HRMINI

Okay gang.

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Reservations are made for the July dinner at the Virginia Diner for Saturday, July 25th at 6:30

Virginia Diner Restaurant
408 County Drive (US Route 460)
North Wakefield, VA 23888
1-888-VADINER

Menu:
http://www.vadiner.com/t-diner-lunch.aspx

Start signing up!

Dave and Kathy (SKARGO & 2FUN4ME)
x UHOH x plus hubbie
Dale + 2 (MAACODALE)
Chuck & Sheri (CSBLACK4)
Jeff (Warped)
Steve and Elaine (BabyBMW)
Laurie and co-pilot (MiniK9)
Terry, Wendy & Allison (Misbehave)
Bob & Paula (Simbob)
Adam (JumpinJackFlash)
Henry & Herriet (mini_itch)
Nancy (Goldie)
Erica (Sneezy) and copilot


Optional Predinner Drive 4PM - Let's meet up at the old South of the Border on Rte 258 just across the James River Bridge at the south end (Smithfield side) at 4PM. We'll hit the road at 4:30 sharp. I've found a route of about 48 miles that should run us about 1 hour and a half. That should allow us time to stop and smell any roses along the way and still get to the Diner with time to spare, but not much.

How to find the old South of the Border - well it is now closed so I cannot locate the exact address.  Here is the best I can do.  Look up the address for the Sonic at 13450 Carrollton Blvd, Carrollton, VA 23314.
  Map to Sonic (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115854986884834286034.00046db86ae3896598e8b)
 If coming from the North (crossing the James River Bridge - South of the Border is the first deserted parking lot on your right after you pass RaceTrack gasoline.  If coming from the South, Follow Rt 17 (Carrollton Blvd) past the Sonic on your left.  It is only about a mile or two on the left.  If you see the RaceTrack you went too far- turn around in the parking lot.

I already know I won't be able to attend said dinner. On second thought, maybe I could convince Allison that it isn't that important that I be on time at our wedding at 7pm. I'll get back to you on that :-)

Maybe that's not the best idea ever. I'll be in Emporia, the wedding is at 7pm. I am very very excited and looking forward to marrying my best friend. I'll have to miss this one. :-)

Um...yeah, that's probably not a good idea to RSVP to both events.  Congrats though!

Believe it or not, I will actually be able to make this one!  Ya'll might not know me, but I was one of the random stragglers who joined up heading to MOTD.  My husband and I will attend!

Hey, it'll be good to see ya come up! It was cool hanging out with y'all on the parkway this weekend. Bring more Tar Heel guys up with ya!

OH! And sign me up + 2!

I'll work on a route if y'all wanna do a run over to wakefield. Anyone up for a Ferry ride?

I love the Ferry  :038:

Yes, I'm up for a ferry ride!

This is so not  :009: fair!  I've not  :009: been able to make any gatherings lately.  :088: June's dinner is a no go since we've had a trip to PA scheduled for months with Hubby's StangMafia group.  Now July's dinner is a no go because of Mustang week in Mrytle Beach, SC with his car.  I think his :075: car is involved in entirely too much drive :044: time and fun gatherings lately.  :076:

Ah, and you all are doing the ferry ride too.  :022:  I love the ferry rides. :023:  Someone take lots of pics to post.  Everyone have a blast and stay safe.  :023:

Hi everyone..... It has been awhile since Sheri and I have been able to make any Mini events, with my work and back surgery it has kept us very close to home.  Please add us (2) to the VA Diner list.  We look forward to seeing and meeting everyone!  :038: Thank you.....

Marriage is a partnership AND ITS YOUR AND YOUR MINI's TURN!!   :062:

I'll be attending this one too.

Jeff the dinners just ain't the same when you ain't there! Regina lets me get away with more when I have an accomplice. Glad yer attending.

We'll do our best to attend. And maybe ride the ferry both ways. :045:

 Thanks Dale!  :icon_mrgreen:

Sounds like a plan, please add me to the list and I might have a co-pilot.
Laurie

Please add Terry and Wendy.....maybe Allison  :icon_razz:

Please add Bob an Paula to the dinner. Looking forward too it.

from what I can see, that area has some boring dang roads on that side of the James. I'm looking at meeting up on the peninsula up near Lee Hall and hoping on the Colonial Parkway run over to the Ferry for a nice little ride then on down to the Diner. Probably an hour or so from start to finish. Might trek over thata way this weekend to check out the roads.

If that sounds like a plan or if y'all want some changes let me know!

I'm not sure if I will make it.  The national air show in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin starts that weekend.  We may be flying out that morning.  I will post an update when I find out the exact time frame.

Yep sounds like a plan!

AW hope yall have a great time! Looks like another fun one I'll miss. We'll be in GA!

Here's the drive plan for the VA Diner;

Meet up across the James River Bridge at the old "South of the James" lot (or there abouts) and do some back roads over to rt 460 and the Diner.  But wait, it ain't over after dinner! How about a little ferry trip, then down the Colonial Pkwy to Yorktown and some Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry's.

This way those that want to just meet up at the Diner or head home right after dinner can do so. For those more adventurous or with a little more time on their hands (and maybe more room in their belly) the after dinner run might be fun. While the runs up and back might be a little "spirited" it won't be fast. It's all about the ride after all.

Dale sounds great.  Dinner reservations are at 6:30 

What time should we plan to take off from South of the James.  I'll add the time and starting spot to the beginning page of this thread so all details will be in one place. (or can you as moderator? either way)

Sounds GREAT Dale  :038:

We are flying out Sunday, July 26th for the air show.  So, please count me in for this one!   :023:

Another father-daughter bonding time.  Count us in.....Henry and Herriet! :038:

I'm back to maybe.  The other plane going up has cancelled, and there is no room for me on the King Air.  This means (gasp!) I may be driving the Mini for the 2nd time to Osh Kosh!  This means leaving early Saturday morning.

I posted a message of at River City MINI's board about the dinner. It would be great to have some of them meet up with us since we're fairly close to some of them.

For those of us unfamiliar to the aera can you give directions to the meet-up place?

It'll be right across the James River Bridge on the right. There is a gas station right across the bridge, that ain't it. However, just past that is the old "South of the James" convenience store that's closed. If that lot is good we can meet there. If not, just past that is a brand new shopping center. I plan on heading over there in the next few days and checking things out. I'll let y'all know then.

And of course, those not wanting or unable to make the drive over, you can always meet us there.

I added them to the original first post.  The place is shut down so I did the best I could.  It is very country there, so there really isn't much for landmarks. 

Dale, the parking lot at "South of the James" has good pavement for a meeting place. I drive by there ever day to and from work.

Steve is bang on. The parking lot is perfect for our meet up. The lot is about half a mile past the Racetrac gas station.  I also did part of the drive and while there isn't anything like the Vineyard Run, there are some nice roads and good scenery. I hope to make a run through the rest of the run to the diner, at least to 460. I'll try to do that Thursday or Friday.

The run over the ferry is pretty straight forward, so that isn't a problem. Only down side, Ben & Jerry's in Yorktown closes at 9 on weekends. I'm thinking ice cream ain't happenin'.  :088:

BTW, I saw a segment on the VA diner on the Food Network's Drive-in, Diners & Dives over the weekend. I can't wait.

Dale,

Maybe we could look for an ice cream place in the Williamsburg area for an after dinner treat......  We could maybe make it there before closing depending on the ferry schedule/timing.

Hey Dale, Check this out !  There is a Brusters Ice Cream place at 5289 John Tyler Hwy. in Williamsburg, and they are open until 10pm. on Saturday's  :038:  This address is just about directly along the route from the Jamestown/Scotland Ferry.  What do you think ????  Check it out @ brusters.com   I say we go for it !!!

WOO HOO  :038:

 :icon_cry: Sorry guys can't make this one either. I will be at VIR you guys have fun and eat some ice cream for me.  :039:

I have a run mapped out that's entirely different than my initial route. Google maps looks like it's more fun and I know some of the roads from prior road rallies. So don't forget, South of the James at 4PM, we're off at 4:30. The route should run just over an hour. Maybe an hour twenty. But better twisties and less flat straight sections.

And just to keep me outta trouble, I made sure times are the same! Kathy ain't gonna get me again! :080:

I won't be able to make this one, either.   :icon_cry:  Kinda sucks since I suggested going to Va. Diner.  Well, at least I will be checking out the scenic mountains of Virginia and West Virginia on my way to the air show in Osh Kosh.   :icon_cool:

Change of plans - not going to make the run/dinner.  Enjoy.  Look forward to the pic's.
Laurie

I'm going to try to make it, on my own this time. No promises, however. A lot depends on things beyond my control.

Nancy

Dave and I have a funeral to attend in Williamsburg.  I think the timing will be too dangerous to make the run, but we will meet you at the restaurant at 6:30

I will be there...possibly with a co-pilot if she's available!

I think I'm going to bow out of this one.  I have a TON of stuff to do, including detailing Tug.  He hasn't had a good bath in over a month!  I know, I know...  I'll be behind the woodshed waiting for my beating...  :090:

 :075:

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You simply CAN'T back out now!!!

I'll be at South of the James at 4ish and hit the road at 4:30. I don't care if it's just me or 50 other MINI's. It's a good route and I'm always up for that. But if ya'll can make it, by all means do so!

Either way, I'll be at the diner by 6:30!

Kathy and I will be there for dinner, but we won't make the run :icon_cry: We will be coming from Williamsburg after attending a funeral. Looks like we will be having two ferry rides today :icon_biggrin:

Well, if ya didn't go ya missed a great dinner at the VA Diner. We only had 7 MINI's show up of which 4 made the drive over. We started out at the old South of the James lot and headed out through the back roads. Running through the small communities of Rescue and Battery Park and some nice water views. After that we headed up to Smithfield and made a left onto Jericho rd. Not really sure why it's still paved with bricks, but always makes for a nice ride. Following that we headed across Rte. 258 and headed to the backroads. Going past some nice farmland and houses, but most of all there were some nice corners thrown in for fun. Finally, it was onto Rte. 460 for a straight 4 lane run up to the Diner.

Once we met up at the Diner we had time to chat for a while before getting our table. We did meet up with a gentleman from the area with a nice red R56. We chatted awhile about all the great attributes of MINI's and he has definitely logged some miles in his. He said he travels with his dogs, one of which is a Rottweiler. That alone should fill up a MINI! Hopefully he'll stop in and join up soon. ODDKIN stopped in as a surprise and had dinner with us. I can't vouch for everyone else, but my fried pork chops were great, Dave had grilled pork chops and they didn't stay on his plate long either. Christy ordered the scallops. At first she ordered the small portion of 4 ounces, but was quickly talked into the larger portion (dad had a hand in that). They were great, I did get "1" as she threatened me with a fork if I reached for more. I didn't. As the waitstaff were picking up the plates at the end of dinner, I did notice most were pretty empty. Seems the VA Diner was a good choice and their home style cooking was a favorite. If you're ever in the area, I'd suggest stopping by.

As we departed, a ferry run was planned back across the James, but alas, only us and Dave and Kathy in Apollo took that option. The plan was to hit Bruster's for some ice cream, but as we enjoyed our ferry ride it was becoming obvious to Dave time was against us. It appeared the ice cream would have to wait until another run comes that way. However, the ferry ride was very cool and relaxing after what was one of the hottest days in a while. I had the great idea to make a trip down the Colonial Parkway, but it was closed right at the entrance by Jamestown festival park. That too, would have to wait for another day.

So with all said and done, and full bellies, we motored home. We didn't have as many join us at the diner, or on the run, as I had hoped, but we did get to spend some quality time with HR MINI members, hopefully recruited a new member, had a good ride over and back and had a darn good dinner.

I'll get my pics posted up soon.

You did an excellent job with the run Dale.  Even when on some back roads that I haven't be on. By the way I cleared the road for y'all down to Surry. :017: on our way back to Smithfield.

Sorry Dale, If I had known you were planning on a Parkway run I could have warned you off. It seems that a boat did a hit and run on some bridge supports at Queens Creek. The Parkway is closed until they can determine if it's still safe to drive on, but the news that I heard sounds bad. a VDOT inspector said it was lucky that the bridge hadn't collapsed  :120: They haven't found the offender as of yet, but I'll bet his boat is a MESS !!

Had hoped to see a few more members attend this dinner, but Kath and I enjoyed the company a lot and it was a nice way to finish off what was a very stressfull day. I'm sure you know what I mean. Thanks again for all you do to help arrange these get togethers  :038:  Had a look at Apollo in the daylight this morning. We killed a LOT of bugs last night, and need to clean the car AGAIN  :120:

Dale - Pics??

(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03041.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03042.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03040.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03035.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03038.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03037.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03036.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03043.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03046.jpg)
(http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w336/kathy4051/2009-08-03047.jpg)

Working on doing an upload. The new camera doesn't seem to like photobucket or vice versa. Will figure it out this week...hopefully. If I get time......

You could try my wip....?  :wink:

http://www.bloodvayne.com/hrmini/index.php (http://www.bloodvayne.com/hrmini/index.php)

Still has a workload ahead of it. But it is usable after you register.

Great pic Kathy. :023: