If I Didn't Own A MINI

I purchased my first 04 MINI Cooper in 2009 and the adventure started right away. It never occurred to me that when I bought that MINI, I was not just buying a sports car but I was joining a family. I soon discovered that MINI owners are not just car owners, but extended family. MINI owners stick together like glue. I purchased a second 08 MINI Cooper S and now found myself with two MINI Coopers sitting in the driveway. I was so attached to my first one, I found it hard to sell. I eventually sold her but still had the 08 Cooper S with JCW modifications. The MINI family adventure started with the first one though. MINI's have names and my first was Stella and now Badboy.

So, I was thinking today, what if I didn't own a MINI! What if I never would have bought one! What would I have missed out on over the years? Who would I have never of met? What places would I have never traveled to? What would I have missed out on? Not much you may be thinking, its just a car! Guess again.

If I didn't own a MINI I would have:

• never started a Heart of Texas Mini Cooper Car Club that grew to 100 members
• missed out on meeting dozens of friends from that club
• never eaten at dozens of places that I never even knew existed before
• known there is an all back road route from Waco to Salado, Tx
• never driven the Waco Run 
• never would have even known there is a rally of over 600 MINI's at the same time called MINI's On The Dragon 
• missed driving through the Appalachian and Smokey Mountains
• missed driving 18 hours to the rally with my best friend David Sens from 5th grade
• never made a trip to Eureka Springs with my wife to meet other MINI owners
• would have never met all the Metroplex MINI peeps that are now dear friends 
• would have never met Mike and Donna Smith from Nashville that have been our Dragon rally roommates for three years in a row now and are dear friends
• never of experienced my best friend David buy his first MINI 
• never found Badboy if were not for Christie Goldston and David Sens
• never would have have met Garland and Melissa Stone, Barbeque Master  and MINI owner
• would be $500 richer if it weren't for Mike Smith and Garland Stone making me buy a Stage 1 Tuning at the Dragon
• would have never known about the Austin MINI Cooper Club and all those great friends now
•  missed the MINI caravans to the Dragon meeting more dear friends
• never would have met Jim and Lea Ann Weisbruch
• never would have met Christie Goldston
• never would have met Rick and Melinda Mahaffey
• never would have met Jeff and Julie Henderson
• never would have met Tara Clawson, and the list goes on and on
• never would have known you can modify a MINI for speed and performance
• missed scaring my wife driving the Dragon like a maniac
• missed driving to Charlotte, NC and the gorgeous mountains there
• missed going to a Dragon Museum that my wife found in Knoxville, Tn
• missed eating at the Good Dog in Knoxville, Tn
• missed driving 11 miles of mountain roads with 318 curve
• never driven the Pig Trail in Arkansas
• missed Bridal Vail Falls incredible beauty
• never met Glenda Jensen a dear friend
• never would have discovered Zaino Show Car Finish
• never bought a Geek Bag for all my detailing supplies
• never been in the Circle of Love
• missed waiting my wife Becky making me and David matching MINI sleep pants
• missed David walking down the street in MINI sleep pants at the dragon
• never made all those MINI Logo shorts we wear
• never would have made my MINI patch jacket that makes me look so cool 
• not have hundreds of pictures from all our MINI adventure to look through

So, you can certainly get my point. I cant list it all but if I had not bought a MINI and joined the  MINI family, I would have missed so much life, fun, fellowship, driving, eating, driving fast, twistie back roads driving, and making new friends from all over the USA. I would have missed making friends from all walks of life.

I owe it all to my wife who found our first MINI and talked me into buying her.  We have had SOME GREAT adventures driving Stella and Badboy for so many years. God has certainly blessed me with special gifts along this adventure. I don't regret a day of it!

Are you a MINI owner?