Tuesday August 8th at 1:30 PM Mark Olson and I began our trip to the 1st annual Minis in the Mountains in Copper Mountain Colorado. After 110 degree heat around Ft Riley Kansas the temp dropped to 67 and the rain and hail came. We didn't have any damage that was seen. We arrived in Denver Thursday morning and visited with some of Mark's friends and then on to Copper Mtn Resort. The views were breath taking to say the least. We checked in and went to the car wash. Kudos to MINI5280.org for setting this event up. It was one of the best organized events that I have attended and alot to work and time spent. The runs were set up to go if you wanted and hang out if not. We went up Mount Evans which is highest paved rd in North America over 14,000 feet, saw Mermots, mountain sheep and had a very hard time breathing. Our Service engine lights came on due to high altitude and low oxygen. They returned to normal once we got back down to 9,000 ft. Group decided to do part of western dragon and taking the twisties 70 80 mph, well its not the DRAGON, but still a fun ride.
Mark had some vendor work on his MINI to get ready for AUTOFARE in September and I bought a Whalen Shift ****. We then went to the sponsor dinner and had some great BBQ, I told them they could send the cook back to N.C. they done a great job!!
Saturday ran into Bob Smyntek former President m2c2 and talked awhile. They only made in half way up Mount Evans because he was pushed for time. He was on vacation and just decided to stop for the evening. Also met Mark Fergerson from North American Motoring and look forward to working with him helping set up things for our club.
After meeting alot of new friends we said our goodbyes and headed to Colorado Springs and spent the night. Next morning bright and early we headed up Pikes Peak. We saw deer and chipmuncks and the drive up was spectactular. Our cars were filthly due to gravel road at top. When we got there view was great and it was 37 degrees and calling for snow. We left within the hour as the clouds were rolling in with the snow. On the road back we took the southern route throught OK, TK, AR and TN. We stopped in Amarillo Tx, at the BIG TEXAN steakhouse. No we did't try to eat the 72 ounce steak, but we did have a great steak dinner. If you would like to see pictures go to MINI5280.org and they have posting of hundreds of photos. This event will be bigger next year and we would like to get some more people to take some vacation and go with us. We may hire a truck to haul our cars and fly out and back. It was reported that there were 152 MINIs for this 1st annual event. You have plenty of time before the next one and so be thinking about a great vacation revolved by MINIMANICS. Luke, President Mini Motoring Club of Carolinas.

 

It sounds like you had a great time, and it was super that you ran into Moorlockx that far from home!

 

That's the amazing thing about Moorlockx: You just never know where you'll run into him. The man's a driving fool! He should be an inspriation to us all.

-- Lee

 

Great synopsis, Luke, with one exception. We made it most of the way up Mt. Evans (well above the 13K ft level) before being forced the turn around. After seeing the sheer dropoffs getting up as far as we did, I decided to err on the side of caution rather than continue the drive in near zero visibility we ran into! In the time I was there the event looked really great!.....other than the rain that day. I'm already thinking of doing it again next year.

>>>That's the amazing thing about Moorlockx: You just never know where you'll run into him. The man's a driving fool!<<<<

Ran into Luke in Co. on Sat., wrote Lee a message from Ohio on Tues. and I'm typing this sitting in Pa. tonight! I should finally be back in NC on Sat. after a 4700+ mile trip covering 14 states.

 

Bob, know how you felt. There were several night runs up Mount Evans but doing it in the day time for the first time was quezzy enough! I am definitely going back next year and probably will do the night drive. The drive up Pike Peak was most spectactular!!!!!

 

Wow! That was quite a temp drop! I know you had a great time. Mick/Blue

 

Mick hope all that swriling waters misses you this season. Luke