We started a new Pikes Peak Section tradition on Sunday, 20 December. Ten beautiful cars and their bundled up drivers and passengers mustered in the Starbuck's parking lot to wait for dark. Then it was tops down, gloves and earmuffs on, and away we went through the environs of Briargate. With Andrea Hansen leading, we made our way through the neighborhoods in a unique Mercedes-Benz parade.
The Pikes Peak Section once again demonstrated why we are one of the biggest sections in MBCA, despite our few numbers. We made our semi-annual drive for the needy on Saturday, 19 December, collection more than ten turkeys and over 12 bags of food that were placed in holiday food baskets by the Ecumenical Social Ministries.
The Pikes Peak Section had another grand evening during our annual Holiday Party. We had 50 participants dressed in their holiday finery. The Rockledge Country Inn was unbelievable, all decked out with decorated trees and garlands. We began the evening with wine and cocktails, and around 7 p.m. everyone was ushered into the foyer and treated to a history of the property by our gracious host, Brett, while his staff converted the living room into a dining room.
On Saturday, Nov 21, we gathered after breakfast to head to the Shelby American Collection in Boulder. It was a beautiful day for a drive and 6 beautiful Benzes wended their way up the ‘I.’ The Shelby collection was fabulous with several new additions since our last visit. It was exhilarating to see the most famous street cars ever built – Cobras, Shelby Mustangs, and GT40s.
On Saturday, September 19, six Mercedes-Benz automobiles headed south for the annual Chili Run. We made our first stop at Coyote’s Coffee Den in Penrose. Next, we caravanned to the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. After the museum tour, we stopped at our old favorite, Peppe's Market, to buy chili peppers and other fresh, local produce followed by a late lunch at the Cactus Flower, a Mexican restaurant.
The Rocky Mountains were just starting to show off their fall colors on Saturday, 18 Sep, when Pikes Peak Section members motored to Vail to visit the Golorado Grand. This event happens every September when 85 of the most expensive pre-1961 racers and sports cars known to man take a 1000-miles drive around Colorado.
Dan and Cheryl Kerbs had us really rockin' to the 1950s with a movie–themed rally that started at Starbucks, our favorite digs for a cuppa joe. We had a blast as we watched the movie projected on the garage wall and turned up our car radios to rock to the soundtrack from what else?, ‘Grease.’
Tom and Ellen Croak outdid themselves once again with their third annual Photo Rally. They created a spectacular route with diabolical photo clues. Their goal this year was to stump the rally-ers and they succeeded–no one got a perfect score although a few got close.
The Pikes Peak Section hit the dusty trails in July with our regional MBCA event, StarLite 2009. Twenty-six members and their significant others motored to Ouray, a small town nestled in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado for an exciting weekend of on and off-road adventure and excitement.
The Pikes Peak Section had a blast on the 4th of July. Twenty-eight members gathered in southwest Colorado Springs beneath ominous skies for good company, good food and drink, and good fireworks. Charlie fired up the barby and cooked up a mountain of ribs as well as some burgers and hot dogs while everyone contributed a dish to share. After everyone had eaten their fill and dodged a few raindrops, we settled in to watch the fireworks show courtesy of the Country Club of Colorado just down the hill. They did their usual bang-up (get it?) job.
‘A fun time was had by all’ might be the best way to describe our little getaway weekend on 12-14 June. Five cars caravanned to Estes Park on Friday afternoon, heading up the ‘I’ and exercising our little gray cells enroute. The leisurely drive up through Boulder and Lyons put us in the mood for some serious mountain driving but first we had to christen our Hospitality Suite at the Lake Shore Lodge. There we rendezvoused with our fellow weekenders, bringing our group to a total of 16.
Cañon City and all parts south was the place to be on Saturday, 16 May. The PPS headed out after our monthly breakfast to the VMCCA Car Show at the former Holy Cross Abbey. The Veteran Motor Car Club of America put on their usual awesome show. This year they actually had 2-1/2 Mercedes vehicles?
On Saturday, 21 March, 21 PPS members and their guests lined up to caravan ten beautiful Benzes to the Serenity Springs Wildlife Center in Calhan, CO. Tucked snugly into the rolling hills, Serenity Springs is one of the few facilities in the country dedicated solely to providing a sanctuary for displaced big cats.
On March 14th, eighteen PPS members gathered at Walter's Bistro for an outstanding six course dinner. Chef Greg Champagne outdid himself by serving us one of the best meals any of us have ever had in Colorado. We were unanimous in our opinion that we all had a wonderful meal and an even better day.
Our New Member Party is another annual highlight. We met at Mollica's on Garden of the Gods Road for a great Italian buffet. It was a great time as each member told a little about themselves, their guest and what type of Mercedes-Benz they drive. With some, Julie would ask how fast they have driven their cars. Some were a little reluctant to answer, but others were very pleased to share their top speed.