Hampton Roads Club Mini

Glad everyone made it home safe.  We had a blast!!!  But I'm still pouting...I can't believe it's over and I have to wait a whole year for MOTD7. 

The event seemed a little more "grassroots" this year.  Not sure if it was due to the lowered attendance or what but I liked it.  Things seemed to be on a slower pace.  Very relaxing with still lots of fun stuff to do.

No!    But there was mention of the Table 1 from last year!   Hey, I got a pathtag for you!

Yup, yup...what everyone else said...
  It was a great trip and great weather.  Had a few hickups though.  About halfway up Jim hit something in PNUT and not only blew a sidewall out but bent the rim.  4 new tires and a way over priced MINI not-so-lite later ($160 for used dinged up rim) we were back on the road.  Jenn and I will be getting new rims for PNUT.  Also to add to the expense ledger was a Welcome to North Carolina Certificate.  Read here $150.  I was even behaving at the time (68 in a wide open and traffic free 55).  The state trooper said he had made up his mind that he was writing me up before he even got out of the car.  He was a young wet behind the ears pped off, bad mood, rookie I think.  A tree falling on a power line started several fires which added to the excitiment.  I did finally, after more than 2 years, got my stripes back on.  Super time up there.  Never once thought about work...maybe that was the Pink Tulips....hmmmm....burrp...hic.  Nope, didn't drive after adult beverage intake.  Oh yeah, I did score on Casino night.  Won a flip digital camcorder and a $50 Mini Mania gift certificate so I can't complain to much (thanks Jeff for eating up the bad cards before they got to me).  Jenn and I had a blast and it was nice to see West Coast MINI represented by JimSkater, JJ and Blair.
r/Marty

What a great time again this year! The weather was beautiful except for picture day where we all stood in the rain to have a snapshot of fond memories. But after a little nap the skys cleared up and off to the dragon we went.

The waterfall run was good this year since the skies were sunny. The dry falls were closed for construction, but the brides vail was opened for driving so everyone squeezed under the falls for a group picture. ( I know I will post them soon).

Casino night was a blast! I learned how to play craps after Roy and I walked away from the blackjack tables and could  not get back in. But it all paid off, we won the custom Waylen Shift knob and a nice blue fleece.

The fairwell dinner was late which opened the door for one last dragon run that me, Roy, Jim and Erica decided to take. It was really a good time except for Erica not feeling too well when we got to the bottom. Jim smoked Jenn's brakes on the way down so I can only imagine how bad Erica felt. On the way back up I guess I pushed my MINI too hard and the power stearing went out for a minute. I was really bummed since Jim decided to take it easy on the way back up and I had finally caught him.

Oh and the fire sale lane was really exciting and scary too. The fire was going up the mountian and ended about 100 feet or so from our cabin. Phew that was close. Then we spent the night with no power and part of the next day.

What a blast it was seeing everyone and the the Pink Tulips were awsome. We will be going back again next year I have already put a deposit down on the cabin again.

Jim if you want to come back again you are welcome to stay with us.