Greetings and Salutations my fellow Mini and MINI bretheren.
This thread is being created for everyone to raise there hand and say "YES, I really do want to have an awesome weekend following a train of Mini's up and down hills and around fierce bends, enjoy awesome comraderie, perhaps see some not often seen sights, bask in the glory that is the annual changing of the leaf colors, and enjoy (hopefully) good food the weekend of November 7th - 9th."
Why that weekend? Because that's when a few of us have said that's when we'd like to do it, that's why.
So, first things first... Who and how many in your party? Are you bringing a pet?
Our route will be decided in true Mini Motoring style... meaning we'll whip out a map and figure it out later!
We will first find a hotel in a location that will serve as a quality base camp for Friday and Saturday night. Then we'll make Saturday the real day for driving.. we'll leave early, we'll stop often for pictures and sightseeing, and we'll pack on some really great miles, we'll stop for lunch, we'll drive more... we'll be good and tired at the end of the night when we have dinner.
Sunday will be quite optional for you... take the highway home, or we'll find a route that brings us on the backroads of Virginia all the way into town. No one has been disappointed in the past. No matter what, judging from past events, it will be a fantastic weekend of motoring, laughing, smiles and thrills which we'll talk about with fondness for quite some time afterwards.
So who's coming with me?
(Updates will be made in this first post as we go)
Fall Run 2008 November 7th - November 9th
- rooms for Friday the 7th & Saturday the 8th Saturday morning fed and ready to go by 9 am... meet in the hotel lobby. From there, the group will depart for the days driving/events.
Approx. 34 people & 5 pets as of 9/14/08
* Tentative
1. F15eWeapon - Ben, Sean, Franklin, Dario
2. The 'haves - Terry, Wendy, Allison
3. Maacodale - Dale, Regina, +1
4. Kleine deutshe Auto - Rachel, Greg, 2 Bunnies
Wish you could make it
5. ODDKIN - Colleen, Steve, 2 K9s
6. Lelane
7. accentz - Roy
8. BabyBMW - Steve, Elaine
9. ibwacko - Jeff, Sky(Nucknfuts)
10. awood279 - Angela, Neal, Andria
11. Uber Blu - Erika, TBD
12. VT MINIFAN - Karen, +1
13. Mini S Pilot - Donia, Bill
14. Jumping Jack Flash - Adam
15. MNI LIMO - Steph, Don
16. peppergrl91 - Elle, Amy
17. TaiChi - Terese, +1
18. MiniK9 - Laurie & Sydney
We'll miss you
19. TheJoeKell - John, +?
Hope you recover quick
20. Wareped - Jeff
21. AprilWhine & Fuzzy
* Slim Bob - Bob & Paula
Okay just hung up with Days Inn so on your mark get set and make reservations. 023
Days Inn 540-586-8286; 540-586-4435http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=13119&brandInfo=DIAsk for Kathy Wright between 7am and 3pm she's very nice.
Just let her know you're from the HRMINI group from the Hampton Roads area.
Group rates are for a min. of 10 rooms and she can block the rooms for us.
$126.62 including tax for the 2 nights
- Our property is located on 3 acres with beautiful views of the peaks of the Otter Mountains.
- On Site:
- Mexico Viejo Bar and Grill
- (10% discount for hotel guests)
She did say the drive to Smith Lake back up to Peaks of Otter is about 2 1/2 hrs like google maps said. Figured if we left the Inn Saturday morning that would be a full day of driving and exploring. The attachment of the google map on first post is just an idea and those route leaders out there please feel free to tweak it if you know the area or pick out a nice way to go home or do some Sunday playing for those that don't need to rush back. I'm just along for the ride and pretty pictures icon_razz
If you could just post here after booking your room that would be great so I can keep up with head count for min. rooms and maybe asking if they could also block off parking for us. Don't know if they can, but I'll ask as time gets closer.
Just some shots for a taste of what we might come across in our adventure:
Idea #1 and also attachment at bottom of post for Idea #2 which might be the same as #1 not knowing the area.
Fall Foliage Driving Tour - Bedford County
Saturday:
A - Days Inn
http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=13119&brandInfo=DIB - Bedford Visitors Center -
* for tweaking of days events
http://www.visitbedford.com/C - Moneta
D - Smith Mountain Lake
http://smith-mountain-lake.com/E- Halesford Bridge
- Lunch/Supper/Dinner?
Fallon's Restaurant:
Smith Mountain Lake’s Most Award Winning Restaurant
Fallons is located on Route 122 or Booker T. Washington Hwy. on the east side of Halesford Bridge, in Bedford County
http://www.fallonsrestaurants.com/menu.aspx#F - Peaks of Otter
- Lunch/Supper/Dinner?
Lake View Restaurant
For a wonderful dining experience where the food is great, the view is spectacular, and the prices are too good to be true.
http://www.peaksofotter.com/rest_lakeview.htmlG - Natural Bridge - If there is time 023
http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/visit.htmlH - Back to Days Inn
Sunday:
I - D-Day Memorial
http://www.dday.org/index.php?page=hoursThe above is based on this:
VDOF Recommended Fall Foliage Driving Tours
From Rt. 460 in Bedford, take Rt. 122 South to Moneta to begin the tour. Roundtrip from Moneta, this scenic tour covers approximately 35 miles.
* In Moneta on Route 122, travel east on Rt. 608 about 10 miles to the Bourassa State Forest.
* Travel back to White House intersection on Rt. 608 and turn south on Rt. 626.
Go about 2.1 miles to Smith Mountain Lake State Park entrance.
* Continue another 3 miles on Rt. 626.
* Side routes: From Moneta, travel south on Rt. 122 about 4 miles to Halesford Bridge.
Cross the lake for food and gifts.
* From Moneta, travel north on Rt. 122 about 15 miles to visit the Visitors’ Center and D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
*Tweaking of routes by the knowledgeable is encouraged.
Thanksgiving for the Bounty of the Harvest at Peaks of Otter WineryPeaks of Otter Winery
2122 Sheep Creek rd
Bedford, VA 24523
The sweetest cider, the most succulent apples, the jars of preserves, jams and jellies, the warmth of wine and conversation are here to share. Free! Noon-5p.m. Picnic areas available. Also visit the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Museum and Poplar Forest.
Date/Hours:
Saturday, November 01, 2008 - Sunday, November 02, 2008 (12:00 PM-5:00 PM)
Saturday, November 08, 2008 - Sunday, November 09, 2008 (12:00 PM-5:00 PM)Saturday, November 15, 2008 - Sunday, November 16, 2008 (12:00 PM-5:00 PM)
Saturday, November 22, 2008 - Sunday, November 23, 2008 (12:00 PM-5:00 PM)
Admission Fee: FREE
Children Welcome
Pets Welcome
Telephone:
Winery Phone: (540) 586-3707
Email:
appleseed@earthlink.netWebsite:
www.peaksofotterwinery.com/
To George Washington & Jefferson National Park-Natural Bridge-Blue Ridge Parkway-Peaks of Otter Map and Route
attachment #1
Days Inn - Smith Mountain Lake - Peaks of Otter Winery - Days Inn map and directions
attachment #2
Bedford Weekend update 11-01-08
The attachments are just ideas to think about. To Natural Bridge could be Saturday drive and Smith Lake for on the way home. If someone comes up with another route all together please feel free to post.
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