…and no Gophers or Badgers (or MINIs!) were harmed in the process. Simply wonderful to be able to enjoy excellent weather, superb twisties, and great companionship this past weekend at the 2016 EIM Border Skirmish Drive. After meeting up at the Decorah Trout Hatchery and enjoying the views, feeding the fish, and checking out the famous eagles, we headed north into Bluff Country for some amazing curves and spirited motoring, and lunch in Caledonia, MN. Then it was back down along the Mighty Mo and the scenic cliffs through New Albin, Marquette, and Guttenberg to our final destination and supper in Balltown, IA. It was a special treat that the best roads had been completely cleared of their winter sand deposits, allowing us to exercise our MINIs properly!

Thanks to all who came out and joined us. It was a special treat to have EIM Plank Owner Daryl H. drive down from his home in Minnesota to motor once again with his old MINI mates. It was great seeing him and LEO again. His unexpected stop in Houston, MN will keep us laughing for quite some time (he radioed that he was stopping for “air” and the leaders soldiered on, thinking he had said “beer.” Beer? Not Daryl!). We enjoyed meeting and motoring for the first time with EIMers Paul and Sue P. Their son and prom date, incidentally, met up with us in Balltown so they could trade cars with Mom and Dad and make the MINI their prom chariot! Likely some future MINIacs in the making.

Photos from our Border Skirmish are posted in our Photo Gallery. You can go to them directly by using the following link:

Photos from the 2016 EIM Border Skirmish Drive, Decorah to Balltown, 4-23-16

Time to get psyched up for the Black Hills Stampede next month!

—