The BMWCCA Wine Country Tour will assemble in two locations for those in the northern counties and those in the southern

The 7^th Annual Pumpkin Run, our last drive of the 2005 season, will be a Weekender on October 15 and 16, a Saturday and Sunday. Dave and Pam Fisher developed a route for your driving and eating pleasure that includes some of the very best that West Virginia has to offer. Imagine 2 days of driving all those twistie roads amid the brilliant fall colors with your best Z Bimmer buddies! All you need is your roadster because I understand that teeth are optional!

Here’s how Dave describes the Weekender.

The 7th Annual Pumpkin Run

(aka Over the River and Through the Woods)

Saturday

Leave Starbucks on "The Strip" at 8:30 AM. Starbucks is located in North Canton at the Portage Street exit off I-77. It’s freeway, I'm afraid, to Marietta for a rest and fuel stop. Then, finally, off to the real reason for the drive...back roads! We’ll stop for lunch in Northern West Virginia, tentatively in the North Bend State Park.

There are some really fine twisties all afternoon as we run along a river valley through some picturesque villages in rural WV. Depending on time and fatigue levels, we may sample some local ‘attractions’ such as the Mystery Hole (Cletus…down boy) or Hawks Nest State Park.

We'll spend the night in Beckley at the Courtyard by Marriott. A limited block of rooms is available under the name, Pamela Fisher, for $95 plus tax. Call 304-252-9800 to reserve a room with your credit card. We suggest that you do this ASAP. It is also Bridge Weekend, just north of Beckley on that Saturday, and with the leaf peepers, it may fill up quickly.

There is some downtime before dinner to visit Tamarack Crafts of West Virginia (http://www.tamarackwv.com) if you wish...a very pleasant experience only about a mile from the hotel. Thank Goodness, there is only so much trunk space!!

We’ll dine at Char, the finest restaurant in Beckley. Since the food is actually pretty good and served on white tablecloths and everything, you may want to dress one step up from jeans, but all sorts of dress have been noted. Entrees include meats, seafood, Italian and barbecue at prices ranging from about $15 to $40.

Sunday

We’ll drive a loop around Southern WV on some of the finest twisties this side of the ‘Dragon’. Along the way, we’ll stop at Twin Falls State Park and the New River Bridge. On the route is a little known, old road under the bridge that was replaced by the New Bridge.

By 12:45 PM - head up Route 60 to Charleston and jump on I-77 north...another freeway but the price to enjoy fine roads and vistas. Meal and rest stops as needed on the way home.

Here's the standard boilerplate for the 7^th Annual Pumpkin Run, aka Over the River and Through the Woods. Please join us for the entire trip or just the part that's convenient for you. Bring along all the Zs that you can find. Dress appropriately for the temperature because we drive regardless of weather. Don't forget sunscreen and sun glasses if it's bright. Have a full tank of gas to start the drive. Bring your Talkabouts tuned to channel 7,5. Be sure the camera has batteries or film. Remember your tank of gas donation for Make A Wish.