So, where do all these people come from?

Every year this event gets bigger.  Or, at least it seems so.  This year my list of people that are here or are expected to come is around 45.  Not everyone is able to bring their jeep, but we always have extra seats.

The first time we held the Fall Color Tour at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch, we only have one couple from out of state (that I recall, anyways).  Now, over half of the attendees are from out of state.  Here's how the count looks:

• Colorado - 20
• Illinois - 4
• Indiana - 4
• Iowa - 4
• Missouri - 4
• New York - 2
• South Carolina - 1
• Texas - 2
• Virginia - 1
• Washington - 2
• Ohio - 1

- m38MuM

Winfield and Vicksburg all dressed up for fall

Looking over my list of families and jeeps, I know we are set for record attendance. We have people from Washington, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, and Illinois. Sadly, a few had to depart this morning, but in their place came just as many more! The grand total, so far, is 19 jeeps and 35 people!

After a late start (had to get the Blue Mule's throttle cable fixed), the Fall Color Tour for today was up in the Clear Creek area. Two town sites remain from the booming silver and gold days: Vicksburg and Winfield. Vicksburg is privately owned, but the home owners have a mining museum, and allow people to stroll up and down their beautiful, aspen and cottonwood lined street. Winfield is further up the valley, and just a few old buildings remain, including the tiny 1 room school house.

The group is using SPOT today to track their trip. This personal locator device records a spot every 10 minutes using GPS. Here is a clip of the satellite imagery based recording for their stop at Vicksburg.

SPOT satellite imagery with todays "footprints" at Vicksburg

Todays photos are from m38mike and m38mum of the CJ2A forum. Several other members of the forum have posted photos at the Fall Color Tour's CJ2A forum.

Lined up and Ready to Roll at Clear Creek Reservoir

Mainstreet Vicksburg

Look at that gold!

Jeeps grazing at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch

- Ellen (m38mum)

It's only the first day, and look at all those jeeps!

Today is the official start of the CFFC Fall Color Tour. Already we have a bunch of jeeps. At last count, there were 11! WOW! In addition to Colorado, we have people here from Illinois and Missouri.

I took a couple of pictures for you all to enjoy, just before the sun went down.

Blue Mule with a couple of new friends!

Setting up camp with Aspen Ridge in the background

Looks right at home!

Most of them are headed this evening to our local Drive-In for a good, old fashioned outdoor movie! It's Bite the Bullet.

Edit (10:15pm): When they got to the Drive-In, it was closed due to a death in the family... what a bummer. The group of 7 jeeps worked their way back through Buena Vista, and headed back to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch.

- Ellen