MINIs On Top 2004 - Saturday, June 19th

[LordWinslow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Cape Cod MINI
I agree with my grumpy but otherwise sociable buddy. The Sunrise Sunset tour is going to be more costly, more time consuming and more caffeineated. A combination of SS and MOT is the ticket. Two related but separate events that come together in the afternoon for food/mingling/summit sunset drive. Maybe the Auto Road would let us hang out around the BBQ area and have snacks with BYOB. I had a great suggestion from MOT attendees Peter Ecklund and Susan King and I'll quote: " have an observation and suggestion for another event such as MOT. We have many questions that many new Mini owner have in the first year. We talked to several owners for input. One question was what do you do about snow tires for an "S"? Do you need snows, do you get run flat or ordinary snows, do you get new wheels, etc? My suggestion would be to have a program or forum during the period between Kanc and the barbeque for those who would be willing and interested in discussing a topic or topics and share information. Not all would attend but I bet many would. It could be formal or informal and of course optional. Just some thoughts to ponder."
So, it may work out that MOT could have an afternoon hang around session with some Q&A by some experts.

Aaron, I like it! What type of costs are involved with setting up and maintaining a .org site?

Hi pocket_rocket. Welcome aboard.

That works, it would be a great way to relax the afternoon away before dinner. Also Steve, I was wondering if we should along with the web site setup a group of people who would like to plan this next event. A core group, so we could keep a list of what needs to be done and assign people certain tasks. If we are going to pull this off next year we are going to have to start soon, as the Acadia region can be a pain to plan in.

Not sure if this works out for everyone but I thought I would put it on the table.

Also, I would like go on a scouting trip for roads in Acadia and surounding areas.

Christopher

[Cape Cod MINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by LordWinslow
That works, it would be a great way to relax the afternoon away before dinner. Also Steve, I was wondering if we should along with the web site setup a group of people who would like to plan this next event. A core group, so we could keep a list of what needs to be done and assign people certain tasks. If we are going to pull this off next year we are going to have to start soon, as the Acadia region can be a pain to plan in.

Not sure if this works out for everyone but I thought I would put it on the table.

Also, I would like go on a scouting trip for roads in Acadia and surounding areas.

Christopher

Yup, sounds good. The next month or so will probably determine the core group. Let's keep taking in all these ideas for the next few weeks and then we can start melding.
Alright! LW is up for Recon. I'm going to my camp in Maine next week for a week and a half or so. Unfortunatly will have the pickup and a load of tools and furniture so won't be scouting. But will be back up there in August with the MINI and would be open to exploring the Acadia and central Maine roads with some folks.

[bakerjc]

Seems like it's turning into a committee.

I hate to do this to Steve, but I hereby declare him to be Supreme Dictator.

'Course, I'm often wrong.........

[snid]

I would probably be in for some scouting. The only problem is I'm coming from the "wrong" direction as I live due west of Mt Washington, and way west of Acadia... But, if anyone can think of a use for someone who has relatively easy access to the wetern end of the journey, let me know.

Actually, let me know about the other scouting trips too, I may be able to drag myself out there and back.

Assuming that A) that side mirror actually arrives some day and my MINI gets back on the road - and B) I can remain moose-free



Jason

[GBMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by Cape Cod MINI
So, it may work out that MOT could have an afternoon hang around session with some Q&A by some experts.

I think Gavin (GadgetGav) and I could do a pretty detailed "how not to upgrade your stereo" session

Quote:

Originally posted by Cape Cod MINI
Aaron, I like it! What type of costs are involved with setting up and maintaining a .org site?

In anticipation of this, and to make sure it did not disappear, I (hopefully) grabbed www.minisontop.com yesterday ... I will liase(sp?) with Aaron so he can turn a domain name into an active web site! Hopefully I will learn enough to be able to create a better web site of my own ...


I like the idea of running more than one type of event; this would help to make driving people & people people happy.

[GBMINI]

Shock & Astonishment - the www.minisontop.com even goes to a "construction" page for me already! How cool ...

[grumpy07470]

In keeping with throwing out ideas, I think the clings for the sunrise to sunset and MOT should be the same style, but different. Also maybe there could be an after the sunset meet hopefully there is a lounge that is open past 10pm.
Frank

[Jack's babes]

The 4Bs are in for 2004. At least Beth and I are (and the dog!) I'm near Boston, want to help somehow. Can be a way station for weary travelers out scouting places to run the MINIs. Would like to work with the 'awards' committee: don't really think the prizes have to be fancy to be fun. Fun counts!

We missed getting to know you all. I'm with Ian and Frank: do want to have some people time in 2004. A pub works for me!

Barbara

Barbara

[el blue]

Wally here, Sorry for the late join to the thread, not becouase I haven't been thinking about the weekend constantly!

Sun up to sundown on Solstice was unbelievable. I think the idea of Cadillac to Washington is great. Fra__Grumby's got a point about making sure we keep the NH part of the event intact. The MOTza won't be for the faint of heart.

I will get involved in anyway I can. Love to do some scouting of the roads from Cad to Wash. I was "born in Maine living in exile" and used to own a camp in Norway Me so I know the routes pretty well already. Steve, I'm taking a week in August and could do a day trip or overnight ( i think it starts with the 16th).

If the Acadia rangers have an issue we might consider a ride from VT to NH. There is a spot up behind Mad River that we can reach by Mini (unlike Mansfield, as sweet as that would be) I'm just not sure about seeing the sunrise from there. lots of places to stay due to The Glen and Sugarbush. Some neat roads across too.

BTW, Great pics everyone, what a crew!

And 3 cheers for CCM.

[snid]

Quote:

Originally posted by el blue
If the Acadia rangers have an issue we might consider a ride from VT to NH. There is a spot up behind Mad River that we can reach by Mini (unlike Mansfield, as sweet as that would be) I'm just not sure about seeing the sunrise from there. lots of places to stay due to The Glen and Sugarbush. Some neat roads across too.

Definitely in agreement about the neat roads across VT / NH. But, I cannot think of a mountain-top-ish parking area that could handle 50+ MINIs (and the random VW Bug). There is a small parking lot at the top of the App Gap, which I think is what you are referring to as being behind Mad River, but it's still slightly in a low point and I doubt there's a sunrise view without a walk. And the parking lot is way too small for 50+ cars.

I could see if I could pull any strings at Stowe Mountain Resort which owns the toll road on Mount Mansfield. I've worked there winter weekends for the last 3 years, and my old boss is now the marketing manager... It might (stress on the might) be possible to get a special early opening on the auto road. But don't hold your breath.

[jcsinnh]

Greetings all from the new persona of moi. Having been restricted by your chosen messiah, I am wary about saying much at all (hands clapping in the distance). Yet...

Press was admittedly a disaster. However one wants to ask oneself, "Do we want it anyway?" My new best friend at the Gov's told me I failed because I aimed too high and that those mighty media giants Channels 9/50 in NH and the Union Leader have bigger fish to fry. What??

I was more concerned about the lack of response from MINIUSA in NJ. I know they might have been at Watkins Glen last weekend but, uncharacteristically, nada - zip from them. My kids in Ohio (MINI customer service) were all over MOT and love all the pix but NJ? Hey, Tony!

I'll go to Keene State this fall and take a PR course. In the meantime, I think website great idea but from a now heavily medicated AARP gold card member, KISS

[el blue]

snid's right about the app gap lot and likely the sunrise views. Mansfield would be great. I wonder if we would have fifty mini's for sunrise though. If you use the percentages from this weekend 7% of the attendees got up for the 4:30 call. The same ratio would indicate 714 Mini's for the Auto Road!!!

[ice]

I'd like to throw out a few ideas:

1. We set a time we shall meet at the Auto Road parking lot for the BBQ. That will include two basic groups- Those who watched the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain and those who went straight to Gorham.

2. There can be three choices for those who go to Cadillac:

a. A planned route can be offerred with a leisurely drive including some sightseeing and scheduled lunch stop for some lobsta and steamas. This would be the "parade" run for the social types.

b. The "log the most miles" ride. Those who wish can enter this competition by resetting his or her trip odometer at Cadillac. Whoever drives the most miles by the rendevous at Mt Washington wins a prize. This will please certain daredevil types.

c. The "photo scavenger hunt" will include folks who have been given a disposable camera at sunrise. A list of subjects can be produced with a point assignment for each subject (decided by difficulty of aquisition). Example:

International border (from U.S. side) 5 points

International border (from other side) 10 points

Roadkilled moose 5 points

Live moose 10 points

Bar Harbor Light 5 points

Portland Light 7 points

Nubble Light 10 points

Any state capital buiding 10 points

Classic Mini 5 points

You get the idea.

[rfinprc]

The choice of different runs from Cadillac to Washington sounds great. I like the photo contest, especially if it includes a dead porcupine not embedded in my grill. One mod -- if people use digital cameras, we could conduct the judging (and entertain everyone else) on Saturday night.

To other posts -- I may be up for a scouting run mid-August. Please keep me in the loop. Also, count me in as a core planner. Steve, John -- don't just go off and battle it out by yourselves

Finally, for the vVermonters and others coming from the West -- is there any suitable location in the Adirondacks for an alternate start?

[ice]

I agree that digital would be easier and quicker to judge. However, it would also be easily corruptable. If we passed out new disposable cameras and collected them at the end, we could get them processed at a 1 hour joint and still have the results by the evening drunken bash (Scar could announce from the stage?) I realize this would cost a few dollars each but it would be cheaper than buying a digital camera (I don't own a digital and I know I am, not alone).