As most of you were aware I wanted to visit the BMW Plant at Spartanburg, SC. to do the guided tour of the factory. It was always going to be a round and about tour of a few states to get there. Up state in Florida to Daytona, including a visit to a Bucc-ees Gas station and hit up the Tanger Outlet over the road to Direct Tool Outlet.
These places are HUGE. Moving on we stayed the night in Jacksonville and saw some strange things on the road.
The next day we crossed the state line into Georgia and called in at the welcome centre. These are great places offering restrooms and free coffee amongst others.
On our minds in Georgia was a Trolley Tour of Savannah and a Ride down the river on a stern wheeler (sort of). The trolley tour took in the square where Forest Gump sat on his bench telling all who would listen, about his life.
Over the border into South Carolina next we went to Mrytle Beach. What a lovely town, and where I spied my first Z3, even though it tried to hide.
If you ever go to this place do yourself a big favour and dine at The Sea Captain's House. Excellent food and service.
The next day saw us heading west towards the Spartanburg area where we stayed in Greenville.
We spent an evening in Greenville, it was a charming town. Found a nice quiet (not really) bar and had some food and a beer.
There's a Kilwin's in Celebration and St. Augustine. Lovely ice cream.
After checking in at our hotel we decided to recce the Plant ready for the morning. Sadly the weather didn't co-operate and we drove the few miles in a downpour. But I did spot my first E89.
And soon my second at the BMW Plant.
The next morning dawned sunny and dry and as we arrived at the Plant it was gorgeous.
Then, we entered the Zentrum, to be met with some fantastic cars.
And after the factory tour the gift shop.
Where everyone on the tour (there were 3 sets of 10, each accompanied by extremely knowledgeable ladies) was bussed all around this huge site in a luxury airconditioned coach.
I relieved them of a nice light jacket and a tee-shirt which is only available by attending the tour and buying here. We had another wander around the cars before we left.
I did leave a small reminder of our visit, but I doubt they stayed there very long.
Verdict?
Well worth the miles, both air and road, to visit this place I loved it and Shirl found she enjoyed more than she thought she would, amazed by the robots in the factory.
We left Spartanburg heading further west to Nashville.TN. just shy of 400 miles.
I'll add a load more pictures from Spartanburg next.
Tony.
ps. The reason we christened it the 7-11 Tour was because we visited 7 states in 11 days,.............. not because we only frequented 7/11 gas stations.
These places are HUGE. Moving on we stayed the night in Jacksonville and saw some strange things on the road.
The next day we crossed the state line into Georgia and called in at the welcome centre. These are great places offering restrooms and free coffee amongst others.
On our minds in Georgia was a Trolley Tour of Savannah and a Ride down the river on a stern wheeler (sort of). The trolley tour took in the square where Forest Gump sat on his bench telling all who would listen, about his life.
Over the border into South Carolina next we went to Mrytle Beach. What a lovely town, and where I spied my first Z3, even though it tried to hide.
If you ever go to this place do yourself a big favour and dine at The Sea Captain's House. Excellent food and service.
The next day saw us heading west towards the Spartanburg area where we stayed in Greenville.
We spent an evening in Greenville, it was a charming town. Found a nice quiet (not really) bar and had some food and a beer.
There's a Kilwin's in Celebration and St. Augustine. Lovely ice cream.
After checking in at our hotel we decided to recce the Plant ready for the morning. Sadly the weather didn't co-operate and we drove the few miles in a downpour. But I did spot my first E89.
And soon my second at the BMW Plant.
The next morning dawned sunny and dry and as we arrived at the Plant it was gorgeous.
Then, we entered the Zentrum, to be met with some fantastic cars.
And after the factory tour the gift shop.
Where everyone on the tour (there were 3 sets of 10, each accompanied by extremely knowledgeable ladies) was bussed all around this huge site in a luxury airconditioned coach.
I relieved them of a nice light jacket and a tee-shirt which is only available by attending the tour and buying here. We had another wander around the cars before we left.
I did leave a small reminder of our visit, but I doubt they stayed there very long.
Verdict?
Well worth the miles, both air and road, to visit this place I loved it and Shirl found she enjoyed more than she thought she would, amazed by the robots in the factory.
We left Spartanburg heading further west to Nashville.TN. just shy of 400 miles.
I'll add a load more pictures from Spartanburg next.
Tony.
ps. The reason we christened it the 7-11 Tour was because we visited 7 states in 11 days,.............. not because we only frequented 7/11 gas stations.
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