NJBMWCCA Newsletter 10-10: Vegas, a Mini, and the Biergarten

Vegas, a Mini, and the Biergarten

 It’s that time of year again where Sandy and I have to get out of NJ for 10+ days and enjoy all that Sin City has to offer. Maybe it’s the hellacious Mojave Desert heat, maybe it’s the huge luxurious casinos, the endless shows and performances, the good (and expensive) food, or perhaps it’s the street folks handing out calling cards for… um… night companions. Whatever draws us there, Vegas - the Entertainment Capital of the World - has been our choice vacation location for the past 5 years.

 
And if you have read my previous articles from years past you know that no trip out to Las Vegas is complete without a trip to the Little A’Le’Inn. Just 150 miles north in Rachel, Nevada this town of approximately 78 people is located in the middle of nowhere. The nearest gas station is 40 miles away in one direction and 90 miles in the other direction.  It’s located on the eastern edge of the Nellis Bombing and Gunnery Range so you might get lucky to see some cool Air Force hardware in the sky flying under 2,000 ft between the mountains. We had seen a couple fighters zipping across the baron plains at Ludicrous Speed before. More importantly, the Range is also known as Area 51.

 To get to the Ufologist and Conspiracy Theorist mecca, we needed a car. A speedy car, something that says fun. How about a 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible? Yup we rented a red Mini S drop top for our 300 mile round trip cruise through the desert wasteland. Upon getting the keys to this car, the name Mini really applied. Someone had the seat almost all the way forward. I couldn’t even get into the car. The first thought going through my head was “Maybe I should have rented the Porsche Boxster instead”. Once I got the seat into proper position (all the way back touching the rear seat) I pulled the car around so Sandy can jump in.  The helpful attendant from Dream Car Rentals showed us how to put the top down, a most important lesson. We pulled out, top down, onto the freeway and headed towards Rachel.

 It took a few miles to get used to the car and its functions, plus where to put my left foot. It was shamefully equipped with an automatic transmission. Once I settled in, we motored out of town soaking the 106 degree sun with the A/C at full blast. We made it about 20 miles with the top down before we decided that crispy skin is not a fashion statement and we were better off going the rest of the way with the top up. We turned onto I-92, the straightest road I have ever been on. You look down the road as far as you can see to where it disappears and there isn’t one turn or even a curve for 20+ miles. In NJ we are so used to trees, buildings, and whatever hampering our vision more than 2 miles or so. Here, you can see forever. The distance is very deceiving.

 We arrived at the A’Le’Inn and ordered up a couple Alien burgers. There was a crew doing an independent film on the ‘Inn and Area 51. The one guy did a brief interview with me to find out if we had seen anything strange. I guess my experiences and story wasn’t interesting enough for them as he didn’t even turn the camera on. We had some friendly conversation with some of the customers and locals. Sandy struck up a conversation with a woman named Annette from Denmark who was traveling all across America solo riding a R1200GS BMW motorcycle. She is sponsored by BMW who helps provide with some gear and maintenance on her bike. In return she gives presentations at BMW Motorcycle dealerships. Her business card states she is a motivational speaker.  I can tell you it was inspiring to listen to her adventures. This is her second trip to the Americas. The first was a couple years ago when she started her journey in Argentina and worked her way from South America thru Central America and into the US. This year’s trip was strictly around the United States ending up in Miami. She has a blog of her tours. If anyone is interested, contact me and I can forward the website information.

Black Cows at night never a good thing

 Annette had to hit the highway as she was headed toward Utah. We figured it’s about time we headed back to Vegas ourselves. We were at the ‘Inn for several hours and we wanted to get back to town before it got dark. The desert is a little scary at night as it’s very dark with no lights from anything. The amount of stars you see is amazing when there is no city light pollution. This area of the desert is a free range, which means someone speeding along the highway can come across a herd of cows crossing the road and not be able to react in time. 70mph at night with 1500lb black cows crossing the road and driving a Mini doesn’t sound like a challenge I want to try.

 We also took a ride over to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. Those of you who watch the History Channel will be familiar with the name as it is the location for the show Pawn Stars. Sandy was on the hunt to meet Chumlee. Unfortunately, we had to stop there twice because the first time we visited there, the lead characters had already left for the day. Too bad because I had my “Chumlee for President. He’s my kind of idiot” T-Shirt on.  We did catch the “Old Man” the next day and were able to get our pictures taken with him. Sandy wound up purchasing an Amethyst ring from the store as well for a very good price. We also made friends with the head of security , Andy, who just moved out there a year ago from New York City. We promised to send real Bagels and Rye Bread out to them. The other strange but interesting location we visited was the Atomic Testing Museum. This was fascinating and creepy all in one. I think I just wanted to see some mushroom clouds but I really got an erie chill when I read all the material as well as watched a few videos on how serious and frightening the times were when the nuclear era had started. On the brighter side we now have a Miss Atomic Bomb 1957 magnet for the fridge.

 My first impressions with the Mini were it was small (hello, its called a Mini) and a little cramped. Once I settled in, I found a groove and started to like the car. It drove well, handled nicely, and it had reasonable power. The two position convertible top was a great feature as well. We wound up putting the top down at night just due to the intense heat that Vegas has in August. Overall, we enjoyed the car and Sandy even said “I wouldn’t mind one of these” – I think I would still rather have an e30 Convertible for the added trunk space. I still can see why so many enthusiasts are buying Minis and why they have the following they get. It’s a fun car with a little character, which is the reason why we rented it in the first place.

 Two weeks after we returned from our trip the Deutscher Club of Clark held a Biergarten on Friday, September 17 with BMW cars as a featured display. JMK BMW brought a bunch of new cars for everyone to drool over as well as many of our CCA members putting their cars on display. Be it for me not to pass up an opportunity to show off our 1977 320i, which was the oldest car in attendance. We had a great turn out with a beautiful e30 M3 and 325es on hand, an e34 M5, e39 Touring, as well as several Z4’s and e46’s, and a real nice e36 Convertible.  The infamous Red Rocket was in attendance for all to gaze at its wonder.  Even our club president came out with his e30 325ix and e90 M3 and Jamie brought out his e30 race car. We had a fantastic display but that was just a small part of the evening of fun.

 It is called the Biergarten and true to its name, the event was held at the picnic area at the DC with enough tables for what seemed to be at least 600+ people with traditional German food being served and of course German beer. With a plate full of good eats and a cup of golden suds the night was only getting better. There was an Accordion player walking about the tables playing German music and a fantastic live band playing everything from the usual favorites to traditional music from Germany. They even did a couple Jimmy Buffet tunes just to get everyone in the mood. Somehow I don’t think Warsteiner in Paradise is going to be the next Parrothead hit though.

 Everyone from our Club as well as the Deutscher members were having a ball. This event is by far one of the best social gatherings besides our yearly picnic. Most of us weren’t quite sure what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. Some have been in Germany for a true Biergarten and they said this is very much like the ones in Europe. It is something I encourage all of you to come and partake in next year. As the night went on, CCA members pulled out with their cars and by 8:30 there were only two sets of members left - Sandy and I with Dave and Patty, who came in the e36 Convertible. We all had a good time - until…

 As we were hanging out in front of the covered dance area where the band was playing there were 4 people standing, and dancing, next to our e21. They were laughing and spinning around having a very good time. Sandy said to me “watch these people because they are holding their beer cups sideways and I don’t want them to spill drinks on the car”. A very good point indeed. I had a little faith that all would be fine until the one gentleman was spinning around and fell right over the passenger fender of our car. At that point I had to quickly shoe them away from the car display so they do not damage anything. I recently repainted the hood on our 320i because there were a few scratches and I didn’t need this guy to damage my perfect paint.  Thankfully, they understood my concerns and took their party over by the proper location for dancing.

 Soon after we left the Biergarten stuffed and entertained fully. This event was a lot of fun and was something I am looking forward to for next year. I hope to see a larger gathering of pre-80’s BMW’s so if you own one of these vintage Bimmers, blow the dust off it and bring it out. You will not regret it.

 I was also surprised how many members told me they enjoy my newsletter ramblings. I have been thinking of taking my articles and starting a blog with additional pictures included as our publication has only so much printing space. Feel free to contact me for a link to this blog once its up if you are interested.

 This months article bullet points – The Mini is small but fun, watch for black cows at night, and beware of intoxicated Biergarten dancers on your fresh paint.

JT Burkard

Comments and suggestions are welcome

Copyright JT Burkard 2010-2011