The MINI Takes The States (MTTS) road trip across america. Day 5 is from Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX. I created this special graphic and made it into buttons (pins) to hand out to people on the tour.
Day 5 began early at the local Albuquerque Sandia MINI dealership.
As the sun was rising, MINI drivers co-pilots were getting their coffee and donuts fix.
The interior of Sandia MINI is very impressive.
It hardly feels like you're indoors, due to massive glass walls.
These classic Minis seem to be flying.
What event in Albuquerque would be complete without a hot air balloon?
Notice the MINI in the glass section of the building on the left.
Boy was this MINI's driver surprised! Just kidding.
I had to ask the balloonists, it's fiberglass.
MINI USA executives among the audience.
A Sandia MINI donation of $1000, on behalf of the MINI Motoring Hearts program, was made to Children's Hospital. Money raised the previous day at the Sandia Motorsports Track was also donated to Children's Hospital.
MINI Financial Services' MINI. You can get your own MINI depicted on a Visa card.
MINI-FINI (www.MINIFINI.com) with their trailer containing lots of products made especially for the MINI. See the MINIs In The Mountains album for close-ups of the teardrop trailer. It's got a detailed map of the MTTS road trip route!
BMW motorcycle-based Albuquerque Police head out to escort the MTTS MINIs out of town!
The motorcycle police did a very effective job of escorting the MINIs, procession style, onto I-25 southbound, then onto I-40 eastbound. Non-MINIs budging into the line of MINIs were promptly kicked out by the motorcycle police.
Just ouside of Albuquerque, the line of MINIs exits I-40 to begin the journey up the east (fun) side of the Sandia mountains.
Exiting I-40 to the frontage road.
Heading up the backside of the Sandia mountains toward the crest.
Such a great drive to Sandia!
Lots of twisties and nothing but MINIs on the road.
Just a sampling of the MINIs. Some were in the other parking lot.
Bright and sunny at the top of the Sandias.
The views are to the east and the west from here. That is Albuquerque in the background.
Me, enjoying the view. There's a similar photo in the MC2 Magazine website (Day 5) at www.MC2Magazine.com
Andy and others enjoying the warm morning sun and the cool (cold) temperature at the top of the Sandias.
Kendall and his trusty tripod perched atop this rock.
Cellular service was excellent here. You didn't even need a cell phone!
Getting ready to make the trip east, to Amarillo, TX
Here's a screen shot of me from the MINI USA website (for MINI Takes The States tour). This was taken between Albuquerque and Santa Fe as I was being interviewed. I hope I didn't say anything embarassing!
Fast forward. Now we're in Texas, south of Amarillo near Canyon, at Palo Duro State Park. This is the entrance to the amphitheater.
The evening sun at Palo Duro canyon. After driving almost all day, all we can do is lean on the MINIs.
Very scenic views, due to recent rains and the setting sun.
Even the MINI bus made the 10% grades to get to the bottom of the canyon for the movie.
A message on the giant billboard (MINI) bus.
Just below the tailight, MINI5280.org strikes again. This bus was tagged in Albuquerque at the track!
Needs a statistic: number of times this bus was tagged.
After the movie (cancelled due to technical difficulties), the guys get a little crazy with the steer.
My ride is worth a few points, but I better keep my day job. End of Day 5. See the MTTS Day 6 album.
