We arrived at the Ascutney Mountain Resort on Thursday evening.  As we checked in, we were given a bag full of brochures, car product samples, our official Ascutney tee shirt and our nametags with all our meal tickets.  This was an impressive start to the weekend.  We made our way to the Base Lodge for the Barbecue with rain and wind beating down on us.  However, once we entered the Lodge, the climate improved.  The room was full of high-spirited Miata enthusiasts from seventeen states.  Miata Club banners adorned the walls and windows.  Despite the weather outside, inside it was quite festive.  After dinner, the host committee raffled many car products, accessories and non- automotive gifts.  Karin Seal did an excellent job getting businesses to donate raffle items.

            Friday morning was still rather wet but the Autocross went on.  The airport was full of Miatas as they waited to try their luck.  I spoke to several members that tried the autocross for the first time and they were pretty high on the thrill of trying to defeat that sea of cones.  At noon a box lunch was consumed prior to the afternoon runs.  The air was charged with camaraderie.  The afternoon runs although on drier pavement, were just as exciting.  Not everyone was at the airport.  Some chose to take the self-guided Covered Bridge Tour or to visit local Arts and Crafts stores, pottery and glass blowing studios and the local microbrewery.  We all met back at the Base Lodge for dinners where tales of they day were swapped and before the evening ended, there was another raffle of many more articles.

            Saturday morning dawned with brighter skies and a new day of fun.  Saturday offered a Road Rally and Funkhana.  We chose to do the Road Rally in the morning and had a great ride.  The weather was pleasant and the roads were great.  After the rally, we made our way to the airport for another great box lunch.  During lunch, we did have a black cloud empty a fair amount of rain on us, but it didn’t dampen enthusiasm for the afternoon’s fun.  The Funkhana was organized into three stations: Rings of Saturn, where the driver drove blindfolded and the navigator directed the driver so that he/she could put rings on poles strategically placed in the field; Space Shuttle Dock, where the driver drove a mini autocross and pulled into docks where the navigator picked up a ball and then they backed into the next dock and put the ball on the dock.  Halfway through this course, they changed drivers and did the course in reverse; and finally the Space Suit Swap where the driver and navigator had to undress and swap clothing and finish as they had started with hands on the dash.  Everyone who tried the events had a lot fun and left the event with at least one great story to tell.  The day concluded with a dinner dance and, yes, another raffle.  Eddy did a great job as D.J.  He had everyone participating in the evening’s entertainment. 

            Sunday morning most of us drove our cars onto the lawn facing the Base Lodge for a group picture.  As we parked and made our way up to breakfast, the fog hung low over the cars.  We went to breakfast hoping that the fog would clear.  After breakfast, awards were given for various events as follows: