Zip Zippin thru Woosta with the MINI

This being the first weekend with the MINI, it being new, I just had to think of somewhere to go. MeAsWe didn’t feel like going out, so off I went to visit with Giff for a while and then a small road trip. Of course I had my camera with me. What is a road trip without a camera? (all photos can be clicked and enlarged)

First stop was one of my favorite breakfast places, when I am not worried about calories (and by the looks of me I am never worried about calories) and having a hankering for French toast. Their Crunchy French Toast is worth the travel to this place.

Next planned stop is the Hanover Theater (the excuse for burning up gas for no other reason than the fun of it) and passed this Iconic place. Actually we ended up eating here on Sunday on our way in to see The Beatles. I had 2 of The Works and bought a mug to add to my collection of diner mugs. Hot dog places are in the same kinda of world as diners.

Having completed the required "absolute necessity to drive all the way to Worcester", which was to pick up the tickets for the Beatles performed by Rain on Sunday, I was zipping in and out of traffic, testing out the MINI’s handling capabilities and 6 speed transmission. I never got it out of third, because the turbo boost works best above 3,000 rpms and it sure is a blast. I found myself next to Holy Cross College. This is on the National Register of Historic Places and hasn’t been Waymarked yet. A quick tight right hand turn, which the MINI handles like a charm. Almost wants launch itself out of the turn and head up the hill to where St Joseph’s Chapel, Fenwick and O’Kane Hall are located. The 2 halls are on the NRHP. Snap off a couple of pictures, and start to head out for Franklin, MA.

Fenwick Hall - College of Holy Cross

O'Kane Hall - College of Holy Cross

St Joseph Memorial Chapel
College of Holy Cross

A bit of a history lesson. Holy Cross College was started in back in 1832 when Rev. James Fitton purchased 60 acres of land in Worcester. He sold his boarding school to Bishop Fenwick and the Diocese of Boston in 1843. Since the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were not granting charter to Catholic based schools, degrees were issued thru Georgetown College in Washington DC. After the Civil War was over and the anti-Catholic sentiment was relaxed Holy Cross was chartered and began offering degrees on their own. O'Kane and Fenwick Halls were the primary buildings for the school in the 1843. End history lesson.

Seeing that I was really the only one around, I just had to go into the Chapel, before leaving. It was pretty dark and the only light was the natural light coming thru the stained glass windows. This is pretty much what I saw when I entered.

Inside St Joseph Chapel

Since I had plenty of time I went back to the MINI, grabbed my tripod and set myself up almost to the end of the pews. What a perfect opportunity to practise taking some bracketed photos and creating an HDR version. I took 9 bracketed photos. Actually I took this sequence a couple of times. I was pleased and shocked by the outcome. Please click at least this one to see a bigger image.

I bet I was in the chapel for about an hour taking photos. Time to head for home. Another reason to be out was to return a Olympia 1 piece riding suit I bought from Motorcycle Superstore, so I was heading for the UPS store in Franklin, MA, a mere 38 miles away. You would think I was on the FJR, well it did kind of feel like like the FJR, except the helmet is bigger and this one has a stereo in it.

While I am heading down 146, MeAsWe calls me on the phone wondering if I am OK, I have been out since 9 and it is 3pm.  She is used to this when I am out on the FJR, but not when I am in a cage. She tells me there is a UPS pickup place in Northbridge and I don’t have to go all the way to Franklin. I could here her words as we were hanging up the phone “Just Sayin’. Oh one really neat thing about the MINI (and there are alot of neat things) it has a bluetooth connectivity and I don't have to hold my phone up to my ear. How kewl is that.

Get into Sutton, MA, passing the strip center and make a hard right into the parking lot. I don’t have this post office yet for Waymarking. The disease, affliction and need to chase stuff are in the MINI as well. Damn, will I ever get rid of this malady and find a cure for the problems within me ??

I couldn't end up on a plain ole photo of a pretty bland Post Office could I. Note how clean the MINI is.