Bimmerfest Calgary started early Friday morning at a place none other than a Starbucks parking lot. Today we happened to start out at the Mill Creek Starbucks off 164th. As usual, "someone" was running a little late ;-) From left to right: Cliff Carpenter, Steve Larimer, Matthew Atkins, and Dave Clement. Unfortunately, Dave had an emergency at work and was not able to come with us, but he did stop by to see us off.

Larry Kangley decided to join us in his E46 Dinan Stage 2 M3.

OOHHH CANADA!!!

Once we reached Canada, we met up with Igor Zagoruchenko and his girlfriend Tatiani in his E30 3 series convertible.

Here we are at our first of many rest stops. Matt Mar hadn't slept in days and was chugging down the coffee to stay awake. Needless to say, what goes in, must come out.

We stayed in constant communication via FRS radios. Hey Larry, what are you doing way back there?

Before this trip, I thought Canada was a big ice cube. It was a big suprise to me when I was greeted by a beautiful landscape and 90+ temperatures.

About 3~4 hours outside of Calgery within one mile we picked up a 2002 and an E36. I guess a caravan of bimmers attracts a little attention up here.

Canada's beauty was breathtaking.

For the previous few weeks the weather report and been pointing to rain in Calgary... but snow!! Only a few miles outside Calgary we saw snow on the side of the road. At this point we also picked up an E46 wagon, but we never actually got to talk to the owner. He just followed us to Calgery and turned off.

The car wash was a comedy of errors. Matt M. thought he was slick and headed out early to round up some quarters from the store.

Both Matt M. and Matt A. had their cars lined up and ready to wash........

Then Matt A. realized that the car wash didn't take quarter but rather "Loonies and Toonies!" These are equivalent to $1 and $2 coins.

So, with a pocket full of quarters and only a couple of Loonies and one Toonie they had to get resourceful and moved the cars up bumper to bumper. Washing them both at the same time!!! We later learned that another member was smart while at the gas station by asking for loonies for the vacuum cleaner he parked next to. When asked why he needed so many he said, "All my buddies are coming." Then he got in his car and drove to the car wash with a fist full of coins. Smart guy!!!

Back at the hotel we did the finishing detail touches.

Registration and check in for the first ever Bimmerfest in Calgary.

When the gate opened the lot started to fill up quickly.

They even had a DJ on hand to pump the volume!

When arriving at out Hotel we met a couple of BMW nuts like ourselves. Scott with his E32 750 and his wife Tasha in her E36. Scott was nice enough to help us setup our banners.

Mark setting up the beautiful display that Dave made for us. We were really bummed that he was not able to come with us.

The display drew a lot of attention in the morning...

and afternoon.

Hey, the Seattle5s and Seattle7s start them young!

These guys were giving us a route back to the states that they claimed will cut a couple of hours off of our drive. In the end it didn't save us any time but was a much more senic route and one we will use again.

The Seattle7s and Seattle5s brought samples of Tazo tea for the crowd.

which was well received.

Announcing the winners of the raffle prizes.

The Seattle7s and Seattle5s brought home several prizes including Best Flag Ship Car.

Like them or not, the new Bangle designs are BMWs. Here's a good example of the new 6 series. This also happened to be the only example of the new generation BMWs to show up.

Here's the angel eyes of one of 3 E39s to show up.

We were given an awesome location. Matt actually got the best spot in the lot with his E39 on an elevated ramp.

Here are some of the other cars at the show. The rough estimate was that nearly 150 cars showed up for the event.

Being on the only elevated location, Matt's E39 got some great foot traffic.

After the show about 75 people, including Matt Atkins and Steve Larimer, took a drive to Canmar. This little city is a beautiful town in the middle of the mountains about 100 km from Calgary.

Mark Wong and his wife had to get back early, and Cliff Carpenter decided to stay and extra day in Calgary so the return trip consisted of Matt A, Matt M, Steve, and Larry. We took a different route home that ended up taking a bit longer, but it sure was a beautiful trip

We stopped at Lake Louise, and in usual car fanatic style we took parking spots way in the back away from anyone else.

L-R: Matt M., Jeremy, Roni, Larry, Matt A., and Steve

These pictures speak for themselves.

Music at one of the restaurantes. A touch of class.

This was the route home the guys recommended. If you notice the yellow warning signs you will note we had some nice curves to negotiate with a beautiful view to go with it.

Only about an hour from the Canadian/US border we took some beautiful shots.

Fortunately the only casualty of the trip was when a large rock was spit from the tires of a passing truck that left a nasty dent/scratch on Matt Atkins' hood. Good thing he was planning to have it repainted anyway.