GOT PLUG? Chapter 6 MINI E E*Tour, Post 5

2009.10.21 - Evening Run - Thanks to Holiday Inn Express

Leaving Islip, Don wanted to get close to NYC and recharge a bit to make sure I could make the jump through the city madness to Pearl River NY, so he called a Holiday Inn Express in Lynnbrook NY. He spoke to the manager, who was so excited about a visit from me that he stayed after work to check me out upon my late night arrival. He had me park in a reserved spot right by his office window so he could run my 110 “occasional use” 110v cord through it and into the outlet by his desk.

This manager did a lot of great customer relations job for Holiday Inn Express. Some of his guests were checking me out the next morning. I attract even more attention when I’m plugged in ... everyone loves that the plug goes into the “gas cap”)

THANKS TO HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS - LYNNBROOK, NY

GOT PLUG? Chapter 6 MINI E E*Tour, Post 4

2009.10.20 - Tuesday, departure day - Thanks to Islip Animal Hospital

The weather had been cooling and Don had been told that I wouldn’t feel my oats as much as it gets colder and that the temperature could effect my range. Don decided we would leave the Tuesday night instead of Wednesday morning. At 1900 hrs. on Tues we drove from home on Shelter Island to Islip Aniimal Hospital in Islip, NY. The temperature was still in the mid-50’s, I had 100% charge, and just 55 miles to go. We arrived at the hospital at 2015 hours with a 20% charge and got plugged in to a 50 amp charger, my favorite cause a like a nice strong belt of juice after a run. Lucky for Don a new Greek Restaurant had opened right across the street from Jo’s hospital so Don had diner and hung out with me until I was full and all set to move on.

Dr. Jon Fisher owns Islip Animal Hospital. He is a car guy who had, in his stable, and Olds 442 convertible and a De Lorean. Until I showed up, Dr. Jon was nor particularly Green or EV minded. I fixed that. I let him drive me, and that was all it took for him to install a charger at his hospital.

THANK YOU DR. JON FISHER and ISLIP ANIMAL HOSPITAL!

GOT PLUG? Chapter 6 MINI E E*Tour, Post 3

2009.10.16 - Trip Preparation

Don got a call from Billy at MINI E saying he had received Don’s email regarding one of my minor charging issues and had noticed that we were planning a lengthy trip soon. He said a Flying Doctor would be at MINI of the Hamptons on Monday to give me a sound physical prior to the trip. Don did not ask for a Flying Doctor and the MINI of the Hamptons Service Department is closed on Mondays. MINI USA did not let that get in the way of checking me out.

Shawn, an FD from MINI , was there at 9AM on the dot. He proceeded to palpate me, drive me, put me through all sorts of scenarios to see if he could find even a hiccup. For four hours he examined and tested me, then patted me on the bonnet and pronounced me ready for the trip.

Pardon me for sounding a bit snooty, but can you think of any other car family where the upity-ups would volunteer and initiate a special trip to check out one lowly little car that might or might not need some attention, and one that was clearing planning on leaving the prescribed 60 mile radius comfort range of the dealership.

So, THANKS TO MINI E for encouraging Don and giving me a thorough physical before the trip.

GOT PLUG? Chapter 6 MINI E E*Tour, Post 2

2009.10.16 - Trip Inspiration

Don decided that he wanted to show me off, a lot. He also wanted me to see as many of my siblings as possible. So, in his infinite wisdom, he devised a plan.

He next step was to contact some folks in the Facebook MINI E group to secure charging locations. He is a big fan of this group, it gives a community spirit to what could well be a rather lonely endeavor; to drive and spread the word about how cool I am those unfortunate souls that are not currently driving and EV. Using David Fliegler’s Charger Sharing website complete with google maps and contact information, Don laid out a route visiting the most Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern points of the East Coast MINI E Range.

I have a range of about 100 miles and being a very special car I have a very special 220v plug; one you can’t pick up anywhere. I can get a boost from a standard 110v plug but it takes way longer than 220v.

The plan came together, and off we went. I was loaded with a tent, camping equipment, souvenir t-shirts for our “Power Support Team”, and love and good wishes from Jo Young, Don’s wife.

Now we’re back home after 1019.8 miles of charger sharing cruising. I’ve got lots of thanks and stories to tell, so here we go. Buckle up and Motor on!

GOT PLUG? Chapter 6 MINI E E*Tour Post 1

A Series of posts (Chapter 6) tell the story of my epic adventure on the MINI E E*Tour. The reason for the trip was to have fun. Oops, maybe I was supposed to say something more dignified like... "this adventure was dedicated to proving to the world that the MINI E can provide a clean, fulfilling adventure, not necessarily limited by the range of an EV. Rather, that very quality could be employed as a social advantage allowing an interchange of friendship and ideas from like-minded people." Well, that's true too.

Anyway, here goes! Buckle Up and Motor On with Don and me!

GOT PLUG? Chapter 5

Need a new UH-OH? Try this...Don did. While I was rolling back on a mild incline he put the shifter into P instead of going to all the work of moving his foot to my brake peddle. BAD IDEA!!! Wow, that hurt!. I screamed, it sounded like a guard running a steel black jack across jail cell bars. His foot jumped to the brake pedal and I could tell Don was really ashamed. I know he’s just a human and his central computer hasn’t been significantly updated since the Neanderthal days, so I forgave me immediately and off we went in motoring bliss.

Don then began showing me off to other people. He invited them to take me for a spin, which I quite enjoyed. It’s really neat that I have a secret video eye in the center of my steering column so I can check out the driver’s expressions. I made a lot of people really happy. I love seeing those smiling faces.

I’m going to tell you about some of my new guest people.

John Fisher was the first guest. He Jo’s employer and a tall man who likes cars. In fact, he has a Oldsmobile 442, and a De Lorean. But he never had a electric ride before. He had a real good time with me and guess what! Since I get tired sometimes and probably won’t have as much energy in the winter and in the summer, John is going to help me and Jo by putting in a 220v cocktail machine just for me at his hospital. That way Jo can count on me every day. I’m pretty excited about this. I mean, a one mile commute daily for a little rocket like me... I don’t think so!

My next guests were a couple of young folks from New York City. This couple have a BRG Mini Cooper that was pretty cute. They were admiring me, but who doesn’t? Don saw them and tossed them the remote. Wow, were they ever thrilled. I’m going to let them do the talking:

This is from the male person, named Jay: “The pick-up on this car is absolutely tremendous, out of control. I did not expect any sort of boost like this in an fully-electric car. The re-generative braking is also an incredible feature, and I was able to adjust to the pedal sensitivity quickly.” His female mate, Flora, said: “I also liked how the wheel was very tight, like how our mini's wheel feels when in sport mode. It's just so exciting to see this car on the road, and I have faith that there will come a point when all petroleum powered cars will be phased out. Pumping gas will be a story you tell your kids...Thanks again, the experience really opened our eyes.”

I’ll leave you for this thought from Flora: “Pumping gas will be a story you tell your kids...”. That’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

Buckle Up and Motor On!

GP-

Got Plug? Chapter 4

I got my present, and wow, is it hot! I got home the other day and a 220 40 Amp special charger box, dedicated just for me, was mounted right by my bed in the garage!

It’s source is solar power and I can drink in the solar juice and be stuffed to the gills in just 4 1/2 hours. I used to have to suck on 110v electricity for about 30 hours before I could manage a decent belch.

Well, enough about the present, I had a big week.

I passed my Commuting 101 exam, with 6 miles to spare. The commute was quite a challenge, over a hundred miles of varying conditions with mostly highway miles. At the half way point Jo (my female person) had to go work so Don (who doesn’t work nearly as much as Jo) gave me some 110v to sip. Nine hours later we headed back to Shelter Island. I had a one hour sprint at like 70 mph and car, was I sacked. When we got off the Expressway we had about 30 miles to my garage, but I swear I could only make 14 miles at this rate; and I told Don that in my display window.. My display window translates the obvious into squiggly lines that people can somehow comprehend. So, Don ditched the highway and headed for the through-town route. I may be a mini bit conceited, but somehow parading through local streets and stopping at lights to bask in the adoring gaze of admirers really energizes me. After about 10 miles, I told Don I was good for at least 26 more miles. We made it home with 6 miles to spare, no problem.

My people were so proud of me. It felt real good to know I could help them out. I think I’m starting to like them.

That’s it for now. See ya soon!

Happy Motoring,

GP-