Yosemite National Park

The beginning of our journey at Bass Pro, Manteca, CA

Seven cars started out on our Yosemite National Park adventure on Friday, 7/8/2016, at 2:00 pm, from Bass Pro in Manteca, CA.  Joining in the adventure were:  Rollo & Penny D., Steve & Joy R., Steve & Susan B., Scott A. & Regina, Vito & Sarah L., Walt & Jerri L, and their delightful grandson Devin.  Joining us at the park were Peggy & Allan F. 

We enjoyed a pleasant, though very warm, drive to Oakhurst, CA, just outside of Yosemite National Park with Rollo D. leading the way and Steve R. as sweep, we were all able to stay together the whole way.   

Drive to Yosemite National Park

We arrived at the Best Western in Oakhurst, CA around 6:30 pm and enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner together at Dicicco’s. 

Saturday we had a good breakfast at 6:30 am and left for Yosemite at 7:30 am so we could get there early to find parking.  We had another beautiful drive to Yosemite National Park, turning many heads all the way.  We got a lot of thumbs up and waves from various cyclists, motorcyclists and other drivers, especially convertibles. 

We drove down Highway 41 to the Valley Floor of Yosemite National Park and had a great view of the valley at the Tunnel where we all got some spectacular photos. Bridal Veil Falls was next and after a short hike we were again treated to a spectacular site and got more great photos. Next we drove to Yosemite Falls after another short hike joined other visitors who were snapping photos of the beautiful Falls.  We were excited to see lots of water in Yosemite this time of year.  For lunch some of us went to the cafeteria and others took a different route.  We enjoyed a tasty lunch then some of us rode the free shuttle bus to the Indian Village and toured the Ansel Adams Center, the Museum and visitor center and of course the various gift shops.  We stowed away our gift shop goodies and took the very scenic uphill drive to Glacier Point, a highlight of the trip. After getting our fill of spectacular views and taking many, many photos we headed down hill, a few stopped at the Pioneer History Center and ended the day at Big Trees restaurant in Wawona for dinner and lively conversation.    

Sunday we had breakfast again in Oakhurst.  Steve & Joy R. left us for home as well as Scott & Regina The rest of us went on to the Sugar Pine Railroad where we enjoyed a one hour narrated trip through the woods.  We experienced the train letting off steam at half point and watched as the tank was filled with water for the trip back to the station.  All in all we had a very enjoyable weekend. Many thanks to Rollo for putting together the itinerary and arranging the weekend events, we all had a fabulous time together as Miata enthusiasts and friends. 

Photo album for the Yosemite National Park drive >>

Shine and Show

It was a bright & sunny Saturday morning June 12, 2016 when a group of BAMA drivers met at Oak Tree Mazda dealership in San Jose, CA to show off their cars and get to test drive the new ND.  The cars were lined up and after one last buffing & polishing were ready for judging. 

Best NA: Shirley C.

Best NB: Randy R.

Best NC: Lloyd B.

Best ND: Al L.

All participants were able to choose a car for each category NA, NB, NC, ND, Best of Show & Best Modified.   

Best in Show & Best Modified went to Jim H.

After the awards were given out we were treated to a BBQ and lively conversation.  We appreciated the opportunity to sit in the new ND and some of us took advantage and went on a test drive in the bright, shiny, new red ND. Walt, that car looks good on you! 

Walt L. takes a test drive.

We want to sincerely thank Oak Tree Mazda for hosting this event, presenting the awards and providing the prizes. The food was delicious and we look forward to future events and continuing our partnership with Oak Tree Mazda. 

Photo album for the Shine and Show event >>

BAMA 26th Anniversary Picnic

The BAMA picnic at Huddart Park celebrating our 26th anniversary was a huge success. 

First the banners were hung between the trees, the BBQ grills were filled with charcoal and the fire readied.  The picnic tables were set and an array of delightful goodies was laid out. 

Shirley and Ken Christensen brought their Miata memorabilia and BAMA historical items.  We all also enjoyed playing “Pin the Wheel on the Miata” and Mazda/Miata trivia games also brought by Shirley and Ken Christensen. 

Thanks to Frankie & Bev for bringing the horseshoes and the beanbag toss games.

We all enjoyed cupcakes with the BAMA logo atop the fondant icing, famous mac n’ cheese, crab, hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, delicious cream cheese filled strawberries with a blueberry on top, a delightful mix of chips & dips and most of all great company. 

I know we’re all looking forward to our 27th anniversary picnic and a year full of drives in between. 

Phil's Fish Market at Moss Landing and More

A gentle pastel sunrise coming up over the trees gave way to a perfect day for a BAMA group drive to Phil’s Fish Market at Moss Landing, Giant Artichoke in Castroville, Gizdich Ranch and Uvas Reservoir.

The Board Members met at Starbucks in Los Gatos and had a brief meeting about future drives and our upcoming 26th Anniversary Picnic at Huddart Park April 23rd.

At around 9:30 am the board meeting adjourned and we all gathered with the driver’s and passengers for the day.  There were 12 drivers with 10 passengers. Everyone signed in and after the driver’s meeting we met 4 new members of BAMA, Scott A., Gary A., Julie L., and RaeNell R. Everyone was very excited to begin, as the Moss Landing drive is one of the group’s favorites. Joy R. handed out maps and directions to our various stops. 

We had a beautiful drive, the air was crisp and onlookers were delighted to see our colorful Miatas driving down the roads. BAMA President, Steve R. did a good job of leading the troops and Mike A. (Treas.) did a good job of sweep for the drive with Steve B. in the middle. We were momentarily joined by a group of Ferraris quickly moving ahead waving and honking their greetings. 

We reached our destination, Phil’s Fish Market, after driving about 1.5 hours South using some highways and beautiful scenic back roads. The group feasted on tasty fresh seafood and enjoyed each other’s company in a rustic beachside setting. After our delicious meal some members walked to the rear of the restaurant and enjoyed watching the ocean waves and dogs romping on the beach.

The group headed out again towards Castroville to the Giant Artichoke filled with Castroville’s famous artichokes and other fresh veggies, etc. Our car trunks packed with purchases we headed towards another favorite location, Gizdich Ranch for some scrumptious pie. The pie did not disappoint and our car trunks were again packed with delightful whole pies to enjoy later. 

A few cars left the group at this point and the rest headed to Uvas Reservoir just west of Morgan Hill which actually had water this year.  Some more of the group left for home and others continued to New Almaden and Hicks Road into Los Gatos. The remaining drivers enjoyed the twisties through the narrow canyons. The finish was in Los Gatos for coffee and conversation, about Miatas of course. 

A great time was had by all and everyone was very excited to welcome our new members and happy we all had a great day together.    

BAMA Annual Meeting

Today the Bay Area Miata Association (BAMA) board and BAMA members met for our annual meeting which was hosted by Oaktree Mazda Dealership in San Jose, CA. We are grateful for their hospitality and to Frankie D. who works at the dealership and helped to arrange the meeting.  
 
The Miatas were all parked in a row as they usually are before a drive. I’m sure they were happy to see each other again.  It’s been several months, in some cases, since a lot of us have all been together.  We were honored to have one new member, David, at the first meeting of the year and we hope to get to know him better this coming year.  We already know he’s had his copper red Miata for four months and is getting married this October. Congratulations David and we all hope to get to meet your fiancé on one of our drives.
 
Everyone was excited to see some members return whom we haven’t seen in a while. The new board members were introduced and plans for drives throughout the year were laid out and discussed. The details can be found under the “Events” section of the website.  
 
After our meeting Bob S. test drove one of the new Ceramic Metallic 2016 MX-5. We’re not sure yet if Bob traded his Miata, I guess we’ll find out on our next drive. Lookin’ good in the new car Bob.

Blackhawk Museum

We met at the Blackhawk Museum where our Fabulous President obtain permission for all of us to park our shiny Miatas at the Rotunda in front of the Museum! We all were able to wander about the museum at our leisure at a discounted rate and we took our time gawking at all the shiny OLD cars. See you at the HOLIDAY PARTY!!

Murphys Weekend Drive

Seven BAMA Club Members and spouses spent an enjoyable weekend in the Calaveras County area April 10-12.  We stayed overnight in Murphys,  enjoying a group dinner on Friday at El Jardin, a group breakfast at the restored Murphys Hotel,  and Saturday dinner at Grounds, all organized by Mike Abell.  Thank you, Miketurday we had a leisurely drive to Columbia State Park and toured the restored sights of the gold rush era.  We drove on to Jamestown, visiting Railtown where we toured the railroad museum, watched old No 3 engine come steaming into the station, and shopped for souvenirs in their store.  The group returned to Murphys via Hwy 49 and Old Murphys Road, a curvy Miata road, now bypassed by the "improved" Hwy 4.  We said our goodbyes after a fine dinner and then departed individually on Sunday.  Many sights of the area remain unvisited, and we would all like to return.

Afternoon Romp Near Napa

It started out cloudy and overcast, but it wasn't long before it turned into a beautiful sunny day.  Five Miatas got together in Napa to take a drive down the Silverado Trail. BAMA welcomed out newest members, June Reif and Robert Fisher and their 2003 Emerald Green NB.  Steve and Joyce Robinson lead us out onto our route where we passed several promising looking wineries that warrant a return trip for tasting.

The roads were not as crowded as we have seen in the past and we were able to keep the group together without too much trouble.  We made our first stop at a little mini mart were we all sought out for some cold refreshments.   

Our next stop was at the Monticello Dam, which was built in 1957.  After a much needed break, we gather together to determine our next point of direction.  It was recommended that we head back to NAPA for a late lunch.  At that point, June and Rob took the lead.  It wasn't long before we were at "Red Hen Cantina."  The food was awesome and the company was fantastic. Thank you to June and Rob for making the suggestion.

After lunch, we decided it was too hot continue, so we all parted our separate ways, yes, with the air conditioner at full blast.