AMVIV March 2010

­My sister and I headed off to AMVIV Wednesday (3-24-10) after work. The drive up was nice and the traffic wasn’t too bad. Sis got to drive over the Hover Dam for the first time and we made it to our hotel around 11pm.

Day 1 of AMVIV (3-25-10)

Woke up at 6am got around and headed to the parking garage at 7:30. At 8am we joined the Mini fun drive to Calico, CA. Around 10 minis (not really sure) started on the drive from the host hotel and we picked up another 12 or so at the town of Jean. The group arrived at Calico around 11am where we meet another group of minis. We had about an hour and a half to walk around and explore the town. Sis and I found a nice little deli shop to have lunch at. During our time exploring the town we got stopped by two Japanese guys who wanted to have their pictures taken with us. They couldn’t really speak English but they did say, “you are beautiful”, odd I know.

At 1pm we headed to the parking lot and joined the rest of the minis for a little photo opt. The photo opt turned out to be all of us driving in a circle then forming 8 different lines and coming together to form a star. It was very fun and my first time ever doing something like this. Then it was time for the drive back to the hotel in which we arrived at 5pm.

Later that night we meet a group from our club and headed for a night out on the Las Vegas Strip. It was really fun walking around and seeing some of the different hotels. The first hotel that we went to was the Bellagio. They had this really nice Botanical Gardens inside, very cool to see. We also went inside Paris before stopping for dinner at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. After dinner we stopped at The Venetian, which is very beautiful inside.

Day 2 of AMVIV (3-26-10)

Got to sleep in to 9am, yay! At 10am sis and I joined the mini fun drive to Death Valley. I think about 50 or so minis went on this run. Lunch was at Pahrump, NV. Sis and I had Toco Bell. After lunch everyone regrouped at the Wal-Mart parking lot and continued on our way until our next stop at Badwater Basin. This was a short stop so we didn’t have too much time to explore the area but at lest I can say I’ve walked in Death Valley.

The drive was so fun but boy do minis like to speed, not cool. We got back to the hotel after 5pm.

After the drive we stopped by the Mini Social but only stayed for a few seconds. Then we joined the group from our club for dinner at Dick’s Last Resort in the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. After dinner we drove up and down the strip as part of the Mini takes the strip event then stopped by the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign for some pictures.

Day 3 of AMVIV (3-27-10)

The day started off with another mini fun drive this time up to Mount Charleston with around 40 or so minis going on the trip. Once we got to the top we stopped for pictures and got to walk in the snow, brrr! Coming back down the mountain the lead car got pulled over for speeding (told you speed was a major issue). Later I heard that he took off with 5 or so minis and was caught speeding at 130 (in a 55 mph zone), why would someone drive that fast.

Lunch was back at the hotel at Panda Express with other members of the club. Then we made a four mini caravan and started on the poker run event. The first stop was at a seven eleven-gas station, I got the 8 of diamonds. The second stop was at the Las Vegas Mini Cooper dealership; my card was the King of Spades. The third stop was at the World’s Largest Gift shop, I got the Queen of Hearts. And the last stop was back at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign; I got the Joker of something. After we collected our four cards we went back to the hotel to turn in our cards. I was able to trade out my 8 of diamonds for another king so I ended up with two kings, one queen and a Joker but still not good enough to win.

After resting in my hotel room for a few hours sis and I meet with our club members again for dinner at the hotel, this time it was at Pips cucina & wine bar. After dinner we went to another mini social event. Awards for the car show was given out during this event and Dee from my mini club won best in the Cooper Class. I’m so happy for her.

After the event was over a group of us went to downtown Vegas to visit Fremont Street for some drinks and fun. The light canopy played a show dedicated to Queen and another one to Kiss. After spending some time at Fremont we went back to the hotel and some of us went to the hotel club for dancing and drinks. My sister and I ended up going to bed at 3:30am the next day.

Heading Home (3-28-10)

Jumped into bad at 3:30am and woke up at 7am, loaded up the car, got gas and some coffee. We checked out of the hotel at 8:30am and meet two other minis at the parking garage for a caravan back home. On the way home the three of us stopped at the Hover Dam for a bathroom break and a few pictures then headed over to Kingman for lunch at McDonalds. At McDonalds we meet a chocolate clubman (who was also at the event) but they took off too fast so we didn’t become a 4 mini caravan.

After lunch we drove straight to Wickenburg and stopped at a gas station to say our goodbyes since my sister and I was taking a different way into Phoenix. The others stayed on the 60 and I turned off onto the 74. On the 74 we meet up with the chocolate clubman (yes the one from McDonalds) and a red cooper so the three of us made our way down the 74 and onto the I-17 together. I was happy to meet other minis on the way.

The last stop before getting home was my grandmothers to pick up Lubos. I was so happy to see him again. We finally got home before 4pm.