2012 Invasion - Day 4

Friday is typically our "free" day to check out the local scenery and attractions, BS with fellow Type 3ers , and just chill-out and get things ready for the main Invasion gathering on Saturday.

A few of us decided to make a run up to the top of Pikes Peak in the morning.  I was really interested to see how Sophy would handle the steep grades and the altitude....14,000 feet plus.

We left the host hotel with 6 Type 3s (My Sophy, Brian Fye's Notch, Toby Erkson's Square, Keith Park's Square, Shakey's Square, and our guide's , Rick, Type 34 Ghia) and a Dodge Ram support vehicle.  A few Invaders also rode shotgun with us to the top.  Rick lead us up through the first half of the climb, but his Ghia was losing power quickly and wheezed into the ranger station at about 11,000 feet in first gear with his foot to the floor and going 15 mph.  He elected to park it there and continued to the top with Brian.  From there I lead the way to the summit with Sophy.  Ran in 2nd gear most of the way at 25-35mph.  Could clearly feel the effects of the altitude in the power Sophy was making (or not making) and in my own shortness of breather.

Made it to the top without further incident. Was really cool to see 5 Type 3 parked at the summit of Pikes Peak.  We decided that that was probably the fist time that that many Type 3s had been at the summit together.  The view was fantastic. It was much cooler at the top, about 56 degrees compared to low 90s down in town.  We checked out the cog train, the gift shop, took a bunch of pictures, had a high-altitude donut and then got ready to go back down.

On the way down, you have to stop at the ranger station for a mandatory brake temperature check.  Sophy's were fine at 195 degrees.  Unfortunately, Toby had some issues with his oil pressure in his Squareback and ended up coasting the last little bit down to the ranger station.  We spent some time getting his oil rpessure back (maybe) before getting ready to continue the decent.

Had a bit of a scary moment when I was leaving the parking lot and stopped on the brake pedal and had it go right to the floor!  Much better to find it then then at the first hairpin turn.  Wheeled around and check the fluid level and for leaks.  Everything was fine and after pumping the pedal a bunch of time, I had brakes if I pumped them once or twice.  Proceeded to finish the decent and by the bottom, Sophy's brakes were back to normal.

Keith, Rick and I swung over to check out the Garden of the Gods and Toby and Keith headed for the hotel.  GotG is very beautiful.  We had a good time checking out the sites.  Unfortunately Toby's Square quit again and he ended up having it towed the last few miles to the hotel.  Still diagnosing the problem, but right now the motor is seized.  We don't know why.

After getting cleaned up, we gathered for dinner at the Phantom Canyon Brewery.  About 60 Invaders should up and we spilled out into the outdoor dining area.  Great food, great company.  A good time was had by all.

Back ti the hotel, folks were working on Toby's car and Bob's speedometer and I got the Invasion shirts sorted for tomorrow.

Here are some pictures.....

 Heading up to the toll station at the base of Pikes Peak

 Toll Station at about 8000 feet

 Ranger station at 11,000 feet

 A few from the summit.  14110 feet.

The 5 Types that made it to the top:
Sophy
Toby's Square
Brain's Notch
Keith's Square
and
Shakey's Square

 Another view from the summit.

 Garden of the Gods rock formations.

Not a site you want to see....

2012 Type 3 Invasion....Days 1-3

Been meaning to update this each day for the last few days as I am on my bi-annual trip to the Type 3 Invasion.  I left on Tuesday morning in my 1966 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback (Sophy) for Colorado Springs Colorado, the site for this year's Invasion.  1300 miles plus later we arrived safely and without incident in at the Invasion.

Along the way I met up with good friends, Bib and Sue Heydt and their 64 Type 34 Karmann Ghia, Scott Butler and his 68 Fastback with a 1.9L Turbo Diesel stuffed in the back, Dave Gail Pallo and their 71 Squareback (Elwood), Jim Adney and his 71 Squareback, and Gary and Bev Forsmo and their 69 Squareback (being towed behind their 60 foot motorhome.

Unfortunately, Jill couldn't make the trip this year with her 67 Type 34 Karmann Ghia due to some major surgery she had a couple of weeks ago.  Everything is fine with her surgery, but she misses the trip and I miss having her along.

Day one had us make it to Iowa City to meet up with everyone.  Day two we pushed on to North Platte, NE.  Day Three took us into Colorado Springs.   Traffic wasn't too bad.  Hit some construction along I80 and a few other places.  Little bit of rain on Wednesday, but it was welcome since it came along with a cold front that dropped the temps from the low 90s to the low 70s.  A welcome change when you are driving a 40+ year old car without air-conditioning.  Unfortunately it did nothing for the 15-25mph head/cross winds we fought most of the way.

We are off to make a run up Pike's Peak this morning.  Will post more tonight.  In the meantime, here are some pictures from the trip so far.

Bob and Sue and Wolfie in rolling through western Michigan

Most of the group at the hotel in Iowa City

 Dave and Gail leading us through western Iowa.  Pretty cool to see three Type 3s on the road in front of you.

Most of the group in North Platte after breakfast and getting ready to head out on the last leg

Rest stop just over the border in Colorado...

Here is the whole group waiting for out turn in a construction zone where they had the two-lane down to one...

 Rolling into Colorado Springs with PIke's Peak in the distance.

Chilling at the host hotel.  Getting Type 3 folks together is what these Invasions are all about.  Good times!