Miata Mailing List: September 1997, Message #173
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From: 	griffin@mlode.com (Dennis Griffin)

Subject: Montana trip

Date: 	Tue, 2 Sep 1997 03:09:54 +0000



I just got back from Miles City Montana, where I got to join about half

of my high school class of '57. (35 - 40 couples)  It was a first for

me. I did go in the Miata. Took out the spare, and squeezed in a suit

and just went.  I drove the entire way top down (Pat rode shotgun)

including a day in Yellowstone park.  No rain ( a few drips in Utah -

first night) used the tonneau only to close it up.   Boy am I sunburned

and grinning. Most of the time it was sunny and in the 80's.

	All driving in excess of 85 MPH.  Used cruise ctl a lot.  Utah has

limited highway patrol so I just used common sense but still made way in

excess of 85.  I Montana I'd get up early each day and go out to the

Highway for a clear run over  a hundred...  Not long runs, just great

drives on country roads or on the open highway.  

	On the way home this morning, traveling about 85 MPH, we hit a large

tire tread off a truck and broke the lower "mouth" on the car. 

Shattered it in half and ripped out a chunk of the black underguard

(under the engine) broke my drl's also.  So far no other damage - but I

haven't gotten it up on a rack to really check.

	The Miata was a strange sight in Montana - at least in Miles City,

where everyone kept asking "What is it?"  It's not as deep snow country

car.

	Several times I'd get reports from friends that several boys were

looking into my car.  I told them that that was  a healthy sign -

indicated a genetic "good taste" and meant that these particular boys

would grow up good looking and intelligent.

	I left Montana - Yellowstone park at 7:30 am today - traveled through

Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Reno down 88 over Ebbetts Pass into California

and home by 9PM.

	Anyone ever go over hiway 89 above Yellowstone  over the continental

divide?  curving roads on precipaces with a view of the curve of the

earth that is stunning breathtaking.  Climbing to 10k feet and looking

back down where no trees grow (above the tree line) - I'm rummy. 

Rambling.  Sad to say, my camera jammed and no pictures of the trip up

only the return trip.

	It was great ten days!

		Dennis & Am Fear Gorm (with a broken mouth...)