2011 Fall Color Tour recap

Because BMW CCA Oktoberfest was in October this year, we tried to schedule the Iowa Chapter Fall Color Tour later in the month, October 22-23. To try and still have color involved, we took the party south to Hannibal, Missouri.

The weather cooperated with us and we woke Saturday to a sunny day. For those in the Des Moines area, the tour started with breakfast at the 5 and Diner in Pleasant Hill at an early 7:30 a.m. We departed for Mt. Pleasant about 9:30 a.m. with 13 cars. We met 6 additional cars from eastern Iowa on our arrival in Mt Pleasant. We enjoyed lunch at a local bar and grill called Press Box Grill and Bar. This gave everyone a nice opportunity to meet and visit with the rest of the participants before heading to our final destination – Hannibal.

We arrived in Hannibal around 2:30 p.m., checked in to the host hotel – Best Western on the River near downtown Hannibal – and spent the rest of the afternoon sightseeing around the downtown area. At 6 p.m. we met at the Mark Twain Riverboat for an evening dinner cruise. The cruise was enjoyable although the early sunset prevented seeing much of the local scenery from the boat after dinner.

On Sunday, some early showers attempted to dampen our day but the weather once again cooperated and dried much of it off as a group of 9 cars met and drove a scenic loop south of Hannibal. We stopped at a few scenic overlooks along the way and everyone was able to get some photos of cars, scenery and old and new friends. A few hung around for lunch at a local café and then everyone was on their own for the trip home.

Thanks to everyone that participated and made it such an enjoyable weekend.

2011 Fall Color Tour Preview – New Info

The 2011 Fall Color Tour is Oct. 22 through Oct. 23. Don’t miss out on this year’s fall event, where the club is doing something a little different and heading to Hannibal, Missouri.

Hannibal is best known for being the boyhood home of Mark Twain and has numerous historical sites related to him and the magical adventures of Tom and Huck. Some of these sites are open on Sunday, if you are interested in exploring or having your own adventure before heading home on Oct. 23.

Due to BMW CCA Oktoberfest in October this year, we scheduled this driving tour later in the month so those of you heading to O-fest can still join in on the fun. Review the schedule below for a review of the weekend’s events.

Saturday, Oct. 22
• *Morning departure from 3 main locations: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.
• *Smaller groups will meet for lunch in Mount Pleasant
• From Mount Pleasant, we will travel on to Hannibal, MO and check into our hotel
• 6 p.m., meet at the Mark Twain Riverboat for a 2-hour dinner cruise.

Sunday, Oct. 23
• *Morning will consist of a short local drive followed by lunch.
• Remainder of the day is up to each of you.

A block of rooms has been reserved at:

Best Western on the River
401 N 3rd St.
Hannibal, MO 63401
Ph. 573-248-1150
Room rate is $79.99 with complimentary, hot breakfast

Please make your own reservations before 9/21 (block release date). The hotel is within walking distance from the Mark Twain Riverboat, downtown shopping and Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. It’s also minutes away from the Mark Twain Cave, Rockcliffe Mansion and Mark Twain Lake. [Note: There are also numerous Bed & Breakfasts in the area, if those are more enticing.]

To participate in the Mark Twain Riverboat dinner cruise, please RSVP to communications@bmwia.org. Regular price is $39.95/person + tax. If we have 20 or more attending, we can qualify for group pricing and save a couple dollars per person.

*Exact departure times and restaurant locations to be announced. Check the newsletter and website for future updates.

Hope to see you on the 2011 Fall Color Tour!

New Information on trip

We have 1 couple each from Quad Cities and CR/Iowa City area so there will no organized drives from those locations. We will meet you in Mt. Pleasant at 11:30AM for lunch at Press Box Grill & Bar, 1110 West Washington.

In Des Moines, we will be leaving from the 5 & Diner, 5015 E University Ave, Pleasant Hill at 9AM. For those interested in breakfast, meet around 7:45AM.

Enough people signed up to allow us a slightly reduced rate for the dinner cruise. This saved us a little over $3 per person. They have requested this as 1 payment so I’ll handle payment for everyone on the boat. If possible, please send me a check for $40.13 (includes tax) per person to the address below. If you would rather pay me that weekend, please remember I don’t take credit cards… J

Send $$$$ to: Dana Schrader,  435 SE Woodbine Dr., Grimes, IA 50111

Pray for awesome weather like this and we’ll see everyone in a couple of weeks!!