Day 2 - Charlotte

Charlotte wasn't quite as early a start as yesterday and we were there right at 7:30 to get to the Motor Speedway. We were lined up in the infield.

At least 5 more rows came in after this photo was taken. The gentleman in the center was kind enough to unjam the center console storage for us and I thanked him with a sticker. His car is the Countryman in front of me with the Cookie Monster wave on the boot. We were allowed to make a lap around the track and I was able to go a little faster this time, something over 70 but I'm not sure. I went up the embankment quite a bit and nearly passed the Countryman in front of me but I didn't want to be rude.

Getting out of the track and onto the route was a little more challenging than yesterday. I had to pull over twice to make sure we were going the right way but once we were on our way, it was smooth sailing. Mom and I were on our own for a bit until we caught up with a group that we were a part of for quite a ways. I was grateful for Mom's navigation today because the group missed a turn that she called out and I had several minutes of fun twists and turns without a single car on the road with me. We even saw a doe and fawn, that thankfully darted out of the road when they heard us coming.

After making our way to Pittsboro for a pit stop, we ran into some friends and made some new ones and then decided to not follow the rest of the route sheet, but make our way directly to Richmond. We were running a bit behind and we wanted to get into town and checked into the hotel. We had a nice little three car caravan going into the outskirts of Richmond from there and it was nice to have some company.

I also want thank the RVA MINI group for arranging for the ghost tour we took tonight. It was entertaining and we learned some history along the way. It was nice to get some walking in after being in a car since 7 in the morning!

Today, we started listening to the audio book of Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone. Mom has never read the books (I don't think she's seen the movies, either, for shame!) so I figured this was a great opportunity to get her hooked. I also have Book 2 if she likes it - I think we'll have the time.

Today's Route (Note: I thought I had posted the official routes from Mini, but it looks like if I use any directions in my phone, it overwrites them. I don't know - maybe I'll sort it out when I create a story map at the end. Stay tuned for that!)

Day One - Atlanta

Arriving at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this morning was a like a kid coming downstairs on Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get going! We missed some of the early morning festivities because of a slight misunderstanding of the times for the event, but we we made to make a lap around the track. I've checked the video and it's great - I just need to cut it down to a manageable size before I can post it. I'll make an announcement when it's up. But the lap! It was so great! Since we were in the back there was plenty of space between cars but I still couldn't open Snoopy up as much as I wanted. I topped out at 65 but it was still really fun!

The drive through Georgia was fun. Since we were towards the back, the people we passed along the way were out and ready to wave. We stopped in Sparta for lunch (Subway) and were wished safe travels by the locals inside. They were all very interested in the trip and thought the cars were neat. I think we really overwhelmed these towns as we passed through.

Because of our later start, we were later to the Surprise & Delight in Ridgeway, SC. The line wrapped around the Tea Room's building and it was a little too sunny (I know, what a hardship) to wait outside. We opted to motor on to our hotel in Charlotte. Our hotel was close to the evening event location - the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

We ran into a bunch of the friends we've made along the way and I learned a lot about NASCAR. The museum has some hand's on exhibits where you can test your skills as race driver and that really shows you how difficult it is. And the team work that is involved to keep the cars running. I have a new respect for NASCAR.

Along the route, Snoopy rolled 73,000 miles - we've been keeping track of the mileage but forgot to check the end today. I'll add a table when I get a chance.

Today's Route:

We Have Landed in Atlanta!

Today was a long day of driving. I think, one of the longest of the trip. But I'll get to that in a minute... first, let's talk about New Orleans.

The staff at the hotel worked with us to have the car pulled up and ready for us before 6 AM and a cart for our luggage as well. We wanted to stop at Cafe du Monde before heading out of New Orleans. Thankfully, they're open 24-7 and street parking was free that early in the morning. We ran into folks getting gas and were able to rendezvous with the rest of the group.

Mom and I fell in with a group of about 8 other MINIs and we headed out to Birmingham. MINI of Birmingham was sponsoring a lunch for folks passing through to Atlanta, so that was convenient pit stop after 5+ hours of driving. And we got a nice swag bag (I got a nice mug) before heading on to Atlanta.

I picked a hotel in Fayetteville because it's closer to the Motor Speedway for the morning call. But then I realized that a lot of the folks from The Walking Dead live in Fayetteville, so I'm on the lookout for Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun. :)

Mom and I dropped off our stuff at the hotel and headed back into town to check in and get some dinner. We stopped at Ponce Market and grabbed our lanyards and swag bags before heading to the famous Varsity for a quick dinner. We had to sample their amazing onion rings and we saved some room for ice cream.

Heading back to the hotel was a bit of a challenge as the on ramp was blocked by the police and protesters but Google Maps navigated us around it and we were on our way.

I checked the trip odometer on the way back and it's around 1235. I'll have better numbers once we get on the road tomorrow.

Look out Charlotte, here we come!

Edited to add:
We drove through 4 states today: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. I think that's the biggest block but there may me another group of 3-4 when we head home.

Made it to New Orleans

Mom and I made it safely to Houston yesterday - we made excellent time and Snoopy made his appointment at MINI of the Woodlands. They were very friendly and topped off his fluids and gave him a nice bath. While we waited, Mom and I checked out the latest models on the floor. They had a new JCW hardtop that the sales man said they've had trouble selling because it's a manual. What a shame. If I was looking for a new car - I just paid Snoopy off about 2 weeks ago - that would be my dream car. So pretty. So much power.

We met up with other motorists from Houston and parts west in the morning to head towards Louisiana. It was a long day on the road but was rewarded with some tasty libations at the Abita Brewery & Tap room. I found out that in addition their beers, they also make sodas, so I had to try their root beer. It was excellent and it was interesting to learn that they have a hard root beer too. I've never seen it so I had to have a sample before the tour started.

Mom and I headed across Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans to check into our hotel. While the Holiday Inn in Houston was new and very nice, the InterContinental near the French Quarter is very swanky. The staff went above and beyond to answer our questions and help get us arranged for the morning, since we're leaving so early. And I got a great deal on the room, so even better!

We made our way to the Garden District because I couldn't come to New Orleans and not go to District Donuts. I've only been stalking them on Instagram and drooling over the donuts every day for the last few months. They also serve sliders, so we got a couple of burgers and waffle fries to go with our donuts. On the way there, we walked past the house featured in American Horror Story - Coven, so I can officially say I went sight-seeing in New Orleans. 

We going to Cafe Du Monde for the practically mandatory chicory coffee and beignets early in the morning to beat the crowd and meet up with the rest of the group. Then we're on to Atlanta where the real adventure begins!

Bridges crossed:
Over the Sabine into Louisiana
Over Lake Charles
Baton Rouge, over the Mississippi
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

10 Days Out

It’s getting so close, I can hardly contain my excitement. I spend last Saturday with the Austin Mini Cooper Car Club at Eurocharged Performance ATX. They were offering a special on the dyno and I succumbed to the peer pressure after watching the others get tested. Even a Classic, which got 60 HP, by the way. AMCCC had a bit of a competition so I wanted to see where Snoopy fell in the group. Since Snoopy is 5 years old (and now fully paid off) and fully stock parts, I was curious how it’d perform. Snoopy placed pretty solidly in the middle of the pack with 178 HP and 209 TQ. Not too shabby! I think the new stickers might have added a few extra horses. :)

MINI USA posted the route sheets so I’ll be embedding the maps into the pages as we go so you can follow along! I’m excited about all of the small towns we’ll be passing through and the pit-stops that they have arranged for us.

And, today, thanks to a generous donation, my Feeding America fundraising is over $200! I’m at 41% of my $500 goal. Thanks to everyone that has contributed already - a little goes a long way - each donation provides up to 11 meals for people that food insecure. So even $5 provides at 50 meals! See the Feeding America link to the right for more details.

This time next week, I’ll be heading to New Orleans!

The Countdown is on...

We're 19 days out from the official start of Mini Takes The States 2016 in Atlanta. My car, Snoopy, is essentially ready. My brother and I added all but one of my decals this weekend after I spoiled Snoopy with a full detail. Well deserved, I believe, after 5 years of service.

For the uninitiated, or those who haven't spoken with me in the last few months, MTTS is a two-week biannual cross-country drive. I participated in a few stops during the last trip and I'll be doing the first half this year. So that's Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St Ignace, and Green Bay. My mom will be my co-pilot and we'll be trying to document as much as we can along the way. I hope to post pictures, videos, playlists, pit stops and mileage along the way.

Additionally to all of the fun, Mini has partnered with Feeding America. Collectively, we hope to raise $75,000 and my personal fundraising goal is $500. Please follow the link on the right to make a contribution. Every dollar helps provide 11 meals, so every little bit can make a big difference!