Minis in the Mountains 4 (MITM4)

[BLUCOOPR]

Myself, John Abell and Cindy B. from Columbia SC. We left bright and early 6am August 1st and drove to Conway Arkansas. Went to Mike's Place downtown for dinner and ran into 2 couples at the bar and starting talking Minis. Had nice dinner and next morning headed to Amarillo TX where we stopped and had a steak at the BIG TEXAN. Watched a fellow consume the 72 ounce steak and sides within one hour and his meal was free. I barely got down a 22 ounce steak. Then we drove on to Lamar Colorado up 287 which has some of the biggest windmill fields you ever saw. Spent the night in Lamar and next day traveled to Pueblo and headed south on I-25 to Rye and visited the Bishop Castle. I climed to the top of the shortest spere and it was pretty shaky to say the least. This Castle was started by the Father and now his son has taken the reins, Still not complete but you would have to see it to believe it. Then back roads around to come in the north side of Royal Gorge Bridge and yes we drove all 3 Minis across, this shaky swinging in the wind with plank bottom. It is the worlds highest suspension at 1,053 feet above the river. 1,292 planks in deck about 250 replaced annualy. It was started June 5 1929 and finished November 1929 at the cost of $330,00. Today cost would be $15 million plus. After lunch in Canyon City we drove to Manitou Springs and did the Garden of the Gods. Spent the night and next morning went to top of Pikes Peak, very dirty drive as they are paving the whole road, $13 million project. Great views from 14,110 and only 3 guard rails. Drove up to Lakewood CO and spent the evening with Mark & Kathy. Mark lived and worked with NASCAR in Charlotte for 14 years before moving. He works for Furniture Row Racing in Denver. We went to Morrison CO for dinner and next morning drove up the Western Dragon and Mount Evans. John and I both made it to the very top and view was breath taking to say the least. Mount Evans is the highest paved road in America also the narrowest near the top. Its 14,264 only surpassed by 13 other 14,000 footer the highest in Colorado being 14,433 We also did a midnight run to the top which was great but cold. Mount Evans has no guard rails. We came down Mount Evans and did the other half of the Western Dragon to Idaho Springs, Colorado to world famous Tommy Knocker Pub for lunch and a couple of pints. We drove the Rocky Mountain National Park and sunday morning at 32 degrees left Copper Mountain. We came back the short route and spent the night in O'Fallon Illinois and home the next evening. It was well worth the long drives and seeing America is the only way to do it. Hopefully I will be doing it again next year and maybe some of you can join the newbie ranks and tag along. All the events were well planned and the 5280 Club does a great job putting this together. Its one of my favorites of all the MINI rallys. Don't forget Mickey & Mini coming up in September and EuroFest in Oct. Also Lowes Autofair in September. Luke

[baby blue]

I concur. Great event and even though it sounds like a lot of driving, well worth every minute, especially topless. Met lots of great Minianics from Dallas and made some friends for life. I've got it on my calendar for next year and am counting down the days. It would be great if we could beat the Dallas crew's 10 cars in 2010. They had the most there except for the 5280 Club.