switching to lower gear and getting one click closer. Not sure that car saw us.



We stopped for the night in a wonderful place at great location. Hidden among Georgian hills by a lake there is a place with Three Chimneys. Absolutely beautiful views even rainy weather could not spoil the impressions. Stayed at this house. First time in my life I saw original Guinness Record Certificate on the wall in living room.



Multiple projects are under way in this house but related to motoring was the only one - converting this Mazda to a racing car. Young fellow, the owner's son, was installing a Corvette engine on it. The body was gutted and everything installed will be redesigned. Suspension, reinforcements and so on and so forth...







Great house, lots of impressive things inside, hot tub, cool beer, good sleep. What else we need on the road .

 

Next day we never saw the owners. They left very early. We slept till 8 am and then left. In this house there is an iGate ( a server captching APRS beacons and sending them to the Internet). After we left and missed a turn to the Mall of Georgia, a phone called we were asked for the reason of diversion and politely reminded of next U-turn. KGB at work



There was a muscle guy sitting low and driving slow.



There were Big Peach and welcoming Virginia with Carolinas in between.





Then Motel number 8 or 6, or it was a super hotel with those numbers, I forgot. I only remember it was by Washington, DC and deodorant was strong.

Next afternoon we saw Empire State Building and in couple hours I unloaded my Co-Pilot at JFK Terminal 1, Aeroflot Airlines was not affected by volcanic ash they fly via North Pole.Our timing was good.





Will run numbers for mileage and gallonage and post tomorrow.

 

The trip took 10 days as was initially planned. Total mileage was 3,300 and change. MINI consumed 93 gallons of premium gas cost was $280. I paid half and my co-pilot paid his half.

We met 1 MINI Club and half a dozen Minis on the road. One of them was cute pink classic pickup, zoomed toward us on a long bridge by Key Largo. Not too many of them on the roads I think. MINI definitely attracts attention everywhere and traffic stays where MINI is. I am very pleased MINI performed flawlessly and never let us down. The next long trip will be NYC-Wisconsin at the end of July. Will start planning soon.

Drive your MINI long distance! Care of her. If you good to MINI, MINI good to you.

 

3,300 miles-93 gal of gas=35 1/2 mpg

Real world gas milage and a fun trip for you and your friend. I still say I feel I was along for the ride due to your great photographs and story line.

Thanks until the next trip

 

Great travel log Looks like you guys had fun, I cant wait to take a long road trip like that - never gone over 1000 miles round trip in a car

 

This was an excellent thread. Perfect doesn't even begin to describe it. Great job.