The last leg home..through Seattle and on the ferry.

Richards present from the sea gulls at the ferry terminal!

Really heavy storms over night but we have a lie in breakfast at 8pm Terry & Linda went at 6am, a short walk to breakfast, rain and thunder as we pack up the Pick Up and Moke, we are off just out of the hotel Richard slows down and stops we are behind and stop too a little damp in the ignition is quickly fixed.,On to the motorway, its bucketing down so much so we have difficulties seeing some times when a truck went by we could not see anything at all for a second or two, water pours in from the windscreen seal but we keep going. It rains with thunder till we get to the ferry, we have spot of lunch then queue for the ferry for an hour still raining.

Rog “The Hat”

Rain, did you say rain? It was raining outside and raining inside the Moke as we flew along the I405 on the way north..it was raining so hard, we had difficulty seeing the road, and getting passed by semis spraying .. the rain was flowing up and into the car through the front top of the top, then dripping onto our shoes! We had to pull over and fix the truck s there was a carbon arc across the distributor cap.a bit of cleanup and some black take over the latch and we were off again, but now soaked from standing in the rain! The rain came in sheets and followed us all the way to the ferry terminal in Anacortes..where we have boarded the ferry for the last leg home..Mike

Moving North via Mount Ranier July 2

Up and away from Bend at 6am Rog Rog was asked to navigate to breakfast as its got a nose far better than Tom Tom so down highway 97 about 10 miles nose come into action a Food sign is also noticed at Terrebourn a motor bike, and couple of trucks once inside its just one table left for the five of us a very tasty breakfast and cheap only 3 pounds including as much coffee as you could drink, Rog Rog received full praise. The rest of the day was uneventful, lunch in a MacDonald, with old American classics as tables, next door to Sears tool shop some goodies are bought then onto Enumclaw for the night, we say good by to Terry & Linda as the have to get up early 6am to go shopping in Seattle.
As we clime into bed the thunderstorms are starting what will the morning bring?

Rog “The Hat”

This was the day we headed out for Enumclaw..we were going to head off with Terry and his family, but 6am came and went and there was no sign of them, so we moved on stopping for breakfast.As we pulled in for gas at the border of Oregon and Washington state, they had just arrived at the same place, as they had left an hour after us, and must have passed by while we were eating. The trip up 97 was kind of like the Desert Bus game (the worlds worst video game, you drive a bus from Vegas to Reno in real time, and the bus pulls to one side so you constantly have to correct the steering..one way trip take 8 hours!) The day got warmer and warmer and as we pulled into Yakima, it was scorching again..but cooled off as we headed out of town and onto the 410 through Mount Ranier National Park, where we had some great roads. The rest of the trip was good into Enumclaw, where after a great dinner at a local bar and grill, we watched the thunderstorms. Good thing we put the side curtains on the Moke as it rained heavy all night..The Moke was running a bit rough, so we changed the plus and adjusted the valves, which made a big difference.. Tomorrow a short leg…and home..Mike

Onward to Bend via Crater Lake and Lassen

Up early again, and off the breakfast at the local Mexican place..where we had a huge breakfast for $5.95! We continued on via 89, through Mount Lassen /volcanic National Park, where we had spectacular views and a small delay due to road construction at the top. No issues with any of the cars, even though there is a long winding climb up to the top at around 8000 feet again. Then down the mountain and off to I5 and up to 97, where we grabbed a quick lunch at Weed. Back onto 97 and into Crater Lake..we had hoped to do the Pinnicles Observation road, but the east side of the lake road was still closed due to snow and slides. There was still a lot of snow on the sides of the roads and off in the fields surrounding the park. They were expecting to open the east side within the next two weeks. After that we headed down and onto Bend Oregon, where we drove through a blinding rainstorm..in one day in the Moke, I have experienced cold at 56 degrees in the morning, heat up to 86, blinding rain, and at the top snow..and cold again..the rest of the crew in the cars don't seem to feel it as much! After heading out for dinner in Bend, we arrived back to find another Mini in the parking lot of the hotel..it was Terry from Pentiction, so we will hook up for part of the trip home tomorrow. We were planning to go to mount St Helens, but the roads are still closed due to snow and there is one bridge washed out, so we have had a change in plans..and will be heading home via Yakima...Mike

Great drives and views..on to Quincy

No updates tonight, as Rog says..we are knackerd and going to bed..the gang from Quincy.CA

Off after breakfast up route 395 stop off at old Japanese internment camp then to Yosemite Nat. Pk. they wanted 20 dollars to get so after a drive of 10 miles we turned round and returned to 395, on the way up over one of the hills Terry's Mini over heated just caught it in time, it needed about 4 pints of water.
After lunch we drive round the massive Lake Tahoe about 20 miles long and wide, Linda and I get lost my navigating went to pot rog rog had to ask tom tom to get us back on the right road were we meet up with the others who had been waiting for us for 15 minutes.
We arrive at Quincey at 6pm and all jump in the pool and off to a Mexican restaurant, the slide into bed.

Happy and sleepy Rog "The Hat"

After a run up 395 and the quick stop atthe internment camp we headed up 89 on the way to Lake Tahoe . The highway starts with a 2 mile climb up to 9000 feet, This proved to be too mch for Toots who decidied just near the top to blow off some steam. Richard's truck was hot, but finr and the Moke just watched the action.. We let the automatic mini cool down, refilled the rad and off we went..with no more issues .. We had a beautiful trip around the west side of Lake Tahoe, and then a long run up 89 to Quincy..it was a long day with about 13 hours on the road including our stops..Mike

On the Flipside..heading home..

We were up early this morning to head out of LA early and try to beat the heat as we were planning on heading up 395 with a jaunt into the Death Valley National Park. Roger and I led the way out of LA and as I don’t have a Tom Tom or any other GPS, I used by Rog Rog and our trusty maps.. which ended up with a flawless exit from LA..stopping for a western breakfast in Hisperia. All was going well until the heat started to increase and while climbing some of the hills Richards truck started to climb into the H. As we were carrying a spare heater matrix, we pulled into a small town gas station, topped up and added the matrix to the front of Richards car..looking good Richard! This solved the heating problem, but now it was 38.5 degrees Celsius(101F) and we were stating to bake in the Moke and the truck. It was 19 degrees inside the MINI, but more like 40 plus in the rest of the cars, so we kept on 395 to Lone Pine. While there we had a few dips in the pool and then went off on a tour up a 22 mile road to 8,500 feet above the desert, with some stunning views and a windy twisty road. There must have been a 30F degree to Quincy via Lake Tahoe..Mike


I must admit I changed Minis for the New Mini Cooper with Linda ( she won the show and shine yesterday) as the heat was getting to me, a lovely drive through the dessert. Death Valley a 115, we arrive at Lone Pine. Lunch was a salad for me also the football was on. The whole of the restaurant customers all cheered when Spain won, lot of Hispanics in this part of the Sierra Nevada After lunch we head for the swimming in the pool, The temp in the pool area is 100 in the shade, we have to get back in the pool every ½ hour to cool down. At 4pm it’s cooled down a little we drive up to Mt Whitney the highest mountain in the world, or should I say round here, its cooler up the top with lot of nats biting so its not worth stopping for long, we drive down into the heat, so another break at the ice cream parlor. Its time to fill up with gas for the drive tomorrow, we will be starting early aging tomorrow, now its off for dinner to a little restaurant that sells fish and steak.
Happy Moke, MINI-ing Rog “The Hat”

The Banquet and we win some prizes!

The banquet was held in the hotel and as per usual, ended up going late into the night..as they had soooooo many prizes..and a lot of big ones,l ike brake kits from Brembo and Heritiage, Tires from Falken, Yokohama, and great stuff donated by Rog from the Mini Cooper Register. The Canadians did well..Rick Higgs, 1st place, Terry Snell 1st place, Linda 1stplace, Richard 2nd place, Mike, 3rd place. Murray seemed to take 1/2 the doorprizes! Thanks to all the folks at MOLA for putting on a good show..tae some well desrved time off and relax!It's early on Sunday, and we are hitting the road, to beat the heat and any traffic out of LA, as we head up towards Death Valley..Mike

Questions we have been asked on the road?

This section we will update as we go as we get asked a lot of questions when we pullinto parking lots and gas stations.
Is that legal to drive?
Is that a kit car?
What kind of milage does it get?
Where is that thing from?
Why did you cut up a Mini to make that truck?
How many miles to the gallon do you get?
Why are you driving on the wrong side of the road?
Is it legal to drive on that side of the car?
Does that get good milage?
Is this a real car?
Do you get good gas mileage?
Are all cars in Canada that small?
While changing the radiator.. Is that an air cooled car?
Is that a golf cart?
In the rest stop just off the highway... Do you drive these on the highway?
What kind of mileage do you get in these little cars?
What did you pay for that tiny baby car?

The Show and Shine

The Red Bull girls were on hand handing out samples..

The lunch truck...

The vendors..

Back at the hotel, the number of cars started to grow and by 10:00 the lot was filled and the cars were parking in the isles. So it was now feeling like a Mini Meet with all the cars and more vendors. The day started out cloudy, then got blistering hot, at least for us folks from Victoria. We spent the day wandering about the cars, and Linda and Terry were shopping the vendors. Richard spent time helping out Rick Higgs solve his turn signal problem, which died on his trip down. Rick ended up changing the turn signal switch and problem was solved. After the show, I changed the clutch arm and set the clutch back up and things feel better..we added the Moke 'trunk backon and headed off for a dip in the pool..dinner is on at 7:00 with the banquest, then off to a quick sllep and on the road early in the morning..to head up 395 and follow the interior route home..will keep the blog updated as we can find internet access along the way...Mike

Cars and Coffee

So up at 5:00 this morning,and then down to line up to head over to the Cars and Coffee just down the road. The Minis showed up early and were the featured car of the show.. I think I counted over 60 cars so more than just the gang from Victoria was crazy enough to get up that early! There were a lot of great cars, Ferraris, Lambos, Noble GT, Cobras, Porches, etc, but a lot of attention was paid to the Minis. I found a few British cars there including, a TR6, two Austin Healys, and a Triumph Herald. We grabbed a coffe and quick breakfast wandered around , and then the whole lot of us, all headed back to the hotel around 8:00..it was a lot of fun to be in a group of 60 plus Minis , all headede out of the show in a line, with everyone crowded arouynd the exit and watching.. a good (but early) start to the day..Mike

Day one - Autocross and Funkana

Is there anybody in there?

Entance to the hotel, following Richard..

A Pinic in the lobby..

Boris and his Moke..very quick

Richard and Terry tearing around the course in the automatic..

I was taken out for an all American Breakfast, to Burger King, not what I call a breakfast at all still the coffee was not to bad, after we drive along to the Auto Cross, & Funkana, which Mike and I in the Moke, Terry and Richard in the automatic. We took part in the Funkana, what a laugh driving blind fold, dressing up in woman’s clothes, such fun. I think we won by about 3 seconds over Terry and Richard..
We then go over to the Autoccross, we did not enter as we wished to keep the Minis in one piece, by the time we left the temperature was up in the 90s, so we go back to the hotel and eat our picnic in the reception which has air con.
We then go outside to look at some of the Minis that have turned up look at the VTEC Mini, also Mikes clutch is playing up it seems the arm is worn we look in the traders stores one traders said he would bring one tomorrow, Mike will fit it in about 10 minuets, I will take the stop watch.
Again we are heating up so it time for swim in the pool, warm water, lovely, the temperature is in the high 80s to 90s, better that London I see at about 60, we jump out the onto the loungers to soak up the sun and watch the California Babes.
Time fly’s by, its off to dinner at the In N Out burger house, well it has to be tried, not bad but steak & kidney pie is better. It’s back to the hotel to do the blog then to bed for an early start of a local car meet at 5am.

Rog 'the Hat'

A few more cars showed up today, but in general there are not a lot of Minis. I suppose being a weekend meet, the local boys will all roll in for the Saturday events, which are all crammed into a single day. Shame as it does not have the same feeling as other meets that are fully attended during the week. The vendors are showing up as well and setting up in the parking lot. We found our way out to the autocross and funkana events, entered into the funkana, where Rog was trying to tell me which way to go while I was blindfolded. The hard part is that he was pointing and saying ‘go that way!” while I was blind as a bat. We had a great time, but it took us a while to get through the whole course. With the track temp hitting high 80’s we came back, ate and headed for the pool to cool off. The clutch is acting up a bit, so will replace the arm, as the end ball is looking a bit worn and flat. I have welded it up once already, so the new part would be a good idea. It would be no problem to drive it home the way it is, but as the parts are here and Rog wants to time me changing it, I may as well.. Up early for the coffee and cars meet, where the Minis will be featured, then the car show, followed by the rally, and banquet..a very busy day tomorrow..

Wehave arrived ! 1676 miles later..

Damaged from a bad tow after a breakdown..

Surfs up for this Moke..

Terry arrives after having starting problems in our wait for the one way road opening..

An early start up at 6 off to breakfast 6.45 to Hoovers, a lovely place a big plate of fruit only 1 pound with a little fry up plus a pancake 2 pound 50p including coffe as much as you can drink. Then we leave Atascadero, off down 101 to the short cut saves us ½ an hour we are told. “what a mistake to make”, road works an hour waiting. Terry’s Mini over heated, we went through the road works he could not start his Mini, so Richard, Mike & Me went through, luckily he had a jump start kit and came through with the next few cars, much to our relief.
Its back on the 101 now a nice road not to much traffic we turn on to the 405 south we fly along there but 3,4, 5, 6, lanes of traffic some times, we have a time limit on, after 12am and make sure we are off be 2pm, there are trucks, pick ups most so big, some changing lanes with on regard to any one at all, we are lucky, we make the hotel by 1.45pm have missed the worst of the traffic. We book in for the show and rooms, then out we go to try and find a meal, you have to drive everywhere even round the shopping malls they are so big, we find a Panda a Chinese fast food a great meal, then find another mall for food for tomorrow lunch time. Back about 20 more Minis have arrived, some very nice ones indeed, there is a film on tonight the Italian Job so Mike and I are doing the blog which hopefully we can down load in the morning, please keep the comments coming in we love them.

Happy Mini-ing Rog “The Hat”
Today was to be an easy day, with a short dash down 101, hit the 405 and into Irvine. Then someone had a great idea about a shortcut using 154 to cut off a few mile.. a half hour saving said the cook at the Hoovers restaurant, who came out to look at the Minis. As Rog said , we ended up waiting for about 45 minutes as there was single lane traffic, then another 15 or so as Terry finally got the car started and found us waiting at the other end of the one way. The local police were there and offered to have him towed, but it all worked out. The rest of the trip was uneventful, but not enjoyable as the 101 and 405 are busy roads, but as we headed in during the quiet part of the day, we never stopped moving. The first leg of the trip is over, with us logging 1676 miles, according to our official chase car, Linda’s new MINI.. We spent some time cleaning the cars, and then headed out for shopping and a bite. Rick and Elaine, Patti and Bogden arrived later in the afternoon, and Rob Fram dropped by as he was at Disneyland with the kids.We are off to the autocross/funkana tomorrow morning. Mike