Great Porsche Driving Vacation

Mike Thomas · 06:01 AM

Hey all,

My wife and I went down to Buena Vista CO, from Denver for a long weekend. On Thursday, we took the 911 over Independence Pass to Aspen and back. We were about one week past peak color, but it was still really beautiful, and much easier to appreciate with the top off the targa, as compared to an enclosed car. Coloradans, if you've never driven Hwy 82 before, I strongly suggest that you do so ASAP!

On the trip back from Aspen we were coming down Independence Pass when a thunder snowshower (almost hail) started up. We had the top off still, but we drove between the snowflakes (snowballs) by going fast.

I've posted a short video (not that great, but you can tell we were having fun) on my flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathomas/2912541319/

Over the long weekend, I put over 400 miles on the car in all sorts of conditions, with not a single hiccup. My wife says one trip like this per year will keep her liking the p-car. Sweet!

Here are a couple of shots of the car at the top of Independence Pass.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Mike:

Very cool. How far is all that from the Keystone Resort? Planning to head over next summer for the PCA Parade- looking forward to it!

Cheers,

Paul.

Mike Thomas · 10-04-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul K

How far is all that from the Keystone Resort? Planning to head over next summer for the PCA Parade- looking forward to it!

Hi Paul: Hmm, Twin Lakes is maybe about 60 miles (?) southwest from Keystone. It's all nice driving, though. Then from Twin Lakes over to Aspen is maybe another 30 miles (?).

Zef · Zef's Garage

Nice trip in Targa...thanks for sharing...More pics...?

KarlCarrera · 10-05-2008, 09:19 AM

Looks like alot of fun, and the car looks and sounds great! I agree, nothing like a great trip through the Rockies in a Targa!
You must have hit it just right, 'cause the traffic doesn't look to bad. When you're ready to go again give me a PM and we'll see if we can join up. Haven't been to the top of Independence in years. So far we've hit the mountains just west of the Springs and south to the Rye/San Isabel area.

Enjoy
Karl

MOMO3.2 · 10-05-2008, 11:40 AM

Mike:

Both photos are gorgeous.

Little trips like this are bliss in a 911 Targa. The whole driving experience is enhanced dramatically with the top down. One is much more connected to the landscape in an open car and there is a heightened sense of adventure and accomplishment. The same trip in a tin top would be much less remarkable.

Awsome Mike!

Mike

mca · 10-05-2008, 11:46 AM

Great year and great color!

Everytime I see pics like that it makes me want to drive out west in my 911. I would love to pack it up and drive.

Thanks for sharing.

MOMO3.2 · 10-05-2008, 11:53 AM

MCA:

Your part of the country has some stunning drives as well. Talk about green, green green!!!

I love the South East!

Mike

Mike Thomas · 10-05-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlCarrera

Looks like alot of fun, and the car looks and sounds great! I agree, nothing like a great trip through the Rockies in a Targa!
You must have hit it just right, 'cause the traffic doesn't look to bad. When you're ready to go again give me a PM and we'll see if we can join up. Haven't been to the top of Independence in years. So far we've hit the mountains just west of the Springs and south to the Rye/San Isabel area.

Enjoy
Karl

Karl,

We did the drive from BV to Aspen on Thursday: pure, nearly traffic-free, bliss. We were one of only two couples in Poppycock's in Aspen for brunch. Could have parked right in front, if we'd remembered where it was -- we just parked and walked around looking for it.

Highway 82 was just some awesome driving, all along except for getting stuck behind cruiser motorcyclists (read: slow, spread out, and unpassable) while climbing back up to Independence. Luckily they pulled off at the top, and we flew down the other side.

Re the PM - Likewise to you, should you go for a mountain drive.

Thanks...

Mike Thomas · 10-05-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOMO3.2

Mike:

Both photos are gorgeous.

Little trips like this are bliss in a 911 Targa. The whole driving experience is enhanced dramatically with the top down. One is much more connected to the landscape in an open car and there is a heightened sense of adventure and accomplishment. The same trip in a tin top would be much less remarkable.

Awsome Mike!

Mike

This is our first "convertible", and my wife was just loving it as we descended into Aspen (as well as descending the other side going home). She loved the fact that you could look up into the trees and see the height of the cliffs, etc. I loved the fact that you could hear the engine booming in the closed-up spots. Makes me want a louder exhaust, and I was always sort-of against that kind of thing ;-). Super-fun!

Mike Thomas · 10-05-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mca

Great year and great color!

Everytime I see pics like that it makes me want to drive out west in my 911. I would love to pack it up and drive.

Thanks for sharing.

Re year/color: Yes, we both have great taste :-)

I loved your break-in video:

- How did you mount-hold the camera? Looks like it's right in front of your face.
- What kind of camera?
- Did you use an external mic?

RoninLB · 10-05-2008, 01:08 PM

Been on 82 a few times with the 911 on different trips. I'd like to time a metor shower up there.

I also hung around a hot springs outside of Buena Vista. It may still not be marked on the road. At the intersection of 24/285 and 24, a few yards north is a wide dirt road heading east into the hills. Ride that for about 10 miles into the hills and you'll see cars parked. Walk up the hill and into a word of mouth hot springs. The owner gets a few bucks each. I haven't been there in a few years, but it was always a must stop and hang place. It was great all year at one time. Camping was only a few more bucks.

here's an old pic

mca · 10-05-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Thomas

Re year/color: Yes, we both have great taste :-)

I loved your break-in video:

- How did you mount-hold the camera? Looks like it's right in front of your face.
- What kind of camera?
- Did you use an external mic?

Thanks ... camera held in my left hand (cheapo Sony DVR-TRV33), knees held wheel, and shifted with right hand. It was a straight road with very few cars and no residential homes.

Got any more pics to share?

Mike Thomas · 10-05-2008, 04:18 PM

Jumping my own thread.

Those who saw/liked the video, here's another from today in Deer Creek Canyon southwest of Denver. I haven't had a DE class yet (just a lot of sporty driving over the years), so I make no claim as to good skill/style. I keep it within reasonable limits, esp since these are public roads. The guy in front of me was tearing it up in his econobox, relatively speaking. I think it was his turf :-).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathomas/2916867358/

And, yes, that's an 85mph speedo :-)

Iowa911 · 10-05-2008, 05:50 PM

Wow am I jealous! I used to go to Aspen every Labor day weekend for a volleyball tournament. Did that for about 10 years straight haven't been back for about 8-9 years. Probably my favorite place on earth. Glad to hear Poppycocks is still there. I used to pick up a bag of their Oatmeal pancake mix every year. Thanks for taking me back to some great memories!!

Mike Thomas · 10-05-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa911

Glad to hear Poppycocks is still there. I used to pick up a bag of their Oatmeal pancake mix every year.

And that's exactly what I got -- the oatmeal pancakes. So, good! You're welcome for the memories :-)