Well, what the heck; let's throw it out there.

Would Sunday work better for folks? Weigh in with your thoughts (not doing a poll since I can't tie responses to actual people).

Sunday might (MIGHT) be a lighter day at the park people-wise, but who knows...

Sadly, I have to work both days, but I'll keep an eye on the timing in case you're still driving around in the late afternoon.

When I did the drive in 2005, I used the Mt Morris Dam parking lot as a meeting point. The dam tour is interesting, but of course you can't drive while you're touring, so that's a drawback.

We're pretty flexible; whatever day works better for most.

I won't be able to go either day so it doesn't matter. My mom is not doing the greatest so I really need to be close to home. I am hoping maybe one of these functions in the future but right now family comes first.

We would like to attend. Loved the Watkins Glen ride. I want to do more. Either day good for us.

UPDATE: The park is packed on 9/27. By that, I mean that there are few shelters that are not already reserved for that day. As limited as offerrings are for that day, Sunday the 28th is even worse. Therefore, we will meet on 9/27. I'm sorry it won't work for some of you, but otherwise we'd have to start over and I know several of you have planned on this date for some time now.

I am sending in an application for one of the remaining shelters on the 27th(hopefully, I'll get it). This will give us a sheltered place to gather in the event it's raining. Assuming the application is approved, the shelter will be ours from 9 AM - 3 PM (only). Otherwise, picnic tables outside the shelters are available on a first-come basis. More details to follow once I hear back from the park.

A FEW OTHER NOTES:
 
* Pets are not allowed in the shelters.

* The park has NO trash recepticles; all trash must be taken with you when you leave.

* NO alcholol may be consumed at our event. (To do so requires a special permit. I figured we'd all want to take good care of our families and MINIs so this wouldn't be an issue.)

* A vehicle use fee of $6/car will be charged upon entering the park. This entitles you to a full day at the park even though we'd only have the shelter for what they consider a half-day.

* Water seems to be non-existant. Please bring your own. I checked out several restrooms yesterday and water was turned off in all of them. The park provides gel sanitizer in the facilities, but no water.

* According to the permit, "Vehicles are not permitted to drive or park on the grass, service roads, pathways, or along roadways."

OK, that's it for now. I will post here with updates. Hopefully the weather will be good and we will have a little more flexibility with our location...

In the meantime, Happy Motoring!

UPDATE: We have the Parade Grounds Shelter reserved for 9/27, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Use the Parade Grounds Entrance, on the south side of the river. I have attached a map with the shelter boxed in red (you may have to zoom in when you look at it.)

VERY ROUGHLY (as in, look for yourself), here are some general directions:
From Rochester: 390-S to Exit 7; L onto 408-S; A quick L, then R at the light in Mt. Morris, continuing on 408 to Nunda; R at light to 436; Look for Letchworth / Parade Ground Entrance sign on R. If you go under the viaduct, you've gone too far.

From Buffalo: Route 20A E. to Warsaw; 19-S to 19A-S. I don't know how it's signed, but near Castile NY, 19A-S intersects with 39. Stay W or S on 39, then pick up 19A-S again. In several miles, 19A coincides with 436. Cross the river in Portageville, then look for the Letchworth / Parade Grounds Entrance sign on L.

I can't put signs up, so please be familiar with the route before you start.

Honestly, this is not an ideal location to view much of Letchworth. However, it will give us shelter if need be, and a place to start from if we opt to go touring through the park (which I think we should, even though it will probably be slow going).

I suggest we start gathering around 11:30, maybe plan on eating between 1:00 and 1:30. That could give us time for a hike or mingling or whatever for a while and still have a chance to Motor through the park in the afternoon. There are a few locations that provide a scenic overlook where we could probably find parking for all that's not underneath trees. I'm still attempting to provide a little guidance on that aspect, but need to do several things today / this weekend so might have to fill that part in next week / as we go. I'm way open to suggestions if anyone has some ideas.

* Please note that while personal grills are allowed, dumping the ashes IS NOT. So, if you're bringing one, PLEASE make sure you can carrry out the ashes.

* I will bring a bag of charcoal and try to come up with a cooking surface to go over the wide slats of the park-provided grills.

* Please be familiar with my previous post regarding other park rules so the event goes smoothly.


* Please bring a dish to pass (I'm estimating about 20-25 people from the response on the board), your own main course, table service (plates, cups,napkins, & silverware), and non-alcholoic beverage.

OK, I will keep posting to this thread if there are changes / additions, but right now, I'm not anticipating any.

I'm really looking forward to meeting many of you and seeing all the wonderful MINIs (and their dogs). See you then.

Sue--that is really too bad! I was so looking forward to meeting you all and finally getting a look at Elroy! I'd say we could set you and Scott up with live video feeds, but I don't know that I'm that far advanced.

If this one goes well, maybe we can make it an annual event. In the meantime, hopefully our paths will cross before too long. Thanks for all the encouragement while I was waiting for tedscar. It sure was worth the wait!

Good luck to Scott on the surgery--hope it and the recovery goes swimmingly!

Would anybody be interested in a nice 32 mile drive to Hornell after Letchworth?  I might be able to rent the American Legion so that we could race multiplayer MINIs on the Xbox 360.

I would need a $10 - $20 donation per car to cover the rent.

Don't imagine the dogs would enjoy it though.

ya I have the game at home and dont play it. Dont think I would drive out of the way and pay a fee to play it LOL. Thx for the offer.

I was also reminded today that Saturday is the big Los Amigos "changing ownership" party. It may be the last day to get the best Mexican food in Rochester. After the park, we are probably headed there. Anyone is welcome to come if they like mexican. It's on Route 441 in Penfield.

Does anyone want to drive down from Rochester together?

For anyone who is coming from Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse areas, and would like to "mini-van" down to Letchworth, I suggest that we meet in the Lowe's parking lot in Henrietta, around 11:00ish? If you're taking the Thruway, you would exit onto 390 North (only for a couple of miles), exit onto Hylan Drive, take a left (I think) onto Hylan, and Lowes is on the left hand side. If anyone has a better idea, I'm open to suggestions.

If anyone else wants to meet in Henrietta, let me know so that (1) I can be on the lookout for you, and (2) we don't leave without you!