MINIsOnTop (June 17th, 2006)

[NoNo]

Attaboy, pass the buck. You've got management material written all over you.

[Theo]

Just as we did in 2004 and 2005, we will be forming a MINI caravan to MOT 2006 from among those interested folks in New England and points south and west. Last year we had almost 40 MINIs in the caravan and had a great time.

To facilitate the merging of folks from disperate regions, we will have two different meet-up points with all the MINIs merging for a final run to the White Mountains. Eastern New Englanders will most likely want to gather at (Rest) Area 51 on I-93 north of Concord, NH, western New Englanders, New Yorkers and the Mid-Atlantic folks will most likely want to gather at Yankee Candle in western MA.

The Yankee Candle folks will meet on Friday morning at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA (conveniently located on Rt. 5 just off Exit 24 of I-91 in western MA) and drive up to Area 51 in NH via a mix of interstates and back roads.

The Area 51 Folks will meet on Friday afternoon at Rest Area 51 located 15 miles north of Concord, NH on I-93. The Yankee Candle Caravan MINIs with merge with the MINIs at Area 51 and head north for some wonderful driving to the Town and Country Motel.

The non-stop driving time from Yankee Candle to the Town and Country is about 4.5 hours. However, to allow the MINI caravan to regroup (I'm guessing that there will be some MINIs that will want to drive faster than others!) and to allow any eastern New England MINIs to join us at "Rest Area 51", we will divide the drive into sections; between each section we will have a break for food, rest rooms and refueling. Thus, actual elapsed time will be about 5.5 hours for the Yankee Candle folks and about 3.0 hours for the Area 51 folks. We should arrive at the Town & Country before 6:00 pm.

I will start a sign-up thread on MINI2 in the next month or so. I will also set up this year's version of the MOT2005 Yankee Candle & Area 51 website. To see last year's route and assorted information go HERE.

BTW - thanks to Harvey Relihan and Chip Slattery for their work in organizing last year's Area 51 gathering and providing me was a lasting memory of the event! Are you lads up for it again this year?

Thanks,

Theo

[chs4]

Quote:

BTW - thanks to Harvey Relihan and Chip Slattery for their work in organizing last year's Area 51 gathering and providing me was a lasting memory of the event! Are you lads up for it again this year?

I'm with ya'. Just let me know what I can do to help.

[MINIRANDOLPH]

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah everyone. See you on top.

[bethandlouis]

So I can keep up with this thread I need to post now!!! This year will be the continuation of the dog/cat goodie bags. There will be a separate pet registration form that will travel with your official MOT Registration that will need to be filled out in order to get a pet goodie bag. I have already started to amass a collection of things to make the "bags" this year. And am in the process of procuring doggie toys and cookies. ( I start really early!)

Last year we had some unregistered dogs, luckily some really nice folks forfited their bag to go to dogs that were there.

We will have bandanas again this year. They will be included with the doggie goodie bags and we will also make an overrun so that there will be some for sale. A lot of people wanted extra bandanas but I didn't have them. This year I will, but I don't know for how long? (The bandana thing still has to be worked out just like the t-shirts)

That is all-WOOF WOOF

[AprilWhine]

Got my hotel reservations!

[GBMINI]

Hotel reservations are a good idea - especially if you plan to stay at the Town & Country; ask for the MINIsOnTop booking and get a preferred rate ... but we only have about 40 rooms blocked

[AprilWhine]

Thanks for blocking the rooms Ian. Rate for a cheap room this year is $82 per night.

[Pamlico]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

Thanks for blocking the rooms Ian. Rate for a cheap room this year is $82 per night.

I emailed about rates back in early November and was quoted $84/night (+ 8% room tax). I subsequently called and made reservations in mid-November and got a rate of $74 / night. Didn't mention MOT, but perhaps they saw the event scheduled and figured anyone making reservations 7 months in advance must be with the group.

[AprilWhine]

You got lucky. I specifically said MoT, and she said the $82 rate was the one negotiated by Ian. No big deal, it's an ok rate.

[Pamlico]

Must be the dulcet tones of my voice that mesmerized the person at T&C to give a lower rate. Threw in free meals as well.

[jwardell]

Don't forget the secret meeting in the steam room.

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pamlico

Must be the dulcet tones of my voice that mesmerized the person at T&C to give a lower rate. Threw in free meals as well.

You flashed your cleavage, didn't you?

[Pamlico]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

Don't forget the secret meeting in the steam room.

That was SUPPOSED to be a secret.

[Pamlico]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

You flashed your cleavage, didn't you?

I owe it all to my microcomputer.