[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.

[sprocket]

How about Centennial Hall/Fairmount Park or even Valley Forge Park?

[collibosher]

just don't get lost if you do the camden thing...keep your GPS tracking systems on..

[CooperSQT]

Hey Everyone, Just thought I'd give you all an update on developments thus far. The date for the "MINI meet" will be Sunday, 8/10 at 9AM. Originally, in the poll we were listing the time as 10AM. The reason for the change is that the Art Museum opens at 10AM that day and it was recommended that we snag the parking area behind the museum early. The area we are meeting is called the "Italian Fountain Circle", behind the Art Museum and to the left of the new Lloyd Hall recreation building. We should be able to park our MINI's around the circle of the Fountain with overflow if needed in the adjacent parking lot. Also, we can park along the curbs leading to the fountain area. The gathering time will start at 9AM, with an expected "exit" time sometime shortly after 10AM. Between 9-10, we will hand out maps for the drive around Philly with an itinerary for photo ops and a stop for lunch.

As a result of communication with the Fairmount Park Commission, we are unable to take a photo with a group of MINI's at the top of the Museum's steps as originally thought. However, we DO have access to many other park areas that would be very cool. It was suggested that we add a drive to the Belmont Plateau and we have a great photo op there with the city as a backdrop. I have acquired many other suggestions, (GREAT ones from Scott ) some of which we will add to our day. TBD

That being said, I will post mssgs weekly to keep you all updated on definitive plans. I am working with a few of you on the itinerary already, anyone else who has ideas, please don't hesitate to drop me an email (jhoff126@comcast.net)...can't wait, this will be a blast! ~Julie

[CooperSQT]

Hey Everyone, Just thought I'd give you all an update on developments thus far. The date for the "MINI meet" will be Sunday, 8/10 at 9AM. Originally, in the poll we were listing the time as 10AM. The reason for the change is that the Art Museum opens at 10AM that day and it was recommended that we snag the parking area behind the museum early. The area we are meeting is called the "Italian Fountain Circle", behind the Art Museum and to the left of the new Lloyd Hall recreation building. We should be able to park our MINI's around the circle of the Fountain with overflow if needed in the adjacent parking lot. Also, we can park along the curbs leading to the fountain area. The gathering time will start at 9AM, with an expected "exit" time sometime shortly after 10AM. Between 9-10, we will hand out maps for the drive around Philly with an itinerary for photo ops and a stop for lunch.

As a result of communication with the Fairmount Park Commission, we are unable to take a photo with a group of MINI's at the top of the Museum's steps as originally thought. However, we DO have access to many other park areas that would be very cool. It was suggested that we add a drive to the Belmont Plateau and we have a great photo op there with the city as a backdrop. I have acquired many other suggestions, (GREAT ones from Scott ) some of which we will add to our day. TBD

That being said, I will post mssgs weekly to keep you all updated on definitive plans. I am working with a few of you on the itinerary already, anyone else who has ideas, please don't hesitate to drop me an email (jhoff126@comcast.net)...can't wait, this will be a blast! ~Julie

[tontobird]

A drive to the Belmont Plateau should include a stop at the whispering wall. It's some sort of curved monument that if people are sitting at opposite ends, the curve of the wall will carry their voices. It's been many, many years since I've been there. Parking shouldn't be a problem. Anyone know of what I'm speaking?