Mini Takes The States Kickoff Day One

After getting the Mini Cooper S JCW GP and driving in Laguna Seca it was time to take Mini GP home to Florida. Mini USA was kind enough to set up a party for taking the Mini home(and for almost 1000 other Mini owners joining the trip at Leg 1) . Today the party started on the beach in Monterey with a bon fire near Fisherman's wharf. After the morning festivities including a hula hoop contest it was on to the Pacific Highway, Big Sur and then to Santa Barbara.
After the start of the road trip various Mini Cooper vehicles grouped together for ride on the ocean highway. There was construction on the highway that bunched up the vehicles and then hair pin turns at Maxi-Mini speed. Some smart non Mini vehicles moved out of the way for the Minimania road trip!!
After leaving Big Sur we made it to Buellton and to Pea Soup Andersen's for lunch. Other Mini drivers also stopped and we talked about the trip. Then it was on to Santa Barbara on California 246 passing the Hitching Post of Sideways fame and stopping in an old Danish settlement in Solvang to briefly look around and to send the books we accumulated from Napa, Monterey and from Mini.
Then we stopped at another great winery, Gainey Winery where Adam signed us up as new members after tasting some great pinot noir, syrah, sauvignon blanc, chardonay, rose, and whatever else we could talk Adam into pouring for us. He was a knowlegable and great host.
Tonight it is dinner at Bouchon and tomorrow on to Las Vegas. Keep Motoring!!