It took me about 10 minutes to decide to go to Washington D.C. for The Scenic Routes National Miata Rally after seeing the ad in the Miata Magazine! I had no idea at the time that this event would provide me the opportunity to meet members of MA Miata and that they would welcome me into the Club with such warmth and friendship. Trip arrangements were made and I was invited to join the convoy to Washington D.C. As the entourage grew, we wended our way through NY state, PA and south to our final destination. The weather was perfect for topless driving and the back roads were a wonderful prelude to all the driving to come in the days ahead! As we turned into the parking lot of the Hilton, there were more Miatas in one place than I have ever seen before! What's more, each had an owner whose pride for his or her "baby" was evident! The days that followed were filled with many choices of activities: Rally, Autocross, Funcana, Bar-B-Q, Wine Tasting, a Miata Drive-In experience (who can describe the sight of more than 125 Miatas side by side, row by row?) and lots of well-organized Scenic Routes through absolutely beautiful countryside. When there was a quiet moment (usually at 7 am before breakfast) I took the opportunity to walk around the parking lot to admire (again) the array of beautiful Miatas. It was a perfect time to reflect, not only on my fortune to be experiencing my first Miata Rally, but also to have acquired 10 new special friends!

Thank you all!

Katherine Jasmine

There were 11 cars from the Mass Miata Club that attended the National event in Wash. DC, and I think I speak for everyone when I tell you what a great time we had. The weather was perfect, in the low 80’s, lots of sun and fantastic Miata Roads. Most attendees spent extra time in the area, either before or after the event and I think everyone had a chance to drive on some portion of the Skyline Drive. Some members also traveled south onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. The scenic drives provided by the event were just fantastic, no pot holes, left and right curves, up and down hills, white fences as far the eye could see, and horse and cattle farms everywhere. The western part of Virginia is referred to as “Hunt Country” and we learned why when white tailed deer were spotted around nearly every turn at dusk. Terri and I also watched a black bear as he swaggered across the road just in front of us and paused just long enough on the side of the road for me to take his picture. I kept the car in gear with the clutch depressed in case he took a fancy to the leather seats or something else in the car, like us. While we were attending the event, there were vineyards to visit as well as many Civil War Battlefields such as Manassas, which was just a short distance from where we stayed.

Everyone agreed that the scenic roads and countryside were exceptional and deserved a return visit. With that in mind we would like to put together an informal committee to plan a week long trip to the area during Sept of 2004. Such a trip would include driving south on Sky Line Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and over to Deals Gap. We are hoping that with two years notice, there just might be quite a few members that could plan one week of their vacation around such an event. Let me know your thoughts on such a trip.

Bob Lannin