We left Beach Rose RV Park and our granddaughter on 7/5/22 after celebrating the July 4th Holiday. We had a quick stop for RV service at Place Ford in Webster, MA off Rte 395. We have stopped here before and they are very accommodating, quick, efficient, and convenient. After our morning RV service appointment we head on to I-84 West for my sister Pat’s home in Beacon, NY. It’s always great catching up with Pat and she is the ultimate host. We had planned a few days to visit before heading on a first time adventure for us; a Car Rally. We planned to leave our RV at Pat’s for a couple of weeks while we do MTTS. (MINI Takes The States 2022).
We have owned a MINI Cooper for years and have flat towed our little MINI convertible since beginning this Full-time adventure. A few years back we were talking to our friends Mark & Julie from www.rvlove.com, who use to tow a MINI convertible too, and they told us about the MTTS Rally. We had never heard about it until that point and immediately started researching and discussing doing a Rally. MINI North America plans and sponsors a multi-day rally for MINI owners in some part of North America every 2 years. We started talking about attending a Rally back in 2019 though they cancelled the Rally for several years because of the Pandemic. 2022 was the year MTTS was returning and we planned on being there. The Rally would start in Burlington, Vermont and travel for 9 days through 9 states, with over 500 other MINI Coopers, ending at the BMW Factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina…
Aside from having to stay in Hotels rather than our Home-on-Wheels, we were psyched for this new adventure!
Leaving Pat’s and the RV for MTTS…
7/8/2022:
Burlington VT
Today we left Pat’s house with our RV parked safe and sound in her driveway for the MINI Cooper Road
Rally (MINI Takes the States) for the next two weeks. As we said earlier the first nine days we will be driving with 500 plus other MINI Cooper owners from Burlington, VT all the way to Spartanburg, SC. The other five days will be driving our way back to Pat’s!
This morning, the weather was great, so we put the convertible top down and decided to drive the back roads (Rte 9) instead of the NYS Thruway (I-87) because we think it will be much more scenic. It was a great choice. The weather was perfect and the scenery beautiful. When we got to Albany area we hopped onto the NorthWay for a few exits to save a little time, then we got back to the backroads to get into VT and on up to Burlington.
We decided to take a break after about 3 hours of driving at the Northway ‘s Adirondack Park Welcome Center. A well deserved restroom break and a picnic lunch were on the agenda when suddenly we realize many other MTTS MINI drivers are doing the same thing. This is the first place we realize that MTTS 2022 may be a “Big Deal”. We introduce ourselves to a few other MINI people heading to the rally! We all chat for a bit then continue on our way! It took most of the day to travel up to the Burlington Registration/starting point. Arriving at MINI of Burlington, Vermont we could quickly tell this is going to be a fun couple of weeks. MINI’s were everywhere! All colors, years, styles, and so many personalized or customized…
Adirondack Welcome Center…
Welcome to Vermont…
Pulling into the parking lot, luck would have it, another Mini was pulling out right in front of the Registration tent (a SUPER Prime Location), and we backed right in. Registration was easy and they handed us our event swag bag with gifts. They had Music playing and so much more going on… After checking out the cool MINI Swag stuff we headed over to the Ben and Jerry’s free ice cream tent, and then some Maple Ice Tea, past the free car wash station (which we did not take advantage of) and MINI mechanics on property to answer questions and check on our cars. One of the funniest moments, just after we arrived and parked the car, was being approached by a gentleman with a MINI shirt on that said “Hi”. I asked him what he did with MINI and he responded he was Mike Peyton MINI North America’s VP and “Chief Motorer” – What are the odds we would run into MINI’s Chief Motorer as the first person we connected at the event? We hung around for a bit, meeting several other RALLY attendees, googling all the different types of MINI’s, and having a few snacks, before heading to find our hotel and have some dinner in downtown Burlington. Having gone to undergraduate school in Plattsburgh, NY, right across Lake Champlain from Burlington, we were familiar with the Church Street downtown area. Mike’s Mom also worked in Essex Junction, VT for years and we had taught our kids to ski at Smugglers Notch many years ago, not far from here.
Not a bad parking spot …
We are in good company here in Burlington…
Meeting Mike Peyton in Burlington – Mini North America’s “Chief Motorer”…
Our hotel was in Colchester, VT which is about 40 minutes from the rally point, in the morning, but only a few minutes from downtown Burlington, which is where we planned to hang out for the evening. We got over to the hotel, but couldn’t figure out how to check in, as there was no office there! Mike called the number on our email confirmation and the guy said we could find the key under the flower planter and everything should be all set! When we walked into the room there were tickets to the drive in movie next door for free!! Awesome!! The Starlight Inn was a great place (though pricey at $250.00 per night). We drove back into Burlington to catch dinner at The Vermont Brewery, which was very good, and then walked around Church Street for awhile.
Leaving downtown we headed back to the Starlight Inn arriving just in time for the drive-in movie to start! We pulled in to the drive-in and found a good parking spot. We immediately noticed there were several other Mini’s there and we chatted for a bit before the move (Top Gun Maverick) began. We can’t remember the last time we had been to a drive-in! It is a beautiful July evening to leave the top down and watch a movie outside! (Also no bugs???)
We get back to the hotel and fall into bed, setting the alarm for 6:00am so we can be at the rise and rally by 7:00am.
Our 1st night on MTTS…
Getting ready for the drive-in…
7/9/2022:
Burlington to Vernon NY
Today begins the rally! We arrive shortly after 7am to find many folks already lined up! There are lots of tents set up and people there to flag / guide us into place. It is so fun to see so many interestingly wrapped cars. We get to the gathering area and get our magnets, pins, and drive route…. People are getting reacquainted with folks they have met at other rallies. There is music playing and someone on the mic getting us all organized and psyched up for the day… This morning’s breakfast is pancakes, sausage, and juice. We do look over the merchandise, for sale, but decide we don’t need any T shirts, beverage glasses or other “souvenirs” . We get our breakfast and mill around the cars to see what others have done to make their car unique.
A very fun way to begin the rally!
MTTS 2022 Route…
As it gets close to 10:00am everyone heads to their cars and the send off begins! It is very organized and it is very fun to see all those MINI’s lined up driving one behind the other! Off we go to Vernon NY!
MTTS 2022 Vermont…
Rise & Shine Rally 1st Day…
A sea of Mini’s …
Here we go…
The drive takes us through the mountains of Vermont… Beautiful!!! We cross into NY State near Whitehall, NY and then through Lake George. MINI North America has done their due diligence planning the route taking us on some spectacular twists and turns, past bridges, lakes, mountain passes, and everything in between. So much fun and even more so in a MINI Convertible. What is fun is that MINI’s seem to drive in packs or groups of 12 cars more or less. One hour we’re driving with a bunch of John Cooper works MINI’s, then another hour convertibles, then an hour of countryman’s and the list goes on… You can stop along the route anytime for gas, a restroom break, a snack, or just for pictures and then you are with an entirely different group of MINI’s. What we also notice is people graciously take turns deciding who will lead… This first day was so much fun and all new to us…-a gorgeous day to have the top down, enjoy the scenery and the sun!
As we drive into upstate NY,we both comment on how much we love the scenery and that area of NY. Eventually we make our way to Oneida (right outside Vernon, NY) to our hotel for the night, The Oneida Community Mansion. It is an old mansion that was years ago a community for a religious utopian group began in the late 1800’s. The community thrived for almost 30 years before it disbanded. There are efforts to restore the buildings, so one of their first steps was to make the first floor into guest rooms to create a revenue for restoration funds. While they still have a long way to go we enjoyed the grounds, the museum (inside) and wandering around the halls of the mansion, reading about the people and the community they built. MTTS has history lessons too???
Because we are not used to hotel and eating every meal out, we decided to just get some sandwiches tonight and take a blanket outside for a picnic on the gorgeous grounds of the property. There are a few people that have rented apartments within the mansion and one woman whose great grandfather began the community in the late 1800’s stopped to chat and tell a little about the history of the place. Very interesting. Although our room was very small, it was a unique and interesting place to stay and it is only a few miles from the rise and rally point! Another good choice for places to stay!
7/10/2022:
Vernon NY to Poconos PA
MTTS day 2 Vernon, NY Rally start…
It is a good morning as we didn’t have as far to drive this morning to get to the start point! And we feel more organized for getting things into the suitcases and the car. Because we always have everything with us in the motor home, packing and making sure we have everything we want is a struggle! Making sure everything is organized in the car is definitely a learning curve. Since this is day two we are more comfortable with what to expect in the mornings and during the drives each day. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. This morning there is a live band playing some jazzy music to begin the day. The breakfast is breakfast burritos, fruit, yogurt, and juice. We do the usual walk around the vender tents picking up the daily drive route, magnets, pins…we see some familiar faces so stop to talk a bit with them. New MINI friends…
The starting line on day 2 in Vernon, NY…
The drive today is spectacular! Best drive so far! We both really love this area of NY; the farmland, so much green, everything so well taken care of. We could live here!! We actually drive through Oneonta (where Mike’s sister Pat went to college) and Cooperstown!
Day 2 drove right thru Cooperstown…
When we finally arrive in the Poconos we realize the hotel we selected is directly across the street from the rise and rally location! The Poconos Villages Hotel is a great choice. There are many other Mini people staying here as well. There are two rocking chairs on the porch, in front of our building, so we pour some wine and sit for a few minutes before we head to the restaurant. We find a place to eat about 3 miles away (Murthy’s Loft) that has live music, a great patio, and pretty good food. There are many other MINI people eating there as well. We gas up on the way back to the hotel and then pour a glass of wine and join some other MINI owners in the parking lot to chatter a bit before we head back to our room.
7/11/2022
Poconos PA to Frederick MD
MTTS Start Dy 3 Poconos, Pennsylvania…
We arrive at the rise and rally location which is the Pocono Speedway! Before we line up we get to drive half the track!! So fun!! We do the usual; breakfast (Bacon / egg and cheese biscuit- fruit & juice), get the drive route, our magnets and pins, Mike gets a pin for his hat and we get some photo’s at the photo opportunity stations. Then it is time to drive out! Again we get to drive a lap around the track, under the tunnel and then out. It’s very cool to see so many MINI Coopers all driving one behind the other! This usually lasts for a few miles before we get split up by traffic lights or other drivers that get between us…
As we reflect back, today’s drive is our least favorite drive so far. The route takes us through several old, run down mill towns, more highway driving than usual, and the curves and scenery are not as good as the previous few days drives. Disappointing, but it is still fun driving with other MINI drivers, in the sunshine.
The start of Day 2 at Pocono Motor Speedway…
Pocono Motor Speedway..
A stop at Hershey, PA…
A stop at Hershey, PA…
Driving Rte 209 today…
As we pull in to Frederick, Maryland we find a Costco for gas and then on to our Hotel- the least favorite one so far (Comfort Inn). The room is not quite ready for us yet, even though it is after 4:00PM! We bide some time in the lobby getting caught up returning some emails. Finally the room is ready and we get ready for dinner. About a mile away there is a 50’s diner (Mountain View Diner) so we head there. It is a fine place to get a meal. We head back to the room to relax as driving all day, in a convertible, in the sun, is tiring work!!
7/12/2022:
Frederick to Roanoke VA
This mornings rally is the best yet! Great band to get us started and the breakfast is unbelievable! Individual quiches that are amazing, fruit cups, and yogurt. The rise and rally kick off is at the Frederick, Maryland Fairgrounds.
Maryland Rise & Rally…
We drove this West Virginia on this day too…
Waiting for the start in Frederick, Maryland…
Today we are headed from Maryland to Virginia. the route takes us up on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive… We have driven this route before, in the MINI, and know how beautiful this drive is. Once up on the Blue Ridge the speed limit is considerably slower so we know at 30 miles per hour today is going to be a long day in the car. Fortunately the stops for pictures is worth every penny of it!
The views on the Blue Ridge Parkway…
We know Joanne’s sister Deb and brother in-law Tony are driving northbound from Florida and are also planning to camp near the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive over the next few days. Joanne thinks we may pass each other and tries to text Deb but ends up calling instead. At first just casual conversation and then Joanne brings up the subject of passing each other as we head South and they are heading North. Deb says no way- we are just too far apart to connect. Joanne says we are actually staying in Roanoke, Virginia tonight and Deb replies, “wait; you are going to be in Roanoke tonight?” — Yes. Deb replies, “We are going to be in Roanoke tonight too!” Our locations are exchanged and YAHTZEE it turns out they are camping within walking distance of our hotel! What are the odds! We make plans to meet for dinner and celebrate our wedding anniversary…. Serendipitous for sure!!!!
We arrive at the hotel around 5 and they are already set up at their camping spot literally next door to the hotel. We meet up and because of the heat we decide to head back over to our hotel. We then FaceTime with MomMom to surprise her before heading out to a pizza place for dinner. All in all a fantastic, impromptu, visit with Deb and Tony, and a great anniversary!!
FaceTiming with Mom Mom at our hotel…
Celebrating our 42nd Anniversary with Deb & Tony in Roanoke, VA…
7/13/2022:
Roanoke, VA to Bristol, TN
As we loaded up the car Deb and Tony were leaving in their motor home so we had one last opportunity to say good bye, but we will meet up with them again in Acadia National Park and some in Canada in August…
Deb & Tony heading out from Roanoke, VA. (Yes they also drive a Mini just weren’t on the Rally….)
Todays rise and rally was at The Berglund Center. It was a fantastic venue with an awesome music group. Breakfast was so, so, but Joanne is probably pickier than most!
Another state another MINI State Pic…
As we begin the day we find ourselves doing multiple “dragon runs” beginning with the “Claw of the dragon” followed by the “Back of the dragon”. All of the driving today was on the most twisty, turny roads with a lot of elevation. Joanne actually got car sick! Nonethelessless she is a trooper and ultimately it was so much fun and Mike was in Heaven all day!
The drives today include… “The Dragons”…
Waiting for the start today…
Stopped at the Country Store on the “Claw of the Dragon”…
The Country Store parking lot was taken over by Minis…
We met up along the route with our new friends Mark and Renee from Pennsylvania. Mark’s a history teacher and Renee works in technology. We ended up being pretty compatible “dragon slayers”, so we stuck together with them most of the day and ended up meeting up with them at a barbeque place for dinner in downtown Bristol (where half of the street is in TN and the other half is in VA!). We were at a Red Roof Inn- not Joanne’s favorite hotel chain; but it was definitely better than the Comfort Inn from a few days before!
Loving the views in the mountains while driving those dragons…
Every night Joanne is exhausted and sound asleep before Mike finishes posting on social media to let everyone know where we are!
7/14/2022:
Bristol TN to Asheville NC
Bristol Motor Speedway Rise & Rally…
Bristol Motor Speedway Rise & Rally…
World’s Fastest Half-Mile – Bristol Motor Speedway!
Today the Rise & Rally meets at 7:00am at Bristol Motor Speedway. Everyone enters a steep incline to acess the steep banked track before descending down to the infield, to line-up for the start. This place is truly amazing. It is a very steep/banked oval race track that is impressive to say the least. At the start we will each do a lap around the track before exiting the stadium and beginning today’s drive. WOW!!!!
Today we are driving the Back of the Dragon. 32 miles, 438 curves, and 3,500 Ft of elevation!
Back of the Dragon…
Back of the Dragon…
After that we head over to US 421 and take on “The Snake”… The Snake or US 421, is a really nice, 37 mile drive, with 489 curves, crossing 3 mountains. It travels through Johnson County, Tennessee and Washington County, Virginia.
US 421 “Home of the Snake”…
Mark & Renee parked by the start of “The Snake”…
7/15/22 Asheville, North Carolina
Today we are driving the famous “Tail of the Dragon”…. Tail of the Dragon is located at Deals Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. It has 318 hairpin curves over 11 miles and is considered by many as the #1 Motorcycle and Sports Car Enthusiast drive in the country. People travel from all over the world to drive “The Dragon”. Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. It is considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Rise & Rally North Carolina…
Joanne’s ready to take on “The Dragon”…
Checking off the states…
Lined up and ready for the start…
The Dragon!
The Dragon!
Well we drive The Dragon twice and loved every moment of that 11 miles or 22 miles! It was so much fun driving with our friends and so many other MINI enthusiasts! We actually got grouped with a a group of “Roadster MINI’s for awhile and could those little cars corner … We had a blast in both directions. Afterward we continued on and took a drive through more mountains in the area which also were fantastic. Apparently we just missed a flash flood in the mountains and when the sun came out it was spectacular. While it rained we actually had our convertible top up for about 1.5 hours for the first time since leaving NY. Once it cleared that top came down again!
Our friends and us own the mountain!
Loving those North Carolina Mountain Views!
7/16/22 Spartanburg, South Carolina
Today we arrive in South Carolina…
We have been driving between 200-250 miles a day the last 8 days and arriving in South Carolina for 2 nights is a welcome rest. This is the final destination for MTTS 2022. Why here? Well this is the BMW factory headquarters and test track. They test and train people here at the factory test track and since BMW owns MINI they do the same with MINI’s here as well. While here we will tour the factory, and then spend an afternoon on the test track in different MINI’s.
A pic at the factory…
Vintage Minis..
Vintage Minis..
Vintage Minis..
The factory museum is fun, though they end up giving us a video tour of the factory because things are still closed due to the pandemic. No worries. The video tour was still interesting and we could see similar technologies being ingrated in manufacturing as we witnessed years ago at the Ford F150 factory in Dearborn, MI. The walk through the museum was very fun especially when we saw the 1986 BMW 535I which was the identical body style to the 528E we bought way back then.
BMW 535I !
Later in the afternoon Mike headed to the test track. The deal was a maximum of 3 hours at the facility with 5 different tracks to experience in that time frame. Mike actually hadn’t made a needed reservation earlier and with the times already over scheduled he had to settle for a 2 hour window. First up was the professional driver on the S track. Wow!!! The driver definitely pushed that John Cooper Works to the limit there. Next up was the “Rabbit Chase”, which Mike drove in position 1 and had a blast chasing the professional driver. 3rd was the High Speed Straightaway with a Professional Driver. That driver had that John Cooper Works with (301 HP) up to 125mph in less than a mile before slamming the brakes. So much fun he went twice… Last was the timed track driving yourself in the JC Works. Unbeknowst he was placed in the new Electric MINI. At the start he didn’t go as he did not know how to engage the drive, though once educated took off like a rocket! That Electronic MINI is FAST!!!! All in All a very good day…
The last evening was a tremendous show at the fairgrounds. a huge stage with band, laser light show, swag and more swag, food, drink, and so much fun meeting and gathering with people we had met over the last 9 days….
One last pic of the magnets, pins, and ready to depart MTTS 2022…
A mini with a custom built camper trailer…
Love this… Counterfeit Mini…
MTTS 2022 is in the books. We had no idea what to expect when we committed to this adventure. MINI owners are a fun group that are passionate about their MINI’s and lifestyle. MINI Coopers exude fun… Convertible MINI’s exude ultimate FUN. When you put so many MINI owners together all I can say is you are going to have FUN, and We did!
So many great people, so many great stories, so many great memories, and so many MINI’s. Leaving MTTS 2022 our first conversation was let’s do it again in 2024. So glad we added this adventure to this “Revolutionary Journey”!
Mike Nunan is a committed life long learner... Deciding to sell their Connecticut home after 30 years in 2018, where they raised their family, and then selling his business, followed by his wife Joanne deciding to retire from her 34 year teaching career, together they embarked on this full-time RV adventure... traveling, exploring, photographing, hiking, and enjoying this incredible world and gift we call life...
8/8/2022: Crossing the border and Fundy National Park When we[...]
About us
RV'ers, Traveler's, & Bloggers
We are the Nunan's. College sweethearts who married 44 years ago. Joanne a teacher & Mike a professional photographer. We have 2 incredible adult children that we take pride in everyday and are thankful for the life, experience, and adventure we have on this "Revolutionary Journey"....
