2. Cars

MINIs on the Dragon 2007

MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD) is an annual gathering of MINI Cooper enthusiasts from across the country. MOTD, which takes place in Deals Gap, North Carolina, is named after "Tail of the Dragon," considered one of the world's best motorcycle and sports car roads. This year's MOTD (May 3-6, 2007) was the 5th, but my first. I drove with a group of several other MINI drivers from the Denver area. Our route to "The Dragon" was on backroads instead of interstate highways, where possible and practical, taking five days instead of two. The event lasted four days, but we left early on the last day, returning to Denver in two days using the interstate highways. See http://www.TailOfTheDragon.com and http://www.MinisOnTheDragon.info for more info.
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  • This is the button (pin) design that I've come up with. I've made some buttons (2.25" diameter, metal) to sell at MOTD for a little gas money.

    This is the button (pin) design that I've come up with. I've made some buttons (2.25" diameter, metal) to sell at MOTD for a little gas money.

  • This, the 5th year of MOTD, will be attended by 800 people in 459 MINI Coopers from all over the country. This is the Sturgis of MINI Cooper rallies. The Denver caravan will take a route away from the Interstate highways where posssible, for a total of about 1678 miles (one way).

    This, the 5th year of MOTD, will be attended by 800 people in 459 MINI Coopers from all over the country. This is the Sturgis of MINI Cooper rallies. The Denver caravan will take a route away from the Interstate highways where posssible, for a total of about 1678 miles (one way).

  • The MINI is packed and ready to hit the road, Saturday, April 28, 2007.

    The MINI is packed and ready to hit the road, Saturday, April 28, 2007.

  • Heading east of Denver, after exiting I-70 at Byers. We'll attempt to drive only the side roads, avoiding the Interstates as much as possible. Heading east into Kansas, then north into Nebraska to pickup Jim.

    Heading east of Denver, after exiting I-70 at Byers. We'll attempt to drive only the side roads, avoiding the Interstates as much as possible. Heading east into Kansas, then north into Nebraska to pickup Jim.

  • Nearing McDonald, Kansas.

    Nearing McDonald, Kansas.

  • Now in Long Island, Kansas. Front the road, no water is to found, except up in the tower. I wonder how this place got its name.

    Now in Long Island, Kansas. Front the road, no water is to found, except up in the tower. I wonder how this place got its name.

  • These big sprinklers kind of look like skinny dinosaurs -- very thirsty dinosaurs, to me. They walk around in circles, but very slowly and only in the summer.

    These big sprinklers kind of look like skinny dinosaurs -- very thirsty dinosaurs, to me. They walk around in circles, but very slowly and only in the summer.

  • Axtell, Nebraska. Oops. I forgot to take a picture in Funk, Nebraska. I kind of like that name for a small town. If it had become a big city, would they have renamed it?

    Axtell, Nebraska. Oops. I forgot to take a picture in Funk, Nebraska. I kind of like that name for a small town. If it had become a big city, would they have renamed it?

  • Jim, pulling the "Dragon Wagon," from Minden, Neb. has joined the group of Jonathan, Whitlow & Eleanor and myself (Rick) from Denver.

    Jim, pulling the "Dragon Wagon," from Minden, Neb. has joined the group of Jonathan, Whitlow & Eleanor and myself (Rick) from Denver.

  • Watering and feeding the horses somewhere in Kansas.

    Watering and feeding the horses somewhere in Kansas.

  • We arrive at one of the newest MINI dealers in the west, located in Omaha, Nebraska.

    We arrive at one of the newest MINI dealers in the west, located in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • This sculpture welcomes all visitors to the Omaha MINI dealership.

    This sculpture welcomes all visitors to the Omaha MINI dealership.

  • Day 1 is almost complete. We'll have dinner with a few of Omaha-area MINI owners soon.

    Day 1 is almost complete. We'll have dinner with a few of Omaha-area MINI owners soon.

  • The Dragon Wagon and PauHana in front of Omaha MINI.

    The Dragon Wagon and PauHana in front of Omaha MINI.

  • On display in the MINIs of Omaha dealer is 2007 MINI Cooper S decked out in the style of the Hammer and Coop "movie", except this color/decal scheme is reversed.

    On display in the MINIs of Omaha dealer is 2007 MINI Cooper S decked out in the style of the Hammer and Coop "movie", except this color/decal scheme is reversed.

  • Colorado and Nebraska MINI owners meet at MINI of Omaha. The nice Nebraska folks, all members of C.O.R.N. (Cooper Owners of Rural Nebraska), welcomed us to their home.

    Colorado and Nebraska MINI owners meet at MINI of Omaha. The nice Nebraska folks, all members of C.O.R.N. (Cooper Owners of Rural Nebraska), welcomed us to their home.

  • Keeping off the Interstates brings us through Atchison, Kansas and the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, along the banks of the Missouri River.

    Keeping off the Interstates brings us through Atchison, Kansas and the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, along the banks of the Missouri River.

  • The street in front of Amelia Earhart's birthplace has a small circle and tight exit, easy for a MINI, even one with a trailer, to negotiate.

    The street in front of Amelia Earhart's birthplace has a small circle and tight exit, easy for a MINI, even one with a trailer, to negotiate.

  • Across the street from Amelia Earhart's birthplace home, on the banks of the Missouri River.

    Across the street from Amelia Earhart's birthplace home, on the banks of the Missouri River.

  • Along the Missouri River in Atchison, KS, at Amelia Earhart's birthplace.

    Along the Missouri River in Atchison, KS, at Amelia Earhart's birthplace.

  • Crossing the Missouri River into Missouri.

    Crossing the Missouri River into Missouri.

  • In Missouri, heading toward Kansas City.

    In Missouri, heading toward Kansas City.

  • The Kansas City skyline.

    The Kansas City skyline.

  • Getting closer to our lunch stop in KC.

    Getting closer to our lunch stop in KC.

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    Axtell, Nebraska. Oops. I forgot to take a picture in Funk, Nebraska. I kind of like that name for a small town. If it had become a big city, would they have renamed it?
    Jim, pulling the "Dragon Wagon," from Minden, Neb. has joined the group of Jonathan, Whitlow & Eleanor and myself (Rick) from Denver.
    Watering and feeding the horses somewhere in Kansas.