The Western Slope run in June to Ouray left many of us anxious to return.

Autumn colors usually peak the 3rd - 4th week of September in the high country, October in lower elevations.

Any interest? Perhaps we use this thread for some preliminary discussion for if & when before posting on the club calendar.

Personally, I would like to finish the hike up to the water falls that WWW's, Embalmer's & I started.

 

This sounds like a great trip. Over-nighter no doubt.
Lets not forget the Colorado English Conclave 9/13 & 9/14 but perhaps the following weekend.

 

We had a great time too. The hotel we stayed in was wonderful. David and I might be able to go on the 26th or 27th. We are in California the previous weekend. That may be too late for the colors? Mike, we need to drive to the trailhead this time . Nancy

 

Mrs intercoolest is sooo wanting to go this time.

Unfortunately she will not be able to go the 3rd or 4th weekend in Sept. The 2nd weekend is the Conclave (& our son will be visiting from Tulsa, possibly w/ GP#1650).

Consideration:
A.) Is Labor Day weekend out of question?
B.) The weekend after LD?
C.) Early to mid October?
D.) Go w/o Mrs intercoolest again.....

 

FYI:

Hot Springs Inn has rooms available for Labor Day weekend yet (1-800-706-7790). KOA Camp Ground has Cabins, but require 3 nite reservation minimum (1-970-325-4736).

I booked 1 room at HSI for Sat & Sun. They have a 5 day cancellation policy if we decide to change plans.

We might go Labor Day wknd by motorcycle (if no Mini's want to go then) so an Autumn color trip is still an option for Mini motoring.

Mike

 

Thanks for the info Mike. The traffic is so busy on LD that we may go later if we can. Ovreasy's windshield got smashed by gravel from a gravel truck this morning. The company of course said "prove it was broken by our truck" so it looks like we will have to shell out money for another windshield. But if we can swing it, we may go the following weekend. If we don't connect, take the wife and let us know how the hike was Nancy

 

Nancy:

The following weekend we would prefer as well. Stay in touch....

Sorry about the winshield. I finally got mine replaced last Wednesday on my way up to Copper for MITM3.

Mike

 

How about September 5th - 7th? Leave Friday Afternoon w/ likely late arrival, have all day Saturday to play then leasurely return home on Sunday?

Please comment.....

 

Mike, I wish we had better news. We really wanted to go with you guys in September but now my petsitting business has me staying close to home for that weekend. I am really disappointed Have fun and maybe next year we can go in the fall. I loved Ouray (and your company) Maybe some other MINI owners can go. It really is a wonderful trip and the colors are suppose to peak early this year so that is a great weekend to go. Nancy and David

 

We're plum out of vacation time at the moment and already have other in-town arrangements in any event. Sorry, but this one's not going to be possible for us.

Have fun for us!

 

WWW, mucgirl, others?

 

Oh the memories of Ouray. I lived in Durango for years and loved driving my VW GTI up over Red Mtn Pass early for breakfast in Ouray. A visit to the Box canyon was always cool too. There are so many great roads out that way. Have fun and enjoy the colors. I'd drive to the trail head too. I also found the north/back side of Black Canyon super fun with limited traffic too.

 

Sorry, Mike, as much as John and I have talked about going back to Ouray, I have to study for my securities license that I am taking on September 8 and the following weekend my mother will arrive from Germany and stay for 4 weeks, so no MINI adventures for a while.

Enjoy!
Ingrid

 

Mrs. intercoolest & I will depart for Ouray this coming Saturday morning, 8-30-08.

If anyone remembers the road # we took near Duarago that crossed the river where the Movie Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid was filmed, please let me know. I think I will know the turn off when I get to it.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend, everyone!

 

Ouray was beautiful as always. Some trees had some yellow leaves already up in the high country.

Traffic was quite minimal, which was a total Holiday weekend surprise! Ouray through to Durango was busy w/ a motorcycle convention going on. Slow going most of the time as most were Harley Davidson riders.

Sat & Mon were perfect weather conditions, Sun was rainy all day.

The Waterfalls hike was a little wet but worth it, only 1/4 mile to the base.

Box Canyon Waterfall was awesome as ever, still plenty of water pounding down even though snow melt was history, maybe the rain was adding some flow. We hiked up to the high bridge which is directly over the Waterfall. You see the water disappear in to rock & re-appear below. My camera was out of memory by then...

We found the back road into Durango where the high (? not!) cliff scene was where Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid jumped. In Durango we ate at the same Brew Pub where we ate in June as a group.

In all, I was able to share the Ouray experience w/ my wife as hoped. Sarah drove all the way home & got her Mini Driving Fix.

Mission accomplished!

Mike

 

Sounds much funner (not to mention more scenic) then our express trip to Sioux Falls and back over the weekend.
I foresee a newsletter article with pictures!

 

Thanks Mike, for offering this trip to the members and for sharing your experiences. Glad you had a good time. That's one trip we should all keep in mind for a first time visit or revisit.
Rick

 

Wish we could have joined you two. We do plan on going again. Thanks for asking us to go along. Hope to see you at the Conclave if you can make it. Nancy

 

Nancy:

In all, I was able to share the Ouray experience w/ my wife as hoped.

One detail I forgot....(dang it!). Sarah didn't get any of your home made chocolate chip cookies to munch on during the ride!

M