Newsletter of the Bluebonnet Miata Club APRIL Prez Speaks:

Transcription

1 In The Breeze Newsletter of the Bluebonnet Miata Club APRIL Club Officers President Pat Franklin: Vice President Virginia Weaver Secretary eil Winslow Treasurer Gene Carlow Membership Betty Jackson ewsletter Tim McCurdy Webmaster Don Privett Welcome ew Members Janice Androlli. 94 Black San Antonio Beth A. Hammer 2001 SE BRG Universal City Prez Speaks: I saw my first today, March 14, 2007.By the time you read this column you will have seen your first ones also. It was the rain that did it. What am I talking about? Of course many people have wondered that for years. Anyway, I saw my first patch of bluebonnets on the side slope of It is a beautiful sight. The northerners have the groundhog to tell them if spring is approaching or to settle in for more winter. Now, if we don t see a lot of bluebonnets then we are in for 6 more weeks of drought. Just kidding! Spring is my favorite time of year. I take more pride in keeping my miata, Duma, clean and ready to go. I love walking into the garage and seeing my miata with the top down. I am in convertible heaven during spring with wild flowers blooming, mountain laurels showing their beautiful purple color, and the new fresh green of trees and grasses before the hot summer takes its toll. Chances are that if you are out cruising and look around at all the drivers, not one of them is smiling. Why you ask? Because they aren t behind the wheel of the most fun car ever, a Mazda Miata! So What Happened Here??? Liz told Glen no more aftermarket purchases The two-step became a 3 step and a half Glen told Liz to drive Tower Rd with one hand Liz told Glenn that the Bluebonnet cruise would only cost $10,000 per person

2 PAGE 2 APRIL 2007 IMPROMPTU RUN It appears that one weekend in March didn t have an organized run and Judy and Don were itching to get on the road with one of their beautiful Miatas. Leon and I had nothing going on Saturday morning March 3 rd. Judy ed me and said that they wanted to go, as long as they didn t have to lead. Suddenly the old bait and switch happened and we were run leaders. It took us 10 minutes and a map to put together an easy run. We were greeted at Big s Valero by The Privetts, The McCurdy s and Virginia and her daughter Stephanie. Gene and Marcia gathered with us and handed out the information about the cruise, but they weren t staying for the run. It seems that Gene s miata can t run on just 3. tires and nobody had a spare one at their house As we gathered to hand out run sheets and sign the waiver, Ennie was no where to be seen. I forgot to tell you that the temperature was okay except we had strong north winds which meant that the chill factor registered Brrrrrrr! She was curled up in a nice warm miata. Our route took us to 281 & 306 for a pit stop then up to Blanco, west on 1623 to 1888 then on a bunch more roads until we ended up PoPo s Restaurant in Welfare. Several of our group had never had the pleasure of their down home cooking. It was great and so was the company. A big thank you for coming out on a gusty day in March! Pat & Leon

3 APRIL 2007 PAGE 3 TOO EARLY FOR WILDFLOWER RUN Saturday, We were delighted again to host the Bluebonnet Miataphytes to South Texas. We scheduled our run just the weekend before spring break began and it was earlier than usual and few, but only a few, wildflowers were out to greet us. The crew departed form San Antonio led by Pat. The usual way to Yorktown was under construction, so the alternate route went through Panna Maria, the oldest Polish town in Texas. It was a not-so-long detour and we hope you got to see a bit more of some new scenery. Judy and Paul met 11 cars at intersection of Hwy 123 and Hwy 81. We waltzed into Yorktown Dairy Queen and many had to have DQ ice cream. This is spring break and everyone was pacing their eating, a little at every stop! We met Katty and her sister Kikki who drove Paul s Black 01. Well, she drove like she does in Norway. It was not our customary Miata speed, so we had to wait a bit for her to catch up. She did not want to push beyond her comfort level and this was the first time she had ever driven a Miata. Next was a jolly run through some of our alwaystraveled, thrilling area roads and included Five Mile Road, and Saur-Bade Road. There are really multiple turns here. We also stopped at the Meyersville Store that was almost closing at noon. They have the dusty museum of sorts with old store and utility items. They remembered us from last year. The jaunt ended back in Cuero at the Maya Restaurant where we had a great Mexican buffet. But then it was a short way down Ratcliff Road to J4 Ranch for a torte cake that was a light dessert success. It is noted that Ennie and Tim were missed. Ennie was not there to call the cows up and therefore, we had to find a volunteer, a city girl, to fill the void. Pam Brown was just that girl. Thanks Pam. Hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Thanks for joining us. RUN LEADERS PAUL & JUDY FAULKNER Is this feeding or checking this cow for cavities? Doug has a new co-pilot! Paul & Judy Faulkner

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5 APRIL 2007 PAGE 5 MEMBER PROFILE - Doug and Kathy Smith In almost 26 years together, Kathy and I have worked hard, raised two kids, accomplished a lot, and had lots of toys along the way. Our toys have included cars, motorcycles, boats, and more cars. When I was a young man I was in love with the 1957 Thunderbird and the Retractable Fords. At that time I was busy going wherever the Air Force sent me for 20 years and raising a family, so any of the above was out of the question. Later on, when I had a little more money, the prices were out of sight, so it was still out of the question. So we settled for the more affordable classic Mustangs. Kathy had a beautiful white 66 coupe and I had a gorgeous silver blue 66 convertible, in and around the aforementioned boats and bikes. We finally got out of the Mustang business and in March 2005 bought a new 30 th Anniversary Honda Goldwing. We had it triked and we tricked it out with all kinds of chrome accessories, pinstriping, and lights galore. We even had the matching cargo trailer pinstriped as well. Then came that fateful day in October 2006, in Biloxi, Mississippi, when I was pumping gas into the bike when I saw a headline that said, I believe, Mazda Goes Topless, with a picture of the new retractable. I quit pumping gas to go closer. When Kathy came out having bought a bag of ice, I told her we were probably in trouble, and pointed out the headline. The rest, as they say, is history. We came home and started our research on the internet, found out about North Park Mazda and Jerry Rich, and wound up there looking around. We learned about the Roundup a week after it happened! Rats! We found out about Tech Day and went on the bike to check it out. When we went we were still thinking we MIGHT buy/order a retract, but hadn t totally made up our minds yet. The first person we met at Tech Day (Marcia) made us feel very welcome thank you. We decided that if everyone was as nice as Marcia we were in for a treat, and we were (they are). Everyone was gracious enough to answer our many questions. What a great club! We decided that Miata owners are crazy (about their cars) and that we needed to be crazy, also. Needless to say, we left Jack s, went straight to Jerry and said, this is what we want. We were very lucky because we didn t have to wait for our order Jerry found us a Galaxy Gray GT PRHT at a Waco dealer with an automatic transmission that no one wanted (except us) we made a mad run to Waco on November 10 and brought him home. (We would still be waiting for the one we ordered!) We were appalled 10 weeks later to realize that we d already put over 5,000 miles on him we just couldn t make him stay home. We got lucky again when we were able to beat out any competition to get the pictures of the 1990 Classic Red that Coolhand had at the January meeting it looked too good to be true, but we called the gentleman that night and had it home from the Fort Worth area the next day. The car had 60,000 miles on it and came with the original hard top. It is as good as it looked! It is actually Kathy s car, but we use him for our daily driver. His name is Red Rider. Now I ve got the bug for a 2002 Blazing Yellow I saw on Miata.net. I d like to bring him to our home in the beautiful Hill Country outside Boerne, Texas, but that will have to wait for now. Now that we are both retired, we think we could keep three Miatas washed and waxed and still have time for Zoom-Zoom. We are delighted to be members of the Bluebonnet Miata Club; we have met so many wonderful people. We are looking forward to going to Moab in May, and to as many other events as humanly1990 Classic Red (Miataly possible. DOUG AND KATHY SMITH 2007 GT, Galaxy Gray, PRHT / 1990 Classic Red

6 PAGE 6 APRIL 2007 CLUB MEETING MINUTES February 27, 2007 The meeting was opened at 7:30 P.M. by Pat Franklin, President. She announced that the following two officer positions have changed: Don Privett is the new Webmaster and Betty Jackson is the new Membership Chair. REPORTS OF OFFICERS Treasurer: Gene Carlow reported a balance of $3, Membership: Betty Jackson is currently updating records and will have a total membership count at the next meeting. Secretary: Neil Winslow reported that he is receiving run sheets from leaders. Webmaster: Don Privett reported on additional upgrades to the website. Newsletter: Tim McCurdy distributed the March Newsletter and asked that photos and articles of runs be sent to him for inclusion in the newsletter. OLD BUSINESS The Member s Directory is being compiled for distribution to club members only. Anyone not wanting their name, address, phone number or address in the directory must notify one of the club officers. NEW BUSINESS Pat Franklin announced that a new Demo Run Sheet Template is on the website under Cruise. Virginia Steiner, Vice-President, announced that she has talked to the North Park Parts Department and they will now extend the Bluebonnet Club discount for parts to member s non- Miata cars. Jim Treat sent an to the meeting about the Miata run to Moab. Those going on the run need to check the website for more details. Glen Coker sent an that Liz fell from a ladder helping him with a project, broke her arm and is in a lot of pain. Betty Herrera reported that she is feeling better and has selected her method of treatment with her Oncologist. Pat O Docharty sent new cards to be given to prospective members. FUTURE RUNS AND ACTIVITIES Betty Herrera announced that she and JC will be leading a Bowling With Betty Run in the near future. Details on all other runs are on the website. The meeting was closed at 8:00 P.M., followed by the usual parking lot meeting. CATFISH PARLOUR RUN First, we would like to thank everybody who came out to our second Catfish Parlour run to Austin. Pat Franklin remembered that our run last year, though it was in July, began in the rain. This year the run began in the rain again. So, maybe we will try another month next year. We met at Big s Valero and left at 9:00 a.m. From there, twelve Miatas began our run through the hill country to Austin. We had guests!!! John and Shirley McMenamin joined in for their first run. Also to come along was George s brother - Mike Lucas from the Tejas Club. Because of the drizzle, haze and wildlife on practice runs the speed was kept down. Cypress Cove had the only water on the road, but it was not that bad. There were signs that the water had been extremely high just the week before. It was a fairly uneventful run. Two and one-half hours of scenic driving though. The wildflowers were out and the deer were hiding. All of the precautions kept the problems to a minimum. As always, the food and atmosphere at The Catfish Parlour were extremely satisfying. The guests were taken by surprise by the hot catfish, not-sweet coleslaw, delicious beans and the unusual jalapeño tartar sauce to go with

7 APRIL 2007 PAGE 7 the hand-rolled hush puppies. Only Doug, Kathy, MaryAnn and Kathy went with us to the Citywide Garage Sale at the Palmer Event Center. Although we had the quickest trip through there, I think they were better for the experience. We also welcomed John and Shirley MccMenamin, guest for the first time for any club event. Hopefully they will become members soon. Another fine trip to Austin -- good food, good friends, good roads, good-bye. Mike and Betty Jackson RUN LEADERS - BETTY AND MIKE JACKSON Guests: John and Shirley McMenamin seemed to be enjoying their first club event.

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9 APRIL 2007 PAGE 9 George Shares the Love Amphibious miata s

10 Page 10 APRIL 2007 Hill Country Breakfast Run With the threats of ominous clouds, and local weather reports, 10 Miata s and one Mini- Cooper gathered at Ralph Fair Road at 0745 for a nice run in the Hill Country north, and have a nice breakfast at the Blanco Bowling Club café. We took the Old Blanco Road up to Blanco, a really nice winding road with lots of dips, water crossing (both high and low). It was a treat to me that Pat Franklin said she had never been on that road!! That is a very rare occurrence. The café staff rushed back into the back dining room/bar and put together a row of tables for us. I finally know why they called it the Bowling Club Café. They have an honest to goodness old time bowling alley. Nine pins, manual set up and chalk boards on the wall for their league bowling. Breakfast was good and hot. After a leisurely breakfast we took some of the same roads that we rode on for the Catfish run. The only difference was the roads were dry. It was a great day for top down driving. The temperature was just right, the clouds shielded us from the hot sun and at no time was there an absence of patches of blue sky. When we first left on Ralph Fair Road we got to see some of Bexar County and Kendall County s finest, which left most of us a little unnerved, but the rides down Fisher Store Rd, Cranes Mill Rd and Rebecca Creek were a thrill as usual. We didn t stay together too well but always gathered at the stop signs so no one was lost. We had a handful of guests with us. Alan Becher rode with George Lucas to see how he liked the Miata. He has his eyes on a 03 with 50,000 miles on it hope it work out. Gerald and Deborah Richarson, Marty & Martha Davis and Kevin Grant were also guests who we hope will join the club. The Mini-Cooper was there because their Miata had just got a clear bra and didn t want to run it until it sealed well. I think it belonged to Kevin. Doug and Kathy showed off their Continental Tire holder. Not wanting to drive to Moab with no spare, Doug got a friend to weld a tire holder and he has a full size spare hooked into his trailer hitch. (Doug and Kathy are an after market dealer s dream!) Finishing up around 12:00 we spent some time fellowshipping at the corner of 46 and 3159 before everybody headed home. It was a great day and a lot of fun. Zoom-Zoom. Tim and Ennie McCurdy Run Leaders - Tim and Ennie McCurdy Rowena s happy! She retired and Louis is back to work.

11 APRIL 2007 Page 11 STILL IN LOVE! - The family that Zooms together stays together! I D RATHER BE TOPLESS

12 Page 12 APRIL 2007 DAVIS MOUNTAINS, FORT DAVIS, BIG BEND. ROAD TO PRESIDIO, LOTTA MIATA S, MARFA LIGHTS, BALLOON FESTIVAL Don t be caught wishing. Texas Roundup in Alpine, Texas Aug31 - Sep 3. See web site for details. Rooms are limited so register early!!

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14 PAGE 14 APRIL 2007 In The Breeze Bluebonnet Miata Club Sponsored By: 9026 Richmond Hill San Antonio, TX PRINTED BY POSTNET Check Your Mailing Label for Your Renewal Date! Please Renew Your Monthly Membership Promptly! Bluebonnet Miata Club Upcoming Events Mar 07 Tues. 27 Mar - Monthly Meeting at Mama s Café at San Pedro Ave. Eat: 6:30 Meeting:7:30. Sat, 31 Mar - Eat and Run to Wildseed Farms! Join Gene and Marcia Carlow March 31st at 8:00am for breakfast at Grumpy's. We will leave Grumpy's at 8:45 for a wild ride (not really that wild) through the wild flowers to the Wildseed Farms just outside Fredericksburg. Some of you may want to enjoy not only the farms, but have lunch and shop in Fredericksburg afterward. We will return back to San Antonio from the farms at noon for those who want to follow us via a different rout. Grumpy's is 3/10 of a mile north of Big's Valero on Nacogdoches Road. Hope you can join us for what looks like a beautiful day with beautiful flowers. April 07 Sat, 14 April - Trash Pick up led by Jeff Holbrook. Meet at Sears parking lot in Rolling Oaks Mall for our quarterly highway pickup followed by breakfast at Grumpy s. Gather at 0800, leave at Sun 15 April - Wild Flower Seed Run # 2 led by George Lucas. Details TBA Sun, 22 April - Lake Travis Run led by Pat and Paula O Docharty. Details TBA. Tues, 24 April - Monthly Meeting at Mama s Café at San Pedro Ave. Eat: 6:30 Meeting:7:30. Thur, 26 April - Hamburger Run led by Tim and Ennie Meeting. We will meet at 1800 at Leon Springs BEHIND Rudy s for a short run and a meal at BigZ burger. Located in the red barn on the 1604 access road between Bitters and Heubner, they specialize in their stacked burgers (order it dirty and they ll throw a fried egg on top.) Vegetarian, and chicken sandwiches and great fries.