July 25, 2004

Hello all, I hope everyone is getting full use of their Miata(s) during this great summer weather!

Club Meeting

Last weeks meeting at Penny's was lots of fun as usual, and also very productive. So much fun in fact, that we are having August's meeting there too.
Next meeting: 7:00 pm August 18th - Penny McLean, ----------- Road, Kelowna.

1. We will be using the Best Western Hotel again and our theme for the Sun Run will be tied in with Kelowna's 100th Anniversary Celebrations. We are picturing a logo done in perhaps a sepia tone with a turn of the century look. A miata with "100" on the side? Penny and Marnie are already starting on creating their entry for this design/logo competition. We welcome any other member that would like to submit design ideas - The winner receives a one year free membership to the club.

2. There seems to be a ever increasing number of non-Miatas in the group each year. In 2005, we will be stressing that this is a "MIATA ONLY EVENT" Applications will be clear on this, and persons must register by car.
Next May we will be altering the registration desk as well. We will have a drive through registration! from 2 to 8:30 pm. This will be set up in the back parking lot so cars can register as soon as they arrive. Complimentary photos will be taken of each car with the occupants wearing turn of the century hats and bonnets.

3. Some other suggestions are: Car coloured Name badges with neck bands (Mazda?) and more options for clothing. If the logo design is selected early enough then all clothing - hats, golf shirts, t-shirts, etc will be pre-ordered and prepaid with the registration form.

4. Dutch & Matt are arranging a Autocross on the Friday night starting at around 6:30, with a semi-novice course set up. Hopefully we will get a good turnout for this event, with both competitors and spectators. A evening drive may also be arranged for those wishing to tour a "new" part of the city. Wine and Cheese to follow at 8:30 pm with a Turn-of-the-century theme.

5. Saturday we will leave the Hotel at 10:00 am with a run north through Glenmore and Lakecountry backroads to Vernon. One idea is to line up on Enterprise starting at Kelowna Motors and then drive two abreast through the light at Leathead onto Highway 97. (police escort perhaps)? We will stop at the Kalamalka Lake lookout for a photo and rest then onward to Westside road. (At last the passengers will be on the high side of the road)! We will be stopping in Fintry for a BBQ on the lawn of the Manor house by the lake. Old fashion games will be planned for the lawn and you will receive a poker card for each game that you participate in (win or lose). There will be a prize draw at the Saturday night banquet for the winner(s). We will be driving as one group and using members cars to stop at major intersections to guide the group through. This worked well on Sunday's run this year. Volunteers and training will be needed to make this work!

6. Sunday's drive will be to Okanagan Falls leaving the hotel at 10:30 am. OK Falls to OK Falls loop to Centennial Park in OK Falls for a cold catered lunch, $8.00 to $9.00. This will be included in the registration. White Lake road to Twin Lakes, 3A to Apex via Green Mtn. Road and then to Penticton. Back to Kelowna.

2005 Sunday Sun Run Drive

There is a planned pre-run of the above Sunday route this coming weekend, Sunday, August 1. We will be meeting for Breakfast at Mingles Cafe, 10:30, leaving at noon for OK Falls. Please e-mail if you will be able to attend. Thanks.
I think a stop at Tickleberries is also planned!

Checking In On The Trees And Pool Party

Sunday August 22nd is the date set for our club to visit the Timberline property to see how our seedling are doing. Shelly has asked that we meet at her house (Clifton Road) at 11:00 am, drop off any food items etc, and then drive to Timberline. After, we will go back to Shelly and Larry's for a BBQ lunch and afternoon pool party. Meat and buns will be provided. Please bring refreshments and a snack, salad or desert item.

Nakusp Hot Springs Run

First we would like to decide by August 03 which of the two following dates are best suited to those of you who are interested in coming: September 11 or 25? No this is not an error, we changed the date to a Saturday since it would be a long day run (just over 200 Km + a short ferry ride, from Vernon, one way) and those of you that would like to stay overnight in or around Nakusp would have that option without missing any work time (for the Monday to Friday crowd anyway). Tentatively we would collect at a restaurant in Vernon (optional breakfast) and then head out. A packed lunch might be the best way to go to save time for soaking in the pool and getting back home at a reasonable hour for those not wanting to stay overnight. Please e-mail me indicating your preferred date and any other suggestions/questions at -----------------.

A bit of background for those of you not familiar with the area: The drive through the Monashee Pass area of Hwy 6 was made for Miatas. The road up to the hot springs which has just undergone resurfacing is 12 Km of Miata fun. Nakusp Hot Springs is up in a beautiful mountain setting. It is run by the Town of Nakusp and they do a great job of keeping it a very clean facility. There are two sections to the pool, the cool side at about 36C (comfortable) and the hot side at about 40C (it's hot!). There is tiny snack bar where about the only serious food you can get is a microwaved burrito, but they do have pretty good coffee. There is accommodation beside the pool, but you have to bring your own food. Lots of info on their website www.nakusphotsprings.com . For those planning to stay overnight, another nice hot spring just north of Nakusp is the commercial operation Halcyon Hot Springs on the shore of Upper Arrow Lake. In between is St. Leon Springs which is a free site (but on private land) put together by some volunteer labour and is worth the hike up the trail from the highway if you are the moderately hardy outdoorsy type (the logging road that gets you closer to the springs is not Miata friendly).

Pete Hahn

Backroads To Bavaria

Several people have indicated that they have registered or are considering registering for this October's Backroads event in Leavenworth Washington. Please let me know via email if you are interested. We can then get all participants together and plan meeting points from Vernon south, for those who would like to drive down as a group.

Vernon Drive

August 8th will be the much anticipated Vernon Run. Kelowna and south Miatas will meet at the Brick parking lot in Kelowna at 8:30 to drive to Vernon. Breakfast will be in Vernon at the Village Green Restaurant (Village Green Hotel) at the bottom of Silver Star road starting at 9:00 am. We will leave the hotel no later than 10:30 for a drive up Silver Star Mountain - lots of new road surface. After a short stop at the top we will make our way back down and tour some Vernon and Coldstream backroads. Lots of good views and curves. Arrive in lumby for a rest and refreshment (ice cream). Then back to Vernon.

Miata For Sale

1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 convertible... only 20,000km. Excellent shape, original owner.
British Racing Green, tan leather interior, hardtop, power windows, locks, steering & brakes
BOSE am/fm/CD/cassette, aftermarket HEATED seats, wooden dash, leather shift knob / boot and brake boot...
$22,900 Ian @ ---------------------

Newsletter Input Wanted

Input would be appreciated for this newsletter. Do you have a place you would like to explore? A story to tell? Some Miata news that other may enjoy? Let us know what events you will be attending, what you would like to see in future letters and if you have any Miata "stuff" for sale.