This is a big Mini event for the Northeast, which a few hundred Miniacs gathering together in the White Mountain area of New Hampshire & on Sat. 6/16, driving up the Mt Washington Autoroad in the evening. There is a cap on registrations due to a limited number of space for cars at the summit, usually 200 cars. (Driving to the summit is optional)
Registration has not started yet, but will probably be filled quickly, so keep an eye on the websites (MINI2 & MOT) for info!
Just that the Tscheez's ARE going and will be leaving from the Rochester area on Friday. I understand there was some caravan discussion? Maybe we should move that over here.
As mentioned above there are various caravans that form and eventually meet up for a mass drive to the MINIs On Top event in NH.
Due to several reasons (health issues, confusion over time & distance, etc) , last year's attempt to form a WNY mini-caravan to drive to the larger Yankee Candle (YC) caravan in South Deerfield, MA never came off. Since the drive to the YC is fairly boring having a few others around makes things better. Information on the YC caravan as well as MOT can be found on the MINI2.com site.
The tentative plan would be to gather on the morning of Thursday, June 14 at the Oven Door Bakery in Bushnell's Basin. The owner of the bakery is a MINI owner so this is a nice touch. For those not familiar with Bushnell's Basin, it's a small hamlet located close to Thruway Exit 45 in Pittsford. Very easy to get to, either on Rt. 96 along the canal, Rt. 490, or the Thruway. Places to gas up, get food ranging from snacks to a full meal are all in the immediate area. If interested, coordinates for Google Earth are 43° 3'42.03"N & 77°28'37.73"W
Once everyone is gathered, we can drive to the YC, approximately 5 hrs due East along the Thruway / Mass Turnpike.
There is an alternate drive that turns North near Albany and then East on Route 2 almost all the way to the YC. The benefit of this is that Route 2 in Western Massachusetts is a great curvy, scenic drive that goes though forests and along rivers / streams. Downside is that it adds one hour (and perhaps a little more) to the total trip.
Regardless, the trip ends in South Deerfield. There are several lodging choices in the area, the most convenient being a Red Roof Inn that is within sight of the YC gathering site. We've stayed at that hotel several times and while it's far from the Ritz, we've found it to be clean and relatively comfortable.
I'll be happy to coordinate things for this sub-event. If any questions, etc. please either send me a PM or email (Pamlico@gmail.com).
Registration sent! Though I just took a look at the Mt Washington Weather Observatory weather conditions, and it's really obvious why this trip is one in June... http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/conditions.php
Our registration finally made it to the Oswego Post Office this afternoon.
Monday's frigid winds and blast of lake effect snow had me clearing the driveway of a foot or more of snow that fell that morning. After that I had to get back to work.
Well, Monday night's lake effect snow band produced just monumental snowfall. How's 3 to 4 feet in ~10 hours ! Even with my 20 hp tractor/snowblower setup, it took 6 hours to clear enough to get out (for more gas for the tractor, food and mail the MOT2007 registration [actually our first priority]).
Sure hope we all have great weather to MINIs On Top 2007.
By the way, we are thinking of heading back to CNY through the Adirondacks and drive up Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway on the way. OK, it isn't a 6000 footer (just a few feet short of 5000). But, it offers an unbelievable view of Adirondacks. Check it out: Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway
Now all I have to do is wait for a lot of snow to melt.
It would be great if you could post an account of that on the MINI2 Minis On Top thread. We just had severe cold here, but I decided to go out to the Post Office anyway (mostly just to make sure that my 4 year old battery was handling the cold). I think the other MOT folks will get a kick out of it, especially the ones who have spent time in Western NY (Actual Size, Josh Wardell)
I think we're looking for the quickest, most direst route from Rochester. We're leaving Friday morning. Is that when the Bushnell's Basin people are leaving? We just need to get the little one there before he loses patience with the car. Anyone got a portable DVD player that hooks up in a car? I'm thinking I might have to bring along some toons for him.
MrsTscheez wrote: I think we're looking for the quickest, most direst route from Rochester. We're leaving Friday morning. Is that when the Bushnell's Basin people are leaving? We just need to get the little one there before he loses patience with the car. Anyone got a portable DVD player that hooks up in a car? I'm thinking I might have to bring along some toons for him.
Hi -
The plan will be for the Bushnell's Basin group to leave lateThursday morning so we can get to South Deerfield (Mass) that evening, where we may end up having an informal dinner with some of the local MINI guys. The Yankee Candle caravan departs for MOT at 11 AM.
The quickest route from Rochester (I think) is due east on the Thruway to the Mass Turnpike up through Amsterdam (NY) and then over to NH through VT. Google Maps indicates that is the fastest and so does my GPS.
If you're concerned about a fussy child, be aware that the direct drive from here to there (i.e. Gorham, NH) is about 8 to 9 hrs. Joining us on Thursday would break up the trip. There are a fair amount of youngsters who make it to MOT.
We brought him last year, but he was a tiny dude who slept most of the way (as opposed to an opinionated toddler) and also, we were driving a much shorter distance. I don't think we can take the extra day off work, though. We just want to get the drive over with!
When I looked at the Mt Washington Weather Observatory home page on 2/9, this was the observer comment: "We here on the summit have nothing to comment about today. It is cold, it is windy, and, yes, it is foggy. Joy.
New York got six feet of snow (actually as much as 100 inches). We got 1.2 inches. Yeah.
That about sums it up. Sorry folks, perhaps we’ll have something more worth your time tomorrow, but for the time being I would recommend heading to the Tug Hill Plateau."
Sounds like they were jealous of Oswego!
Tcheezes, I can definitely understand wanting to take the shortest route north this year. We'll see you at the T&C!
Those interested in see how much snow the 7-day lake effect snow strom, "Winter in a Week", piled up downwind of Lake Ontario in Oswego County can checkout some photos on a local news station's website at:
So, final head count, Who's going? When are you leaving? Where are you leaving from? Tscheezes are leaving at the crack of dawn (perhaps earlier) Friday morning and leaving from Penfield (Rochester area).
If you're leaving very early on Friday AM you might conceivably be able to get to the Yankee Candle and join up with the sub-caravan that's heading up to Gorham. I believe the plan is to depart the YC at 11AM. It's about a 5 hr trip from here.
We're leaving from Bushnell's Basin at 11AM on Thursday, 14 June.
It was fun to see you all there! Ofergus, Venno pointed you out on Trivia night, but I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you. It was a great weekend for Minis!
I spoke to Venno a few times at MOT and I noticed a "Tscheez" plate in the Mt. Washington lot before the run up the mountain. I was hoping to run into a few WNY Mini-Clubbers but I failed to find any. I meet some very friendly Cape Codders and a bunch of Boston area drivers. Sorry to miss you Yellowmini. If I'm in town during the 4th of July week, I'll try and make the Auburn run. Rob
I spoke to Venno a few times at MOT and I noticed a "Tscheez" plate in the Mt. Washington lot before the run up the mountain. I was hoping to run into a few WNY Mini-Clubbers but I failed to find any. I meet some very friendly Cape Codders and a bunch of Boston area drivers. Sorry to miss you Yellowmini. If I'm in town during the 4th of July week, I'll try and make the Auburn run. Rob
We were the ones with the crazy toddler on the leash. You MUST have noticed him.