UPDATED 3.4.03: You can now download a turn by turn PDF of the drive (with maps) here and a MS Word version here. It's also got phone numbers of our destinations and my cell phone number in case anyone is late or lost.
When: Saturday March 8th 8:00 – 2:00 (depending on where you start and end your drive)
Times: There are a couple starting points due to some of us living near the city and some of us living in the northern Suburbs. For those from outside the Chicago area email me directly for more specific directions.
Plaza De Lago in Wilmette: 8:00 (leaving at 8:30 / Krispy Kreme in Gurnee: 9:30 (leaving around 10) / Jelly Belly: around 10:30 (probably leave around 11:30) / The Spot in Kenosha: 12:30 to 1. These times are all estimates at this point but they should give you a general idea of the schedule.
Where: The starting point is for those coming from the city, near northside, or any who has to drive a ways north to get to Gurnee will be
Plaza De Lago located on Sheridan Rd. in Wilmette. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. and leave around 8:30. Directions are as follows:
Go North from the city on the Edens (I94) and exit east on Lake Ave. Follow Lake Ave. for about 10 minutes – once you go over some railroad tracks you will be getting close. From there you go through a large 4 way intersection and then hit a traffic light. At the light you will turn left onto Sheridan Rd. From there you will drive about a .5 of a mile and hit another light. Take a left on this light (Westerfield Dr.) and make an immediate right into the parking lot. We will meet in the side of the parking lot that is closest too the intersection you just came from.
Here's a map of the Wilmette area. Here's a map of the drive from we'll take from Wilmette to Gurnee (we'll be going from south to north so you should start from the bottom of the page)
The starting point for those in the far northern suburbs or for those who want to get up later and just shoot straight up to Gurnee is the Krispy Kreme in Gurnee IL. I would assume those of us coming from Wilmette will arrive at the Gurnee Krispy Kreme around 9:30 a.m. so let shoot for that as the time to meet. Directions are as follows assuming your're coming from I94 either north or southbound:
Exit onto 132 Eastbound. Shortly after you are on 132 you will turn left onto N. Dilley's Rd. Krispy Kreme will be on your left.
Here's a map of the Gurnee area
From there we will take Hunt Club Rd to County Q/Route 165 to Jelly Belly Factory. This map shows the route from Krispy Kreme to the the Jelly Belly factory.
Finally after the Jelly Belly factory we'll head north into Kenosha for some lunch at the Spot. Here's the map of the route from Jelly Belly to the Spot
Who: Anyone is welcome to join us. If you have a new MINI, a Classic Mini, or are patiently awaiting your MINI that is currently on some ship crossing the Atlantic you're welcome to come out.
The Details: This drive is a fairly long one so come prepared! Our initial meeting place (for those going to Wilmette) is a good place to gather as there's a Starbucks and Jewel right there in the plaza.
If you want more information about Plaza de Lago
check out their website: www.plazadelago.com
Things to Bring: FRS Radios, a full tank of gas, all your best Mini apparel, and a smile.
<p>I have a nice scenic route to THE SPOT, from Jelly Belly picked out and ready to go. I should have it in map form by mid-week at the latest. Drove it for elapsed time and mileage. I also have a less scenic short run picked out if we run too long at Jelly Belly.</p>
<p>Sounds great. I think we've got Gurnee to Jelly Belly in the works to so you'r contribution should be the last bit of the puzzle.</p>
<p>Will Jelly Belly need a headcount, ETA, and/or admissions fees?</p>
<p>The Jelly Belly tour is free.</p>
<p>I'll catch you guys at the Krispy Kreme, not in Wilmette…gives me a chance to sleep in a bit.</p>
<p>Spoke with THE SPOT today. They know we are coming and are O.K. with with the time of approx 1pm.</p>
<p>Since I'm also a north burb person, I'm on the same page as Donna. Sleep in and see you in Gurnee. I didn't even know that KK was open yet! I know I've seen THE SPOT somewhere in my travels, but where is it? I don't see a town named here.</p>
<p>Jim</p>
<p>It's on Hwy 50 in Kenosha, just west of Sheridan Road.
See you in Gurnee!</p>
<p>Is one FRS radio as good as another? I just bought a Motorola 6310. Looking forward to the drive! I get out of break-in tomorrow!</p>
<p>We have typically used Channel 1 sub channel 1 (for ease of not changing default settings), and we stick together pretty close, so range shouldn't be a problem.. any radio should work fine.</p>
<p>I'll try to make it but the hike to Gurnee adds an extra 2-3 hrs round trip. Anyone in the western 'burbs want to consider a rendezvous point?</p>
<p>Where in the western burbs are you, BMWMCS3?</p>
<p>Gabe, the links to the maps you posted at MCO aren't working. They need a server name in the reference.</p>
<p>Thanks Drew! Just fixed them.</p>
<p>BMWMCS3, A.K.A. Jeff, is in Aurora. I'd be taking I-88 to I-294 to I-94 to get to Gurnee. A rendezvous point near that exciting route would be good. I haven't looked at the map yet, I hope the planners picked some nice twisty roads for us. After an interstate drive I'll be ready for some country roads.</p>
<p>If I'm able to attend, I hope to take a break from kitchen remodeling to install my Madness intake and Magnaflow exhaust before the drive. Any other Mini owners out west here that would be interested in getting together to wrench on each other's Minis and other project cars? </p>
<p>Ideas for future drives: 1) Follow Route 66 starting at Jackson and LSD in Chicago to ?</p>
<p>2) Overnight B&B trip to Galena, lots of great twisty, climbing roads made for Minis. </p>
<p>Hope I can make it, Jeff</p>
<p>Great ideas Jeff. I since I've never been on some of the roads on the route I don't know how twisty they are. But I can assure you that Sheridan Rd. will have more than enough if you're willing to meet us in Wilmette at 8ish. You definately won't be able to sleep in but it's worth it.</p>
<p>Hey Jeff, the southern illinois drive sounds good for the next drive, I work in West Chicago so I do the 88/294 drive pretty often.</p>
<p>BTW Gabe, broken link on the pdf? :)</p>
<p>I'll be meeting up with the early birds at Plaza del Lago. You'll find me at the Starbucks.</p>
<p>the PDF link is fixed – thanks Jim. I've had all sorts of link trouble today!</p>
<p>Gabe,
Jelly Belly to THE SPOT,
Hwy 31, to Hwy50/75th st. East?
Not the route I had laid out?!?! Direct, short, but I had laid out a route that was 14 minutes longer with some nice park and twisty lake front roadways. If we can afford the time, it's a better run… The map is ready.
PM me for specifics.
Ron.</p>
<p>The route to "The Spot" is my fault Ron.. I am not as familiar with the area, and just threw out a map to have something out there.</p>
<p>A twisty route would be much better.. The distance from Jelly Belly to "The Spot" isn't that great, so a longer drive would be a good chance to digest before the final meal…</p>
<p>The weather forecast is ominously lousy for Saturday. Are we concerned?</p>
<p>This is what the National Weather Service says: Saturday. Mostly cloudy. Low in the lower 20s and high in the upper 30s. Where did you see athe ominous forcast?</p>
<p>On the Trib site. Also, I think, weather.com. They may have the same source :)</p>
<p>I am scheduled to pick up my MINI on Thursday from Dreyer/Reinbold in Indy. I live in Southwest Michigan, but if all goes well, I plan to meet up with you guys to do the rally. I will need to get the sucker broken in and this is a good opportunity to do so. I hope to see you all there! I'll be in an all Electric Blue MINI with tinted windows.</p>
<p>Eric – let me know if you need any directions. I would assume the easiest place for you to meet up with us would be the Krispy Kreme in Gurnee as that's just off the highway and you'd be able to leave a bit later. That being said it would be very cool if you could do the ride from Wilmette with those of us coming from the city – it'll be a really nice route.</p>
<p>Eric, congratulations on the impending birth of your baby! Electric Blue is a very cool color that I don't see much on the road. Let us know what you name it! See ya Saturday :)</p>
<p>I've been giving the Route 66 idea a bit of thought for the next drive. Here's some detailed driving directions from folks who obviously aren't from IL: <a href="http://www.historic66.com/illinois/detill.html</p rel="nofollow">“>http://www.historic66.com/illinois/detill.html</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>This might make a fun treasure hunt style rally if someone were able to prerun the route. People could stop at whatever landmarks they wanted to and end up at a couple of checkpoints.</p>
<p>Jeff</p>
<p>Gabe,
Sent you a crude map, and complete driving directions for Jelly Belly to The Spot, via e-mail.
If you don't recieve it let me know.
I will have printed hand outs at Krispy Kreme for the Wi. part.</p>
<p>OK, let's get this snow over with before the weekend ;-)</p>
<p>Amen to that. The forcast does call for snow on Saturday but it appears to be just a slight chance.</p>
<p>New National Weather Servive forecast for Saturday…..
Mostly cloudy, with a high in the upper 30's. No mention of precipitation.
Motor On.</p>
<p>Sweet – and upper 30's no less. That's down right mild.</p>
<p>Now I'm posting, very likely to be at the KK in Gurnee. C U there! Hopefully the streets will be dry by Saturday. Forcast looks good!</p>
<p>What time are we meeting in Gurnee?</p>
<p>They have changed the the forecast for Saturday twice a day all this week. The latest says…Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain or snow. High in the lower 40s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.</p>
<p>whatever the weather, i'll see you guys on sat! :)</p>
<p>Donna, Looks like 9:30am at the Krispy Kreme in Gurnee. Thats in the who, what, where, when, post at the top of the page.
See you there…</p>
<p>Jeeves is right – the time we're estimating is 9:30. That should give us plenty of time to get there from Wilmette and plenty of time for you to sleep in :)</p>
<p>Got a phone call from the local press today (KENOSHA NEWS). Seems when I spoke with the people at THE SPOT, they called the News, and the News called me. Looks like we will have a local reporter and photo guy meet us at THE SPOT.
One MINI may turn heads, but a bunch of MINI's is news. Imagine that. 5 minutes of fame.</p>
<p>Hopefully our cars won't be as dirty/salty as the last time…</p>
<p>Jeeves, is a "bunch" the right term for a group of MINI's? I thought it was a gaggle??</p>
<p>Gabe, I plan on coming to the Wilmette start. If I am going to come all that way, I might as well start at the beginning. I will keep you cell number handy in case I run a little late. I was planning to take 94 up and then head east to the Wilmette start. Should I take Lake Shore Dr instead? Tonight is the big night. I spent last evening cleaning my current car and it looks so good I hate to trade it in. Unfortunately I can't afford to keep them both.</p>
<p>Yes Lake Shore probably would be a little faster. That being said I94 would probably be a bit easier. Lake Shore turns into Sheridan RD. and does do a bit of jogging left and right (mostly right) for awhile. That being said as long as you keep track of the signs and know that you almost always turn right every time it's really not that bad. </p>
<p>Definitely feel free to give me a call and let me know if you run into any trouble. </p>
<p>Good luck on the delivery!</p>
<p>Eric, LSD is a much better trip! (Sorry, I had to say it). :)</p>
<p>Whoa – suddenly it's amateur night :)</p>
<p>I think I will make a judgement call based on time. If I have more time, I will take Lakeshore, if it is looking tight I will stay on 94 to Lake?</p>
<p>Assuming 94 is totally free flowing Lake Shore may not be faster. Anyone else have any input on this?</p>
<p>Early saturday morning, I would think 94 is faster. If you have time, Lake Shore drive is a much nicer route..</p>
<p>I agree with Steve, 94 is faster and not so bumpy either. BTW, I pushed my cooper up to 120 mph!</p>
<p>To answer Drew's question, I believe it's a Murder of Minis.</p>
<p>A murder of crows. Gaggle of geese.
Perhaps a Magnificence of Minis?</p>
<p>LSD is under construction and is inadvisable for visitors on a tight schedule. Take 94!!!</p>
<p>Ooh good point – forgot about that. Take 94.</p>
<p>Looks like my better-half and I will get to join the fun after all see you in Wilmette at 8.</p>
<p>Don't forget to wash those babies up! See you all soon!</p>
<p>Another great drive! Thanks Gabe and Steve for organizing. I'm impressed with your ability to keep us together as a group with so few interruptions from SUVs and other non-MINIs. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, too, to Jeeves for his input on the drive from Jelly Belly to The Spot.</p>
<p>I'll have a couple pics posted to MCO tomorrow. I'll also post a link to an Imagestation album. Please let me know if you would like your license plate obscured and I'll do a touch up on pics with your MINI.</p>