Cellphones.....pshaw.....sigh.....I was so looking forward to using a REAL sat phone this year.

Matter of fact, I vaguely remember a 36 hour stretch in 2005 with absolutely no cell phone service along this route. it was someplace after North Sydney... Exactly where was that again?

P.S. I'm out in Washington State this week. I should have a chance at some pre-Winter run practice tomorrow through the Snoqualmie Pass. They are expecting first snowfall of the season. Woo hoo!

OOOOH! I drove through there last year. Lovely area. Good thing you weren't there last weekend, it was nasty!

Hey Folks...

Been away from the forums for a while. The MINI took a back seat this spring and summer while I got in some seriously delinquent motorcycling time, adding a few new pairs of wheels to the ACN stable.

I only have two weeks vacation time next year, so I'l l have to plan carefully. Depending on how the TDN'08 plays out, I'll be able to participate.

Folks, check out the TourMeister's website: ArcticMINI.com (http://www.arcticmini.com/potentialtrips.htm)

Ross has catalogued all the possibilities but held open others you may suggest.

Informal sentiment has been building for another go at St. John's - no blizzard will stop us this time!

If that's the case, rather than going down to Halifax on the way back, maybe a ride around Cape Breton?

A Cape Breton trip would allow for another ferry ride!
http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/thumbs/IMG_2085.JPG (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/IMG_2085.JPG)

Cape Breton has some nice driving.
http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/thumbs/IMG_2104.JPG (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/IMG_2104.JPG)

Also has some nice views besides the one you see in that Nova Scotia TV ad.
http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/thumbs/IMG_21051.JPG (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/1331/IMG_21051.JPG)

I put a link to the Cabot Strait Marine Forecast in the first post. Gales Expected!
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In considering the various trip options a quick review of the 2006 trips actual timing seems relevant, especially if you have limited vacation time.

The majority of us left our homes on a Thursday and met in NH to caravan to the hotel in ME.
Friday we drove to North Sydney NS, had dinner, and put the cars on the Minnow.
Saturday we cruised around in the Cabot Strait.
Sunday and Monday we drove around the Western Side of NF and put our cars on the Caribou Monday night.
Tuesday morning we split up. The majority went to Halifax. The minority went to PEI via Cape Breton.
Wednesday most of us made it home.
Total 7 days.
Here's a link to that Arcticmini 2006 trip prospective: ArcticMINI.com (http://www.arcticmini.com/2006faq.htm)

Time for a poll ?


Yes (http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/150273-tour-du-nord-iv-february-2008-a.html).

Yes (http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/150273-tour-du-nord-iv-february-2008-a.html).

I've created the Tour du Nord IV thread here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/150273-tour-du-nord-iv-february-2008-a.html

We'll decide by the end of December where we're going and then make plans, etc., there.

Well, I came tonight to post a shortlist and a poll, and I see I've been beaten to it. Goes to show you what procrastination gets you.

Anyway, here are the 3 trips proposed at our meeting last February, all detailed now at arcticmini.com

Trip Short List (http://www.arcticmini.com/2008shortlist.htm)

The shortlisted trips are:
Great Lakes Circle Tour
Return to James Bay - Moosonee and the Train
'Return' to St. John's Newfoundland.

Since 'Great Lakes' doesn't appear in the poll, I would ascribe it to 'other'.

Enjoy!

Ross

I'm closing this thread so that the final planning discussion will all be in the stickied poll thread (http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/150273-tour-du-nord-iv-february-2008-a.html).