Vancouver Mini Club

After gassing Colin, we headed out to the Trans Canada and east to Winnipeg. Weather was very much better, had only one thunder shower with hail. Saskatchewan and Manitoba were both green and not at all the flat, boring places most people claim.

Trans Canada Hwy. is still deplorable but worst of all are the other drivers. We have cruised at the limit or just above...and are the slowest cars on the road. several scary incidents of ordinary folks passing on curves up hills over double solid lines and one "professional trucker who forced Colin onto the shoulder as he met oncoming traffic while passing with his rig.

Colin suffered increasing gremlin problems with his ignition (though fueling was not eliminated as a cause). We slowed to 95-100 kmh and brought both cars into CFB Winnipeg for the overnight. Could not find an internet cafe (ofb) or other connection. promised to sort out Colin's car in the morning.

We could not trouble shoot Colin's difficulties because a little bit of everything was short of the mark. So into the spares box I dove and we refitted his ignition. New plugs, new points, new condenser, new rotor and new cap. Guess what...the engine said thank you. So we are now off to Thunder Bay, an hour or two late, but working.

After leaving CFB Winnipeg, Colin led the way onto the South loop of the ring highway as we started for Thunder Bay. Yes, we were late after the morning at 'Voxair', the CF 17 Wing newspaper offices. However, we welcomed their interest in facilitating our internet needs for text and photos. And publicly acknowledge our appreciation.

Much to our distress, a single vehicle accident, slightly ahead of me and alongside Colin, saw a vehicle go out of control, swerve wildly, leap the concrete curb careen across the oncoming divided highway lanes, roll over and land upright 15 feet below the highway in the ditch. Colin and I both moved over to the shoulder, to get out of the way, stop and race to offer assistance.

Colin got to the young driver as he was attempting to exit the car, dazed, and got him up, out of the wet ground and onto the shoulder where he was covered with a horse blanket to await an ambulance. I dove into the car to shut of the motor...sacre' bleu...there was no ignition switch. The car was stolen and hot wired. I suggested calling the police, as well, because someone had just lost a "totaled" Chrysler sedan and the police might be interested.

Fortunately, no one other than the driver was injured, although a high speed head-on collision with west bound traffic had been a possibility. Good luck for all others. Reminds one that car thieves rarely check the mechanical condition, tires etc. of cars they boost. The young driver's actions did not help the image of died hair, ear-ringed and tear-away clad youth.

We got back on the road some 30 minutes later just as a big thunderstorm struck. And, in the ensuing deluge, Colin took the Hwy. 1 exit, while we continued to circle Winnipeg, until we were diverted by a highway closure because of a pickup truck/jet fuel tanker crash. Eastbound on Hwy. 15, we needed to go cross country to find Hwy. 1. By this time Colin was out front and separated by some distance. This caused Elaine to pen, "Hallo Hallay, it's a very sad day! We're not having fun, for now we are one!"

Stopped for lunch, turned on the cell (should Colin call)and asked a departing trucker to advise Colin (if he saw him) that we were behind but following. Several hour later, there was Colin beside the highway at the split outside Kenora, Ontario. The trucker had told him our news...and had eaten the sandwiches Colin had made for us! This set
Elaine's pen to work, "Hurray, hurray it's a very good day. We're united again with our new found friend!"

Together again we made our way through northwestern Ontario to Thunder Bay, arriving well after dark, but in good spirits. Colin was so happy with the performance of his Mini, that he thought he might pull out and cover the distance to Sudbury (approx. 1,000 kms.) enroute to visit five of his (seven) brothers in Barrie. So he over-nighted at the Terry Fox Memorial east of Thunder Bay, while we hunkered down in town.

Our early plans for traveling from early morning until 6 p.m. have not worked out. Nonetheless, we are covering the ground. Pooh is just eating up the miles, hour after hour, at 70 psi oil pressure and normal engine temperature. The weather was good for a long haul trip, bright, high scattered cloud and coolish for late June. Only a little stormy as we left Manitoba.

We welcomed the fresh pavement in Ontario and had to put up with construction zones (the trade-off) which slowed all. Elaine spotted four moose, after dusk, near the highway before Thunder Bay. The highways are well marked by NIGHT DANGER signs. In a Mini a moose is a danger at all hours! A big broad of Canada Geese is no slouch at threatening a Mini either as Colin discovered when they decided to cross the highway.

Have logged 3,207 kilometres, so far, from home. We are well, comfortable (on 25 year old seats) and enjoying the ride. The images of the prairies and the great lakes region are all blown away by the reality in 2000. There is an abundance of moisture every where as a result of the precipitation, temperatures are below normal and
everything is green.

The remarkable image that lingers is of a city like Regina appearing like a futuristic spaceport from the land stretching out to the horizon...hazy and imprecise at first but not of Mother Nature's doing.

Message for Rick & Elaine:
If Rick and Elaine are traveling through Toronto and if they require any
assistance I wouldn't mind helping out. Please call Pooh central for phone numbers.
Nuno Aguiar

Colin is a Tim Horton's fanatic. I had only bought a big batch of doughnuts from Tim Horton's for the Pitt Meadows Day Parade each year.  I have to admit, it's good coffee and, now, I can spot a Horton's every time. For those from far away (and other sports), Tim Horton was an outstanding defenceman with the Stanley Cup Champion Toronto Maple Leaf ice hockey teams of the mid-60's...a time when Minis were winning consecutive Monte Carlo Rallies. So, there's a fit...two of the best ever!

Hopefully, you will get a kick out of my photo while engaging in the little known Wawa sport of Moose Tossing, from the porch of Young's General Store. Seriously, Young's in Wawa (Ojibway for "wild goose") has an incredible inventory. Go visit! Incidentally, that is a littlemoose.

Another great day for Pooh. The Mini is running strong, like a tank. On the last long hill, I pinned the gas pedal and was still accelerating (if slowly), at more than 70 miles an hour, when a new Dodge 4x4 gradually overtook us. Just have to love the little 998 Series A.

Message from Rick's cousin in Australia.
Congrats on your trip. We are following your trip on the net.
Love to all
Patricia and Darryl

Not just another birthday. I am 57 years old today, feel like I'm 27, and am not afraid of 87! Always remember - life is too important to take too seriously!

The folks next door at the Ambassador Motel in the Soo - John and Virginia McDonald from Wawa (enroute to Michigan) - had also heard Basic Black, asked for pictures (granted) and made a generous, unexpected financial donation for wheelchairs in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. Elaine caught John for the digital photo file. Note to Pooh Central - how are Ridge Meadows residents getting behind our hospital's need?

After a quick T.H breakfast, Colin led the way to Sudbury. He is traveling quickly and with confidence. In fact, he slowly draws away so I must put in a sustained 120 kph burst to catch up (the only time I am not being passed by every other vehicle on the road!).

Blind River was a great coffee stop...and led to the news that a Mini in a field was ours for the taking. Sounded like a typical, rusted out shell (no floors, etc.). Unfortunately, there was no one home to admit us to the field. Colin may follow up on the way home. However, while in town, a young fellow in a typical, rusting Camaro (Ontario's winter salt not GM) asked if we had been to Quebec? He too had listened to Basic Black and would like a Mini. Told him to sniff around town as there was one he might be able to start with!

On getting to Sudbury, halfway at about 400 kms., Colin headed south to visit family, while we forged eastward to the Ottawa Valley. He will connect with his twin, David, in Kingston, Ontario and both will proceed with their Minis to Mt. Orford Park in two days.

We drove straight into town and up to the famous 35 foot Nickel. Norther Ontario is mining country, gold, uranium, copper, nickel etc. and Sudbury is a world-class mining camp. Then it was on to North Bay, home of Canada's national (secret) electronic sleuths, Chalk River, home of Atomic Energy's laboratories, Petawawa, home of Canada's (sadly tarnished) Airborne Regiment, and on into Ottawa. [Our son Tyler qualified as a parachute reservist with the Royal Westminster Regiment. His training took place in part at Colin's home town...Cold Lake, Alberta! Small world.)

We were delayed frequently today by highway construction, including blasting. However, we reached Ottawa before dark and Cliff and Andrea's home for a late supper.

Pooh has covered almost 4,800 kms. so far. We have used 2.5 litres of oil total (remember original, circa 1979 bottom end, and I think it's the tranny shifter too!), no coolant, no air in tires, no repairs...whew. Will change oil/filter tomorrow and bathe the little thing. Pooh is filthy with construction dust etc. but just as loveable and reliable.

Got underway for the "Hill" after noon and loafed around downtown, the Byward Market and visited the National Gallery. Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Mrs. Chretien (Aline) came into the gallery with private guests to see the Coleville Exhibit, which also led us there. I had a few words with the "Boss" and shook hands while his party awaited its transport.

Scooted back out along the Parkway, picked up some wine, crackers etc. for the dinner our hosts had planned. After which, a birthday cake appeared as did a goofy gift "BIG MOUTH BILLY BASS", which is a remarkably real looking mounted bass (a sports fish). The trick is that Billy sings, and wiggles on his wall mounting (which thankfully is too big for the Mini dash) when the button is pushed. Batteries included! It was great fun to spend the evening with special friends.

I did not get a chance to wash up Pooh today. However that did not stop Japanese tourists from taking Pooh over as a photo backdrop on Parliament Hill. We also received a very kind donation, for Ridge Meadows wheel chairs from Miss Sonia Roy, a summer student Guide with the National Capital Commission.

When I parked downtown, the first two people to happen by had both heard the Basic Black interview. One gentleman had driven a Cooper S over the rally route to Monte Carlo more than 30 years before. CBC Radio is obviously important to Canadians and Basic Black is produced in the CBC's Vancouver studios.

Tomorrow we will spend a little more time in Ottawa, Museum of Civilization, tour the Parliament buildings (Commons and Senate), and take a look at the Rideau Canal, where I first canoed in 1963! In the early afternoon we will head off to Montreal and Mt. Orford Park, towards Sherbrooke in Quebec's eastern townships.

MINI MEET EAST will be gathering Friday night in preparation for the opening day on Saturday, July 1st with the Concourse de Elegance (it sounds a little uppity for Mini owners I know), vendors swap meet and convoy to Canada Day fireworks.

Colin and his twin David should arrive from Kingston, Ontario with two Minis, to be joined by a friend coming from Newfoundland.

So, that will be it for tonight. Next message will come from the Hotel Cheribourg in Mt. Orford Park and, access being available, lots of Mini and Mini folk photos!

Cheers! RICK (and Elaine, of course)

We join a francophone tour of the Parliament Buildings as the 1st available anglo tour is four hours off. Elaine sees suite of offices used by Sen. Ray Perrault, for whom Rick worked as chief of staff 20 years ago when he was in Trudeau's last cabinet (my how time flies when you are having fun).

The Hill is crowded before Canada Day. Chantal and Roc are testing the sound systems for the big show.

After dropping off a thank you gift to our hosts, we light out for Montreal and Magog. But first a coffee break at Pauline's in Chute-a-Blundeau and a look at Provinciale Road, in Point Fortune, which divides the town into Ontario and Quebec halves. Imagine long distance phone calls across the street!

Traffic is relatively light heading into Montreal but grinds to a halt approaching Pont Champlain to cross the St. Lawrence River. All other crossings are clear but ours, due to a broken down transport truck.

Clear of the bridge we move in quick traffic towards Magog on hwy. 10 to be greeted by a spectacular thunder storm with forked lightning and heavy rain. Many cars pull off the road to wait out the storm. We soldier on and soon see the hills among which is Mt. Orford (3,800 feet).

Alas, alack and gosh darn...on the last, long, uphill pull we seem to have shed a piece of an exhaust valve after more than 5,000 kms. of trouble free motoring. Will complete diagnosis and remedy among friends!

We are into hotel at 7:45 p.m., register for the meet and enjoy a late supper.

POOH has logged 5,188 kilometres from Pitt Meadows, including a few local kms. enroute to Quebec.

Cheers!
RICK (and Elaine of course!)

There are more Minis than I have ever seen in one place...some perfect, others pure whimsy, some prosaic, others wild. We will let the photos do the talking.

The Concourse Day provides enjoyment from carwash to car ogling, to vender visits, to story and myth swapping. Jeff Smith (VMC Prime MINIster and Leanne are here (left Vancouver on Tuesday and arrived Friday night late - towing their Mini). Colin and his twin, David and family are here from Kingston. David is off to Bosnia shortly so he did not bring his Mini.

A Floridian seeks us out as contenders for 'Mini driven farthest to the meet'. He even took in some of Northern Ontario and got a damaged windscreen for his mileage "padding"!

There are folks we met at Vallejo, California (MMW1997) and Colorado springs last year (E Meets W 1999). A special couple are Frank Smeets and Peggy Ponson from the Netherlands. They own three Minis belong to a large national club at home and a small German club. Big International Mini Meet fans and attendees (up to 2,500-3,000 cars), they were at Silverstone last year (15,000 Minis). Mt. Orford is small potatoes for them but terrific for us. Their flight from Brussels to Montreal was shorter than our drive (and may have cost less, at $800 return, than our trip - thinking of head work).

We dined in town, where the owner took up the guitar for English and French country songs and ballads, with Minis blasting up and down the roadway off the veranda. Just after 9:00 p.m. the whole meet fires up and convoys over hill and dale to the Canada Day fireworks. What a sight, with more than 200 vehicles strung out single file over country roads.

Fireworks were a great, small town show of love for Canada in Quebec!

And, maybe a good omen. Elaine and I saw our first fireflies, though the little delights must have suffered a sensory shock from the pyro display.

Tomorrow is Rallye Day, ending in the vineyard with a picnic and group photo1 We will skip the rallye and get to the vineyard on three cylinders as we have full oil pressure, normal engine temp. and no other signs of distress. No one had a compression guage yesterday, however Denis Boisvert will bring one in today. Then I'll tuck into fault diagnosis and repair plan! Not a big deal, only a valve.

Cheers!
RICK (and Elaine of course!)

Meet planning is first rate with nothing scheduled before 10:00 a.m., recognizing that all are on holidays. However, there were a few glitches in kicking of the Rallye (drivers/navigators not ready). A big field got away on a good day for enjoying the countryside.

We skipped the Rallye being down on power with (I'm sure) part of the number 3 exhaust valve somewhere to the west on Hwy. 10. We opted for the scenic route to the 'Snow Fields' Vineyard. The sole pass enroute to Cowansville was but a hiccup for a 3 cylinder 998.

The Vineyard field was quite a sight with all the cars set out for the group photo, including the Mini Van which was painted as an activity for the younger children. Took the typical panoramic photos, cars only, people with cars. Picnic lunch was terrific although breeze blown tablecloths led to unexpected upsets of all sorts of platters, wine glasses etc.

Back at the hotel, the vendors were open and the lots packed with the Minis. Jeff, Leanne, Jeff's Mom, Elaine and I went into Magog proper for dinner. Had a pleasant walkabout and enjoyed the patio until rain fell, which was quite heavy overnight and into the next day.

Tucked in early with slalom racing on the mind for the morrow.

With the Slalom racing/Autocross and Funkhama set in a large Mall parking lot in Magog, everyone was up early to clear the buffet breakfast and get down the hill by 10 a.m. and we were no exception, even though I would not be entering Pooh.

In fact, I had finally got my hands on a compression guage late yesterday and confirmed that number 3 had lost part of a valve. We will go in to Montreal to Keith Degauque's on Tuesday to pull the head and install a new valve. There is no indication of other trouble and I hope my first look at the piston crown and combustion chamber confirms that guess.

Keith is famous for the Silver Bullet, which the club champion climbed into at the end of the day and knocked off a single 26+ second run almost fastest on the day - against everything including a mid-engine, Porsche powered screamer. Most entrants had difficulty getting to 30 seconds. There were a few spins, burnouts, and lots of tire smoke, hot exhaust fumes, cheers and laughs.

After watching and driving on slalom courses I still can not believe the number of entrants who fail to fix the course in their minds - wandering off between gates, missing clear directions, totally losing their way. Some go in too hot and over shoot, others just don't shoot straight.

The Funkhana ended the day and in the rain yet again. Early runners were up to seven minutes on the course, later entrants got down to 3 minutes. All drove the same car with reversed steering and pedals/tranny operated by the passenger. A back seat safety passenger held the kill switch in the event the car got out of control. There were "events".

Jeff and Leanne did reasonably well timewise after an "event" (hurtling towards a concrete wall). Leanne knew that she should steer from the bottom of the wheel, pulling the wheel to the right to go right etc. However when Jeff gave the car too much gas, Leanne's hands spung to the top of the wheel, turning to the left, sending the car to the right and concrete wall. (The best laid plans....)

Keith Calver spent the weekend telling people their fans were on backwards. So many were that he is considering printing a card that says "p.s. your fan is on backwards" Engine side"

With all back to the hotel, many attempted a personal cleanup before the banquet at 6 for 7 p.m. The ballroom was full with Mini enthusiasts of all ages from stroller occupants on up to full blown nodders. That is an interesting aspect to this meet...a full range of ages, interests and experiences with and or about the Mini.

Keith Dodd got off lightly as the speaker. Awards went on forever and Jeff achieved a 2nd place in Mk III unrestored. Elaine, Pooh and I took longest driven distance. We told the truth...Canada is a marvelous country...drive it and enjoy as we did in our Mini. The good part is that almost everyone won something!

Closing meet notes...the new $21,000 (US) Countryman hybrid was purchased by Canadians. Full leather etc. etc. It will never see the rain (after it gets home).

There were 23 classes in the Concourse, we might want to look at their standard rules for our next meet.

Received a generous donation for 'Wheels' from an Illinois entrant whose wife has MS and needs a wheel chair on "bad" days. He was really encouraged by what we are trying to do for the Ridge Meadows Hospital. In fact, we were invited to his club meeting next saturday afternoon in Dekalb, Illinois. We may not get there from Quebec City, assuming repairs go as planned.

It is almost sad to hear the joyous bark of A Series engines as they come to life this morning. After all it is time to move on and head home. Mini Meet East 2000 has been a wonderful event, well organized, friendly, low-key but with exciting events and...great people! For example, Andy Vanko of DeKalb, Illinois sought us out to make a donation to 'Wheels for Wheels'. His wife has MS and needs a wheel chair on not so good days and he wants to help too!

We have business to attend to in Montreal, almost certainly the #3 exhaust valve has burned out. So we limp into the Montreal island suburb of Ile Bizard and the home of Mainly Minis and MME 2000 leaders Debbie Bolton-Degauque and Keith Degauque to effect repairs. Although he must have been tired, Keith D. jumps to moving various Minis, including the Silver Bullet, and gets Pooh into his shop. There, nose to nose with Keith's GT5 race car, off comes the head. Everything looks good except #3 exhaust valve, which is burned out.

A special Mini Meet guest and at Debbie and Keith's home is Keith 'The Knowledge' Calver of Mini Magazine, Mini Spares and Mintec. He too pitches in as a commentator as the head work proceeds. Keith C. is a pleasure to visit with as Keith D. quickly laps in a new valve and reassembles the head and ancillaries. Elaine settles accounts with Debbie. Happy to be on our way, Debbie and Keith can resume their well deserved wind down from the Meet's responsibilities and time with guests.

We are off to Quebec City by the north shore of the St. Lawrence River on Hwy. 40, arriving late to Au Petit Hotel inside the walled upper town. The delightful little hotel provides an excellent room and welcome bed after a long day

Today we enjoyed Old Quebec on foot under blue skies with puffs of white cloud and a pleasant breeze. I have "done" Quebec City before, however Elaine has not and she delights in shopping the craft tents. As a result, room must be found in Pooh for a "one of a kind", dressy knit wrap. Later Pooh is fired up for an excursion around the Ile d Orleans and Montmorency Falls (where General Wolfe's Highlanders attempted but failed with an amphibious landing in 1759). On the island, I secured a dish of fresh berries (strawberries are in season), heavy cream and maple sugar. Elaine, who had heard often about this quest objective, quickly followed suit.

Dinner followed our return to Old Quebec, in whatelse but a Spanish restaurant, on Rue St. Louis!

Watertown to Niagara Falls
Hwy. 81, 104 via Oswego, Mexico, Rochester to Lewiston

We are off to an absolutely serene country churchyard, resting on a knoll, surrounded by acreages under the plow, broken by woods, as far as the eye can see. Here we photograph each Curry headstone before retreating to the "mansion" and a walkabout with the camera. Locals advise that at least two families have thrown big dollars at restoration efforts, which remain incomplete. We are also told that the last Curry vanished with a meal on the table and a fire in the hearth!

With a friendly and helpful visit early in the day at the Township office, we return to South Glengarry and Mario's Pizza because...there is a computer business located inside the restaurant. True, and Jaques LeBlanc (who also builds the pizzas) is a saviour. Soon (Rick's perspective) the digital photos are loaded up, zipped and sent to Pooh Central. During the hours this took, Elaine is off about town and into the library to uncover source material, where I find her between thunderstorm "drops".

At 4 p.m. we are off for Thousand Islands and the crossing at Rockport into New York State. The Parkway offers visually stunning and intimate views of the islands, cottages, boatsheds...a world unlike any other we have known. Soon Rockport appears and at 6 p.m. we cross quickly through customs and immigration into the United States. Free from stormy weather, Sackett's Harbour lures us off the highway, for supper and a walkabout at the war of 1812-14 battlefield (U.S. fleet destroyed). An early indication of a spectacular sunset draws the 35mm camera out...we'll see later.

Very pleasantly surprised by the 'country lane' aspects of Hwy. 3, we stay off the major route and head west around Lake Ontario. It is a beautiful evening, with motel vacancies, until...it darkens, we run out of motels and the night wears on. You will just have to believe that the south shore of Lake Ontario can be driven comfortably on Hwy. 3 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. We did stop and look in Rochester about midnight...very few motels, vacancies in vastly overpriced or seedy and overpriced. We pressed on to nearly Lewiston, opposite Queenston Heights in Ontario, before resting our heads in the clean, affordable Paterson's Motel, with an owner-manager happy to do business at 2:30 a.m.

During the night-time run, I noticed a slight misfire, which I originally ascribed to bad fuel from a brand outlet that did NOT accept brand credit card! Pooh will get a look in the morning.

Within a few minutes we enter the realm of Niagara Falls disembark and approach the American and Horseshoe Falls from the US side. Elaine enjoys the cooling spray which envelopes the gorge in the vicinity of the falls. Pooh Central gets a quick phone call from the pedestrian bridge over the river to see if the photos arrived. They did. The best news.

We power up Pooh for a cross border visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Queenston Heights. Reversing the Sackett's Harbour experience, we see the site of Fort George which the Americans pummeled into submission nearly 200 years ago. Lunch in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a contest for those wishing to be seated...the town overflows with cheery tourists. A bench in a quiet alley provides our respite. Having seen the long line-up (+1 hour wait) at the Rainbow Bridge to cross into New York, we seek one of the other two lesser known bridges downstream and arrive at the US border crossing to await the passage of only one vehicle ahead of us. In fact, the uniformed Customs and Immigration crew have so little to do that they break into cheers as Pooh lights out for upstate New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

It's 4:30 p.m. when we leave Niagara Falls after fueling Pooh. Taking secondary roads we head for Buffalo, pass Tonawanda (home of the carousel) and into the city to avoid the toll highway, we think. Wrong, after losing our way, we pass over $2.10 at the toll booth and are on I90 headed for the Keystone State. Not much of Pennsylvania gets in the way here,we do stop for dinner near Erie before pressing on to Ashtabula, Ohio (the name alone focused our set down point) 55 miles east of Cleveland. Like a few other stops, summertime road work/road closures lead us to getting lost in town, wandering down to the harbour on Lake Erie, and pulling over beside a Police Officer to be set straight.

We are not disappointed by the secondary highway selection, it proves that we were right in New York. Get off the interstate, see the country, face fewer hurried vehicles and enjoy! In the populous northeast, houses, farms, businesses and towns, all seemingly languorous, are passed briskly at the posted speed of 55 mph. There is nothing like it in Western Canada that comes to mind, except the Old Island Highway on Vancouver Island.

Noon brings Fremont and Lunch...it's the home of a Heinz ketchup factory. At 3:15 p.m. Elaine takes over, 20 minutes before we enter Indiana...The Crossroads of America. Two hours later, Elaine is just another frustrated driver on, you guessed Interstate 80/90, as the Sunday afternoon crowds try to return through Gary, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. After miles of stop, go, stop, we exit the interstate, head south, and pick up Hwy. 30, another secondary route, for a straight through shot to Joliet. Chicago Heights is one tough looking neighborhood, with a sharp contrast between broken down buildings, weeds, poor folks and the "regal one" in a Mercedes Kompressor roadster. Nonetheless, we have moved while others stewed. Unfortunately, we are 45 miles from the Windy City's lakeshore and will not see it this time. Elaine is disappointed (and with the next morning's deluge, does not see downtown Joliet and the canals either).

We stay at our first Motel 6, well maintained and fairly priced premises.

During the night a violent thunderstorm erupts, with a continuous, rolling, crashing cannonade and lightning to rent the heavens. Elaine gets full credit for entering the downpour to ensure that Pooh's windows are closed (the 1/2 inch crack admitted a fair bit of water first). Not necessarily a bright move in bare feet, which is easy for me to say.

Back on I80, we push westward to the Mississippi River and Iowa, intending to overnight in Des Moines. The trip is uneventful, the engine oil stays up after 200, then 300 kms., ditches and farm fields are full of water from the overnight deluge and Elaine dips into the Mississippi River at Moline near Rock Island (terminus of the famous Rock Island RR Line) a US Arsenal. I could swim the river here...and that is before I notice the sandbar at mid-river.

Elaine takes the wheel at 2:15 p.m. for the run to the Amana Colonies and a meal break. If you have heard the name Amana associated with refrigeration and appliances (who has not), the foundations arose from within the unique immigrant colony. We visit Homestead for a meal and walkabout, leaving to arrive at Des Moines by 6:30 p.m. Another good value Motel 6 provides the accommodation, while a run south into town provides a patio meal. Our waitress, from Wisconsin to attend Drake University, tells us her father calls Iowa "The Great Corn Desert". The truth is we have passed thousands upon thousands of hectares of cornfields through Indiana and Iowa. Most apparently is to feed cattle and hogs!

After supper I chat with a catfisherman on an almost unused 6 lane bridge over the Raccoon River. Apparently, 35 lb. Catfish, as well as large Northern Pike and Walleye (introduced from Canada) are regularly caught here. Our fisherman uses 20 lb. test line and is happy not to be able to hoist a "big one" to the bridge deck.

This night continues to be more domestic, with laundry done in the motel self-serve facility. Now we are resupplied for the last week!

At the Jiffy Lube, a similar (to Monsiour Lub) mindset popped up with the insistence that 5 litres of oil will do sir, thank you sir! Fortunately, I had first caught the young fellow after only 3 litres had been put in, including the new filter case. He was totally unaware of the possibilities with a Mini and its shared engine/tranny oil supply, and would have been greatly surprised following the usual engine turnover to have seen a bare dipstick! Language is not a barrier to understanding, it's the mind's set!

At Floyd's Bluff, we pulled in to the memorial to both Sgt. Floyd and Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. Young Sgt. Floyd was the only member of the 1804-1806 expedition across the recent Louisiana Purchase to lose his life...likely from appendicitis. The bluff affords a good view of the Missouri, the monument a reminder of an heroic journey.

Leaving the Interstate behind, we press on over Hwy. 50 to Yankton, South Dakota and Elaine's date with the Missouri River. As she wades, very large fish surface nearby for gulps of air and a snapping turtle, 1/2 again the size of a dinner plate, puts on a float and swim exhibit while heading downstream.

We complete the day's travel upriver at Pickston, adjacent to the Ft. Randall Dam and Reservoir. Here at the Dakota Inn we receive our best value for dollar spent, dine at Bryndy's Steakhouse, visit the Ft. Randall chapel and graveyard (from time of the 'Plains Indian Wars') across the river. While on the dam, we experience a 180 degree sunset and, to the east, see a 90 degree lightning storm (can not hear the thunder at distance). I try 35mm exposures of both. We'll see.

Secondary highway 18 beckons as we cross the Missouri River towards Wounded Knee and Hot Springs across the state. At Wounded Knee, Rick walks the area, takes a 180 panoramic set of photos over the flat where Chief Big Foot's band was camped after surrendering to the US Calvary the day before. In July, it is very hard to imagine the late December cold, two weeks after Sitting Bull was killed at Standing Rock on December 15, 1890.

Harder still to imagine the US 7th Calvary (with infantry), outnumbering, surrounding and outgunning the Sioux, losing control and massacring fleeing Indians (over two miles of terrain) after one shot rang out. These were tired, hungry, cold Indians with hatchets and some pistols - 146 men, women and children died, 20 troopers that day and 16 more from wounds (most from their own crossfire). Fortunately, it was the last in a string of infamous conduct including the Washita and Sand Creek "battles".

By contrast Custer, who has been immortalized, stupidly and stubbornly led his men to their death at the Little Bighorn, when readily available evidence of a very large Indian gathering and military orders not to engage, until his "hammer" could concert with the larger "anvil" of infantry moving up the Little Bighorn from the Missouri, were in his hands. The irony today is that the Custer Battlefield is in a lush valley in the Crow Indian Reservation (neither Custer "white" nor Sioux "red").

At 6 p.m. we reached Hot Springs found the little Wayside Motel, walked the main street, checked out the "springs" (only 87 degrees), dined at the Elkhorn and crashed. Looking forward to the morning, the Mammoth Site and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Pooh performed faultlessly, but disclosed another big oil loss at mid-day, after steady 55-60 mph travel on an empty highway, nothing unusual but the opposite of a stop/go crawl on the bumper to bumper interstate. We topped up the oil (and it never happened again before home). We are 114 kms. short of 10,000 on the 'Expotition' at day's end.

Day 22 quickly becomes a very busy one when we are engrossed with the preserved wonders at the Hot Springs Mammoth Site. The Site is an ongoing scientific dig into the "cemented" remains of Columbian (bigger) and Woolly (smaller) mammoths which are found in an old sinkhole (a few tens of thousands of years ago). The sinkhole formed when an underlying limestone cavern collapsed. It then filled with debris, and, fed by underground, warm spring water, created a lush environment, which was particularly attractive to voluminous plant-eaters like the mammoths during colder weather. Some entered to eat, drink, swim or ?, but could not get out because of the steep, slippery sides. They likely drowned. Their remains were covered by other debris including windblown dust and chemically treated by the spring waters, which also rendered the drying sinkhole harder than the surrounding soil and rock.

The sinkhole was found by a bulldozer operator, who was cutting a "hill" for a real estate developer. He stopped, a dig was organized and the site was acquired for scientific purposes. Excellent tours of a working dig. One is also reminded that there is little new under the sun. ALL THE MAMMOTH REMAINS found to date ARE OF YOUNG MALES. No female remains have been uncovered. Could it be that young males of all species are more likely to engage in risky behaviour? to know the answers before the questions are asked? to revolt against the wise advice of elders, especially Mothers and Aunts? Mammoths lived to about 65 years on average. The male remains are aged between 10 and 29 years of age.

Next, it's the Fall County History Museum in a very impressive, old 3 story stone school building, sited on the town's prominent ridge. Usual old stuff, but some great little stories among it. Delightfully eccentric volunteer, who claims a personal 100,000 artifact collection, adds spice to the visit.

At mid-day we are off to the north to Crazy Horse Monument, Mt. Rushmore and Custer Park's bison herd. The Crazy Horse project boggles the mind. Look closely at the photo of the mountain and note the tunnel to the right of the face (beneath what will be the extended arm). The tunnel could hold a 10 story office building! When completed the mountain carving will be the largest monumental work completed by mankind...bigger than the Great Pyramid. Of course it helps that gravity will aid in the removal of rock...many millions of tons. Look at the artist's model (in white) to get a view of the intended product. This is a privately funded project, led by a foundation which has a very broad plan for a Native University and Medical School and now offers arts, crafts and other cultural exhibits and sales.

Hours go by at Crazy Horse, so we relegate Rushmore (having never seen it) to drive by status. Fine carvings but all four heads would fit within the reach of Crazy Horse's arm. At Keystone, while being refueled, Pooh becomes the focus of "Pooh Bear", who will open a motorcycle shop called Pooh's Corner. "Pooh Bear" is in the photos, viewers choice! 

Then it's Deadwood, where Wild Bill (James Butler) Hickok was shot in the back holding the Black Aces and Eights and Jack of Diamonds, at 39 years of age in 1876, the same year that Custer fell at the last stand. Hickok would be interested in three things today in Deadwood. Mining and murder take no lives, yet Casinos flourish for the gambler! And, Corvettes come to town. They have in fact flooded the old miners' gulch and will block the one main street for tomorrow's Show & Shine.

We get Pooh up Mount Moriah, with a little verbal urging, to the Cemetery which has Calamity Jane (Mary Jane Canary) buried next to Wild Bill...her last wish in 1903 (at 51 years). We take the walking tour and note the bold commitment and tragedy in 19th century lives. Among the graves are several of civil war veterans, who have government issue headstones (on request), including one "Curry" whose vitals are noted.

In Spearfish, we bunk down next to a 1980 Corvette from Minnesota, yellow and black, echoing Pooh's accents, but with seriously built-up horsepower under the bonnet, er hood. A fine dinner on the porch at the 11th Hour Bistro, in somewhat drier air, closes the day before tucking in.

Enroute to Gillette, we cross into Wyoming at 7:05 a.m., when it's still relatively cool and comfortable. Breakfast unfolds as it should and Elaine takes the wheel to Buffalo. We enter Sheridan less than one hour after the big rodeo parade, complete with a Custer lookalike drum major with a 19th century, Cavalry-uniformed drum and bugle band. Ah tortured fame! We have a walkabout, enjoy ice-cream and I find my new Wyoming t-shirt (the old one is worn out and I love that word Wyoming).

Leaving Sheridan behind we cross the rolling hills of northeast Wyoming into the like Montana countryside. And, the temperature rises quickly to "It's hot outside". We are barely through the bottom land of the Little Bighorn Valley, after crossing Custer's fateful route of march, when human oriented environmental solutions are in order. So we dive off the interstate into Lodge Grass on the Crow Reservation to purchase the simple essentials...one plastic dishpan and one big bag of cubed ice. Passenger feet go on the ice with the obligation to offer the driver an iced rag for a necktie! This gets us to Billings, Montana but it is clearly too warm to continue. Pooh is surviving with slightly elevated engine temperature and slightly lower oil pressure. We are not so compliant. Pooh is parked in the shade at 3:30 p.m. in downtown Billings for all to slow down and, hopefully cool off.

At 6:30 p.m. after dinner, it is 103 degrees in Billings but we must be off for Bozeman to gain a few miles to ease Elaine's concern to visit our handicapped son Richard in Penticton, B.C. before a care review meeting up the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna on Monday morning next. The offset is that temperatures should drop through the evening, and they do as we cross Bozeman Pass in 4th gear. Unfortunately, Bozeman, the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, also has 115 softball teams in town for a tournament. All accommodation is booked. With another "long night" looming, we leave for Three Forks, Amsterdam/Belgrade et al. Three Forks is sold out. So are Belgrade (north of I90) and adjacent Amsterdam (south of I90).

I'm losing enthusiasm for the long run even though it is much more comfortable. Pooh is holding up well and showing nothing other than very modest oil loss (tranny shifter?!?!?). I too must tough it out and wheel west towards Whitehall. Pushing hard we get to Whitehall's Super 8 moments before a biker and claim the last room. There are nights when one must not only finish the sprint but finish first! What a blessing cool sheets are this night.

We had enjoyed a break in St. Regis, Montana, Rosie and Ben (the English Springer Spaniels), the trout fry in the river and the mule deer doe the dogs spooked from the opposing bank. We paid our "voluntary" fine to the Spokane firemen who had choked all major routes in the city for charity. Every US coin went in the extended boot!

The day closed in Kettle Falls with a tavern dinner of codfish and a brew followed by a drive to the shore of F.D. Roosevelt Lake, behind the Bonneville Dam. We have closed the distance and have only one relatively short leg to Penticton and a visit with Richard.

Hunker down in the "slow" lane with your lights on and regularly scan the rearview mirror for drivers who are going too fast to stay in their lanes or to pass cleanly.  The Mini is more highly and safely maneuverable, so you can vacate dangerous situations quickly.  Do not tailgate!  75 mph means 90 and 100 mph to some idiots.

The most practical parts to carry as spares are ignition bits. They wear at continuous high revs, hour after hour. Points sets, condensers, caps, rotors and plugs (note plurals) are likely to be needed! Pack them!

The most useful part to install before leaving is an oil cooler. There is no question it helped keep oil temps down compared to the I5 run to Vallejo, California in 1997 without one!

The rest is anti-climactic. We lunch in Oroville, pass muster at Canada Customs and Immigration, and head north through Osoyoos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden to Skaha Lake and Penticton beyond. We have a few pictures of this lovely, arid valley (just above Canada's only true desert) which hosts world renowned orchards, vineyards and an Iron Man Triathlon.

We meet Richard and enjoy the balance of the day with him including dinner at Tiki Shores on Penticton's busy summer waterfront. Richard likes the waterfront cruise with Dad in Pooh, among the other classic (read muscle) cars, none of which have turned 10,000 kilometres in the past year! Pooh hit 10,000 kms. just north of Keystone, Montana on this trip.

We bunk down in Penticton, with a spurt to Kelowna in the morning ahead.

Look for the good secondary highway routes, especially in highly populated areas. They can offer excellent roadbeds, lighter traffic volumes and an "enjoyable ride", while you can experience the people, their homes, lives and communities. Dedicated interstate/major highways are frequently higher volume "tunnels", tiring drivers and requiring more roadwork!

Head assembly tolerances will be vital in ensuring valve survival. Failure is nasty if you do not have spares or are remote from service. You could pack a set of exhaust valves and guides in case.

I am worried about Pooh's weight and the stress of a fully loaded assault on the long climb to the Coquihalla Connector summit (+5,700 feet) from Okanagan Lake near Kelowna, so we opt to return to Penticton and the Crowsnest Hwy. This also affords some fruit shopping in Keremeos and the always enjoyable passing of the Similkameen River into Princeton. From Princeton, it is only 140 kms. (80 miles) to Hope and another 140 kms. (80 miles) to home. We take the steep Ingerbelle Mine hill in 3rd gear and momentarily pull away from a 190 hp Jeep on the curve, only to be blasted by it's flat out exhaust as it pulls ahead on the straight climb.

Thereafter, the all too familiar scenery floats by too slowly as we pass Manning Park, the Hope Slide, Hope itself and rejoin our outbound route in the upper Fraser River Valley. Thankfully, we exit the Trans Canada Hwy.at Abbotsford, clear Mission, Ruskin and Whonnock, with 12,500 'Expotition' kilometres turning at the former Dave's World in eastern Maple Ridge.

We are home, safe and sound. Pooh settles over the drip tray and the load is quickly lightened. There are gifts and fruit for neighbours and Pooh Central, aka John Goolevitch, who stops with a smile to reclaim the digital camera and disks for this internet journal. John's technical savvy has made this journal of words and photographs possible. Our appreciation is heartfelt. John's plans for a laptop computer next time is...forward thinking.

We have never publicized a holiday, or any day of our lives, before. It took an effort we gladly made to salute the humble Mini and, more importantly, to aid 'Wheels for Wheels' to buy some needed wheelchairs for Ridge Meadows Hospital and Healthcare Centre. We live in Pitt Meadows. John Goolevitch and his family live in Maple Ridge. We hope that the need for wheelchairs can be at least partially met by the commonsense generosity of our neighbours...this summer.

Please, if you are moved by a very real and practical need at our local hospital, act today and in Pooh's words send "a little something" to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation c/o the hospital on Laity Street in Maple Ridge. To those who generously pledged before we began, your pledges are called with thanks at just 10,000 kilometres - 1/4 cent equals $25, 1/2 cent equals $50 and 1 cent equals $100. I am doubling the unsolicited donations made by people we met during the trip. Thank you! 

We hope that you have enjoyed the opportunity to travel along with us to Mini Meet East 2000 in Quebec and home again in a tough little spud, we call Pooh. We hope, too, that if you live in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows that you will have sent “a little something” along to the Hospital Foundation so that new wheel chairs can be purchased. If you haven’t done so yet, please do it.

Elaine and I offer our deeply felt appreciation to John Goolevitch of Maple Ridge, who is the WebMINIster for the Vancouver Mini Club Web-site.  Without John’s help this electronic trip diary would not have been available to those who are helping ‘Wheels for Wheels’. We know that John has been helping his son Adam to finish the rebuild of his Mini, between the tasks of receiving our input for posting. When we return John’s digital camera and custom battery pack, you will be able to see Adam’s fresh Mini in great detail.

Thank you John and thanks to all who have followed and supported us on our trek through the 100 aker wood.

Signing off, Rick and Elaine Higgs.