#defyhunger

[wendytakesthestates]

We made it... minus Wendy!! I’m kind of okay with that since I know she wouldn’t have liked the 120ºF heat of Palm Desert ;) 

MINI put on an amazing final event with cold fresh fruit, ice water, MINI swag, shade umbrellas, and best of all, hot laps around Thermal Club in new JCW hardtops! My dad and I enjoyed our morning at Thermal Club until we got news of Wendy. She was almost ready to go, but they suggested that I replace the front brake pads while she was there at MINI of Ontario.

After saying our goodbyes to all our new friends made over the last two weeks, we hopped in the car with the Southwest US MINI Manager for an hour ride to MINI of Ontario. After saying “Thank You!” a million times, he made sure we had all the paperwork in order and were set before taking off back to Thermal Club to pick up his friend.

We waited maybe 45 minutes, with a pizza lunch provided by the dealership, before Wendy was fixed, washed, and ready to motor once again. They gave us the keys and that was that, we were back on our way, this time headed north back home to San Jose, California.

Trip: 4,867 | Odometer: 100,469

[wendytakesthestates]

It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with Claude and his son. My dad and I enjoyed getting to still see the historic Route 66, Oatman and Oatman’s population of donkeys.

Even though we arrived late, I’m so happy my dad and I could make the evening event in Palm Springs. We were exhausted from standing in the heat, waiting to hear the next steps on my car, and from the long drive from Kingman, NV with the Regional Manager of the Western US and his family.

The evening event was at the Palm Springs Air Museum, an incredible building with WWII aircraft and tons of history. There was so much to look at in a short amount of time, while also catching friends up on what happened that afternoon. After enjoying a freshly made ice cream bar and ample food, we took a quick look around and then joined some friends from NorCal MINIs to drive us to our hotel.

Today was a long day in the desert, but with all the support from the NorCal MINI members, my dad, and MINI USA, I went to bed with high hopes for Wendy and a smile on my face, happy that I made it across America.

Trip: 4,867 | Odometer: 100,469 (towing to MINI of Ontario)

[wendytakesthestates]

Well the drive out of Las Vegas started great, with a pit stop with the NorCal MINIs at the Hoover Dam.

After driving about 110 miles, we all decided to stop for gas in Kingman, Nevada. While pulling into the station, I shifted out of 4th and tried to shift into 2nd, but the clutch pedal wouldn’t come back up. Luckily, I had the support of my dad and everyone with NorCal MINIs to push Wendy out of the way. 

Surprisingly, another MINI had already stopped and called MINI Roadside Assistance (A fleet of cars from MINI USA following the group along MTTS to help with any needs) and a tow truck. MINI Roadside Assistance diagnosed the other MINI, telling them that they could drive and make it to Palm Springs. They just topped off their fuel tank and with the heat, the fuel expanded into their carbon filter so they were getting a fuel smell in the car.

Next was my turn... which turned out to be much more of an issue. My clutch slave cylinder went out, meaning I couldn’t use the clutch to shift into gears. MINI pulled a bunch of strings to get Wendy towed to California (280 miles) so I didn’t have to backtrack to Las Vegas (10 miles). The driver of the MINI Roadside Assistance vehicle stayed at the gas station with my car until the tow truck arrived, while my dad and I joined the Claude, the Regional Manager of the Western United States and his family along the route to Palm Springs.

I really wished my Wendy made it, because it would have been fun to stop and take a little more time in the small towns on Route 66. However, the experience with MINI has been astonishing. They really take care of the cars and their owners!

[miniusa]

We’ve reached the end of MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016, but we’re never finished. Donate to @FeedingAmerica and continue to help #DefyHunger. MINIUSA.com/MTTS. #MTTS2016

[miniusa]

MINI Motorers rallied to #DefyHunger on MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016. See how a Palm Springs food bank is doing their part. 

[nikjmiles]

Welcome to Nevada only 84 Miles to Vegas #mtts2016 #defyhunger @miniofPortland (at Nevada/Arizona State Line (Mesquite, NV))

[nikjmiles]

Beautiful Desert in Utah. We are heading to Vegas #mtts2016 ##defyhunger (at Silver Reef Ghost Town- Leeds,Utah)

[nikjmiles]

View this post on Instagram

On the way to Las Vegas still need $280 to reach our goal #defyhunger #mtts2016 www.testmiles.com (at Fillmore Beaver Area)