MINI Run for the Border

The Run for the Border Tour was a combination of members from the New Mexico MINI Motoring club (www.nmmini.org) and two Colorado clubs: Minis of the Rockies (www.minisrock.com) and MINI5280 (www.MINI5280.org). The border between Colorado and New Mexico has many beautiful and fun drives!

The tour began at the Taos (NM) Gorge Bridge Sept 25 in the morning. Forteen MINIs and one classic Mini are ready to motor.

A quick photo op after crossing the bridge.

Rick and Wendy viewing the changing Aspens at the high point, heading toward Chama, NM, then on to Antonito, Colorado.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park, near Alamosa, Colorado.

Wendy pauses after some sand dune hiking.

Rick reverts to his sandbox days.

Plenty of sand for everyone. The Great Sand Dunes is the last stop of the day and most of the group will be staying in Alamosa and a few camping at the dunes.

Sunday heading over Poncha Pass (between Alamosa and Salida), which is at an elevation of 9010 ft. To the south (left on the sign) is the Rio Grande Watershed and the Arkansas River Watershed is to the north (right) of this location.

The tour is about to head north on H285 toward Salida (after I take this picture).

Just west of Canon City, Colo. is the Royal Gorge Bridge (www.royalgorgebridge.com) is the last stop of the tour. The 75 year-old bridge is the world's highest suspension bridge. It is 1260 ft long, 18 ft wide, 1053 ft high and can support more than two million pounds.

Everybody lines up to pay the fee to drive across the bridge. Thanks to Brad for fanagling a MINI discount!.

The MINIs heading west on the Royal Gorge Bridge.

One of four sets of cables anchored into the ground. Two million pounds, huh?

Stopping for an unusual photo op.

Wendy feels some bridge shaking. Pretty windy around here. You can see straight down through the gaps in the boards.

The view over the edge. It's a lonnnng way down to the river.

The MINIs attacting the usual attention.

Rick & Wendy noticed a few cracked boards (and a few that were just replaced) on the road surface. The boards rattle when driven over.

On the west side of the gorge.

Taking a break before heading east across the bridge.

Back on the bridge, trying it out in the other direction.

Stopping in the middle, the cables just don't look that thick. Maybe that's why it shakes and sways a little.

The passenger's view out the windshield. This was a really fun tour and the combined New Mexico and Colorado clubs will most likely plan another Run for the Border Tour next year.