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Those of you who participated in the excellent event put on by Julian and Russ last spring are already aware that Brenda and I agreed to host the 2012 Midwest 7s gathering.

We have been quiet for the summer but are starting to put our planning together.

Now that I've started the "Official" thread, I'll be posting more information as our planning progresses.

This last weekend we spent 2 days running around the far south east corner of Minnesota. The two key cities are Preston and Caledonia. We are considering using Preston as the base for the event next spring. The area is quite beautiful with lots of great roads and beautiful rolling bluffs. Plenty of campgrounds and interesting attractions.

Brent and Brenda
Thanks!

Ok, Dates and more details!

Primary Base location will be Preston MN. Core dates are Friday 8th, Saturday the 9th, Sunday the 10th

Brenda and I are going to make a full week of it
We will arrive on Wednesday the 6th, We expect to be at the hotel (Trailhead) around noon. Our plan is to have a gathering room at the trailhead.
We intend to set up Thursday June 7. We'll meet and greet anyone who shows. Perhaps do some shorter Blats later in the day.
Core dates are Friday 8th, Saturday the 9th, Sunday the 10th
* We will have several drives at different distances and destinations. Route maps will be provided.
* As Glen can attest, we can tailor the Blats to as long or short as everyone wishes.
* I want to organize some kind of picnic on the evening of the 8th or 9th.
Brenda and I will stay in the area on the 11th for cleanup and a couple of Blats.
We will be leaving for home late afternoon on Tuesday June 12

There are two primary hotels in Preston as well as some other "Less traditional" accommodations available nearby.
* Marriott, Modern hotel right off the main road. Decent modern rooms. Longer rigs can park on the road behind the hotel.
* Trailhead Inn. Older, more rustic, near downtown. A little more difficult for larger rigs. There are a few rooms in the main hotel. A couple of "Cabins" and a number of suites in the converted school house behind the Inn. This is where Brenda and I intend to stay and also where the gathering room will be.
* Old Barn Resort - Camping and "Bunkhouse" beds. Bunkhouse accommodations are very cheap. I've considered using them when I do more scouting in the spring. I'll let everyone know how they work out.
* There are several options in Lanesboro which is only about 8 miles from Preston. It is a very nice little town and we will be having at least a few meals there.
* If you spread out a little more there are many options in "B&B", Private Campgrounds, and Parks

Glen, Brenda and I have done a lot of the roads around the area and they range from great to spectacular.

Brenda and I really look forward to seeing everyone there.

COOL!!!! Keep us posted. Thanks for hosting it. Russ

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You meet the nicest people in a Locost Se7en.

I agree with Russ. WAY COOL!!! Beautiful countryside! Very close to Lake City and Albert Lea, two of our favorite stops when Carol & I were on the truck. And, it's less than 600 miles from home. When do we leave?

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Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/

I'm in. Hopefully not smoking this time. The car, not me.

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Graham,
www.earleymotorsports.com

Graham
Its good to hear your car kicked the habit. Was it an expensive ordeal?

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PHOTOS OF THE PROJECT
http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery ... emId=23737

It hasn't yet but it better have by then. Going to pull it out over the winter. Up here we don't get as much time to drive as you down south folks do but I have a "guy" that can get me stuff at a good price. I will ring and bearing it. Hopefully that will do. So your new one is close?

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Graham,
www.earleymotorsports.com

Yes, just got it back from powder coat so we are in final assembly and wiring.
We are in north Georgia now at Ambush for a couple of weeks. It was hard to walk away from all those shiney parts, but worth it......The roads here have got to b the best any where in the U.S. to run a seven, .....at least the best i have ever been on.

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PHOTOS OF THE PROJECT
http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery ... emId=23737

Good deal, I look forward to seeing it next time we cross paths. Have fun at the Ambush.

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Graham,
www.earleymotorsports.com

My car will most definitely be fully streetable by then, what with the mild winters here and my new heated garage. Plus the fact that it is running and driving. Just needs some more aluminum here and there.

And I very much want to attend. The problem is getting there. But if McCornack can make it, so can I. Maybe we can caravan.

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Larry in Seattle

Brenda and I will be running down into that area a few more times this fall. We found some great roads last weekend. Next time we run down there it will be less to see the roads and more to find some cool destinations.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the spring.

Heading down this weekend. I'll try to capture some cool photos while we are running around.

Glen met Brenda and I down in Preston this last Saturday. We did a 200+ mile route through some truly spectacular countryside. Beautiful roads, gorgeous farms, spectacular views.

Thanks glen!

Here is a link to the route Glen and I scouted this weekend:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Fillmore+St+E&daddr=IA-139+S%2F345th+Ave+to:IA-9+E+to:IA-9+E+to:Old+Stage+Rd+to:43.276954,-91.624415+to:Rossville+Rd%2FSpring+Ave+to:Elon+Dr+to:Lansing+Harpers+Rd+to:IA-26+N%2FGreat+River+Rd+to:Iowa+River+Dr+to:Iowa+River+Dr+to:MN-76+N+to:Pool+Hill+Dr+to:MN-26+N+to:MN-16+W+to:County+Rd+21+to:County+Rd+9+to:MN-76+N+to:E+Park+St+to:S+Mill+St+to:Unknown+road+to:MN-16+W+to:Fillmore+St+E&hl=en&ll=43.494775,-91.689148&spn=1.231346,1.766052&sll=43.663898,-92.052898&sspn=0.076743,0.110378&geocode=FQhbmgIdFviC-g%3BFRDLlQId6veC-g%3BFbyTlAIdRkeH-g%3BFY2HlAId2OuH-g%3BFcWnlAIdiD-I-g%3BFZpalAIdIeyJ-imffpJs-KT7hzHUIAb1vWlSRg%3BFVU8lAId4TCM-g%3BFcUwlAIddO6P-g%3BFXp-lQIdvkKQ-g%3BFSpzlwIdts-O-g%3BFVCtlgIdymeN-g%3BFYGqlgId-KKL-g%3BFSbglwIdjFGM-g%3BFYillwIdKOqO-g%3BFao0nAIdXtKO-g%3BFfwPnAIdEFOO-g%3BFXAenAIdNGmL-g%3BFergmwId_r2K-g%3BFeuonAIdwg-K-g%3BFR56nAIdLvWH-g%3BFRRrnAId8vSH-g%3BFakGmwIdQ6CE-g%3BFQxBmgIdNa-D-g%3BFepamgIdvAKD-g&vpsrc=6&mra=mi&mrsp=23&sz=13&via=5&t=h&z=9

Brenda and I did a little more scouting on Sunday.

Here is a link to the route we took:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Fillmore+St+E&daddr=Fillmore+St+W+to:Co+Hwy+17+to:Co+Rd+44+to:Victory+Ave+to:E+Jackson+St+to:Oak+Ave+to:Center+St+to:E+Main+St+to:W+Merrill+St+to:Co+Hwy+5+to:Co+Rd+44+to:Co+Hwy+14+to:Fillmore+St+W+to:Co+Hwy+17+to:Co+Hwy+17+to:Parkway+Ave+N+to:MN-250+N+to:Main+St+to:E+Center+St+to:MN-74+S+to:Co+Rd+2+NE+to:2nd+Ave+SE&hl=en&ll=43.748777,-91.762619&spn=0.15327,0.220757&sll=43.792906,-92.1698&sspn=1.22525,1.766052&geocode=FWhamgIdHAyD-g%3BFRxbmgIddOuC-g%3BFcptmAIdZNOC-g%3BFSBomAIdODeC-g%3BFZDllgId3jaC-g%3BFQYBlwIduul_-g%3BFQ41lwIdcPJ_-g%3BFU71lgIdeOV_-g%3BFQTklwIdjod8-g%3BFTr1lgId9t9_-g%3BFRJsmAId1xSA-g%3BFWZtmAIdJ_6A-g%3BFapLmQIdsv-A-g%3BFTpbmgIdBuaC-g%3BFScBmwIdaniD-g%3BFVNKmwIdJ0qD-g%3BFRYpmwIdpoqE-g%3BFV63nAId0vOE-g%3BFf6GoAId8ByF-g%3BFUjJoAIdrvuD-g%3BFfZ_oAIdrquD-g%3BFV6koAIdknWA-g%3BFQJfoQIdtGKA-g&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=8&sz=9&t=h&z=12

We did find several great places to eat and even a few attractions to go visit.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the spring.

Awesome drive, perfect weather (except the frost )

Try this one, you'll like it
http://g.co/maps/rftff

WOW!! I'm impressed that you two are already checking out places to drive. I'm certainly looking forward to going back ti Minnesota. Have you given any thoughts to dates of the gathering?

We had a really great time in '10 and it looks line '12 will be even better.

Bill

Have the dates been set yet for this event? I'd like to block the time off if possible before something else gets booked.

Bill

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Bill H
Winnipeg, MB, Canada