The time has come

Just 4 days shy of Edgar's 3rd birthday, I said "Goodbye" to him today...  I'm also saying "Hello" to another MINI!   More to come when it's daylight out and I can take better pictures, but here's one pic of Edgar and the new MINI.

The time has come!

It's 5:26pm and I'm all packed (everything crammed into one take-on suit case) and ready for the Super Shuttle to pick me up at 7pm.

My flight isn't until 10pm tonight - this is one flight I don't want to miss! I just hope the monsoons don't cause any problems tonight with the flight. Fay (the tropical storm that's been terrorising Florida) had better stay in the South 'cause I don't wanna be driving back across the US in a torrential downpour!

All posts after this one (until I return) will be on my other blog:

http://whereinusiswilliamandedgar.blogspot.com/

Check it out - I hope to be posting details of the day and pictures as well.

Anyway, I'm SO ready to get this trip going and pick up the car... I just hope I can get some sleep on the plane tonight!

Here a blog, there a blog...

I created the first post on the "Where in the US is William & Edgar" blog today...

http://whereinusiswilliamandedgar.blogspot.com/

I'll be using this blog to document the trip to pick up Edgar - pictures and all!

Right now, I'm stressing about all the little things I need to get done before Sunday night when I leave on the plane.

Starting the QA process...

I contacted Jerry today to let him know that I had some concerns about a couple of items on my Clubman. I explained that I'd heard from other Clubman owners that a couple of items routinely get mixed up at the factory:

- Driver's side door missing weather stripping along the bottom
- Interior Chrome line - is messed up 90% of the time when the HI-FI option is ordered AND when the center arm rest is ordered (I have both) What winds up happening is that 75% of the chrome parts I paid $250 for aren't installed.

Since I've given them a full week to work out the kinks, I'm sure it will all work out.

One week from tomorrow.... can't wait!

Edgar has arrived at the Dealer!

I just got a call from Jerry at MINI of the Hamptons and he said that my Clubman is being taken off the truck right now! Part of me wishes I could move up my trip a week but I know that's not possible with all of the reservations I've made.

Now I have to get my insurance coverage paperwork sent to them so Jerry can get the temporary tag.

I guess now is the time when the days start going by slowly? :)

One step closer

I just talked with Jerry at MINI of the Hamptons and he says that Edgar should arrive at the dealership today or tomorrow. I feel ALOT better knowing that it didn't get delayed at the Vehicle Distribution Center.

He also said one of my packages has arrived - there should be 3-4 more coming to him.

I also got email from the Cocomat guys - they have a new variegated color they'd like to show me so they're sending a sample today. I should get it Saturday or Monday and can let them know if I want to stay with the black with grey dot or switch. They also made me a good deal on getting the boot mat done too!

10 more days till my flights and 11 till I start motoring!

Edgar's on dry land!

The ship docked a full day early and left port around 10pm last night EST. I know the VDC doesn't work on weekends so I hope Edgar got on the first ride to the VDC and is standing 1st in line!

Also, I've pretty much determined my route driving back. I posted it on the NAM forum to get some feedback. As usual, the folks on there are VERY helpful with ideas!

Here's my trip so far:

Day 1: Southampton (NY) to Costco (37 miles away to pick up air pump, MF cloths for wiping brake dust , maybe a cooler and plenty of snacks) then on to North East (MD) to stop for the night

Day 2: take the back roads to Front Royal (VA) - taking Skyline Dr thru the Shenandoah National Park - twisties galore , Lynchburg (VA), Danville (VA), Burlington (NC), Liberty (NC), Asheboro (NC), Mt Pleasant (NC), Midland (NC), Matthews (NC), Fort Mill (SC) Home of Cocomats AND my Parents / Brother!

Day 3: Work on getting my Southern Accent back and stop by Cocomats to pick up my order!

Day 4: on the road again to Kings Mountain National Park (SC/NC), Shelby (NC) where I spent 99% of my childhood, Forest City (NC), Rutherfordton (NC), Asheville (NC), Waynesville (NC), Fontana Village Resort at Fontana Dam (NC) whoo-hoo! TAIL OF THE DRAGON! Now - for some Interstate / Freeway driving

Day 5: Tallassee (TN), gonna bypass Dollywood this time , Clover Hill (TN), Big Springs (TN), Friendsville (TN), Antioch (TN), US 75, US 40 to Nashville (TN) then Memphis (TN) ending up in North Little Rock (AR)

Day 6: Staying on US 40, passing thru Oklahoma City (OK) to Amarillo (TX). Stopping for a bit to see some friends, then continuing on US 40 to Tucumcari (NM). I guess I'll have to 'splain to Edgar that any weather "twisties" we might see in OK/TX are NOT the kind we want to drive!

Day 7: Continue on US 40 for a bit, then head up to Santa Fe (NM) or maybe just head on thru to Albuquerque (NM) - I'm not sure yet. Then to Grants (NM) where we'll take a hard LEFT to Ramah (NM) across the reservation to Zuni (NM), into Arizona to St Johns (AZ) then stopping at Show Low (AZ)

Day 8: All familiar territory here... take US 60 to Globe (AZ), Miami (AZ), Superior (AZ), Apache Junction (AZ) to HOME in Phoenix (AZ)

Today, I hope to speak to Brian (the guy doing the clear bra install when I get back) to see how he feels I should protect the paint on my way home. I also want to see if I can schedule an oil change while in Fort Mill (Charlotte dealership)

It all seems so far away, but I know it will be here in a FLASH!

Stay tuned