What could enrich our lives? One of the best answers is simple: do everything in a mini. Even the smallest journey can bring powerful feelings. The sights, the sounds, the moments in between – they all come alive when they are behind the steering wheel. Now imagine that the “little trip” extends over six states in the heart of the United States, in which untouched landscapes and unsurpassed variety create a rolling panorama.
They travel on endless, winding roads, climb mountain passes and cross huge levels that tie the regions and national parks together. The feeling of freedom that comes from a road trip is not the same.
Exploration of the spirit of the real America by road trip
“Real America” refers to a group of states – Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota – that preserve the images of the authentic American West. Wide, untouched landscapes encounter unique wildlife, border traditions and local cultures that have shaped these countries for centuries.
This special route expresses the spirit of the real America and offers a new interpretation of it. In the core, the trip connects two main ingredients: immersing in nature and a taste of the cowboy culture.
Starting in Denver: Gate to the Rockies
The road trip begins in Denver, Colorado, before it gets into the dramatic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The Trail Ridge Road-Die Highest The All-American Roads carries travelers to an altitude of 3713 meters and offers a mixture of breathtaking views and adrenaline on the winding ascent towards Wyoming.
From here, the adventure unfolds in two of the most famous national treasures of America: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Stops in Jackson, Colter Bay, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Village, Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley ensure that the experience is as rich as it is varied before the route drifts to the west to Idaho and Montana.
The animal world is a constant presence and turns the street into a living stage. Bison, bear, deer, moose, coyotes, marmets and white -head lake eagles seem to be both guardians and companions of the trip. Each curve offers the chance for another unforgettable encounter.
Follow that because of the old west
The route changes from the wilderness to the legacy of the American border. Travelers walk through the western cities of Buffalo Bill and along the Cloud Peak Skyway, which lead to forests, which first stretch over the Bighorn Mountains and then into the black hills.
An overnight stay in Deadwood – the legendary Goldrauschstadt – is important, followed by a twisted journey on Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, a street that presents the best of this rough landscape.
Next, the area changes dramatically with the jagged, side formations of the Badlands in South Dakota. The panorama road that cuts this moon area cannot be seen for everyone who likes to drive by car. Here the story takes a monumental turn. The route leads to Mount Rushmore and the crazy horse lights before the road over the extensive levels of Nebraska extends-a suitable final for a journey that is defined by open horizons.
The spirit of the ancient West remains alive throughout the trip: authentic cowboys, rodeos, welcomed communities and traditions that are rooted in history. But above all, the defining feature is the deep connection to nature – the way that can only be found in the huge, untouched areas of real America.
Byways and all-American roads
What makes this trip even more remarkable is not only the choice of goals, but also the choice of streets itself. Each route was carefully selected to increase the experience.
In the United States, certain routes are recognized as national picturesque side streets that are honored for their archaeological, cultural, historical, natural, leisure or landscape. A few earn the name of all-American roads, a title reserved for those who embody at least two of these properties. Such roads are independent goals and offer characteristics that cannot be found anywhere else. Driving them is a thrill – and even more behind the bike of a mini.
Mini enthusiasts behind the steering wheel
At the top of the Mini Countryman Coopers All4, Sofia and Federico, two mini enthusiasts, who believe that road trips are the purest way to experience life. Federico, a mini ambassador and a product genius, is not a stranger for such adventures. In 2019 he completed an extraordinary Eurotour.
And the stories come again and again. According to rumors, Federico joined the members of the Mini Driver Club Brescia for another epic mission – although this story will save for another article.
