The first few to arrive bought a coffee and bagel, then sat by themselves,
not sure who they would meet and not comfortable just striking up
a conversation. But as the parking lot filled with Porsches, everyone
was drawn out to look at the cars. A new Boxster S sat next to an
original Boxster, provoking questions about model differences. One
could not help but walk over and look approvingly on the beautifully
restored and maintained 356 that had also come along for the ride.
As the day would prove, it granted the youngsters in the Porsche line-up
nothing when it came to spirit and handling. And the 911s were the
bright jewels, the reds, oranges, yellows, and blues that pulled admirers
to ask questions about year, engines, and modifications.
Fifteen Porsches pulled out of the parking lot, roared onto Interstate
80 and sprinted up Parley's Canyon. A Porsche rainbow wound for three
miles as the cars stretched their legs on the winding curves at the
base of Parley's, warming up for the road ahead. Three more Porsches
would join the group during the course of the day. By the end of the
drive, the group consisted of 4 356s, 9 911s, and 5 Boxsters, no two
cars alike and each an exciting statement of Porsche's commitment
to making cars that are a joy to drive. Especially on twisting mountain
roads on a glorious summer day of moderate temperatures in the beautiful
Uintah Mountains. The only accessory needed was lots of sunscreen.
After passing Park City and catching State 32 to Kamas, the group
pulled off at a scenic overlook to let stragglers catch up for the
main event.
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Porsche Lineup
(photos by Michael VanTyne)
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Tightly grouped as we headed out of Kamas, where another Boxster
joined the tour, the assembled Porsches rolled along State 150 and
into the Uintah mountains. State 150 snakes through the Wasatch-Cache
National Forest, following crystal clear creeks frothing white over
rocky stream beds. Occasionally breaking through alpine meadows broken
up with stands of pine and aspen trees, the road winds past ponds,
waterfalls, and campgrounds nestled into stands of thick pine and
aspen. The mountains themselves are rugged, sharp granite with ice
fields flanked by dark green pine forests. The area has many deer
and elk, occasionally glimpsed as the cars wound up the highway toward
the ten thousand foot pass.
The tour made a stop at the Provo River Falls, filling every space
in the small parking lot with Porsches. Everyone again gathered around
the cars, looking at all the statements on Porsche design and history
that were created by the random occupancy of parking spaces.
Parked at the Provo River pulloff.
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Out on the road again, the tour group passed two 356s going the opposite
direction. They immediately turned around and joined the tour. Coming
down from the pass, the group stretched out as traffic started showing
up on the road and cars carefully found passing spots on a road notably
lacking in straights. As the cars moved out in clumps, Michael VanTyne
shot this picture in the rearview mirror, two Boxsters following close
behind my S as the road flattened out in Wyoming. And just out of
sight behind them, a 356 showing just what it was made of as the cars
zipped along through the agriculture areas outside Evanston, Wyoming.
Coming into Evanston, the next leg of the drive was along Interstate
80 and back to Salt Lake City. Some stopped to get fireworks, some
stopped for sodas, and some just to wait for friends. The tour was
no longer together, but all were headed back to Mountain Dell and
down Emigration Canyon, ending up at the Santa Fe for brunch in a
reserved room of the restaurant.
It was a far different crowd than began the day when we arrived at
the Santa Fe. Rather than sitting alone, individuals gathered around
large tables to discuss cars, the drive, and to get to know one another.
No longer needing the cars to start a conversation, we shared personal
stories, compared notes on living along the Wasatch Front, and discovered
shared interests and friends.
This drive had started as a couple of friends getting together for
a informal Sunday morning outing. We told Kevin about the scheduled
date, inviting him to send the word out to the rest of the IRPCA.
An announcement went out, but this was an otherwise completely unplanned
event. All we had was a time and place to meet, a route, and an agreement
to set out together and see who wanted to show up for lunch afterwards.
In the end, we had once again proven "it's not the cars, it's
the people." And we all agreed that we hoped to do it again in
the future. Want to go on a drive along a favored route? Put out the
word and see who shows up. You will probably be surprised to see how
many people show up. We certainly were.
