Mini Takes the States makes a pit stop in Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo (KREX) – Monday is a big day for some very small cars. A group called Mini Takes the States in on a “Mini” tour.

Vice President of the Mini of America Mike Peyton states, “We start in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We came up to Durango, Colorado. Then Grand Junction and then we are in Salt Lake City. Then up to Montana, so Bozeman, Missoula. We go into Spokane, Yakima and Washington and then we end in Seattle.”

That’s a lot of miles.

“A lot of roughly about 1600 miles or so,” said Peyton.

Going the distance is one thing, but how many cars participate is another. Take one giant breath because the number may surprise you.

“I would say on average, we might have 600 to 650 people a stop. But for the whole event, I would say you know just over maybe 2000,” Peyton explains.

The last time this mini-tour rolled through Grand Junction was 10 years ago. This Monday, the minis filled up two whole lots at Lincoln Park. The drivers behind the wheel and movement spread love at every stop along the way.

Peyton tells WesternSlopeNow, “Community is key for many. I mean that’s one of the things most people will tell you, maybe come standard with friends. And as you can see around me, there’s a lot of people here. People have met their spouses in many of the states where they’ve gotten married and many take the states. Some people will say they’ve met their best friends.”

Mini Cooper driver Jennie Bulton says, “And the only thing we have in common, to begin with, is our love for minis and driving minis. But then you’ll have to strike up a conversation with someone and you find that you have more than that in common and so it’s just great to be with a bunch of people who are excited about the same thing.”

But the best part is the lure of the wide open road.

“Which is why we do what we do at the event. It’s all about fun to drive,” Peyton said.

Jennie tells WesternSlopeNow that drivers come from all around the globe.

“But a lot of people are from places far-flung. There are even some people from Australia,” Jennie said.

Jennie’s husband Bill Bulton explains, “It’s kind of a neat little process. You feel part of a big group and community and it’s just a lot of fun to kind of buzz around and see the different places you know.”

“To charity partners, we have this year; American Camp Association and Keep America Beautiful. So things that are key about making a difference, along with being outside,” Peyton states.

So, if you have a Mini Cooper don’t be afraid to join in, hit the cruise control, and most importantly, enjoy the ride.

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