From NYC to Maine in February
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: NJ
From NYC to Maine in February
I am planning to drive to York Harbor area, Maine on incidental business. Short trip, couple three days. Looking for suggestions, tips and tricks while driving MINI up snowy north. Which roads are better this time of the year? I have all season stock tires and load of experience driving rear wheel drive Volvo on ice and snow in Europe.
I would like to leave early Friday Feb the 4th and make it to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Will spend a night there with my buddies, then heading north to Maine.
Question - is it a good idea to shoot from Maine to Burlington, Vermont? If yes how would you go? I want to visit that famous Ice Cream factory.
I would like to leave early Friday Feb the 4th and make it to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Will spend a night there with my buddies, then heading north to Maine.
Question - is it a good idea to shoot from Maine to Burlington, Vermont? If yes how would you go? I want to visit that famous Ice Cream factory.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Rye, NY
I am planning to drive to York Harbor area, Maine on incidental business. Short trip, couple three days. Looking for suggestions, tips and tricks while driving MINI up snowy north. Which roads are better this time of the year? I have all season stock tires and load of experience driving rear wheel drive Volvo on ice and snow in Europe.
I would like to leave early Friday Feb the 4th and make it to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Will spend a night there with my buddies, then heading north to Maine.
Question - is it a good idea to shoot from Maine to Burlington, Vermont? If yes how would you go? I want to visit that famous Ice Cream factory.
I would like to leave early Friday Feb the 4th and make it to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Will spend a night there with my buddies, then heading north to Maine.
Question - is it a good idea to shoot from Maine to Burlington, Vermont? If yes how would you go? I want to visit that famous Ice Cream factory.
On a sights to see and visit note, why not make a trip to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory!
I covered that as part of a one day Maryland to Maine leg of a trip the weekend after Christmas (the same exact time all the airports shut down); for that snow storm at least I found that things where relatively alright when staying on the interstates (1in or less in the drifts when local roads had 3in); the Merritt Parkway wasn't great, but certainly passable in a MINI. If you go up 91 stop in Rocky Hill, CT for some Pizza, there's a great spot just off the highway (I can look up the details if you're interested). Cutting from ME to VT would be a little more iffy, depending upond snow conditions.
I grew up in New England and learned to drive in Chicago; so snow doesn't phase me in the slightest and both generations of MINIs have done excellent in the snow for me, just need to approach it with the proper mentality and patience. My biggest issue was the other drivers on the road IQ dropped in direct proportion to the total amount of fallen snow.
You may want to wait for summer for the Ice Cream, VT and NH are loaded with awesome twisties that may not be too fun if this weeks storm lingers.
I grew up in New England and learned to drive in Chicago; so snow doesn't phase me in the slightest and both generations of MINIs have done excellent in the snow for me, just need to approach it with the proper mentality and patience. My biggest issue was the other drivers on the road IQ dropped in direct proportion to the total amount of fallen snow.
You may want to wait for summer for the Ice Cream, VT and NH are loaded with awesome twisties that may not be too fun if this weeks storm lingers.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Boston, South Shore
Getting from York, Me to Burlington VT is... a trip. If it were the summer I'd give you a route that goes under Poland Springs, up through Crawford Notch, past Mt. Washington where the MINIs on Top gathering is held, then across "the kank", then a bit on 93, then route 25W and you'll end up somewhere around either route 2 or I89 which will get you to Burlington 
If you really have to get there in the winter, take major highways. As for the weather conditions, don't drive with confidence is all I have to say. The more worried you are about hurting your mini the safer you'll be. I flinch every time the traction light blinks at me.
I've been to the Ben & Jerry's factory a few times but not in February...
If you really have to get there in the winter, take major highways. As for the weather conditions, don't drive with confidence is all I have to say. The more worried you are about hurting your mini the safer you'll be. I flinch every time the traction light blinks at me.
I've been to the Ben & Jerry's factory a few times but not in February...
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
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From: NJ
Rally Driver thanks I see 89 is the only way to go
Will easy trade the tour for Ice Cream Factory one 
Getting from York, Me to Burlington VT is... a trip. If it were the summer I'd give you a route that goes under Poland Springs, up through Crawford Notch, past Mt. Washington where the MINIs on Top gathering is held, then across "the kank", then a bit on 93, then route 25W and you'll end up somewhere around either route 2 or I89 which will get you to Burlington
If you really have to get there in the winter, take major highways. As for the weather conditions, don't drive with confidence is all I have to say. The more worried you are about hurting your mini the safer you'll be. I flinch every time the traction light blinks at me.
If you really have to get there in the winter, take major highways. As for the weather conditions, don't drive with confidence is all I have to say. The more worried you are about hurting your mini the safer you'll be. I flinch every time the traction light blinks at me.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
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From: NJ
Life is good with a MINI
... sipping good coffee in snowy Vermont. Last rest stop at Randolph. Man, what a journey! MINI rocks !!! Snow or ice she goes. Will post some pix tomorrow.
!!! Snow or ice she goes. Will post some pix tomorrow.
Last edited by N666BK; Feb 6, 2011 at 02:15 PM.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Made it home
MINI and I are home. Tired but happy the only casualty is tiny chip in the windshield the rest is perfect.
Not bad for weekend trip in February
MINI Marketing Team has tons of work to do
I didn't see a single MINI on the road of VT, NH, MA, ME and CT. Only in NYC we saw a MINI.
Not bad for weekend trip in February
MINI Marketing Team has tons of work to do
I didn't see a single MINI on the road of VT, NH, MA, ME and CT. Only in NYC we saw a MINI.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
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From: NJ
Got couple pictures from the trip. It's very difficult to take pic while driving without a permanent jig or a co-pilot. Basically you establish unaccelerated motion with cruise speed maintaining the biggest distance possible from the others, grab your ready camera, point blind and shoot. No guarantee the shot will show something besides sky or road About 25% would be viewable half of it you can even share
... I believe I am still in New York this busy Friday morning
Can these truckers see me???
It took me a good hour to get out of this congestion. Now motoring happily, behind that ridge there is a good food waiting...
Here it is the place recommended
Yum yum, parked, belly-ready
About 25% would be viewable half of it you can even share ... I believe I am still in New York this busy Friday morning
Can these truckers see me???It took me a good hour to get out of this congestion. Now motoring happily, behind that ridge there is a good food waiting...
Here it is the place recommended
Yum yum, parked, belly-ready
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
What's this????? 
Dammit #1; I miscalculated time came one hour earlier. Dunk Donut to the rescue across the street. They have strong WiFi by the way. Free too.
Here we motoring again.
Some scary signs are along the way. They are located in the woods where traffic is backing up
. I hope no prisoners escaped.
Our next destination is a high security military installation. Does anybody know where it is?
Dammit #1; I miscalculated time came one hour earlier. Dunk Donut to the rescue across the street. They have strong WiFi by the way. Free too.
Here we motoring again.
Some scary signs are along the way. They are located in the woods where traffic is backing up
. I hope no prisoners escaped.Our next destination is a high security military installation. Does anybody know where it is?
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
That's correct. It's Groton and it's famous submarine museum.
Lots of amazing things inside. If you are in the hood please pay a visit. Admission is free and you won't be disappointed.
Mini Submarine
Steam-powered torpedo. Justa type, not S.
Large mockup cut out of a nuclear sub. The picture do not do justice it looks magnificent.
Inside legendary Nautilus.
I even poked my bulky Nikon into the periscope
Lots of amazing things inside. If you are in the hood please pay a visit. Admission is free and you won't be disappointed.
Mini Submarine
Steam-powered torpedo. Justa type, not S.
Large mockup cut out of a nuclear sub. The picture do not do justice it looks magnificent.
Inside legendary Nautilus.
I even poked my bulky Nikon into the periscope
That's a cool shot! With good timing the most we can hope to get in the cross hairs here in the midwest is the SS Badger! (Remember that when yo make the trip next summer)
Which sub is stationed on display there? I want to put it on the list of subs that I personally want to QSO with during Museum Ships afloat this summer.
Glad to see the weather permitted travel to VT for you, keep the photos coming!
Which sub is stationed on display there? I want to put it on the list of subs that I personally want to QSO with during Museum Ships afloat this summer.
Glad to see the weather permitted travel to VT for you, keep the photos coming!
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
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From: NJ
Next stop was somewhere in Massachusetts. Where snow is getting higher and cars bigger...
I've never seen such a huge pile of snow at an airport.
Stayed overnight with good friends of mine. Party pictures were all blurry so we skip that. MINI was assigned a female driver the girl was excellent stick and fall in love with my MINI. New Englanders are used to some adult drinks what I got was that stupid headache. A bit loss of memory too They say it was because of those carrots the way they cook them... Anyway eight hours from bottle to throttle have passed and north we continued...
Weather wasn't pretty, the life smelled as it should be
I've never seen such a huge pile of snow at an airport.
Stayed overnight with good friends of mine. Party pictures were all blurry so we skip that.
MINI was assigned a female driver the girl was excellent stick and fall in love with my MINI. New Englanders are used to some adult drinks what I got was that stupid headache. A bit loss of memory too They say it was because of those carrots the way they cook them... Anyway eight hours from bottle to throttle have passed and north we continued...Weather wasn't pretty, the life smelled as it should be
Last edited by N666BK; Feb 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM.
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: NJ
Incidental business in Maine was brief 
A subject of negotiation got stuck somewhere in the middle of the country and didn't show up. Well at least I got a great ride, checked out couple more states visited and opportunity to come again.
Forward to VERMONT!!!
A subject of negotiation got stuck somewhere in the middle of the country and didn't show up. Well at least I got a great ride, checked out couple more states visited and opportunity to come again.Forward to VERMONT!!!
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
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From: NJ
To get to Vermont you have to drive through beautiful mountains of New Hampshire. The only thing interfered was weather. A squall line with heavy snow was about to hit the road.
The farther you go the more snow is coming down the slower traffic is going.
People drives HUGE cars there mostly pickups and SUVs. And some drivers are so cautious that they slow all people behind them.
OK, if this guy can do it, why not me? Lower gear, high RPM, very light touch careful steering to change the lanes (there were none actually) and here we go - a dozen of slow movers behind.
I didn't gain much. Ahead was the only one lane passable and the caravan was slowly descending to snowy hell. Literally. Heavy snow fall contributed to a strange feeling. It seemed like vertigo, you are surprised why the car is slowing downhill when you are actually heading uphill. Thanks previous posters for reminding about windshield washer liquid I used a lot.
MINI is a great car! We battled the road for many hours and got to Burlington, VT. By the time we get there the storm blanketed the surface with at least 5 inches. In Burlington there are lots of steep grades. Cops and emergency vehicles could not even make it. Thanks MINI we got to a little clean motel and dropped dead.
The farther you go the more snow is coming down the slower traffic is going.
People drives HUGE cars there mostly pickups and SUVs. And some drivers are so cautious that they slow all people behind them.
OK, if this guy can do it, why not me? Lower gear, high RPM, very light touch careful steering to change the lanes (there were none actually) and here we go - a dozen of slow movers behind.
I didn't gain much. Ahead was the only one lane passable and the caravan was slowly descending to snowy hell. Literally. Heavy snow fall contributed to a strange feeling. It seemed like vertigo, you are surprised why the car is slowing downhill when you are actually heading uphill. Thanks previous posters for reminding about windshield washer liquid I used a lot.
MINI is a great car! We battled the road for many hours and got to Burlington, VT. By the time we get there the storm blanketed the surface with at least 5 inches. In Burlington there are lots of steep grades. Cops and emergency vehicles could not even make it. Thanks MINI we got to a little clean motel and dropped dead.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 314
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From: Annapolis Md
Traveling the N.E.
To get to Vermont you have to drive through beautiful mountains of New Hampshire. The only thing interfered was weather. A squall line with heavy snow was about to hit the road.
My brother lives "in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire"and yes it is a picture postcard at that.The fall is even more beautiful.I love to travel there when I get the chance. Btw the skiing is also fantatic in those"beautiful mountains"I'm from New England (R.I.,CT.)and greatly miss it.If anyone out there has a chance to travel through New England ,do it, you won't regret it
The farther you go the more snow is coming down the slower traffic is going.
People drives HUGE cars there mostly pickups and SUVs. And some drivers are so cautious that they slow all people behind them.
OK, if this guy can do it, why not me? Lower gear, high RPM, very light touch careful steering to change the lanes (there were none actually) and here we go - a dozen of slow movers behind.
I didn't gain much. Ahead was the only one lane passable and the caravan was slowly descending to snowy hell. Literally. Heavy snow fall contributed to a strange feeling. It seemed like vertigo, you are surprised why the car is slowing downhill when you are actually heading uphill. Thanks previous posters for reminding about windshield washer liquid I used a lot.
MINI is a great car! We battled the road for many hours and got to Burlington, VT. By the time we get there the storm blanketed the surface with at least 5 inches. In Burlington there are lots of steep grades. Cops and emergency vehicles could not even make it. Thanks MINI we got to a little clean motel and dropped dead.
My brother lives "in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire"and yes it is a picture postcard at that.The fall is even more beautiful.I love to travel there when I get the chance. Btw the skiing is also fantatic in those"beautiful mountains"I'm from New England (R.I.,CT.)and greatly miss it.If anyone out there has a chance to travel through New England ,do it, you won't regret it
The farther you go the more snow is coming down the slower traffic is going.
People drives HUGE cars there mostly pickups and SUVs. And some drivers are so cautious that they slow all people behind them.
OK, if this guy can do it, why not me? Lower gear, high RPM, very light touch careful steering to change the lanes (there were none actually) and here we go - a dozen of slow movers behind.
I didn't gain much. Ahead was the only one lane passable and the caravan was slowly descending to snowy hell. Literally. Heavy snow fall contributed to a strange feeling. It seemed like vertigo, you are surprised why the car is slowing downhill when you are actually heading uphill. Thanks previous posters for reminding about windshield washer liquid I used a lot.
MINI is a great car! We battled the road for many hours and got to Burlington, VT. By the time we get there the storm blanketed the surface with at least 5 inches. In Burlington there are lots of steep grades. Cops and emergency vehicles could not even make it. Thanks MINI we got to a little clean motel and dropped dead.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Good Vermont Morning! It was only 10 inches overnight no biggie. The only things I forgot were scraper and brush and I used motel towel wrapped around my hand to clean that heavy wet mass from my MINI. Door handle was a chunk of ice and fingernails were used to release the handle. Anyway, the door is open and MINI is warming for good 20 minutes to melt the ice.
The motel owner was a character. Pleasant easygoing gentleman. Used his bulldozer to release my MINI from his parking area. There were a lot of Canadians with ski gear ready to go too.
Burlington, VT is a beautiful city with zero traffic. I will be back.
MINI accumulated ice within couple minutes and I stopped cleaning it.
Back on the road. Tip of the day - DO NOT STAY CLOSE TO THIS HORSE!
He is moving fast (60+) stay far behind him and wait till he stops or slows down. The thing produces lots of tiny stones you can see sparks under the plow. It throws salt, snow and god knows what else. Dammit #2 I got tiny bulls eye to the first layer of my windshield and a speck on the bumper.
The motel owner was a character. Pleasant easygoing gentleman. Used his bulldozer to release my MINI from his parking area. There were a lot of Canadians with ski gear ready to go too.
Burlington, VT is a beautiful city with zero traffic. I will be back.
MINI accumulated ice within couple minutes and I stopped cleaning it.
Back on the road. Tip of the day - DO NOT STAY CLOSE TO THIS HORSE!
He is moving fast (60+) stay far behind him and wait till he stops or slows down. The thing produces lots of tiny stones you can see sparks under the plow. It throws salt, snow and god knows what else. Dammit #2 I got tiny bulls eye to the first layer of my windshield and a speck on the bumper.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Magnificent views! Reminds me the Alps, Tatras and the Carpathians I roamed many years ago.
I found strange pattern of dirt on my MINI. Are there any psychic MINI readers on this board? What do these lines mean?
I found strange pattern of dirt on my MINI. Are there any psychic MINI readers on this board? What do these lines mean?
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Not everyone was lucky that day 
The chip in the windshield I got from snow truck earlier could be seen almost in the middle of the picture. Looks like a bird. I may fix it or may leave as it is. It shows MINI toughness.
I drove slower stopped at a scenic area for a shot.
Almost home. Is that GWB?
It was great trip and valuable experience. Almost 1500 miles, three days, three tanks of fuel, I didn't calculate mpg.
I definitely need some other extreme. Texas in June maybe?
Thanks for looking,
The chip in the windshield I got from snow truck earlier could be seen almost in the middle of the picture. Looks like a bird. I may fix it or may leave as it is. It shows MINI toughness.
I drove slower stopped at a scenic area for a shot.
Almost home. Is that GWB?
It was great trip and valuable experience. Almost 1500 miles, three days, three tanks of fuel, I didn't calculate mpg.
I definitely need some other extreme. Texas in June maybe?
Thanks for looking,
Last edited by N666BK; Mar 14, 2011 at 06:49 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Rye, NY
This is a GREAT road diary! Love the pictures and updates! Hmmm.... 8 hours, bottle to throttle?? Sounds like an FAA pilot and drinking rule...
By the way, you picked the PERFECT color MINI for traversing the snowy, winter landscape in the Northeast! It shows up GREAT against the snowy backdrop!
Keep the updates coming!!!
By the way, you picked the PERFECT color MINI for traversing the snowy, winter landscape in the Northeast! It shows up GREAT against the snowy backdrop!
Keep the updates coming!!!
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