Wendy Takes the States

With a passion for cars and adventure, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join thousands of MINI enthusiasts driving across America for MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016. Driving "Wendy," my 2005 MINI Cooper S, we motored 5,233 miles, raised 5, 335 meals, traveled through 18 States, and made hundreds of friends along the way. We're looking forward to the next MINI adventure in 2018!

[wendytakesthestates]

I want to say THANK YOU to MINI for hosting an incredible adventure across America for thousands of MINI enthusiasts. No other manufacturer that I know of supports their customers as much as you do. 

When I first heard the phrase, “When you buy a MINI, it comes with friends,” I didn’t really understand until I arrived at the first event in Atlanta, GA. Within minutes, I made new friends and instantly felt like I belonged. Even though I drove most of the way by myself, I NEVER felt alone.

Another THANK YOU to MINI USA and their support along the way for all the MINIs that needed a helping hand. With their team of MINI Roadside Assistance drivers and dealerships ready to clear their schedules and work overtime, many owners had their cars back on the road that evening or early the next morning. I heard all the amazing stories and was lucky (or unlucky) to experience it myself. The strings they pulled to get me, my dad, and Wendy into California for the last leg of the trip was astounding! I really can’t thank MINI enough for all their help!

Lastly, a THANK YOU to MINI USA for teaming up with Feeding America to put a purpose to this road trip. Not only did we raise 1,000,000+ meals to support those who don’t know when their next meal will be, we spread the word to family, friends, and passerby’s who are more than happy to help.

I’m sad Mini Takes the States 2016 has ended, but am excited and ready for what MINI decides to host in 2018!

My final numbers...

5,233 Miles Motored

5,335 Meals Raised

18 States

15 Days

1 Co-Pilot Gained (my Dad)

Thousands of Bugs Sacrificed

1 Slave Clutch Cylinder

2 Brake Pads

Hundreds of Friends Made

Thousands of MINIs Seen

...and a memory of a lifetime!

MOTOR ON AMERICA

[wendytakesthestates]

My hot lap at Thermal Club in Palm Desert, California with a professional driver in the new JCW Cooper Hardtop. This was a blast and makes me want to get back out on the track again!

[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!

[wendytakesthestates]

Well the drive today was a hot one! From Park City to Las Vegas was a lot more interesting than expected driving through national forests, mountains, and open plains with the neatest part of all being the drive through the northern tip of the Grand Canyon! The mountains of red rock tower over the highway as you enter into Nevada, such an incredible experience.

On our way into the city, we kept tabs on the temperatures and reached a whopping 121ºF. Poor Wendy was a trooper through it all and made it to our first stop of Windy City Wash & Wax for an exterior pampering before checking into Planet Hollywood.

We originally planned a sunset photoshoot, dinner at Hofbrauhaus, and stroll along the trip, but my dad received an upsetting phone call from his home alarm company saying that someone had broken into his house. We spent the next couple hours contacting friends or family available to check in to see what was going on after the police went through the property. After room service delivered a mediocre dinner and 2 hours spent, it ended up being a false alarm. Since my dad hasn’t seen the strip in YEARS, we decided to cut out some sleep and walk most of the strip so he could see they craziness.

The morning after, we enjoyed cold water, shade from the tour bus, and a wonderful breakfast at the morning Rise & Shine. Off to our last stop, Palm Springs, California!

Trip: 4,734 | Odometer: 100,336

[wendytakesthestates]

A long day today from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Park City, Utah. To help break up the drive, we motored with a couple friends from NorCal MINIs through some twisties, stopping for a great lunch in the small town of Saratoga, Wyoming.

Even though most of the drive was on Interstate 80, it was pretty beautiful with spotted clouds on the Interstate and fun winding mountain roads climbing to and from 10,000 feet.

Happy to be in a nice comfy bed. Ready for our drive tomorrow to Las Vegas!

Trip: 4,305 | Odometer: 99,907

[wendytakesthestates]

Once finished at the National Monument, we drove the last hour and a half into Cheyenne, Wyoming for a little R&R in the hotel's hot tub, a car wash, and a fill up.

All the MINIACs were treated to a special rodeo event and BBQ at the Terry Bison Ranch. This was an awesome way to end the drive into Cheyenne! Especially with a spectacular sunset, amazing food, and great entertainment.

Trip: 3,795 | Odometer: 99,397

[wendytakesthestates]

Woke up to a beautiful morning in Sturgis, South Dakota. On our way to Mount Rushmore, we decided to take some mountain roads, cutting their way through the Black Hills National Forest.

After arriving at Mount Rushmore, we stopped for some pictures and a quick break, then headed on to Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska with the rest of the MINIACs. Definitely a unique sight to be seen out in the middle of farmland!

Instead of motoring directly to our next stop, we decided to take a short detour to check out Scott's Bluff National Monument in Wyoming. Definitely a great decision! Although it was 104ºF, we had an amazing drive to the top of the Bluff for a view of the valley below and the mammoth mountains sitting on top of the vast plains and Oregon Trail.

[wendytakesthestates]

There is no way to explain how massive and awe-inspiring the Badlands are. Both the Badland National Grasslands and the Badland National Park. We're so happy we stopped! Taking a side road out of the park, headed into Sturgis.

We had a great drive, until about 10 minutes outside of Rapid City, South Dakota. The clouds that looked "Neat" about 30 minutes earlier, started to look a little more ominous. We ended up getting hit with a major thunder, lightning, and hail storm. Luckily, "Wendy" was only pelted with pea-sized hail, while fellow MINIAC's further up the road were battered with 3" (Softball size) hail!

After a long drive, we checked into the hotel and enjoyed a relaxing evening at the Knuckle Saloon in downtown Sturgis.

Trip: 3,382 | Odometer: 98,984

[wendytakesthestates]

An employee at the Badlands Pawn shop insisted that we stop at the Coffea coffee roasters the next morning for the best coffee in South Dakota. He wasn't lying! They made us some delicious cups to help start our day right.

During our long, straight drive from Sioux Falls to Sturgis, MTTS gave us a scavenger hunt to find fun, and exciting stops along the way. We passed most of them, but decided to stop at the Corn Palace, a building entirely decorated with parts of corn!

We continued to the "Surprise & Delight" at an 1880 Old West Town that became famous during it's appearance in Dancing With Wolves, and a few other wild west movies. The stop was expected to be short - to see the town, fill up with fuel, and grab some food - however, we ended up spending more than an hour here looking at each of the dozens of buildings and saying "Hello" to the Longhorn cattle.

Back on the road and off to the Badlands!

[wendytakesthestates]

For a day with no planned pit stops or events planned, my dad and I kept pretty busy! We joined the NorCal MINI club at the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota. After that, we joined them for lunch and then wandered around the town of Austin for a bit, finding a beautiful church and the most beautiful high school we’ve ever seen!

After finishing in Austin, we motored straight across the bottom of Minnesota on HW 90 for 200+ miles to get to Sioux Falls, enjoying some cheese and fresh baguette from Wisconsin along the route.

Arriving in Sioux Falls, we stopped by the famous Badlands Pawn shop where the staff were very friendly and the place overall was very well organized and a fun site to see. We cruised over to the Falls park to learn about the original flour mill built on the site of the river’s falls. Neither of us knew what to expect and were blown away by the beauty of this natural water fall carving it’s way through the city.

I treated my dad to Sonic for a late dinner. I know I know, not the fanciest, but he’s never had it. NEVER! I couldn’t resist :)

Another great day, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Trip: 2,979 | Odometer: 98,581

[wendytakesthestates]

We woke today to a beautiful sunrise over Minneapolis after a stormy night. With a clear morning, we motored over to Canterbury Park for the Rise & Shine event with excellent burritos and another well-planned morning event. Got to see some new cars and beautiful faces joining us here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After leaving the park, we joined the NorCal MINI club at Prince’s Paisley Estate. The building itself wasn’t very special, but all the love and notes throughout the tunnels, walkways, and fences was thought-inspiring.

Now off to a pit stop at the SPAM museum!

[wendytakesthestates]

Another beautiful day in the north central USA. Beginning at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Green Bay, Wisconsin, we were treated to fresh local coffee and pancakes on the coolest griddles I’ve ever seen!

The drive through Wisconsin to Minnesota is gorgeous with their rolling hills and expansive countryside. Many of us stopped for the MTTS Surprise & Delight at Kathy’s Drive In for some ice cream. The pit crew was on top of it with napkins and hand wipes. Such a great idea, thank you!!

Continuing on, I took off from the rest of the crew and motored directly to Minneapolis to meet up with my co-pilot for the rest of the trip, my dad! We grabbed a late lunch/early dinner before visiting the International Market Square for the evening event. We browsed the showrooms for some modern home decor ideas, enjoyed a nice cold local brewed beer, and some delicious finger food! A great evening and ready to continue motoring on to South Dakota tomorrow morning.

Trip: 2,625 | Odometer: 98,227

[wendytakesthestates]

Made it to Green Bay, Wisconsin! The drive was beautiful along Lake Michigan, with the unexpected surprise of a Model T caravan down the highway. They were all friendly and waved and honked at us as we drove by. There’s something about that old horn that will instantly put a smile on your face :)

Since we crossed a time zone, we gained an extra hour and rolled into town around 1:30-2pm. With the evening event starting at 6:30pm, we had some time to kill. So what do you do in Wisconsin? Find some famous cheese shops! We checked out two and had the opportunity to try fresh cheese curd and a new cheese that is yet to be named.

For the evening event, we took over the Titletown Brewing Company for an evening of free beer, free food, and lots of MINIs! A HUGE shout out to MINI of the Fox Valley for hosting an amazing evening full of great memories and a special “Cooper” brew just for us. Couldn’t resist picking up a growler of it for the hubby back home.

Trip: 2,271 | Odometer: 97,873

[wendytakesthestates]

Time for some laundry, yes! MINI is actually doing our laundry! This was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise when I first registered in Atlanta. If I had known, I would have packed less stuff haha. I really can’t believe how much MINI does for us on this trip with their roadside assistance, their amazing “Pit Crew” that directs traffic and helps out at every stop, and their little details along the way. Thank you MINI!!

Rise and Shine in St. Ignace!! This town is so friendly and welcoming! The sponsored breakfast was amazing, the location was well set up, and the speaker when we were taking off was hilarious and fun to listen to while we waited for the rows of MINIs to clear out of the lot.

On our drive from St. Ignace to Green Bay, we stopped at a Snowmobile museum. There were signs all over town welcoming us and friendly locals along the streets waving to say hello. Definitely my favorite part of MINI Takes The States! We had delicious popcorn and cotton candy, got to pin our location on a map by the entrance, and check out some vintage snowmobiles. My favorite by far was the modified Model T. Not something you see every day!

[wendytakesthestates]

TOP DAILY DONOR!!! Thank you all so much for your contributions to help me support Feeding America! If you haven't donated, $1 can go a long way to serving 11 meals! Visit my donation page at http://help.feedingamerica.org/site/TR/TeamChallenge/GiveAMealTeamChallengeNon-Division?px=4219779&pg=personal&fr_id=1381