Starved Rock 11/22

WRAPUP: The 6th annual Starved Rock drive is in the books, and it was an amazing trip.  The late November weather turned out beautiful, and we wound up with 37 MINIs lining up at the beginning of the drive.  Our first stop was to the Minooka BMW/MINI Distribution Center where we were welcomed with open arms by many of the staff who came in on their day off, as well as the Mayor of Minooka!!  We were treated to donuts, cookies, fruit and drinks and given an overview of what the distribution center was all about.  There was a MINI quiz, with MINI caps awarded to the winners.  We then took a tour of the center to see where things were shipped, stocked, and packed.  It was impressive to see how clean and efficient everything was.  We then lined up our cars for a group photo opp, and were presented with a framed poster signed by all the distribution center employees (and we signed another poster that will be displayed at the center).  Next stop was a quick lunch at the Minooka Culvers where we took over the dining area and parking lot.  We then headed out on some quiet back roads to visit the Windmill farms near Marseilles for a quick photo stop and on to the final leg to Starved Rock State Park.

Huge thanks to Jeff and Broderick from MINIUSA and Robert, Carla and all the staff from the Distribution Center for treating our club so well and arranging such a fantastic visit, and to Gary for help with ideas and planning for the drive route!!

Please send links to photos to steve@chicagominiclub.com and I will add them here

Photos by: Tom | Steve, Paul and Kim, Pat and Kathy  | Paul | Kevin and Carolyn | Jerry, Laurel & Sarah | Sue | Kes | Francis |

Video by:  Tom part1 | part2 |

Join us for our 6th annual drive out to the beautiful Starved Rock State Park in Utica Illinois.

This year we will have an extra special bonus stop;  a visit to the BMW and MINI Distribution Center in Minooka!!!

Here are the plans:

WHEN: Sunday November 22nd,  Plan to depart at 9am

WHERE: Start is at the Meijers Parking lot:  808 N.  Route 59 near Liberty street in Naperville/Aurora  [MAP Link]

View Meijer in a larger map

There will be a visit at the BMW/MINI distribution Center in Minooka, an early lunch stop at a nearby Culvers, and then on to some really fun back roads to Starved Rock State Park.   This is an all-day drive, and we will get to the park in the late afternoon.

WHO: All Chicago MINI Motoring Club members or anyone interested in the club.

WHAT TO BRING: A full tank of gas, appropriate clothing for the weather outside, a camera, lunch money, optional FRS radio for in-car communication  tuned to Channel#1 SubChannel #1, and a smile.

WHY: Because it is fun!!

Check out information from our previous Starved Rock Drives: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Please add a comment here is you are interested in attending, so we can plan for the correct number of people.

49 thoughts on “Starved Rock 11/22”

  11. We will plan on it.

    Is anyone meeting up in the Northern Subs (Libertyville area)?

    Bennett and Denise

  14. I just bought my mini after waiting 5 years to finally take the plunge. I just stumbled across this website and think this sounds like a ton of fun. My brother is a photographer for the LaSalle newspaper and lives in Utica. I will see if he can get to the Park to take some photos.

    Count me in!!
    ~Sue

  22. I will be there! I’ll be bringing my husband and my little dog along for the ride. Also, my little sister just bought her first MINI so she’ll be coming in her car. Can’t wait to see everyone!

  25. Closing in on 25 MINIs RSVP-ing (and I’m pretty sure there are a few more people attending who have not posted here).

    I’m really looking forward to the drive!!

  26. We are not part of the chicago Mini club, but we are interested in joining the rally to starved rock. There are 3 of us. Thanks Shari

  29. Hey all! Well my “maybe” has become a “no.” Changes in meds and what not have thrown me for a loop. As much as it would be a total blast, it is just too long a day for me behind the wheel. Hoping to make Taylor’s for the Holiday Party. Have fun!!!

  30. Thanks Kathy & Pat, for the address, I was confussed, not familiar with the area. Thanks to you and my GPS, I should find it ok.

  31. I was confussed, not familiar with the area. Thanks to you and my GPS, I should find it ok

    There is a link to Google maps called [MAP Link] above and after clicking on that, you just need to enter your home address to get and print turn by turn directions to the start as well, but GPS is nicer if you got it..

  36. Some of us will be meeting at the Starbucks in Mundelein, IL.

    It is at the intersection of Rt 60 and Rt 83 in front of the Best Buy. We should leave by 7:45, so get there a few minutes early if you want a coffee.

    Feel free to join in!

    Bennett

  40. awesome day out. we had a great time, lily is sound asleep. great job steve you knew we would have nice weather!!

  43. Sorry I missed what sounded like a good time. I was afraid to take that long a trip. Next year, okay? Some of you were told that I didn’t drive because it’s past the peak time for the Fall colors. That’s only partially true. Hahahahahaha

  44. I had a great time today!! I couldn’t believe the turnout, and it was great to hang out with so many old and new MINI friends. The Distribution Center visit really made the trip.

  45. very good outing!! Thnx Steve for all of your work on it. I’m not sure who was having more fun at the Distribution Center… us or the MINI/BMW people! The weather was perfect today and it was really nice to see so many MINI friends. We’ll see you at the next one!

  47. Steve,
    Just wanted to say thank you for the great drive to starved rock. We had a great time. Michael & Shari

  49. It was a great event! Thank you, Steve, for taking care of all of us. Seeing so many minis with all the fun accessories was so neat to see. I just want to buy toys for my mini now!!

    I anxiously await the next event.

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