August 15-17, 2008 - 4th Annual Miatas at Mentone - Sponsored by Rocket City Miata Club

MORE SUMMER FUN ?  I DO DECLARE !  I CAN'T HARDLY STAND IT !

The Rocket City Miata Club out of Huntsville AL has, once again, issued an invitation for the Music City Club to "Come On Down" for a visit and some fun on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone AL. For those  of you who are unfamiliar with the topography of Lookout Mountain, it starts in the northwest corner of Georgia (just south of Chattanooga) and extends almost 100 miles down into northeast Alabama. It rises about 1000 feet above the valley on both the east & west and provides some great vistas, some cooler temps and some outstanding Miata roads. For the past three years, our friends at Rocket City have planned and sponsored a weekend on the mountain, involving several Miata clubs around the central south.

Per the attached announcement, the event this year will run from Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17. This summer, the event headquarters will shift from downtown Mentone, to DeSoto State Park Lodge (800-568-8840), 265 County Road 951, Fort Payne,AL (http://www.desotostatepark.com/) about 5 miles south of Mentone. We have reserved a couple of new two-bedroom Log Cabins in the park, as well as (8) rooms in the Lodge for your convenience. The rooms will run from $72 to $75 per night and the Cabins will cost $115 per night, both with a two night minimum. Desoto Lodge offers a great place to relax end enjoy the natural beauty of the park. The facility also includes a large outdoor pool & a nice restaurant serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. Check out their menu at the Desoto website above.

NOTE: You do not need to contact the Lodge, as your reservations will be coordinated by the the Sands. No room/cabin deposits will be required. We would ask that, once you commit, if your plans change, please notify Gray or Candy. Otherwise the room/cabin is your responsibility.

For those who will be heading down on Friday morning, we'll be meeting at the Shoney's at I-24 & Exit 81B in Murfreesboro for breakfast at 9:00AM and taking off for Mentone at 10:00AM. We'll run down to Sewanee and then drop down off the south side of the mountain on Hwy 56 down into north AL, where we'll pick up AL 117 into Mentone. We'll check in, have some lunch, meet any other clubmembers already assembled, chat a bit and possibly go for a swim. A nice late afternoon run down to the Little River Gorge will probably get us in the mood for dinner at the Mentone Springs Hotel, 6114 Hwy 117, Mentone, AL(http://www.mentonespringshotel.com/) at Caldwell's (256-634-4040). This is fine dining in a beautiful restored Victorian Hotel, which also happens to be the oldest hotel in AL, built in 1884. 

Saturday morning will bring some options regarding a couple of road trips around the area. Hopefully the Chattanooga Scenic City Club will lead it's usual "spirited" run across, around & thru their favorite mountain roads. There is usually a more laid back, leisurely run available for those who like to see the scenery & smell the flowers. Saturday afternoon usually includes a BBQ picnic sponsored by the Jeff Sikes Mazda Dealership in Huntsville, with all the trimmings. This is an opportunity for all the various clubs participating to meet & greet over some more great food.

We'll be returning to Nashville on Sunday morning. This is usually a wonderful way to spend a lazy weekend during the "dog days" of August and enjoy "all things summer" in the South. Jerry Hammock might even find a Watermelon & some fresh Maters somewhere along the way. If you want to come along, just let Gray or Candace know at (graype@bellsouth.net) or (615-794-0852).

LIFE, WHAT A RIDE !