<p>Krispy Kreme, here we come! My idea for a Spring Fever Cruise is start in Gurnee at the Krispy Kreme and motor up into Wisconsin to either the zoo or the Jelly Belly factory… early March is good for me!</p>
<p>I like the idea of Krispy Creme, to the Jelly Belly Outlet run…. However, I am not available March 1st or 2nd. I could do March 8th or 9th, anywhere for anything. In any case I'm sure it will be great fun.</p>
<p>What do people think about possibly starting from or ending up in the city this time? There seems to be talk over on MCO about wanting to do something closer to the city this next drive. We could still incorporate Krispy Kreme but somehow work a different geography into the route. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I think I can do the 8th. This actually works out better, because my husband, who is the <em>real</em> entertainer of the two of us, has a <a href="http://www.jestersonline.com/shows/" rel="nofollow">show</a> on the 1st downtown. Yeah!</p>
<p>Count us in too! Either the first or the 8th are fine- Michael & I will be there. I'm still upset that we missed the WI drive but I was a sick camper and a drive & dine was not in the cards. We're looking forward to the drive!!</p>
<p>Hi – I'm a new owner but already have 4000 salt encrusted Chicago miles on my S. I'd be interested in a 3/1 cruise with the group. Any chance for a drive to someplace with a big parking lot for a little cone killing (ie Solo driving)? Jeff</p>
<p>I think we're waiting until we have a more formalized club (read INSURANCE) before trying the cones… mighty tempting though!! : ) So who has a city meet location planned? What time will you meet? We need to nail that time down, allow for chatting & late arrival to figure out the Gurnee meet time. City slickers, any ideas?</p>
<p>It looks like Jeeves, Nekowoman, and VLM can all do March 8th. Gregs will do the 1st or the 8th. Jtforty can do March 1st. The best/most consistent date and drive posted so far is Krispy Kreme at Gurnee, to the Jelly Belly Factory on Hwy 31. With the prominent posted date being March 8th.
Krispy Kremes and Jelly Beans= a bunch of MINI drivers on a sugar rush….
What a great day!</p>
<p>I think Jeeves summed it up well. I want to make sure that we're not give a deaf hear to any other plans before we commit though. Does anyone (specifically from the city) have any other ideas or at the very least want to propose a different route to get to Krispy Kreme and the Jelly Belly Factory? I'm all for going with the above plan unless someone has some other ideas on the route or drive.</p>
<p>ok, if we're going to Kenosha for Jelly Belly, then we also might want to hit "The Spot" for burgers and root beer too! It's a hamburger place that still has carhops, no matter what the weather. And the burgers are great! It's bout 10-15 minutes from the Jelly Belly factory…</p>
<p>There are actually 2 SPOT drive inns. One on the south and one on the north side of Kenosha. The south side is the original and better food SPOT. The north SPOT can hold more cars on the lot. Great food and car hops at both.
If we are doing the Kenosha thing THE SPOT is a great end place.
I live in Kenosha and had my first SPOT food in a 1958 Mercury.
I'm open for either a Krispy Kreme run or in city/Chicago tour. I can find my way around Chicago as I worked for the Tribune back in the 80's. You haven't moved the streets, have you?</p>
<p>Count me in! I would prefer March 8th, but could participate on March 1st if need be. After looking at the proposed menu, we should stop by a health club on the way home! :)</p>
<p>Still looking for alternate drives for March 8th… Speak now before we start researching a route for the Krispy/Jelly Belly/SPOT burger, Spring Fever run.</p>
<p>Since we haven't heard anything from anyone about another plan my vote is we do the "Gut Buster" drive. Should we just plan to meet at a Krispie Kreme? Who knows this area well? What roads should we look at for the drive? I'm clueless when it comes to nice roads in southern Wisconsin.</p>
<p>We could also get a group of us near-north siders to meet and go up to Krispy Kreme together.. I haven't checked directions, but we could either do a fast or a fun route..</p>
<p>So it looks like we are going to ruin our winter diets and bust a gut for spring…
Saturday March 8th.
We can start at The Krispy Kreme in Gurnee, do some road work and twisty bits to the Jelly Belly Factory, just over the line into Wisconsin. Take the free 30 minute tour on the Jelly Belly Express ( no they won't let us drive the MINIs inside on the tour).
We will eat our fill of free Jelly Bellys and drive thru Petrified Springs Park. Maybe along the lake front south, and end up at THE SPOT drive in for huge burgers and frosty mugs of root beer served carside by car hops( guess you might have to break that "no eating in the MINI" rule).
THE SPOT can hold about 30 cars on the drive in lot, so we should shoot for 30 plus MINIs.
I can help with the route if needed. Jelly Belly tours run after 9am, and THE SPOT opens at 10:30am. I'm not sure about Krispy Kreme.
So. Lets bust a gut, or are you on a diet?</p>
<p>I'm in for March 8th whatever the destination (the farther, the better!). As for future get-togethers, I think it might be fun to end up at a go-kart track where those who wanted to drive something small could try out the go-karts and others could socialize. I stole this idea from a Michigan Mini club that I belong to and it sounded like potential fun.</p>
<p>Also, a remake of the classic movie The Italian Job is due out on May 30th. For those of you not familiar with it, it's a very popular film in the U.K. and somewhat of a cult favorite here. It features Minis throughout and the best chase scene ever from any movie (with Minis of course). The original 1969 version stars Michael Caine and the classic Mini. The new version is rumored to have a cameo with Michael Caine and stars the new Mini. (Now you know why Michael Caine drove a Mini in Austin Powers' Goldmember…it's sort of a spoof of his career). Anyway, wouldn't it be fun to see the movie with other Mini owners? Just a thought…</p>
<p>I was just wondering what time we are thinking about starting this fiesta. I was hoping not too early being as that I have a saturday morning class until noon but if I have to miss it. I can't think of a better excuse to play hookie one day. But I do need to plan accordingly so the sooner decided on the date the better.</p>
<p>Hope to be there. Just worried about possibly having to put in some overtime the weekend of the 8th (Big office project). The weekend of the 1st is out due to having to play host for out of town guests. Once I know something concrete, I will let you know so you have an accurate head count.</p>
<p>Krispy Kreme, here we come! My idea for a Spring Fever Cruise is start in Gurnee at the Krispy Kreme and motor up into Wisconsin to either the zoo or the Jelly Belly factory… early March is good for me!</p>
<p>Early March and Krispy Kreme's works for me too. Maybe we can do that "belly buster" that Bill M. suggested!</p>
<p>can't say no to Krispy Kreme.. The zoo or Jelly Belly sounds great also.. Have to get the kids out for this one (of course no food in the car).</p>
<p>I can also do Krispy Kreme. They melt in your mouth, not in your hand. 🙂 Jelly Belly Beans are yummy too.</p>
<p>I like the idea of Krispy Creme, to the Jelly Belly Outlet run…. However, I am not available March 1st or 2nd. I could do March 8th or 9th, anywhere for anything. In any case I'm sure it will be great fun.</p>
<p>What do people think about possibly starting from or ending up in the city this time? There seems to be talk over on MCO about wanting to do something closer to the city this next drive. We could still incorporate Krispy Kreme but somehow work a different geography into the route. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I would rather do suburbs than city, although I would probably try to show up depending on time of day, parking, etc…</p>
<p>I'd still try to go too, but I do like thouse country drives. Either weekend, 1st or 8th is ok for me right now.</p>
<p>I would be willing to do either city, or burbs. As long as food and MINIs are involved (weekend of the 8th).</p>
<p>I am, as far as I know, completely available for March 1st. Or March 8th. As long as food's involved, and much entertainment!</p>
<p>Did we forget to mention Victoria, YOU are the entertainment ;-)</p>
<p>Sounds like the 8th is a good day… we could do a city start and a Gurnee Krispy Kreme pickup before heading out to the country roads…</p>
<p>All in favor of the 8th say Aye…</p>
<p>Neko: that sounds like it could be a good idea. Anybody from the city have any ideas where we could meet and start out from?</p>
<p>Um, Aye for the 8th… I'll wash "Watson" and bring my appetite. I promise not to miss any gears this time!</p>
<p>Count me in!</p>
<p>I think I can do the 8th. This actually works out better, because my husband, who is the <em>real</em> entertainer of the two of us, has a <a href="http://www.jestersonline.com/shows/" rel="nofollow">show</a> on the 1st downtown. Yeah!</p>
<p>Count us in too! Either the first or the 8th are fine- Michael & I will be there. I'm still upset that we missed the WI drive but I was a sick camper and a drive & dine was not in the cards. We're looking forward to the drive!!</p>
<p>Hi – I'm a new owner but already have 4000 salt encrusted Chicago miles on my S. I'd be interested in a 3/1 cruise with the group. Any chance for a drive to someplace with a big parking lot for a little cone killing (ie Solo driving)? Jeff</p>
<p>I think we're waiting until we have a more formalized club (read INSURANCE) before trying the cones… mighty tempting though!! : ) So who has a city meet location planned? What time will you meet? We need to nail that time down, allow for chatting & late arrival to figure out the Gurnee meet time. City slickers, any ideas?</p>
<p>Yes – who here among the city folk want to take the reigns and determine where to meet? Let try to get this nailed down this week if possible.</p>
<p>It looks like Jeeves, Nekowoman, and VLM can all do March 8th. Gregs will do the 1st or the 8th. Jtforty can do March 1st. The best/most consistent date and drive posted so far is Krispy Kreme at Gurnee, to the Jelly Belly Factory on Hwy 31. With the prominent posted date being March 8th.
Krispy Kremes and Jelly Beans= a bunch of MINI drivers on a sugar rush….
What a great day!</p>
<p>I think Jeeves summed it up well. I want to make sure that we're not give a deaf hear to any other plans before we commit though. Does anyone (specifically from the city) have any other ideas or at the very least want to propose a different route to get to Krispy Kreme and the Jelly Belly Factory? I'm all for going with the above plan unless someone has some other ideas on the route or drive.</p>
<p>ok, if we're going to Kenosha for Jelly Belly, then we also might want to hit "The Spot" for burgers and root beer too! It's a hamburger place that still has carhops, no matter what the weather. And the burgers are great! It's bout 10-15 minutes from the Jelly Belly factory…</p>
<p>There are actually 2 SPOT drive inns. One on the south and one on the north side of Kenosha. The south side is the original and better food SPOT. The north SPOT can hold more cars on the lot. Great food and car hops at both.
If we are doing the Kenosha thing THE SPOT is a great end place.
I live in Kenosha and had my first SPOT food in a 1958 Mercury.
I'm open for either a Krispy Kreme run or in city/Chicago tour. I can find my way around Chicago as I worked for the Tribune back in the 80's. You haven't moved the streets, have you?</p>
<p>Count me in! I would prefer March 8th, but could participate on March 1st if need be. After looking at the proposed menu, we should stop by a health club on the way home! :)</p>
<p>I say definately the "southside" Spot as well. Didn't care for the northern one…</p>
<p>Yikes Jeeves, I have been eating there for more than 30 years as well!</p>
<p>Still looking for alternate drives for March 8th… Speak now before we start researching a route for the Krispy/Jelly Belly/SPOT burger, Spring Fever run.</p>
<p>But I'm so ON for the Gutbuster Rally! What alternative could there be?</p>
<p>Since we haven't heard anything from anyone about another plan my vote is we do the "Gut Buster" drive. Should we just plan to meet at a Krispie Kreme? Who knows this area well? What roads should we look at for the drive? I'm clueless when it comes to nice roads in southern Wisconsin.</p>
<p>We could also get a group of us near-north siders to meet and go up to Krispy Kreme together.. I haven't checked directions, but we could either do a fast or a fun route..</p>
<p>So it looks like we are going to ruin our winter diets and bust a gut for spring…
Saturday March 8th.
We can start at The Krispy Kreme in Gurnee, do some road work and twisty bits to the Jelly Belly Factory, just over the line into Wisconsin. Take the free 30 minute tour on the Jelly Belly Express ( no they won't let us drive the MINIs inside on the tour).
We will eat our fill of free Jelly Bellys and drive thru Petrified Springs Park. Maybe along the lake front south, and end up at THE SPOT drive in for huge burgers and frosty mugs of root beer served carside by car hops( guess you might have to break that "no eating in the MINI" rule).
THE SPOT can hold about 30 cars on the drive in lot, so we should shoot for 30 plus MINIs.
I can help with the route if needed. Jelly Belly tours run after 9am, and THE SPOT opens at 10:30am. I'm not sure about Krispy Kreme.
So. Lets bust a gut, or are you on a diet?</p>
<p>Lets do it! Jeeves – lets talk over email about the route and starting time. Anyone else have any suggestions for the route or starting times?</p>
<p>I'm in for March 8th whatever the destination (the farther, the better!). As for future get-togethers, I think it might be fun to end up at a go-kart track where those who wanted to drive something small could try out the go-karts and others could socialize. I stole this idea from a Michigan Mini club that I belong to and it sounded like potential fun.</p>
<p>Also, a remake of the classic movie The Italian Job is due out on May 30th. For those of you not familiar with it, it's a very popular film in the U.K. and somewhat of a cult favorite here. It features Minis throughout and the best chase scene ever from any movie (with Minis of course). The original 1969 version stars Michael Caine and the classic Mini. The new version is rumored to have a cameo with Michael Caine and stars the new Mini. (Now you know why Michael Caine drove a Mini in Austin Powers' Goldmember…it's sort of a spoof of his career). Anyway, wouldn't it be fun to see the movie with other Mini owners? Just a thought…</p>
<p>–Drew</p>
<p>I was just wondering what time we are thinking about starting this fiesta. I was hoping not too early being as that I have a saturday morning class until noon but if I have to miss it. I can't think of a better excuse to play hookie one day. But I do need to plan accordingly so the sooner decided on the date the better.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Hope to be there. Just worried about possibly having to put in some overtime the weekend of the 8th (Big office project). The weekend of the 1st is out due to having to play host for out of town guests. Once I know something concrete, I will let you know so you have an accurate head count.</p>
<p>Great pix of the Chicago Auto Show!</p>
<p>-Otto</p>
<p>P.S. Since there are so many Midwesterners here, and Chicagoans especially, just wanted to let people know there's a thread on MCO where we can list Mini-friendly car washes around the area. Here is the link for those interested: <a href="http://www.minicooperonline.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB_14&file=index&action=viewtopic&topic=6091</p rel="nofollow">“>http://www.minicooperonline.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB_14&file=index&action=viewtopic&topic=6091</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>This sounds like another good gathering. The 8th is better for me, but let me know the final date and time and I will try to get there.</p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p>Whew! I've been offline for a few weeks and was afraid I'd missed a drive. March 8th sounds like a blast. Count me and Agent Cooper in!</p>