I left my driveway at 4:30 AM on the dot. Just over three hours later I rolled into the Hampton Inn in Waynesboro, VA. This was the official hotel for the early arrivals coming from parts north, south and west. Me, being the eastern representative I decided to drive up in the morning. This would make for a long day. After fueling up, we head to exit 99 on I 64. We staged at the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway. After a group photo at the Parkway sign, we saddled up in our MINI's and started our 469 mile trek southward. Mark Vogler, Twister on the Tar Heel MINI's board and founder of their club, leads the way. This was the third year of the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour. The tour alternates year to year in direction traveled. This year it was a southern sojourn.
The weather was extraordinary, sunny days and warm balmy nights. The Parkway itself is one enjoyable drive. Sweeping corners, great scenery, and tunnels that beckoned us. The roadway, with the exception of a mile or two near the end was mostly smooth. Those few miles made up for the smoothness of the rest. Whether it was the rock walls to the sheer drop offs, the Parkway always seemed to be changing. Jak Yaemsiri and a few others would run ahead when the group stopped at the various overlooks. They'd safely pull off the side of the Parkway and get video and pics of the group as they motored by. I can't imagine how many pics were taken.
As usual, the nightly hotel parking lots were a flurry of conversations. Reliving the days activities, discussing modifications and all things MINI. The firs night on the road had us stopping in Sparta, NC. Dinner was at Browns. It's a block off main street and you'd be hard pressed to find the place on your own. But once you do, the food is exactly like Grand Ma made. Down home cooking done right. Accommodations were at the Allegheny Inn. My room had a malfunctioning A/C, so I was close to driving another 40 miles to the closest hotel since the hotel was booked. Thankfully, there was a cancellation at 11:30 PM. Problem solved. Remember, I had been going since 4:30 that morning!
Saturdays drivers meeting was at 7:30 and we were off again. A few more miles and a few more over look stops and we were in Asheville, NC for the night. Some of the group had tickets to a wine tasting at the Biltmore's Antler Village. That's a new shopping and dining area of the Biltmore. We opted to check into the Quality Inn Biltmore South and get a bit of a rest before dinner. Province 620 restaurant was the venue for the evening. What appeared to be an old chain steak house revamped into an independent eatery was very well appointed. Everyone seemed to enjoy the menu they had for us. Their pork chops were delectable. After dinner, we retired to the hotel for give away drawings that are held each night. Everything from gift certificates from vendor such as Way Motor Works, Sneads Speed Shop and Grassroots Garage to shirts and car care products were given away.
Sunday morning was one to look forward to. We had an appointment at the Biltmore Estate. Tar Heel MINI's had arranged to have a photo shoot on the lawn of the Biltmore. I've always wanted to visit the mansion. While I didn't have time to take the tour, participating in the shoot, really fueled my want to see the inside. One day. After some vehicle line up glitches, the pics were done and we were off to rendezvous with the Parkway. Unfortunately, there was a rock slide several months ago and a section of the Parkway has been closed. Our detour was an exciting one. A couple of four lanes then a road that would rival the Dragon. Who says detours can't be fun? Back on the Parkway, we're close to wrapping up the drive. We make the drive up to the visitors center at the southern end of the Parkway in Cherokee, NC. But we weren't done there. A quick trip over to Bryson City to Soda Pops shop for an ice cream was in order. Several others made a quick run over to the Dragon. As tempting as that was, I decided to head back to the land of HR MINI. With temps in the mid 90's I turned the A/C on for the first time. the mid 70's and low 80's on the Parkway was far more enjoyable. The drive home was hot, but uneventful. I was greeted with a downpour just as I emerged from the M&M tunnel on the peninsula. Once home, unpacked and rested I realized just how much fun I had. One thousand two hundred and forty-five miles on my Brand new Continental tires. They did well. Nice and quiet and grabbed copious amounts of pavement on the Parkway. By the way the speed limit on the Parkway is 45. They need to make an exemption for the MINI's!
If there's anyway you can fit this event into your schedule next year, do it! You won't be disappointed!
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