Jon does "Mini's on Top" 2009
Sunset on the Mt. Washington Auto Road
So this year, I decided to do something out of character and I went to MINI's on Top and drove the Mt. Washington Auto Road. I did it for 2 reasons:
When
I first got the MINI it seemed as though I had just joined some kind of
harmless, yet odd cult.
(No offense intended "Fellow Motorers". You will soon note that I
drank the "Kool Aid" and I'm on board 100%!)
I'd park in a parking lot and another MINI would park next to it. People stop you and ask you questions about it. While driving down the road other MINI owners wave to one another. MINI's tend to run in groups when booking down the highway. I can site friends who have ridden with me and have seen this first hand for themselves. Yeah, it's a bit odd at first, but you kinda get used to it. With this in mind, I decided to see what other MINI owners were like, and I was curious.
Secondly,
ever since I got "PEARL", all I've done is make my routine trips within
CT (East Hartford, Bridgeport, Fairfield,
Westport, Danbury, Stamford). Lower New York (Rye, Pound Ridge,
Manhattan, various stops in Queens, Merrick & Dix Hills out on Long Island). And
MA (Sharon,
Boston). And my staggering 2 mile trek to work every day.
I decided to re-evaluate this, and deemed it unacceptable, considering what I used to do, like on my VW Jettas. A 1990 GL w/ 150,000 miles, still with the original clutch and almost nothing else left original. Also had a 1998 GT that had 116,333 miles that simply left this mortal coil.
That said, the route that I had planned would take me from beautiful downtown Newington, CT up through Vermont to Rte 302, leading me to Bartlett, New Hampshire for MINI's on Top. Then through the twisty back roads to Portland, ME. I stayed in Old Orchard Beach, just south of Portland with the hope to wander down the shoreline to Rhode Island, until I decide to head back home. Much to my dismay, the month of June has been the worst start to summer even by my standards; It's been raining day after day for the whole month. Thus, it hampered the ME portion of the trip with rain so heavy you couldn't see the car in front of you, much less stop and take pictures. What can you do but deal with it.
Overall, it wasn't a total wash. For MINI's on Top we had bright sun and puffy clouds, but there was the occasional monsoon but it wasn't enough to deter your humble scribe:
Pictures won't do it justice. LOTS of
twisty roads too! Good Times!
I'd be remised if I didn't give my props to The Bartlett Inn. Upon my arrival to the Bartlett Inn in New Hampshire, I discovered that I lost my card and of course it was the one I booked the room with. My mobile had ZERO bars (couldn't even text). Frantic and in fear of sleeping in the MINI tonight, I had the good fortune to stay where I did. They took good care of me and I gotta give props here to the "...nice Long Island girl...".
THANK YOU Miriam and Nick! They helped me out through my time of need and for that, I am grateful.
I also had the good fortune to meet some of the members of the MINI Club of Western NY. I couldn't get my stuff outta' the car before the party began with them! They made me feel right at home immediately and I had a great time hangin' with them. Even when they took 3rd place in the pub trivia, (where, by the way, I did not participate in any official capacity). They made me laugh! With any luck I'll meet up with them again. I owe them for their hospitality..
I took a ride with my buddy Mark Smith. The Bear Notch run was BRILLIANT!
I also have pics from the Mt. Washington Observatory and the Cog Railway.
Thanks to B. E. Maxwell for his NH input, Holly Crane for her superb navigation help up the Autoroad. Her pics were great too!
Anyway,
on to the pics from MINI's On Top days 1 and 2: CLICK
HERE
Day
3 and to my dismay, more rain...
If "M*&^%$ Effing Nature" co-operated, I would have had a TON more pics, but alas we had to have 0 visibility for the final leg of my trip. It wasn't all bad, the Old Orchard Beach area was nice, the Inn was OK. Food was great! That salvaged the day at least...
Clam Chowdah, Lobster Quesedillas, and Salmon w/rice pilaf and string beans. Mmmmmm!!
Here's what Old Orchard beach looked like during a lull between outbreaks:
From here I decided to head on home. The weather wasn't going to get any better while I was there, nor did it improve on the ride back to CT. I got sunny and bright by the time I got home, but then the monsoon began again.
Day 3 pics: CLICK HERE
Guess I'll have to try to get up there again.. If I do, I'll post pics when I can, and add to my collection... Otherwise, until MINI's on Top 2010...
Let's Motor!