MINIs VISIT WEST TEXAS

This Mini Cooper S (S indicates twin turbo) makes a statement that "Life is too short to drive a boring car"....how true, how true!!

Last Thursday night we joined a group of friends at the Blue Mountain Bistro in "downtown" Fort Davis for drinks and good fun. After some fun stories and a bit of "solving the world's problems" (for us teetotalers over ginger ale and coke), we all said goodnight about 8pm; and with the sun still fairly high in the early summer sky we headed back to  our house on wheels.   We hadn't gone a half mile when we spotted a half dozen Mini Coopers parked on the main street.  We did a U turn to stop and investigate....discovering that a group of 14 Mini Coopers from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Mini club were in town for a 4 day weekend exploring Big Bend Country...with Fort Davis as their home base.

Minis of all shapes and sizes gather for the Big Bend Mini Rally.

We were waved in by the group when they spotted our Mini Countryman with NH plates that say UK-SUV. (There is something about owning a Mini that drives one to vanity plates).   We met many members of the group, all of whom said "here is our itinerary for the weekend....join us when you can".   And the next morning we did just that.

The Friday morning program began with a buffet breakfast at the Fort Davis State Park, a few miles north of town.  Here is the first group of Minis making the trip out of town to the breakfast tables.
After some nice conversation and more"getting to know folks" the group headed up the park's scenic drive to the overlook at the top.

Pam captured this photo in the rear view mirror on the way up the mountain.  We were 3rd in the line of 14 going up the switch backs.

Here is a look back at the historic Indian lodge hotel and restaurant, built in the depression years by the CCC...we had breakfast here.

Here are 5 of the mini rally members...note convertibles, all colors and many with stripes.  Part of the mini cooper culture is to make a statement with your car.

A few others parked across the lot....including ours with the British Flag on the mirror covers...and the folded down kayak racks.  We had one of the two 4 door (a bit larger) coopers in the group...others were convertibles, roadsters and the "classic" look minis.

Here the mini entourage is parked at the peak's scenic pullout...with scenic views of the West Texas mountains and high desert plains in the background.

The rally chase truck participated the whole time...bringing up the rear on the drives.

This was Pam and my first Mini Cooper Rally....and it came to us in Fort Davis!   What a treat to partake in some of the events and meet some fellow mini owners.....just super nice folks.  We want to thank all the Metroplex members for making us feel a part of the rally.

We are about to split off from the group to do some cleanup work at our property at Limpia Crossing....it was great fun to join in; and we hope to do it again.

Postscript:  In my discussion with one of the men in the group, I was made to understand that a large percentage of the mini owners were the wives....and the men were "just along for the ride".  Since our Mini is really Pam's car, I could identify with those gents.  This fellow then told me they were forming a small club called Husbands of Mini Owners...and were thinking of getting T shirts made with HOMO emblazoned on them.   At this point in the conversation I not so graciously begged off any interest I had.   

(this "fun" story is just that and in no way is meant as a reflection on any gay folks out there....no offense meant and <hopefully> none taken).