Newsletter of the Bluebonnet Miata Club AUGUST Prez Speaks: by Pat Franklin

Transcription

1 In The Breeze Newsletter of the Bluebonnet Miata Club 2007 Club Officers President Pat Franklin Vice President Virginia Steiner Secretary eil Winslow Treasurer Gene Carlow Membership Betty Jackson ewsletter Tim McCurdy Webmasters Don Privett Welcome ew Members Bob Auvenshine & Kay Dierks 92 Red Wimberley Alan Becker 02 BRG San Antonio J. Mark & Caroline Enloe 07 Silver San Antonio Donald & Crystal Olwert 03 Montego Blue Cibolo Prez Speaks: by Pat Franklin It seems like every time I even think about washing my miata, it rains. That has been the story for almost 2 months. Our water bill is down. Our electric bill is down, but the top of both our miatas remain up. While I am writing this article, it s raining. If you are anything like most miata owners, you like having a clean car to show off and drive. My grandson and I did wash and wax my truck last week. It looked beautiful and so did the rain as it beaded on the hood later that day. Actually, I did wash Duma before the Hawaiian party at JC and Betty Herrera s. And those of you who attended the run know that it started to rain not long after we began our run. Go figure! Wow! What a great time we had at Shady Oaks Ranch with JC and Betty. They went all out on decorations, drinks and food. As you could see on the website, most everybody was decked out in Hawaiian dress. A big thank you from all of us who attended to JC and Betty for a great time! Don t forget to register for the statewide miata rally in Alpine. Late registration begins Aug. 1. For those going to the Round-Up in Alpine. It s time to start planning our caravans to West Texas on Friday, August 31. Ennie and I are leaving around 0830 Friday morning. We will leave from Bandera Trails Shopping Center (corner of Bandera Rd and 1604) behind the What-a- Burger. The ride takes about 8 hours so we hope to be there before dinner starts (although dinner is on your own.) Normally take breaks in Uvalde (for lunch), Langtry (Judge Roy Bean State Park), and maybe the overlook at the Pecos River. For those that need to leave at later times you will need to network with those that can leave at the same time. We will finalize all caravans at the monthly meeting, August 28.

2 PAGE 2 4 th of July Parade in Startzville Virginia had everything organized for the parade. We met at Big s Valero and off we went to Startzville with 5 cars. There was a threat of rain, but that didn t stop us. After a brief visit for a pit stop, we were directed by the parade organizers where to park and get decorated. We were joined by a member who lives in New Braunfels. Out came the decorations for all to share. The tops were down on our cars and all sorts of magnetic stars, red, white and blue ribbons, whirly gigs, a few Bluebonnet Miata magnetic signs (left over from the late 90 s) and all things patriotic were displayed on our cars. Did I mention that there was a threat of rain? Virginia treated us to goodies after our hard work and off we went to explore the other entries into the parade. On our way back to our cars to get ready for the judges it began to rain. What a surprise! So off came a few decorations and up came the top on the miatas. Everybody took cover in their cars or under the trees. After 5 minutes, it stopped raining and down went the tops (on the cars). Finally it was time to start the parade. The streets were lined with families and the waving and honking commenced. Did I mention that there was a threat of rain??? Just as we were beginning the route, the sky opened up. Well, you know the routine: the top goes up. In between downbursts we would roll down the windows and do the parade wave. I was surprised to see how many people stayed and watched the parade in the rain. Small town America is alive and well in Startzville, TX I would find it difficult not to have that 4 th of the July pride in my heart after looking at some of the floats that had veterans in them. Their faces were the maps to our past. To our members who served in the military, we thank you for helping to keep our country free. Gotta Miata!!!! Pat with rains so heavy there was some doubt that the run would even take place. At 4:45 we decided that the run would go on as planned. So of course, it started to rain at 5 o clock and got even worse as we were leaving our house to go to Boerne. Even still, on July 6 th Mike and Betty Jackson led their first hamburger run. Our thanks to everybody who came out on a very wet Friday night. We were zooming west on Interstate 10 toward Boerne from San Antonio, with strong winds and rain. As thoughts of why didn t we cancel this?? crossed our minds, we had similar thoughts of there are people counting on us to be there and this could be so fun if the rain would slow down. Suddenly, just as we went under 1604, the rain subsided and we drove into the gently setting sun giving a rosy tint to the storm clouds giving us continued hope for the success of the run. Near Texas Highway 46 that goes through Boerne, on the west side of I-10, is Upper Balcones Road and the beginning of our short jaunt to Bobby J s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers in Helotes. We originally planned to eat first in Helotes and then run north toward the majority of the membership s homes. However, Loop 1604 at Bandera Road and Kyle Seale Parkway can be torturous at rush hour. Thus getting to the starting point could be a disaster. Once again erring on the side of caution, we chose to meet at the church parking lot behind Starbucks in Boerne to begin our run.

3 PAGE 3 The trip was great. There was no water covering the road at the solitary water crossing and the traffic was light presumably due to rains. It was only twenty miles of gently turning roads unfolding before us, apparently welltraveled by some and tolerated well. The one incident we had was with rolling road blocks. It was heaven-sent due to the City of Grey Forest s penchant for writing tickets and knowing we don t need one. Bobby J s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers of Helotes is a café styled eatery with an ordering station and food pick up point like McDonald s, but you better find a seat because it is cooked to order and takes a little bit. Hearty servings on a pavilion in the woods with ceiling fans to tame the night guests and piped in music all add to the ambiance. Then for the big surprise: it was Betty s birthday. The staff brought a piece of cake for the birthday girl. It was great fun, though wishful more had been there to share our first hamburger run experience. Yet, thankful that those who missed were safe. Submitted by Betty Jackson BIRTHDAY GIRL I would have guessed 35!! DIE HARD MIATA NUTS! Run Leaders Make and Betty Jackson

4 PAGE 4 HAMBURGER RUN PICS (CONT)

5 PAGE 5 Bat Cave Run For those who are new to the club, this is a run to the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area near Fredericksburg to watch the millions of bats emerge as the sun sets. Lots of twisty roads, a beautiful view and the wonders of nature. Afterwards, some of us go over to Luckenbach to kick back, listen to music and have a brew. We've been doing this run since George Briscoe DASH & SPLASH RUN August 18, 2007 Saturday, August 18 th we will be hosting the 4 th annual Splash & Dash Run. For the new members that means enjoying the twisties west of San Antonio and then coming to our house for a BBQ and a dip in the pool. Last year some could not do the run, but many joined up with us at the house, so we had much to eat and a blast in the pool. Of course, you can do what you desire (nice shade trees to lounge under), but the time in the pool with all of us 40, 50, 60 something's pelting each other with cloth balls is great fun. This year Ennie is planning on getting some super blasters, so better bring your bathing suit, OR ELSE! Just kidding, this run is your choice, to ride, to eat or to swim or do all three. We will meet at Bandera Trails Shopping Center (corner of Bandera Road and 1604 west) behind the What-a-Burger at 0815 and leave at Our run will take about 3 ½ hours and traverse over some of the best winding and scenic roads in the hill country. After the run we will come to the McCurdy s house for a BBQ of hamburgers, Bratwurst, tater salad. I think Kathy Smith has talked Ennie into having some Filipino food also. What should you bring.only yourself.or your beer, if you must. Water, soft drinks, and tea and deserts will be provided. If you can s make the run but want to come to the BBQ and the splash part, we will probably make it to the McCurdy s house around 11:30. If we are not back yet, go ahead into the back yard and make yourself at home. Directions for those not attending the driving part are: From North or Northeast take 1604 to the NW side of city. After the Bandera Rd exit, take the second stoplight on 1604 left, onto New Guilbeau Rd. Go through 1 stop sign, 2 traffic lights. After the second stoplight continue straight for 0.3 miles and turn right on Old Village St. at the Village in the Woods sign. Go to the 3 rd street on the LEFT (Richmond Hill) and we are the 4 th house on the right (9026 Richmond Hill). From the West take 1604 to New Guilbeau and follow directions above. From Bandera Road, follow either Mainland or Guilbeau to the Village in the Woods sign. ZOOM ZOOM Tim and Ennie Q sheet upon request SHADY OAKS RANCH RUN Hosted by JC and Betty Herrera the club traveled to the Shady Oaks Ranch for our annual run. Meeting at Rolling Oaks Mall, JC led slew of Miata s, a Toyota Spider, and a 2007 Mercedes over some twisty back roads. Leaving the mall everybody that could had their tops down, but before we got to the ranch everybody had their top up. Intermittent rain showers dampened the run, but not the spirits. Arriving at the ranch Betty was busy cooking chicken Ka-bobs on the grill. Others walked around the grounds, playing put-put, and riding the train. The afternoon blood sucking guests convinced a few that inside would be more comfortable. The theme was a Hawaiian Luau and most came with their island best. A few had their grass skirts on (Betty, Dave and Marilyn and Paul!) And Marilyn had her coconuts on but I never saw the girls in Hawaii wearing a tank top under the coconuts! Cont on Page 7

6 PAGE 6 Judy and Paul Faulkner send greetings to the Bluebonnet Miataphytes. We are back in business with the computer and are receiving at the yahoo address again. It has been a while. Katty Wickstrom sends her farewell goodbyes and did get back to Norway leaving on Her mother and uncle came over for CHS graduation Katty graduated as an Honor Graduate and we were all very proud of her. Her family know of her fun and excursions with the Miata group. Judy and Paul are into withdrawal as we are down to ONE Miata, the 04 Titanium. We replaced the 99 Honda CRV and 01 Black Miata with an 06 VW Jetta TDI. There is a story here and it is toooo long for writing today. This will be continued as the ongoing saga is not finished yet. Best to each and we hope to be at some events since school and workshops are over! We have missed being with everyone. best regards, J. Paul Faulkner So, near the anniversary, Paul decided he would encourage me to look for a red car. We test drove EVERYTHING on the market before purchasing the Jetta. We bought the Jetta for the diesel and 40 mpg and they did not make it in red for an automatic, diesel. So we bought with the application of all the right reasons, but it was not RED. While test driving all the other options, I really enjoyed the comfort of other brands. When we went looking again for a RED car, the timing was right and when he said 1.9% interest, I said to Paul, And we are leaving with it today? So that is the rest of the story and we have a 07 C230 MARS RED Mercedes- Benz. The moral of this story is when you do the logical and strategic thing and it does not work, do what you really want and your heart will sing! Judy Faulkner And the rest of the story, The 06 Jetta is gone, gone, gone. It was devalued by the VW service department in their repair of the back baby locks. They did not even bother to tell us they cut a hole in the door to fetch out the lock intact. This was ordered by VW in Germany. That is their story. Well, the gray Jetta was Ok but it was not RED. I have had a red car for more than 11 years and the gray just did not do good things for me. PAUL AND JUDY IN LESS COMPLICATED TIMES

7 PAGE 7 Betty and JC had a buffet prepared for us of pulled pork, chicken ka-bobs, pasta salad, regular salads, beans, rolls and Margarita s. Following dinner and desert Betty had us partake of the Hawaiian sports of Hula-Hoops and a Limbo contest. Now middle age spreads prevented anyone from doing a good hula-hoop except for Kathy Smith who nailed it. Now I ve never seen a Limbo where only one person did a real Limbo. Most people crawled or rolled or got under the bar anyway they could. All had a great time but that rug put some serious rug burns on my legs. Kevin s son put all us old men to shame while a guest of Doug & Kathy beat Ennie out to win for the women. (Sorry, too many new people to remember all their names). We did have some new members on their first or second runs. (Again we have pictures but haven't learned their names yet.) At the end of the evening Betty gave us a repeat performance of her mannequin and ventriloquism. If she gets tired of Shady Oaks ranching she could succeed as a ventriloquist. Not moving her mouth at all and throwing her voice into that mannequin...it was all professional. So despite the gloomy weather a good time was had by all and JC & Betty put together another great run. Submitted by Tim McCurdy Note: There are a bunch of great photo's on the home page of the website. They are all in color. Enjoy them, and these are mostly pictures that didn t make the web site. Our run hosts - JC and Betty Herrera

8 PAGE 8 In The Breeze Bluebonnet Miata Club 9026 Richmond Hill San Antonio, TX Sponsored By: PRINTED BY POSTNET Check Your Mailing Label for Your Renewal Date! Please Renew Your Monthly Membership Promptly! Bluebonnet Miata Club Upcoming Events JULY 2007 Tues, 24 August - Monthly Meeting at Mama s Café at San Pedro Ave. Eat: 6:30 Meeting:7:30. Sat, 28 July - Poker Run led by Paul and Judy Faulkner. Meet at Seguin, Tx and the Texaco/Jack in the Box at the intersection of Hwy 46 and I-10. Meet at 0945, leave at No other info but Paul says be there or be square! Sat, 11 Aug - Bat Cave Run led by George Briscoe. Run has been rescheduled to Aug 11 from August 4th. Will meet a Leon Springs at 5:45pm and leave at 6:00pm. See article this issue. Sat, 18 Aug - Dash & Splash, BBQ led by Tim & Ennie McCurdy. Enjoy the twisties, then the BBQ and then the pool. Meet at Bandera Trails Shopping Center (behind the What-A Burger) at the corner of 1604 and Bandera Rd. Meet at 0815, leave at See article this issue. Wed, 22 Aug - Hamburger Run. NO LEADER AT PRESENT. READY TO LEAD YOUR FIRST RUN? Contact Pat Franklin. Does not have to be Wednesday. Just choose a place and time. Tues, 28 August - Monthly Meeting at Mama s Café at San Pedro Ave. Eat: 6:30 Meeting:7:30. SEPTEMBER 2007 Fri-Mon, 31 Aug 3 Sep - Texas State Miata Round-Up, Alpine, Tx led by the Tumbleweed Miata Club. Additional information at the Bluebonnet Club website.