May 27 - June 8, 2012 Zoomin' the Mountains of East TN (National Miata Event) Hosts: Don & Linda (Update #2 - Feb 2, 2012) Here is our agenda: On Tuesday, May 29, we leave Milwaukee and travel to Auburn IN where we will visit the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Automobile Museum. On Wednesday, May 30, we will travel to the Lexington KY area and visit the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hills. On Thursday, May 31, we will travel to Johnson City TN driving the curvy and scenic back roads, and attend the Zoomin' event in the evening. On Friday and Saturday, June 1 & 2, we will attend the Zoomin' event. On Sunday, June 3, we will travel to Asheville NC and visit the Biltmore Estate. On Monday-Thursday, June 4-7, we will drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at many sites. We plan to drive about 100 miles per day for 4 days (the speed limit is only 45mph). On Friday, June 8, we will visit Shenandoah NP. On Saturday we will depart for home or to visit friends in the area. All motels have been selected; for a list of these motels contact Don at: miata03don@sbcglobal.net. (Update #1 - Nov 17, 2011) In past years we have traveled on two of the three most famous highways in the USA going to National Miata Events: The Lincoln Highway, and Route 66. The fastest time to the host city for this event, Johnson City TN, is about 12 hours (740 miles) on the Interstate; however, that is no fun. Therefore, we will explore the third famous highway, the 1915 Dixie Highway, which runs from Ontario to Miami (5706 miles). The Dixie Highway was so named due to the 50 years of peace between the north and south. There are two north-south routes: East side, and West side. We will explore the East side route and our first stop will be Auburn IN, were we will visit the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Next we will drive on parts of the Dixie Highway and stop at interesting attractions (more coming in Update #2). Unfortunately, the details for the 2012 Zoomin’ event are not available except for the dates, May 31-June 3, which I obtained from the Tri City Miata Club, the organizers of this event. However, much information is available on their website, tri-citiesmiataclub about the 2011 event (car registration fee was $10 in 2011). After the event we will head east and pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway and drive northeast toward Shenandoah National Park. The BR Parkway is 450 miles long and connects Shenandoah NP with the Great Smoky Mountains NP. There is much to see and experience on the Parkway, such as arts & crafts shops, bluegrass music, old homes, museums, etc. besides the gorgeous views and spring flowers. The group will decide where to stop along the Parkway, and we will have suggestions. When we exit the north entrance of Shenandoah NP, if we turn right, we drive to the wine country of VA. We are going to keep our PRHT up, and fill up the cavity behind the seats with wine bottles, trying to break the Mike & MJ Schweiger record for most wine bottles in a Miata. More information will be provided in Update #2, just as soon as the 2012 Zoomin’ event details are released. If you are interested in going to this event, or simply want more information, email Don at: miata03don@sbcglobal.net. Of course there is no limit to the number of members who can attend this event; however, for those traveling with us we will limit the group to 10 cars. For those coming with us who have a Garmin GPS unit and can download a route from your computer to your Garmin unit, we will supply the complete route instructions (with waypoints) for the entire trip. Cheers! Attendance List (posted Nov 21, 2011) 1) Don & Linda 2) Brian & Ginger 3) Duke & Marica