"And so the journey begins..."

By Erin 'Gigglechick' Bennett

I just landed in L.A. (for the first time ever) and made my way over to the absolutely adorable O Hotel where my surrogate MINI is waiting for me. I haven't met him yet.



Here's the deal, I flew here from New Jersey... I've been the happy motoring partner of "Phooka", my 2005 BRG MINI Cooper Convertible since May 7th, the year he was made.(They grow up so fast, don't they?! he just turned 42,000 the other day *sniffle*). His name is pronounced pooh-kuh - which is (according to the definitions I've read) a mischievious, Irish nature spirit. With the top down on him and when we're flying down the roads, yeah... we both seem pretty mischievious.



I feel guilty about leaving him behind while I'm off galavanting on this - what I can only imagine to be - amazing event.

So, I'm going to spend the next 9 days bonding with this MINI (I'm sure by Phoenix, I'll have figured out his or her name.)

I'm just hoping when I get home, Phooka isn't furious with me. (I'm pretty sure he won't be, he's kinda laid back like that.)

Phooka's going to have a date with the car wash and a nice luxorious wax and chami-shine massage... and numerous rides up and down the beach until I feel less guilty.

Does anyone else out there ever feel like they're cheating on their MINI - especially if they're having a great time behind a strange steering wheel???

Tonight, I'm heading over to the California Science Center to meet the new MINI Countryman up close & personal... oh God, I hope that the MINI that I'm driving all the way to Denver can't sense that I'll have probably been lusting over this new MINI addition.

Alright, I've gotta shake off the guilt about this MINI 9 Day affair.

See y'all at the Kickoff Party tonight!!! I'm looking forward to meeting folks and their significant others *ahem* I mean MINIS along the entire MTTS Western Route!