Out and about

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***A stranger in a strange land***
*Is an original Mini really that small or are present-day vehicles really that BIG!*

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WEST-SIDE TOURS a huge success

If it works in October (a west-side tour that is) then why not November? Caution, these tours can be habit forming.

SAMOA Minis tour in mid-October but it felt more like mid-July. Read all about these tours in RECENT EVENTS.

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SAMOA to the Shanty

It’s time to introduce an old Seattle road house to an old Seattle car club. Jump in your Mini and we’ll see you at The Shanty Tavern, 90th and Lake City Way, Friday, October 21, 4:30pm till 6:30pm. Drive what makes you happy!

https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-shanty-tavern-keeps-the-soul-of-seattles-lost-roadhouses-alive/?fbclid=IwAR2ORNHZc04wCX2w0c1B25GZxig9nILfpEA4w_88TrL9lk6WhaqSC7LE5pY

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In these trying times keep in mind there’s no better mood enhancer than a drive in your Mini. Next time you hit the road, snap a selfie, writeup a brief description of your trip and send it to the blog editor so your fellow SAMOAns get to share in your experience.

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An historical transmission rebuild

“Met with Chris Miller today to work on the Downton Mini gearbox.” The latest from Ted Atkins on the restoration of the famous Downton Mini. See the HISTORY section of this blog for Del Gould’s account of this most-significant Mini. 4/16/2022 – photo by Ted Atkins

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SAMOA’s 55th celebration slightly dampened

Considering the weather (it was raining when we got there and it was raining when we left) it was not a bad turnout at all as 11 Minis and several more Miniacs made the early trip to, of all places, The Super China Buffet (next door to The Central Market), to show off to an otherwise almost empty parking lot. SAMOA’s first club meeting took place on March 18, 1967.

*Long-time SAMOA member, Bill Wecker, and daughter Jamie made the trek up from Ballard to join in the only slightly soggy merriment. -Mark Hurston photo*

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Down on the dock

Me and Grumbleina with the Ballard Bridge as a backdrop. Must have been May 2021 because I hadn’t had a haircut during the pandemic when the photo was taken. From the end of the NW Dock at Fisherman’s Terminal.

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Orcastoberfest

Orcas Island Octoberfest, 2021 happened in the middle of November. So did a healthy storm.

*Had it up to here with the Washington State Ferries cancelations so we made other arrangements.* *-Don Dixon photos*

Quite a few islanders found their driveways out in the road that morning. Washouts, Mount Constitution Road closed, no electricity, Rosario Resort Bar closed, great fun! We still managed a spirited drive using boulders as autocross cones. One spectator was quite worried about our safety.

*Two solid days of rain on a tin roof was a bit much but cleared Tuesday in time for me to rescue Old Paint from the rising menace.*

After her many gesticulations and a word or two we figured out we might have endangered her and her wee dogs by doing 17mph in a 25 zone with 20 feet between us. We’re so, so sorry. – Don and Marian

*The calm after the storm, Crow Valley, Orcas Island. See MENU/RECENT EVENTS for full-size image of this idyllic part of Orcas Island.*

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