By Rob Anthony
The 2024 BMW CCA New Mexico Chapter Karl Fox Memorial Tour on October 12th and 13th returned to our traditional format of iconic destinations, local restaurants, and stunning scenery, paired with thrilling roads in the southwest. 9 BMWs and 14 participants met up at the Apache Nugget Travel Center just north of Cuba in New Mexico on Saturday morning to set off for colorful southern Colorado. The award for furthest distance traveled this year definitely went to Brad McCarthy and his 1989 E30 that he drove all the way from Kentucky!
We headed north on US 550 before stopping in Mancos for a delightful lunch at the Columbine Bar & Grill. After enjoying delicious burgers and sandwiches, we continued on to Mesa Verde National Park. The weather was sunny and in the mid-70s — absolutely perfect for enjoying the twisty roads up and along the top of the mesa within the park.
We got to participate in a Ranger-led tour of the iconic Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. After descending down the side of Cliff Canyon, we learned about the 700 hundred-year history of the ancestral pueblo people in the region. We then climbed out of the canyon using 3 ladders — though the original inhabitants would have climbed directly up the rock! Following the tour, the group reconvened at the Mesa Verde Far View Lodge for a group dinner and to rest after a long day.
On Sunday morning, we woke up early to a stunning sunrise over the mesa, which was perfectly framed by our suites’ picture windows. We fueled up in Cortez before jumping on Colorado Route 145. With crisp yet sunny fall weather, the Aspen trees all around and overhead were a beautiful yellow as we followed the Dolores river north toward Telluride. Lizard Head Pass and the surrounding peaks were still snow-free, though by the following weekend, the entire region would be under a winter storm warning – we made it just in time!
The group parked in Mountain Village and rode the free gondolas into downtown Telluride while enjoying the breathtaking vistas of Telluride canyon. Lunch was at Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery, which features a wide selection of award winning beers and artisan sandwiches, before concluding the tour with a return gondola trip to our vehicles.
Thank you to all who spent the weekend with us for the 2024 Karl Fox Memorial Tour! We look forward to seeing everyone again and hopefully some new faces for next year’s event.
