MINI Meet in Philly?

[CooperSQT]

Would anyone be interested in forming a meet in Philadelphia that would include a drive on the Ben Franklin Parkway, Kelly Drive, Lincoln Drive and back, with a group photo on the top of the Art Museum's steps? Any ideas on this concept are welcome! Might be cool to get a photo on the top of the steps....

NEW UPDATE: 8/3/03
details have been finalized.

We are ready to go!
The meeting time is @9AM on Sunday, 8/10 at the Italian Fountain Circle, behind the Art Museum. We anticipate motoring NLT 9:45. The route has a few momentary stops along the way with great opportunities for photos and fun "grandstanding". We will end our run (approx 3 hrs) on Delaware Avenue @Cavanaugh's River Deck for brunch (on your own) and socializing, with parking on the adjacent pier so we can oogle our mini's. Unfortunately, Pat's/Geno's was WAY too crowded for Sunday lunch when we checked it out , (and Tony Luke's is closed Sun's) but a nice drive-by right before lunch may be in order!

I ask that you send a quick email to jhoff126@comcast.net for a "MINI count". Thanks and look forward to meeting everyone.
~Julie

NEW UPDATE 8/6/03
The count is up to 35 MINI's!

[tedgoldman]

I would enjoy that...I'm a new motorer and like to meet some other Mini-Maniacs as well.

So, we need a date (suggest a Sunday) and a meeting place...Are you suggesting that the cars gather at the top level by the steps? I wonder if the Museum folks would mind?

[CooperSQT]

Hey Ted, Yeah I was thinking that Sunday may be better for the traffic flow in that area. It would probablt be a good idea if we all met behind the Art Museum in the parking area by the fountain to start, then we could end our ride with a group photo at the top of the steps of the Museum. I have seen cars do it before at night, and limos for weddings. Why couldn't we do it for a quick photo op.? The Museum is open 10-5 on Sunday. The upper parking area is somewhat restricted. I'd have to call the Museum to see if we can get a photo there. If not, we can always do the photo in the parking lot directly in front of the museum, on the parkway. The Museum or Billy Penn could be the backdrop, either one! Thoughts? ~Julie

[wayneS]

Sounds like a lot of fun!

[teridrag]

Yes, it does. Good excuse to visit some family too.

[tedgoldman]

Sooo, Sunday Aug 10th @10am sounds like a winner...Meeting at the water fountain as Julie suggests is a good place to start....If the museum proves difficult to congregate for a picture, we could drive into the park....I wonder if we should plan a fun drive ahead of time....How do we get 25 Minis to show up??? Wouldn't that be a hoot!! Ted

[photon]

i'm interested.
sounds like a good time to rally around philly a bit

[lotoole3]

all for meeting up for pics and what not...

and definitely all for rallying around philly... we should devise a "parade route" and tromp all over the city... like up the river drives, through manayunk, through center city down market to penns landing, etc...

count me in and keep me posted... thanks for the heads up, CooperSQT!

[tedgoldman]

We could include the big bike route:
http://www.firstunioncycling.com/course_maps.asp

Ted

[CooperSQT]

That's an awesome idea! Just need to make sure we don't have all uphills, like they do for the bikes, maybe just reverse the arrows on that map? Cool! Thanks Ted! ~Julie

[Qamper]

Keep me posted on the developments....picking up my in 2 weeks....also a Center City resident


Thanks!

[sprocket]

Sprocket will be there!

[laughscott]

Already posted on MINIUSA, but figured I'd post here too!!!

I'm in!!!

Already talking with CooperSQT about trying to also get photo ops on the Camden waterfront, with the Philly skyline behind us!!

If you want to make it REALLY fun, we could have Photo Safari, whereby we ALL get photos in front of historic Philly landmarks, and make a day of it!!

Here's a few ideas:

1) Rocky Statue
2) Pat's Steaks
3) Independence Hall
4) Italian Market
5) City Hall
6) Memorial Hall
7) Art Museum (as CSQT suggests)
8) A Philly street vendor "go-cart"
9) The Kimmel Center
10) Moshulu
11) Valley Green Inn
12) 30th Street Station

Have I gotten your creative juices flowing???? Other landmarks welcome. We can them map-out the route, based on all the locations, and take the city by storm!!!

Scott

[Qamper]

Kelley Drive is a must on that list! Looks like a good run.

[tedgoldman]

Great Scott- yes my juices are flowing. And yes, I am in a mid-life crisis. But my gray hair looks great under my red Mini-Cap!!

I love all of the locations you mention. My only question is about parking so it isn't a pain.

There is some sort of lot in Camden near the aquarium where they do Auto-X. Could a spot on the river with Philly in the background be too cool?? And notice "Cooper Steet" in the directions!!

So the next step is to narrow down the plan...Ted

DIRECTIONS TO CAMDEN
From the NJ Turnpike, exit 4. Bear right onto 73 North. Then take Rt. 38 west (Follow signs to the Ben Franklin Bridge). About 5 miles or so bare right onto Rt. 30 West. You will be on Rt. 30 west for about 2 miles, As you approach the bridge you exit "Last Exit Before Toll". Then go about 4 Lights and make a Left over a small 4 lane bridge (2 lanes each way). The next light make a Right (Cooper St.). Follow this road all the way down and you will run right into the lot.

From Reading take the Turnpike East. Get off at 476 South and take that to 76 East. Take 76 all the way to town and as you approach Philly get in the left lane and take the left exit 676 to the Ben Franklin Bridge. I believe that it is the 3rd exit on the right for the Bridge. At the bottom of the ramp there will be a light turn right and that will put you right on the bridge. As soon as you go over the bridge stay to the right and make your first right into downtown Camden. At the T make a right and follow that all the way to the river and you will be in the lot.