To Denver and back....

My first task for the second day was to visit my mother and father. I was the child who escaped from Denver and have no wish to move back there. I needed to catch up with their plans as the are both at their late 80s-early 90s. Both still in pretty good health, although my father finally surrendered his car keys.

At this point one must note that from this point on, La Bête’s top is only raised after day is done when I put the car to bed. Beautiful weather the entire time I am there.

I drove to my parent’s apartment for breakfast. We decide on croissants with various toppings, so Dad and I ran to the bakery for the brot and kaffee. Sitting down back at the apartment we had a pleasant meal and then talked family business.

My next task was to see my brother. My mother always tells me I must talk/visit with him. My brother can be very fun but our politics don’t mesh. It is difficult to be with family and constantly avoid politics. But one must soldier on.

After arriving, we have a pleasant talk. He is a amateur astronomer and has a telescope set-up in his back yard. This is his blog with wonderful pictures Views from Whitby Observatory

The Front Range from his backyard.

I told him I needed to get some scenic pictures with La Bête. He lives south of Denver near Castle Rock and Daniel’s Park is just down the road.

The clear wealth gives us a glorious view of the Front Range and the Rockies.

Pike’s Peak.

He pointed out a large building complex on a ridge slightly below where we are parked and states that is the Scottish Castle. During the summer they allow amateur astronomers (see above) to set-up and observers the sky. Drinks and snacks included. If you follow the dirt road on the right side of the golf course (which is part of the property), you can see the roof on a building on the top of the small ridge on the right side.

“Lets check it out”

The building was original called the Charlford Castle, then renamed the Cherokee Castle.

Cherokee Ranch - Wikipedia

In the front courtyard was a rather unusual artillery piece. It is a M1910 6-pounder balloon gun. I was wondering why the large carriage and such a small gun.

You can compare the second picture to this archive picture. OMNIA - 6 Pounder Balloon Gun and Carriage, Model 1910 (M1910)

By this time I was getting a bit tired. We returned to his house and waited for his wife to returned from babysitting. We would have a late lunch/early dinner (it was about 1530). By 1700 I was done in. While I was use to the heat, sun, and little sleep, I had forgotten about the altitude. I needed to hydrate and cool off. Afterward we talked several engineering things (he is an engineer) and watched several Drachenfels' videos on YouTube. His one on naval boilers is quite good. I have always wondered about why he chose that name. The Drachenfels was across the Rhine from our former family home. I had visited the castle several times.

And here ended the second day.

The third day was the main event: pictures of the family Mercedes sports cars. My parents invited everyone to their club for lunch. My brother and sister both agreed that the club would be a great place to take the pictures.

The back story is this. My mother has always enjoyed cars. Growing up she had a MG TD, a Chevrolet convertible (I am not sure which one, not important as it was a Chevy), a 1969 Cougar convertible, and a XJ6. During this time Dad and I drove XK Jaguars. My brother was never really a car person, tried a XK 140 FHC but didn’t like it. One sister took over the 140, but it didn’t really fit her (we had to mount wooden blocks on the pedals so she could fully disengage the clutch). My other sisters had MGAs and various American cars. The unwritten rule is that cars were offered to family before being sold off.

My mother aways liked fast cars. Her first Mercedes was a 1978 450SL. She then bought a 1998 500SL. The 450SL was passed down to my brother. When she bought La Bête, the 500SL went to my sister. I was last as I got my father’s XK150 when he couldn’t keep up with it. There came the time when my lady and I moved into our current house. The garage was too small to work on the Jag and it was getting to the point that it needed a full restoration. The car was still in good shape, but rust was slowing becoming a problem and the original paint was showing its age. I knew that I lacked both the time and the money to do more than keep it running.

So when it became time for my Mother to get a new car (she was 86 at the time and needed something a little easier to get in and out of), she bought a GLC 300 and La Bête found a new home.

I have wanted to get all three of the sports cars together, hence a major goal of this trip.

My parents (she who picked them and he who paid for them).

Looking at the pictures, I was a bit surprised. I always through of the SLK as a call car, but compared to the 450SL and the 500SL, it isn’t all that smaller. The trunk of the 450SL isn’t all that much bigger than La Bête’s.

The picture does show the main strength of the SLKs: that wonderful Vario Roof. Both my brother and sister don’t have garages that make it easy to take the hard top off. Living in Colorado, they are loath to remove the hard top because to the problems of getting it back on. Ergo I was enjoying the sunshine while they looked like any other car on the interstate.

Afterwards I retuned to my sister’s house and we ate pizza and talked.

And here ended the third day.

The fourth day was the drive back home. I was on the road by 0530.

Back into Kansas.

Back at the house by 1600. I averaged 29 mpg on the trip, pretty good in my book. I stated this in my first post of this thread and will say it again, the SLKs are a marvelous touring car. Comfortable, easy to drive, highly maneuverable, and quick. No problems at all. I received many complements on the car at traffic lights, while parking, or side-by-side while driving on city streets (yes, actually quite a few shouts from windows).

The car photo shoot was fun. Many people walking by asked about the cars and liked what they saw. Several stayed around while we took the pictures. I think they liked La Bête the best

Monday was getting all the bug bodies off and washing the car, followed by a wax. La Bête is ready for another trip. Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills in June.

I love to drive and La Bête is a great car to drive.

Here ended the lesson on the fourth day.

Loved the trip!

A great report on what sounds like a great trip! Thanks for sharing.

Great trip thanks for shareing with us 🙂

Oh, I forgot to add, someone was very happy to see me back at home......


This was taken Sunday night after I cleaned up from the drive. Arturo made himself very comfortable.

Thanks for a fabulous write-up of a wonderful trip. Family is everything.... Gave me goose bumps just reading your posts of the trip. Please never stop posting about whatever meets your fancy. And now I am very much looking forward to your next road trip... is June here yet?