mini-MINI caravan from Western NY to Yankee Candle caravan

[Pamlico]

Update - 14 May 07

To date the following have signed up:
- Yellowmininy
- Gegalle
- Rogue Cooper
- Venno (jumping in around Syracuse after a quick flight back from taking aerial pics at the departure point)
- Pamlico

Also: We'll meet around 10:20 / 10:30 AM and plan to hit the road at 11AM.

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Tried to put this together last year but due to health problems in the family things got disorganized and it never came off, so we'll try again.
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There are a few hearty souls from this god-forsaken region that will be attending the 2007 edition of MOT. Plus there some even heartier souls from even further West that seem to planning on heading there as well.

Might be fun to gather as a mini-caravan and go en petite masse to South Deerfield, MA, on Thursday, 14 June. Next morning join up with Theo's YC caravan.

A good place to meet for this is in Bushnell's Basin, a hamlet located just off the NY State Thruway. Specifically, at the Oven Door Bakery whose owner conveniently has a MINI.

For those living further down the line we'll be taking the NY Thruway and would be able to work out a way for us to meet up as we pass through your area.

Bushnell's Basin is a decent place to meet as there is parking, a couple of gas stations, and several places to grab something to eat before leaving or to have in the car. For those coming from faraway, there are also a few hotel/motels in the immediate area as well.

There are several places to spend Thursday night in South Deerfield. The most convenient is a Red Roof Inn which is located literally next door to the Yankee Candle.

The drive to the Yankee Candle is about 5 hrs / 315 miles. It's a relatively boring drive, highway all the way, but it is possible to deviate from the direct route and head up to Route 2 in eastern NY and then take that road across the top of Massachusetts to a point only a few miles from the YC. This provides a much more scenic last leg to the trip along fun roads (including a 180 degree hairpin turn) and through a great forest. Since this portion of the route is on smaller roads, it would add approximately 45 minutes to an hour to the drive.

Regardless, the goal is to arrive in time to allow us to meet Theo the BBQ dinner he's planning on Thursday evening (dinner details found here - scroll down a bit). We should arrive in the YC area early enough to allow unpacking and a brief rest at the hotel before meeting Theo.

If interested, please send me either a PM or email.

For Google Earth enthusiasts, the coordinates for Bushnell's Basin are 43° 3'42.05"N / 77°28'37.70"W.

- dl

[yellowmininy]

I'm interested!

[Pamlico]

Does two make a caravan?

[yellowmininy]

Well, it's a 100% increase over last year's.

[rfinprc]

Wouldn't 2 be a really mini mini-MINI caravan?

[GBMINI]

I registered two cars in Ohio today, one is from MINIdoMore - is that location caravan-compatible?

[1DER]

I would be interested in meeting up near Utica... would that be possible?

[yellowmininy]

1Der, I'm sure we can figure out a way to meet up- maybe at a Thruway rest area? 1Der, do you have any specific plans yet for the Cedar Point stop? If you do, the Chicago & Ohio folks might want to hear- I think some of them are also coming to see family on the way to MOT.

[Pamlico]

IDer, we'll be heading right down the Thruway so a Utica merging shouldn't be a problem at all.

Ian, if the Ohio folks are planning on jumping on the NY Thruway anywhere up to the Rochester exits they'd have no problem in joining in from the beginning. If they got on further down the line we could all join up wherever they would like.

- dl

[yellowmininy]

It depends on how far south they are in Ohio whether they are likely to come up 80 or 90. All are welcome to join in, if anyone decides to take a scenic tour of Erie PA and join us!

[bbreon]

Thanks Ian for thinking of us! We will be bringing two cars, my wife and I and the kids in the MCSc and my folks in the GP (those lucky ducks). BUT, we are renting a house in Bar Harbor the week before, so, we will actually be doing the Cadilac Mountain to Mount Washington thing instead!

Sorry to miss the caravan guys!

Brent @ MiniDoMore.com

[Theo]

Quote: Originally Posted by bbreon (original)

Thanks Ian for thinking of us! We will be bringing two cars, my wife and I and the kids in the MCSc and my folks in the GP (those lucky ducks). BUT, we are renting a house in Bar Harbor the week before, so, we will actually be doing the Cadilac Mountain to Mount Washington thing instead!

Sorry to miss the caravan guys!

Brent @ MiniDoMore.com

Brent,

Glad that you will return to MOT for more fun and social abuse! I'll be a customer of yours by the end of the month.

Will you be a Sponsor again this year? If so, am I to assume you will be bringing the hitch/trailer setup again this year? If so, we will want to make sure you have a spot at the Loon Lot (when you arrive from BH) in "Sponsor Row" and at the MOT Tent at the Auto Road.

Theo

[1DER]

OK, YMNY... Here are my details so far... not sure where else to post it

Anybody interested in a mini MINI meet to ride roller coasters? I will be arriving in Sandusky, Ohio late Saturday, June 9 and going to Cedar Point Amusement Park on Sunday, June 10. Several MINI owners from the area and far away who are not going to MOT are meeting me there. Anybody else interested?

[yellowmininy]

I'll probably not be able to get any farther than meeting you in Buffalo at the Parkside candy store, but it sounds like fun!

[gegalle]

Hey, I'd like to meet up in Bushnell's Basin to head up to MOT with everyone. Any idea what time on Thursday you'll be leaving?