Tuesday 3rd September | Written by Simon Hayton
The team rose on Tuesday after varying amounts of sleep, with some adapting better than others to the time difference. Many of us took the opportunity to use the hotel’s gym and pool before our leisurely meeting time of 09:30 for the day’s activities. An exclusive group of us were even treated to some poolside stunt performances from the Baronet’s repertoire.
The first activity of the day was a journey to the summit of Pike’s Peak, otherwise known as ‘America’s Mountain’. Standing at an impressive 14,115 feet of elevation, the peak is host to the world’s highest cog railway, the second highest paved road in the United States, and was the inspiration for Katharine Lee Bates’ historic song, ‘America the Beautiful’. Distributed among the team vehicles, we drove to the top of the Pikes Peak Highway enjoying various stopping points and souvenir shopping opportunities. We gathered for a classically American cup of coffee and donuts at the top, before safely descending for an impromptu light lunch in the town of Manitou Springs.
Lunch was mostly pleasant, save for the fruitless debates and inquisitions to determine which drivers may or may not have had the lowest brake temperatures at the checkpoint after the descent. We then turned to the purposeful task of exploring the wonderful local boutiques, where one of our management team eagerly purchased a handbook so that he could learn more about the spirit animal he had been assigned.
At this point the team rearranged the vehicles according to individual interests and needs, with some groups going straight to Walmart, others to local outdoor stores, and one other to the Garden of the Gods to marvel at some impressive sandstone formations.
Tonight we will enjoy our first team meal with the travelling contingent fully assembled – our last two team members having arrived in Colorado today. Tomorrow we will complete our final shopping and make the journey to Raton, in preparation for the 2024 Spirit of America National Fullbore Championships and America Match. Stay tuned for more!