Blast From the Past

Slow Miata to Texas Day 13

Greetings from ALABAMA
1. The birth place of Helen Keller, Tuscumbia. 2. Big Spring Park, Huntsville. 3. Wheeler Dam, North Alabama.
4. Vulcan, Birmingham. 5. Dock Scene, Mobile. 6. Bunker Tower, Anniston. 7. Denny Chimes, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. 8. Azalea bushes in full bloom. 9. Noccalula Falls, Gadsden.
10. State Capitol, Montgomery.
Bill,
Day 13 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Memphis, TN to Decatur, AL. 215 miles. Today’s highlight was dinner 300′ up in the Renaissence Tower overlooking Wilson Dam in Florence, AL. Good thing the view was spectacular, because the food was so-so. Got to see the lock system go through a cycle for a barge heading down stream.
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 12

The Pyramid soars into the sky 32 stories (321), rising out of the Mississippi Delta like a great shining diamond. It could hold 200 million gallons of water. Its base is as big as six footballl fields. The interior height, 280′ from the floor to the Observation Deck above, is greater than the exterior dimension of the Astrodome or Superdome.
The focal point of this stainless steel wonder is The Pyramid arena. This 22,500 seat sports and entertainment complex hosts a vast array of major touring family shows, concerts, sports and community events. The Pyramid is proud to be the home of the University of Memphis Tiger Basketball.
Bill,
Day 12 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Eureka Springs, AR to Memphis, TN. 315 miles. Long day, but we wanted to see the Triple A Memphis Redbirds play the Albuquerque Dukes in Tim McCarver Statium. Last time we were here we saw Tim Raines play for the Double A Memphis Chicks (1979.) This is the last year for Tim McCarver Statium as next year the team moves downtown to the new 14,000 seat “Autozone Park.”
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 11

FLAT IRON BUILDING – Downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The Flatiron Building, destroyed by fire many years ago, was recreated in 1985, and today has glamorous specialty shops on the lower floors and luxury lodging accomodationson the top. The photo was taken from the Basin Park Hotel, in the heart of historic downtown Eureka Springs.
Bill,
Day 11 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Hot Springs to Eureka Springs, AR. 195 beautiful back road miles. If I thought Jefferson, TX had a lot of B&Bs…this place seems as if every home in town is a Bed & Breakfast. Every business downtown is tourist related. Out on the “strip” there are several large music theaters.
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 10

NIGHTIME FALLS ON HISTORIC HOT SPRINGS
The sun sets as another day is slowly fading away in historic downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. The last breath of sun shines on the old Army/Navy Hospital (1933) in the upper left as the lampposts light up the historic district waiting on nightfall. Some of these historic buildings date back as far as 1912 (Buckstaff Bathhouse.)
Bill,
Day 10 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. McAlester, OK to Hot Springs, AR. 198 miles via the Talimena Scenic Byway. This was one of the first highways designated as scenic by the U.S. Forrest Service. Maybe we will get to see it next time. We were either high enough to be in the clouds or low enough to be getting poured on by those clouds. Hot Springs is an interesting place, we’ll come back when it isn’t raining.
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 9

INDIAN TERRITORY – OKLAHOMA
In 1834, 70,000 Native Americans in over twenty tribes were forced to leave their land and relocate into Indian Territory, reserved by the U.S. government. Located west of the Mississippi River, much of Indian Territory is in today’s Oklahoma. By 1907, the remaining Indian Territory became part of Oklahoma.
Bill,
Day 9 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Day 4 of 4 of “Miata World ’99.” Didn’t win the new car last night, but I did win a door prize of leather seat covers. And at brunch this morning I won a $10 gift certificate, so I can’t really complain. Spent a couple of hours at the speedway this morning as we tried to line up 400 cars for a photo on the finish line. Dallas, TX to McAlester, OK. 175 miles. The wind really does come sweeping down….
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 8

DALAS, TEXAS
Highlights of this exciting, cosmopolitan city: twinkle-lighted skyline; multi-level Galleria; Dallas Cowboys Statium; Southfork Ranch Gate and Reunion Tower with its geodesic dome.
Bill,
Day 8 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Day 3 of 4 of “Miata World ’99.” Skipped the track this A.M. and went to Six Flags Over Texas. Rode the Texas Giant, the #1 rated roller coaster in the country, and one ride is worth the admission price to the park. For metal mayhem, Mr. Freeze is the ticket. That must be what a jet pilot with the Blue Angels feels like.
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903

Slow Miata to Texas Day 7

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
America’s second largest sports and entertainment facility, hosts more than 1 million people each year for exciting NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Bush Grand National Series and Craftsman Truck Series racing. Also included are Indy Racing League fans and Automobile Racing Club of America fans who come watch their favorite racing stars. Texas Motor Speedway also hosts a number of concerts and auto shows.
Bill,
Day 7 of 14 of the “Slow Miata to Texas” tour. Day 2 of 4 of “Miata World ’99.” Today’s and tomorrow’s activities are based at the track: hot laps, autocrossing, vendors and lunches. The NASCAR boys would get a chuckle about these little cars circling their track. But even with cone chicanes on the straights to keep the speed down, over 110 MPH is possible on the banked turns. Oh yeah, all those seats, EMPTY!
Brian & Donna, Aiken, SC		 Bill Kirby
The Augusta Chronicle
P.O. Box 1928
Augusta, GA 30903