Rocky Mountain Chapter 2008 Annual Fall Drive Saturday & Sunday Sept 20th & 21st, 2008

Jim Bartlett & Keith Liese, Coordinators

It’s time for the increasingly popular RMC Fall Drive! Last year we had a record 80-some people and 53 cars, and started in three separate run groups...an approach that was so successful that it was adopted for this year’s Spring Drive as well. Let’s see if we can beat last year’s record for our 2008 event!

Get ready to enjoy sunny skies, cool breezes, beautiful scenery, fall foliage, and of course, awesome roads! The annual RMC Fall drive is right around the corner. This year our destination is Steamboat Springs. We have three options for members and guests: a) Drive on Saturday, b) Drive on Sunday, or c) drive on both days! The first day of the drive will start in Denver/Ft. Collins on Saturday September 20th.

There’s an optional overnight stay in Steamboat; or you can return home the same day. For those who prefer a single day drive on Sunday September 21st, you can meet us in Steamboat on Sunday morning and drive back with us to the Front Range. For those seeking a romantic weekend getaway that includes camaraderie and fun driving as well, here’s your chance to do it all in a single weekend!

The drive to Steamboat will have two gathering points on Saturday morning – one in Denver and one in Fort Collins. The fun begins as we pick up route 14 north of Fort Collins and then take route 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass into Steamboat. Route 14 follows the Cache la Poudre River with a lot of twisty's on a road less traveled. We'll cross Cameron Pass and then the road eventually opens up to wide vistas before heading to Rabbit Ears Pass and into Steamboat.

The drive to Steamboat will have two gathering points on Saturday morning – one in Denver and one in Fort Collins. The Denver crew will depart earlier and join the “northern” group in Ft. Collins for a joint departure on the official drive. Hot coffee and donuts will be provided for those who arrive early at both starting points.

The real fun begins as we pick up route 14 north of Fort Collins and then take route 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass into Steamboat. Somewhere along the way we’ll stop for a chapter-hosted picnic lunch. Route 14 follows the Cache la Poudre River with a lot of twisty's on a road less traveled. We'll cross Cameron Pass and then the road eventually opens up to wide vistas before heading to Rabbit Ears Pass and into Steamboat. We may also be offering an alternate route for those who’d like to see part of southern Wyoming en-route to Steamboat, so stay tuned! The morning of the drive, we’ll have official handouts for all registered participants, containing complete details.

Sunday morning, we'll depart Steamboat at 9:30AM, which should allow plenty of time for our “Sunday Drivers” (pardon the pun) coming from along the Front Range to meet us. We will announce the remaining details, including our Sunday AM meeting / departure point in Steamboat, as we get closer to the date.

The drive on Sunday morning will depart from an agreed-on spot in Steamboat and traverse Rabbit Ears Pass and Muddy Pass along route 40, continuing East on 14 to Walden, then South down 125 from Walden into Granby. Route 125 is reportedly one of the all-time best sports-car roads ever paved…so we should really have fun on the trek down to Granby. Depending on the time we arrive in Granby, we’ll either take our Sunday lunch break there, or wait to do so in Estes Park. From Granby we’ll continue into Rocky Mountain National Park and on to Estes Park, traveling along Trail Ridge Road, which we’re hoping will still be open in late September.

In Estes Park, everyone will be free to take their time touring the town, as well as their own best and favorite routes back home. Most people should be home (Ft. Collins or anywhere in the greater Denver metro area) by Sunday afternoon.

We’re looking for a few volunteers to help with various aspects of coordinating and running this event, so if you’ve been looking for ways to get more actively involved in our chapter, this might be your perfect opportunity! We will need someone to arrange for doughnuts and coffee at the gathering points on Saturday morning, and some help with our picnic lunch on Sunday (both will be provided gratis to all RMC members who drive with us). Note: Dinner Saturday evening, as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be “Dutch treat“ – everyone will be on their own.

Lastly, we will be looking for experienced drivers to serve as leads and “cabooses” for each of our three run groups. We have a few volunteers already, but could use more....

Things to do in Steamboat: There are many things to see and do in Steamboat Springs, although we do recommend sampling one of the hot springs to keep you relaxed. There’s a public, commercialized hot spring and pool in town across from the Rabbit Ears motel on the main road in town. Keith personally recommends Strawberry Park hot springs. It’s in a completely natural setting with many different pools. The road to these springs is smooth dirt; there is also a pay shuttle available. After dark, clothing is optional but don't worry, the only light is from the moon and stars.

Accommodations Saturday Night: There are many fine hotels, condos, and Bed & Breakfasts in town. Since we all have different preferences, and the town is small, we'll let you choose your own accommodations. As we get closer to the event dates, we’ll make more information available, to assist members who would like suggestions.

The start points for 2008 Fall Drive are:

Saturday:

        I-25 & 120th Park & Ride (Denver) Gather at 7:00AM Depart @ 7:30

        3942 Automation Way, Ft Collins (Earl Weston's building) Gather @ 8:30AM Depart @ 9:00AM

Sunday:

For those leaving from Denver to meet the group in Steamboat, they are leaving golden @ 6:15AM. We will plan to meet right outside of Golden at the Park and Ride on the right/North side of I-70 at exit 259 / hwy 40 at 6 ish with a 6:15 AM departure on Sunday. That should give us a little less than 3 hours to be up in Steamboat. Feel free to give out my e-mail and mobile (720-289-6056) to anyone who is interested in joining Fox and I on the ride up.  e_schauble@hotmail.com

Steamboat group: Gather @ 8:30 Depart @ 9:00 AM. Departure point -- meet in parking lots between Super-8 and Bunkhouse Lodge Hotels, 3155 S. Lincoln Ave.NOTE: The Bunkhouse Lodge is behind the Super-8, and backs up to the stream. Look for Super-8 sign, then pull in,     go behind it and into lot between Super-8 and Bunkhouse Lodge. We’ll arrange our bimmer caravan there. Plan to meet there at 8:30 to 8:45am, with departure at 9:00.

Payment: Registrants do not have to pay anything unless they are a non-member of RMC.  Go to the checkout and reduce the amount to zero (0) if all participants in that car are members or spouse of a member. Or to total up the non-members participating in that car and pay $10 each for them.