Joanne & I have been driving convertibles since back in 1979. We’ve had an MGB, a Triumph TR6, a Mazda Miata, and most recently MINI Cooper Convertibles. All our convertibles were fun, though the MINI takes convertible driving to the next level. When we decided to start this Full-Time RV adventure we debated long and hard about a tow car (TOAD). We spent a lot of time researching and looking at the just the right Tow Car and decided on a 2006 R52 1st generation MINI Convertible. From 2016-2021 we towed or drove that little MINI over most of North America including Canada, Alaska, and the lower 48. When you purchase a MINI almost automatically you’re part of the MINI family. People just smile when they drive by or even when you stop for gas. Of all the cars we have owned no car has generated more interest and conversation then our MINI’s…

Back in 2019 we became friends with another Full-Time RVer “RVLOVE”. Julie and Mark had a MINI Convertible for years and one night while sharing dinner they mentioned to us MTTS (MINI Takes the STATES). We really did not know anything about this rally until their comments. Of course you know Mike, he immediately started doing research and committed to doing MTTS which unfortunately was cancelled for a few years because of Covid. It wasn’t until 2022 that North America MINI was able to schedule and have its next RALLY which we were sure to be part of.

In 2022 we started in Burlington, VT and traveled down some of the most scenic roads of the East Coast ending up in South Carolina. We had a terrific time and met so many fellow MINIAC’s and different types of MINIS and MINI Owners… Having had such a terrific experience in 2022 we decided to do it again in 2024. We had so many learned lessons from MTTS 2022. This time we would be doing it in our new 2021 F57 MINI Cooper Sidewalk Convertible.

Since we had spent the previous month in Portugal walking the Camino we had left our RV and Tow car (MINI) in California in storage knowing full-well MTTS 2024 would be starting in Albuquerque, NM in early July.

In prepping for MTTS 2024 our first investment were some decals for the window that identified us as MTTS 2024 participants. This was the first time we ever applied a decal like this and it came out pretty good…

With the Official MTTS 2024 start date of July 14, 2024 we had to make sure we drove from SoCal the first 2 days so we could be at the Alburquerque, NM Balloon Grounds for the morning kick-off the first day. We are never in the Palm Springs, CA area this time of the year and with temperatures nearly 124 degrees Fahrenheit we were definitely ready to get out of that heat.  Usually we always drive with the top down, though this first day of nearly 400 miles to our first overnight in Winslow, AZ, the heat/sun was so intense we opted to drive with the top up and the AC blasting. Good call for sure….

We had been to Winslow, AZ several years back and had lunch at the famous La Posada Hotel.  Located at 303 East 2nd Street (Route, 66, Winslow, AZ 86047 the La Posada Hotel is a flashback to days gone by when so many people traveled by train East to West or drove on the famous Rte 66.

Off the Hotel’s website:

Architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter’s Southwest masterpiece, La Posada (the resting place),
— Fred Harvey’s Last Great Railroad Hotel.

The La Posada has a litany of famous guest in it’s heyday including:

Many of the Hotels rooms are named after their famous guest. We actually stayed in the John Houston Room one of the great Hollywood Directors from the 1930’s-1960’s…

The Hotel is a special place/museum. We were able to explore some of the special areas and social spots for music and history. It was awesome. A guitar player in one of the lobbies was an encyclopedic ambassador of the great Hotel and provided a wealth of information accompanied by some songs.

In addition to the Hotel we also had time to visit some of the more contemporary stops of Winslow, AZ including the stops made famous by the Eagle’s and their Rock Classic “Take it Easy”…

 

July 13, 2024:

Having covered nearly 400 miles our first day after departing S0Cal we only had about 200 miles left to drive to arrive in Albuquerque late afternoon. We arrived as planned, and after checking into our Hotel, made a quick trip over the Best Buy to get some portable FRS radios. for the Rally. We didn’t have any radios in 2022 and actually borrowed one from friends Mark & Ranee who we met on MTTS 2022. We decided we should have a set for 2024. They absolutely come in handy with communicating with other Rally cars and especially when some directions or roadside unexpected moments occur. We figured a $79.99 investment was prudent and in hindsight it was…

Sunday July 14, 2024 MTTS Day 1:

We arrived at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park early this morning after checking out of our Hotel. We know it’s going to be crowded with the big Start. Being experienced rally participants now we know the importance of arriving early and lining up. Every morning there is a MINI sponsored kick-off with breakfast, registrations, SWAG and More SWAG, directions, and meeting so many fellow MINIAC’s!

Most days they start and flag us off for the days drive by 9:00am. Most participants arrive back to their cars by 8:30 and begin starting their engines and preparing for the start. The MTTS MINI Team always makes this a big day every morning with flags, cheers, and thumb’s up’s….

This 1st day we will be driving from Alburqueque, NM to Durango Colorado. As most days the drives are planned well, scenic, and shared by many fellow MINIACS along the route. This day had us driving through Pagosa Springs, CO mid afternoon…

Monday July 15, 2024 Durango, CO – Grand Junction, CO:

Today the morning kick-off is at Ft Lewis College in Durango Colorado. Ft Lewis College is also affectionally known as the “College in the Clouds”… It sits on a Mesa above Durango and has 360 views of the countryside and adjacent mountains. It is a beautiful spot!

Today’s drive will take us up the famous “Million Dollar Highway” and Red Mountain Pass. Joanne and I have driven this road before and it’s not for the faint hearted. 14,000ft peaks, no guardrails in spots, switchbacks and some of the most incredible mountain scenery you can imagine. The drive includes a stop in Silverton, Colorado, Ouray, Colorado (The Swiss Alps of North America), thru Montrose, Colorado with us adventually arriving in Northwest Colorado Grand Junction… We actually took a detour to stop at one of our most favorite National Parks “Black Canyon of the Gunnison”. Unfortunately they are redoing the road in the park and we had to drive nearly 10 miles of gravel and dust to get there. Our little MINI definitely needed a bath after that detour…

Tuesday July 16, 2024 Grand Junction, CO to Salt Lake City, Utah:

The morning kick-off today is pretty laid back and since we are only a few miles from “Colorado National Monument” we decide to take a morning detour and explore this unique area. We have driven by here several times though have never explored the area. We are so glad we took the time to do this in our convertible; Spectacular views and time for a little hiking too before making the long push to Salt Lake City, Utah on today’s drive…

Wednesday July 17, 2025 Salt Lake City, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming :

This day was listed as a FREE day on MTTS 2024. Given the area of the country and the number of notable National Parks, destinations, and varying paths we all could opt to take, the MTTS sponsors gave us FREE rein to decide our own personal route. Having been in this area several times before we decided that we wanted to stay in downtown Jackson Hole the next day. We love this area and have camped here several times, though never stayed in a Hotel downtown. Dowtown Jackson Hole is truly unique and definitely the “Wild West” . When combined with “Grand Teton National Park” & adjacent “Yellowstone” it its truly a magical destination. We decided to drive from Idaho Falls, Idaho over Grand Teton Pass and Targhee National Forest that dumps you into downtown Jackson Hole. When plannig our route we had to pay attention to road conditions as only a few months earlier a giant landslide had actually destroyed the road forcing locals to drive nearly 200 miles around to accomplish the same distance. Fortunately, through miraculous efforts,  they were able to re-build a temporary road in a few months and it had just opened only a few days before we arrived.

Before heading for Jackson Hole we had to make a brief stop at MINI of Murray near Salt Lake City, UT as our Brake light icon on our instrument cluster had come on.  Fortunately when you’re on MTTS most MINI dealers near the route are very accommodating to get you in, diagnosed, and repaired quickly so you can get back on your route. Our MINI is still under warranty and we have an extended warranty so a repair bill for about $1800.00 was picked up by the warranty…

The reason we wanted to stay in downtown Jackson Hole is there is so much to see and do there. Great shops, restaurants, and of course people watching.

Thursday July 18, 2025: Jackson Hole, WY to , Bozeman, Montana (Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, Big Sky)

Today will most likely be a spectacular drive in our MINI. First stop is Grand Teton National Park. We absolutely LOVE this park. Tons of Animal life and unbelievable mountain views at every turn!

After driving through Grand Teton National Park we entered  through the South entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park is huge and very crowded in the summer months. Usually we see loads of wildlife in Yellowstone thought unfortunately with the 95 degree temps many of the animals were hunkered down somewhere in the shade…

Departing the National Park through the West Yellowstone entrance allowed us to spend the balance of the day driving North into Montana. Much of the day was spent driving along the adjacent river valley which was beautiful, and then we passed through Big Sky, Montana. This was a road we had never driven before and really made for a great drive with us arriving for our next night’s stay in Bozeman, MT.Probably the only negative of the day was having to put the convertible top up along the way because of the rain.

Friday July 19, 2024: Bozeman, MT to Missoula, MT

Our morning kickoff today was at a ranch in the mountains about 20 miles outside of Bozeman. The drive to the ranch was nice including passing another ski area. The parking today was on the rolling hills of the Ranch and really gave us an opportunity to walk the rows of MINIS and get some great pics of our fellow rally participants.

Some pics from the MINI parking lot today…

 

The drive today was a long one though still enjoyable. We arrived in Missoula late afternoon. After checking into the Hotel we ventured out to explore the areas and downtown Missoula. The city seems to surround the College here and the mountains climb right out of the city’s borders…

Saturday July 20, 2024: Missoula, MT to Spokane, WA

Today’s morning kick-off is at the Home of the Grizzlies – “University of Montana”. Parking is tough with them utilizing every spot they can find on campus.

Our drive today will take us along some roads we have never driven before. Winding through farm lands, mountains, lakes, all day made the time pass quickly. The highlight of the day was our first visit to the “Columbia River Gorge”… The Columbia River gorge is a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, that meanders past cliffs, spires, and ridges set against nearby peaks of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Mountain Range.

Sunday July 21, 2024: Spokane – Seattle, Washington…

We have already covered a lot of miles and states since leaving SoCal on July 11th. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and now Washington. That’s a large geographic area of the US and some of the most spectacular scenery you can imagine. Today, our final drive of MTTS 2024 will be a good one for sure. We will continue our drive through the Pacific Northwest and Cascades region. Backroads and scenic drives are always the keys to the MTTS routes and today’s will wind us from Spokane, WA through Wenatchee, WA, and then into the backside of MT Ranier National Park. We have never entered MT Ranier from this direction. Climbing to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as famous icon of  Washington state and the Pacific Northwest landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., where five major rivers have their start. Ranier is so big it literally has its own weather pattern. Many people visit Mt Ranier and never get a chance to witness it’s majesty do to it’s unpredictable weather. A few years back we ventured up many times during 4 days and only witnessed a glimpse of it one late afternoon. Today we were luckier than we could imagine. Entering the archway and turning into the park we were surprised by a panoramic view of  the often elusive Mt Ranier… A powerful statement of nature for sure!

Our last drive of MTTS 2024 is for the final event in the Seattle area at the Boeing Museum of Flight. The museum was closed for a private event for MTTS 2024. Food, Music, Goodbyes, Awards, and some interesting museums tours. Yes MTTS is a big commitment every 2 years and we are glad we have done it twice now. So many great new friends, drives, memories, from these Rallies…

 

We have a long drive home from Washington State to SoCal over the next few days so we can get back to our “Home on Wheels” and start our trek to the EAST Coast and Summer/Fall 2024. It’s nearly 1800 miles to get back to SoCal which will total our roundtrip to 4500 miles driven since our departure heading to the start of MTTS 2024. Yes it’s a lot of miles this Rally. Mike likes to drive, though Joanne is starting to get a little bored as a passenger for such a long journey.

Fortunately we will have some time to stop and visit with some friends on the way. First stop Jeri & Rick in Maple Valley, Washington and then The Stoller’s (Dennis & Debbie) in Tigard, Oregon.  We are so fortunate for so many GREAT friends we have made, and for their generosity in hosting us as we make our way South on this “Continuing Revolutionary Journey….”

MTTS 2024 that’s a wrap….