Past Events 2000
BMC's Daytona Adventure:
It was with great anticipation that those who planned to attend "Miatas in Paradise", the 2000 National Miata event, waited through the summer for the last week in October and the festivities which were to be held in Daytona Beach, Florida. A planning session had been held back in February on a snowy Sunday evening, and tentative plans were made at that time for a several day drive, meandering from Columbus to Daytona in a very leisurely way. Another planning session during the summer had actually determined the route and the timing, so it was just a matter of waiting for Friday October 20 to get here and head south. And the way things panned out over the next nine or ten days, it was definitely worth the wait!!
Day 1 Friday October 20
Three couples met at the BP gas station on Route 23 just south of I-270 on the south end of Columbus. Charlene and Bill Brock, Carol and Gary Philbrick and Nancy and Bud McClees each had their respective cars shined, trunks packed and fuel tanks filled and were ready to begin the first leg of the trip, although it would be a relatively short one. We headed south on Route 23 to Chillicothe, then east on Route 35 for a delightful drive along the Kanawha River, getting to Charleston WV in time for a very nice dinner. Everyone turned out the light early as we knew Saturday would involve more driving and everyone wanted to be refreshed and the enjoy the West Virginia landscape.
Day 2 Saturday October 21
The three couples who had traveled the previous day got up early and went down for breakfast and found the fourth member of our group had arrived later on Friday evening as planned. Howard Prigosin, a brand new BMC member who had recently moved to Westerville from the Cleveland area, was already there ready to go. His wife Anne, did not have the time for the drive, so we had to wait to meet her at the event. We left the hotel in Charleston early and headed down I-77 planning to go as far as Fancy Gap, VA on that route. It was at that exit that we picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove southwest on that beautiful road for 188 miles to our next destination, Asheville, NC. Before getting on the Parkway, we stopped to refuel and have lunch and a fellow driving a 10AE saw our cars and doubled back to see what four Miatas were doing together. He decided to drive a while with us on the Parkway and probably drove fifty miles before he peeled off. There was another Miata, a pristine white 93 that a couple had purchased two weeks before and were also on the parkway enjoying the fall sunshine and gorgeous fall foliage. Amazing how easy it is to make friends when you drive a Miata! Got to Asheville near dusk and all were ready for dinner, which we did at a local "mom & pop" Italian eatery. Wonderful dinner. Wonderful day.
Day 3 Sunday October 22
This morning the seven travelers were anxious to get going as the first stop was the fabulous Biltmore House in Asheville. If anyone of you have not seen that property, it is worth the drive to Asheville if you see nothing else. We spent the morning touring the property on one of their guided tours. Had a wonderful lunch at their bistro there (if anyone gets the idea that food was a big part of this trip, you are right) and prepared for the drive to Charleston, SC. Traffic really rolls down I-26 towards Charleston and we all took this opportunity to blow out any carbon which might have been deposited on our valves. Gary Philbrick was driving in the lead and I was the trailer. At one point I noticed my speedometer hit 94 MPH to keep up with "traffic". Got to Charleston and prepared for a great seafood dinner at Hymans Seafood House in the historic section of Charleston. Put the wraps on another memorable day.
Day 4 Monday October 23
Got up to another pleasant, sunny day and returned to the historic district to do a horse drawn tour of that area. The history lesson was great and the views were spectacular. After the tour, we spent some time in a "market" where all kinds of artisans were peddling their wares. I think we all bought something; some souvenirs and others bought snacks. Soon it was time to get into the cars and head for Savannah for (what else) lunch! Did lunch at the River House right down along the water and once again the food was to die for. Took a tour of the city in one of the Old Time "Trolleys" and once again enjoyed some great scenery and learned something about that area. Savannah really is a very pleasant place and the people were very friendly. Just glad we were not there in July or August as the locals all said the heat and humidity are something to behold. Back into the cars after the trolley ride for the drive to our next destination, St. Augustine Beach. We got within ten or fifteen miles of St. Augustine and the weather turned sour. Very rainy and windy when we got there but that did not stop us from venturing out for dinner. Found a great local eatery and while we enjoying ourselves there, the last members of our entourage met us, Jane & Jerry Nieman. Planned our final leg of the trip, the relatively short jaunt to Daytona Beach.
Day 5 Tuesday October 24
Awoke to lots of wind but the rain had subsided. Had some breakfast and decided to do a tour of the oldest parts of St. Augustine. Once again, great scenery and another worthwhile history lesson. Since the sky looked pretty good, we all decided to go to a do-it-yourself car wash and clean the cars for our "grand entrance" to Daytona Beach and Miatas in Paradise. That being accomplished, we headed south down the famous Route A1A which is literally next to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Stopped at another "mom & pop" style place for lunch and chalked up another "great one" on our growing list of culinary experiences. Continued down the coast and got to the Adams Mark Hotel and who was standing there to greet us but Jim and Helen Freeman. No, they were not there for the event, but had been there for several days while Jim had business for the University of Virginia. We registered, got the cars unloaded and parked and then (you guessed it) had dinner with the Freemans. Bid them farewell and headed for bed as the caravan for the track left at 6 AM the next morning.
Day 6 Wednesday October 25
Would you believe continental breakfast at 5 AM. Believe it; it happened! Then line up the more than 350 Miatas there for a police escorted caravan from the hotel in Daytona Beach to Daytona International Speedway, side by side at that! First thing on the agenda at the track was the dreaded group picture. The organizers did do a great job of lining up the cars and this was much less painful than I imagined it would be. Then we lined up for parade laps around the speedway and did that in several groups to prevent any bumped fenders. Those things being accomplished you could decide what activity to do next. There were track tours, autocross, funcana and of course a rally. Nancy and I decided to do the rally. There were questions there to separate the men from the boys and I guess you all can guess which group the McClees fell into. At least we finished the route and I believe found most of the clues. The only downer is that during a torrential downpour, we became hopelessly lost and may have never seen the finish line without the help of some typically friendly and helpful firefighters. Wednesday night brought the "Caribbean Night" banquet. Food was amazingly good for banquet fare. Mingled for a while and it was time to hit the "racks". Put a wrap on another one.
Day 7 Thursday October 26
Some of the same events as the previous day, so all could partake in everything that was offered. Weather finally looking better. Another caravan, but this time the distance was greater. Daytona police and the Florida Highway Patrol escort 75 Miatas to I-95 for the drive to Titusville and the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. At the exit from I-95, the Titusville Police escorted the 75 Miata caravan through town and towards the space center. Quite an experience to be in a line of cars that long! Thursday afternoon also was the 10th Anniversary Forum. There were 20 10AEs in attendance and yours truly is planning the first national meeting of 10AE cars to be held in Ohio in the summer of 2002. This will be similar to the very successful "Gathering of the Green". Looking forward to this one! Thursday evening brought the main banquet sponsored by Mazda and the event was nearing its completion. This was also the first time we had seen Jim and Kimberly Johnson. Had a group photo taken which included all six couples who represented BMC.
Day 8 Friday October 27
Everyone met once again in the dining hall for the final breakfast and Miatas in Paradise was history. There was a "Beyond" event for Friday afternoon and the weekend, but most people seemed to be on their way out of town. The Philbricks headed to their condo in St. Pete Beach, the Brocks headed to Santee, SC to visit family and the McClees, Howard Prigosin and the Niemans headed for the Niemans condo at Hilton Head. What a delightful way to spend our last day together, walking the beach at Hilton Head. (This working for a living just doesnt cut it anymore.) Another delightful dinner and it was lights out.
Day 9 Saturday October 28
This was definitely the day we were not looking forward to. We knew it would be a long one. Nancy and Bud were up and on the road by 7 AM and left Howard and the Niemans snoozing. Drove almost 700 miles in 14 hours and we were home safe and sound by 9 PM. Construction on I-77 sent us onto a detour and found a great Miata road in northern North Carolina and into southern Virginia. Would have been thrilled to find this distraction normally, but not in the middle of a fourteen hour drive. I must say it was the best part of this days drive. Were really tired when we did get home so the unpacking and other chores were left until morning. Hard to believe the event we had planned for and waited for so long was history. The six couples who attended had a great time and had no regrets about having taken the time to do this event. Our only regrets were that some who had hoped and planned to go were unable to do so. Les and Mary Jo Grose had their plans changed by Less hip replacement surgery. Amy and Rob Young had their plans changed by the State of Ohio (this working for a living really stinks). We hope that the next National event is closer and that BMC will have the largest representation of all clubs. For any of you who have thought about this type of endeavor, it is definitely worth the investment any time and money which you may spend. I feel as though we definitely got to know each other better, and hope I speak for all when I say for the attendees that we got to know each other better. These people are now good friends; they are more than people who belong to the same car club. Try it. You will definitely like it!!!
Bud McClees
