GETTING GOOD SMILEAGE

By Erin 'Gigglechick' Bennett

As I stepped out onto the balcony of the Hotel Valley Ho to get a feel of the Arizona weather for the day (um... “It’s a dry heat” --- no. It’s a VERY HOT HEAT) I looked down at two MINIs hanging out chatting with each other on the lawn. Behold Nigel and Addie.





They are brother and sister. I found this out from Kathy of MINI of North Scottsdale as she was getting Nigel ready to head off to Vegas.

Drew from South Bay MINI about to head to Vegas and then onward to Denver. (I didn't have the heart to tell him, the waves are REEEEALLY flat in the Mile High City)



Valley Ho and away we go! We left the absolutely wonderful Hotel Valley Ho this morning and headed off to Vegas, Baby, Vegas! (Isn’t it a law somewhere that states you HAVE to follow the word “Vegas” up with “Baby, Vegas”?)

About 2 miles into the drive, the MINI gaggle (or Mob) was stuck at a light. I see the couple in the MINI Clubman behind me pointing to their walkie talkie/radio thingy and mouthing the words “Do you want a radio!?”

Heck yeah, I want a radio!!! (After falling behind on Sunday by 2 hours, a radio sounded like a fantastic idea!)

So at that moment, I was adopted by the West Coast Mini Club. That was also the moment I realized that I was now part of a choreographed MINI show (almost like synchronized swimming... I felt like Esther Williams sans water or flowery swim cap).

As we drove, I heard about 15 different voices chiming in on the walkie talkie. There was the lead car --- MINI DEVIL driven by Denise... you can’t really lose her as you “Follow the Devil!!” since she’s in a Chili Red Convertible tricked out with devil horns and a 4 foot long devil tail sticking out of her MINI’s boot.



Bringing up the rear was Mike & Donna in their Clubman... I quickly found out what Lane 1, 2 and 3 meant as I heard the directions of “Lane change. Rear car go first” (this is to block the other traffic so there is a large gap in the lane for 15 other MINIs to slide over to in unison)



This well-oiled machine was amazing to watch - and even more enjoyable to be a part of.

We had the one car that was the navigator, providing up to the minute traffic conditions.

When we hit Old Historic Route 66... I saw NOTHING.



heh. anyway, with the scenery and the MINIs motoring, it was an incredible site.



The radio contact was extremely helpful on the 122 hairpin turns for 9 miles in the mountains! Mind you, it’s a straight drop down. No guardrails. So, when you have a giant Winnebago headed your way and you can’t see it coming, let’s just say I was VERY THANKFUL for the walkie talkie since the lead cars would transmit “Oncoming White SUV” or “Oncoming Maroon Car.”

A short while after the “twisties” on Route 66, we saw a bunch of jackasses on the road.



(See? I wasn’t kidding!)

We stopped for a bite to eat and that’s where I met the rest of the brigade. It was great to put faces to the voices that I was hearing throughout the 8 and a half hours on the road.



That’s where I was handed business cards --- not just any cards, actually, I would have to just call them MINI Contact Cards. They came prepared for MTTS! Photos of their cars were on them so you could remember who they were. Smart thinkin’.

And then... there it was. The Oasis in the Desert. Las Vegas.

We arrived at the Palace Station and then had to make a beesline to the MINI party over at Minus5 at Mandalay Bay.

What a cool party! No, really, when I say cool, I mean FREEZING (which was a welcome change from the 111 degrees that the thermometer hit outside.)



We were given parkas and gloves and ushered into a 32 degree room, where we were given more instructions on how to place our drinks on the tables.

Oh, did I not mention... the entire room is made of ICE!

We were brought into a 23 degree Fahrenheit room, where the MINI owners were mingling holding their special MINI cocktails (I had an Aliens at Area 51... which was a radioactive green colored apple drink. Don’t worry, we took a taxi to this shindig. In fact, on the way back, my co-horts and I made the cabbie so jealous of our MTTS adventure that he said he’s going to buy a MINI just so he can go on the next MTTS.)

There were so many of us milling about in our coats and gloves that it seemed like a party scene combined with the March of the Penguins.

In the back of the room, there was a life-sized MINI.... carved out of ice! That was the hit of the party!

I would like to tell you that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But, then I’d have nothing to blog about.

I met up with a few owners at our hotel after the Minus5 shindig... In fact, I met Keith from Oregon --- who is ALSO from a state like my New Jersey... we don’t pump our own gas. He’s done multiple MTTS adventures --- you can check it out at http://keithsminis.com


(By the way... I filled up my tank today and forgot to put the gas cap back on. AGAIN. I’ll get it right the rest of the week. I promise.)

That said, the sun is rising for the new day of travel... yes. I was awake for the sunrise. When in Vegas, do as the Vegans do. Wait. that doesn’t sound right.

From Sin City we motor ONWARD to Salt Lake City!