OK having owned my Miata for about a year now, made several modifications and raced a bit with the SCCA. I thought it was time for a road trip. I will be updating this thread as I go and as I find free WiFi. We will (as in Dad and I) leave this Thursday morning and will return on the 18th of July. Sleeping in a two man tent and avoiding highways when ever possible. I am posting the main spots were are trying to hit on this trip but I can't for the life of me find a trip optimizer for the route. Also, is there not anything worth seeing in the great plains area? Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska are dead to me. I'm just driving through them. So, if anyone has any cool road suggestions or places to stop please let me know. Here is the basic route and what the stops are.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Devils Tower, Wyoming
Custer State Park, SD
Needles Highway
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Yellowstone National Park.
Beartooth Highway
Grand Teton National Park
Going-To-The-Sun Rd, Mt
West Glacier, Montana
Mt St Helens, , Washington
Mt Rainier National Park, Ashford, WA
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Leggett, CA (Beginning of the Coast Road)
Yosemite National Park, Ca
Las Vegas, NV
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Arches national park Utah
Canyonlands Utah
Moab, Utah
Albuquerque, NM, USA (Family and a much needed shower at this point)
Hoover Al (Again Family)

The general problem I have is finding decent campsites along my route. Also there is nothing on my trip in the middle of the country. On the return leg between Albuquerque and Hoover I got nothing which is exactly the same as the going out leg between Irvington Ky (starting point) and Mount Rushmore. I don't know the western part of the country that well, so if I'm driving right by something that is NOT to be missed or if you want to offer up your couch for a night please let me know.
Pictures to come...shortly of the trusty steed and prep work.

What I need from you guys once I post the map is to let me know where I can and can't ccw with my Ky permit. I know which states honor it as that was easy enough to find. I need a crash course in the state laws I'll be going through and the major do's and don'ts. Thanks!

Again if anyone wished to offer up a couch or a yard so that we may crash more cheaply or in style please let me know before I pass your area. If I'm missing any awesome driving roads, or high points let me know and I'll amend the route. Thanks

Also the above picture is slightly out of date however the link is correct. I am now going through eastern OR in place of western OR.

you need to add a stop at Omaha ... the old market district is worth a brake check. Old Chicago and the Spaghetti works both have some fine driver fuel.
you could also divert at that point taking I80 west to get you through the sand hills for a change of scenery before you head north into the Dakotas.

__________________
it just needs more voltage

Sounds like a memorable trip..............


google campsites for select locations catering to tenters

many interesting and historical sites in Ne,Ks.Ia etc

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/travel/

For a lot of the west, camping isn't much of a problem. Just pull up a side road...especially in the desert. For the rest, there's a great book called Wheeler's (as I recall) that you can buy at motor home type stores. It lists all campsites.

There's a great road not on your route. Google up the Lolo Pass in Montana/Idaho. It's made for your car.

When you get to Portland, Oregon turn right and follow the coast from about Cannon Beach to Newport. Then head inland through Eugene and over the McKenzie Pass to Bend. Out of Bend drive Century Drive south to the Willamette Pass and then get to to Creator Lake however you choose. Do NOT miss that section of the Oregon coast.

You're going to be really close to Monument Valley and Mesa Verde when you leave Albuquerque. If time is a constraint and I had to choose between them and Vegas/Hoover it would be an easy choice for me.

Sounds like a great trip in a Miata. I've done it...not all at once...several times in motorhomes. I'm looking forward to your reports.

Ed

Is this Miata the little sports car, the MX-5 or whatever? I think it's cute, and am seriously thinking of having a heroine in a detective novel that I'm writing drive one.

But you'd better beware of bad roads and savage weather in some places. Pack emergency gear and food, water, axe, etc. A larger 4 WD vehicle would be a better choice, I think, especially if you have bad roads. Your car doesn't have much ground clearance!

Take and post photos!

I agree that some states are just "flyover country." I might prefer to go through a more southern route and up through AZ to OR. If you're going to OR or WA, I'd want to fish for steelhead and other trout and salmon. Get a good guide to snakes. The SW states have some bad ones, and you're camping out. In Washington, you can probably visit some wineries, like Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Be cautious about Indian reservations in New Mexico and AZ. SIG-P-220 is an FBI agent working those. PM him about their gun laws and other tribal issues. NM does have some nice tourist places, but is also a tourist trap. "Indian mocccasins" that you buy may be made in China. Expect high prices. Don't barf if they serve you green chili. You can get the regular kind, but be sure it isn't too full of jalapeno peppers. Those are incendiary-hot.

Omaha is also home to the SAC museum. I'm still kicking myself for not seeing this museum when I was in Omaha on business in 2006. Strategic Air and Space Museum

Oh: be careful about guns in national parks. I think concealed handguns are now legal there, IF that state recognizes your carry permit.

But I have no idea if rifles or shotguns are tolerated, and some of those park rangers are really intense, from what I hear. Like, on a power trip...and some are gun haters.

Avoid Illinois, esp. Chicago. Really bad gun laws. Rude people, too, based on my sole experience there.

I see you plan to spend some time in CA. Watch out for their gun laws, too. Be sure what applies to you as a tourist.

City of Colorado Springs - Pikes Peak - America's Mountain Homepage

Pikes Peak? Hill climbing in an MX-5?

You could cut south at Albuquerque
so you can visit Ft Worth & Dallas
then Head North to OKC

__________________
Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

I've ridden all over the Rockies on two wheels and made a few suggestions above.

You shouldn't have any problem finding primitive campsites in the mountains, in the National Forest areas.

Get a National Park Pass, if your dad is a senior he can get a golden age pass.

Between Vegas and Moab ...

Go through Zion National Park, you have to leave the car at the visitors center and ride the bus into the canyon.

After you go out the east side of Zion, head for Kanab, UT and go south to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's higher elevation than the south rim, making it cooler. And it's much less crowded and touristy.

From there head for Bryce Canyon NP. Another high elevation park, and will be much cooler. I should mention that in the summer southern Utah experiences "Thermonuclear Sunshine" it gets HOT and will burn you. But many of the best places to see are at high elevation and much cooler.

After Bryce, take Utah Hwy 12 to Torrey, UT. Look this one up, it's a fantastic road. Often rated the #1 motorcycle road in America. You'll love it in your Miata. This road goes through the Escalante Staircase National Monument.

Then it's off to Moab. I would skip Canyonlands as it's mostly offroad with parts far too rough for a sports car. Instead, go to Deadhorse Point State Park, this overlooks Canyonlands and is second only to the Grand Canyon for majestic views. Try to get there at sunset.

Consider staying at KOA campgrounds, at least once every few days, showers, flush toilets, etc. They will give you a catalog with all their locations that will really help in planning a trip.

If I was going through Utah I would probably go here...

John M. Browning Firearms Museum * Union Station

...and here...
But that's just me...

John M. Browning Mansion – Always Ogden

It is a nice little museum, in the Ogden Depot. But quite a bit out of the way for this trip. If you're ever in that area, there is a great Air Museum at Hill AFB. Hill Air Force Base - Hill Aerospace Museum

You have hit upon one of my favorite subjects, how to keep yourself awake traveling across the Great Plains. First off, to traverse Nebraska or the Dakotas, stay the heck of I80 and I90. My favorite routes across Nebraska run through the sandhills on US20 or NE12. Niobrara is very scenic, a favorite dinner destination for long-distance motorcyclists.

South and west of Valentine, out the SW corner of Wm. McKelvey forest is some very scenic ranch country. There are one lane paved ranch roads, and some well-maintained gravel roads. Your Miata should handle them just fine if you are not averse to travel on gravel.

Carhenge, in Alliance, NE is well worth the trip. There are some interesting historic ranch sites all through the sandhills. Ft. Robinson, near Chadron is another interesting stop. You should be able to turn up plenty more if you poke around, as I have not explared Nebraska nearly as fully as I might.

Across South Dakota, my favorite routes are US14, SD34, and SD44 west of Winner. The highway from Murdo down to Valentine can be quite entertaining at speed, narrow pavement with lots of hills and fast sweepers.

If you are willing to take gravel, you might enjoy Bad River Road and Van Meter road, which take you from Ft. Pierre into Midland the back way. Another interesting unpaved route takes you from the SW corner of the Badlands scenic loop, down Sage Creek Road to SD44 near Scenic. From Scenic continue south (this section is paved), to turn west across Cuny Table to Buffalo Gap. This stretch is wide, well-graded, but usually not so recently as to prevent washboarding.

From Buffalo Gap, cross SD79, take 7-11 Road through the eponymous gap, and turn right on Red Valley Road through the back side of Wind Cave NP. Bearing left at the Y will bring you out on SD87; bearing right will put you on the Custer SP Wildlife loop near the buffalo corrals.

Near the Beartooth, I am going to second the recommendation to ride the Chief Joseph highway through the Sunlight Basin. Although the Beartooth is spectacular, the Sunlight Basin is a better driving road, with more opportunities to get out and pass the Winnebagos (or slow Harleys, if you are on two wheels). The locals in Cody consider this route "the good stuff", or at least they did before it got paved and opened to more tourist traffic.

You might also consider working in a trip across the Big Horn Mountains on your way to Cody. US16 from Buffalo to Ten Sleep is the most-traveled. I prefer US14a from Dayton and Ranchester. At Burgess, you can stay with 14a and visit the Medicine Wheel or go down US14 through Shell Canyon, the most scenic route, IMO. All three routes are great driving, with less traffic on the 14s.

Unload and disassemble through Illinois or don't get caught.

__________________
Just the opinion of a kid

Having just gone to Mt Rushmore, a word of advice. Don't take the road up there from Keystone; come from the other direction. Must have been a 2 mile backup when we were there! Also, go early in the morning because it gets crowded real fast. We went right when it opened and no crowds at all. An hour later, it looked like Disney World during Spring Break. Spend maybe 2 hours there and then go over to the Crazy Horse monument. Custer State Park was great for seeing bison, antelope and deer. Needles Highway will be great if you have the suspension to handle the twisties at speed (did I say I have an '07 GT with a MazdaSpeed suspension and shock tower?). Oh yeah, you might take a detour to see the Badlands . Not too far and pretty if the weather's good. Stay on the marked paths, though. Lots of "Look out for rattlesnakes" signs all over the place.

Ow, my back.

That's old age and jealousy speaking, really just wanted to wish you happy motoring; looking forward to your updates.

I lived in the Rapid City SD area for 5 years, still my favorite place ever.

Have fun.

While you're at Yosemite, it would be a shame to miss Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP, even though it means a little backtracking --- the sequoias are magnificent and awe-inspiring. Then taking Tioga Pass thru Yosemite, take CA Hwy 395 down the east side of the Sierra Nevada, stopping to see Mono Lake and lava domes at Lee Vining, visit The Devil's Postpile near Mammoth Lakes, see ancient bristlecone pines in the White Mountains in Inyo NF south of Bishop (where you must get the obligatory roast turkey sandwich at Schott's (sp?) Bakery), then cut across to Las Vegas through Death Valley (only if your AC's working...) and at least see the highlights (lowlights?)

You can carry what and how is otherwise legal according to state law in National Parks and Monuments -- check any of several websites for current state-by-state info. There may be some little quirks to this --- last I checked, for example, California prohibited concealed handguns in vehicles and elsewhere, and required handguns in vehicles to be unloaded and somehow locked up. However, long guns could be carried in vehicles unconcealed, unlocked, but unloaded. So you could, say, have an unloaded rifle and a loaded magazine close at hand in your car --- not ideal, but better than no gun at all...

I'm envious of you trip... enjoy!

Oregon does not recognize any other state CHL's. Oregon, with the exception of a few metropolitan areas, is open carry (must be at least partially visible if you don’t want problems) without any permit. You'll need to check out which cities restrict open carry (Portland restricts open carry of loaded firearms, for example, unless you have a valid Oregon CHL). I can't think of any in Eastern Oregon that have such restrictions, but check it out anyway.

Going through Eastern Oregon can be beautiful, but it does have long empty stretches with towns with services well apart from each other – make sure you have a full tank of gas when you start this stretch.

First, stop at Joe Bologna's for good pizza and bread sticks before leaving LexVegas. That is imperative.

Check out Route 66 stuff as you wander through Missouri. As you head out to Seattle area go west of Puget Sound to Bremerton and tour the mothball fleet. Call ahead to see what is there. Two years ago they had four carriers.

Miata Prep! MREs stowed behind the seats. Enough food for 7 days for 2 men. One more duffel bag will be loaded into the trunk. Its going to be a full load. Clothing enough for 5 days in the bag, a two man tent, and two sleeping bags.

For camping, do not overlook municipal campgrounds, usually free, sometimes with showers and swimming pools. I like the campgrounds in Wessington Spgs, SD (but don't drink the city water), Miller, Highmore, and Spearfish, SD, Lander WY, Meeteetse WY (but beware the sprinkler system that comes on about 3:00 a.m. DAMHIK). Nice camping with hot pools at Hot Well Dunes, between Bowie and Safford, AZ, $3/night. At the lodges in the Big Horns (Bear Lodge, Arrowhead lodge), try the cabins, cheaper than regular rooms, with just a short walk to the bar and restaurant facilities.

I noticed on your itenerary that you're taking I-29. I offer the suggestion to stop by Gary's Gun Shop in Sioux Falls, SD. They have a Glock 18 and an HK UMP, both full auto guns available for rent to clients .As Ferris Bueller said, if you have the means ($40.00) I highly recommend trying them out. Plus Sioux Falls is one of the few places in South Dakota with its own Taco Bell, so thats another reason for a stop.

Safe travels, and I look forward to your updates!

You do realize that you will hit some areas where it will be very cold, especially at night. A couple of my friends departed KY for the west a few years ago on motorcycles without that bit of information. Thought I'd warn you...just in case.

Ed

Can someone passing through CA legally load a handgun in a motel room? Does the room become a temporary residence?

Nice looking NB! I had one for a few years, really loved the thing. If you're headed through Seattle there's lots to see. If aircraft are your thing the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field is one of those must see places. And I have a yard if you want to pitch a tent! No charge, either! PM me if you want, let me know the schedule.

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Wall Drug store in Wall, SD (right off the Interstate) and then visit the Badlands National Park. Spectactular scenery. I've owned two Miata's and have been on extended vacations with both, including visits up to Canada. It's a challenge to pack all that you need. Good luck!

One other thing, the Strategic Air Command Museum is no longer in Omaha. It's now in Ashland, NE quite a ways west on the Interstate. Still an interesting place to visit with some great aerospace displays.

Anyone going down the Coast Highway in California needs to go to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

Hearst San Simeon SHM
Hearst Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And watch out for Albuquerque, Bugs Bunny always got lost around there.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Yes, it's your temporary domicile. It also includes tents, travel trailers, etc.

It's a shame that California, with its riches of natural wonders, has fallen under the control of statist facists working day and night to limit civil liberties and create a nanny state, poisoning the wells and salting the fields of a free society. Why these social nazis are called "liberals" escapes me...

While in Montana you can spend the night in Great Falls, take a side trip to the C.M. Russell museum ( C.M. Russell Museum | The Russell is for Everyone! ), take a short trip to Giant Springs State Park and see the world's shortest river ( Montana State Parks :: Visit a State Park ) . After that take I- 15 north a ways and then get off at Valier cut across ( Hwy 44 off of I-15). As soon as you go back across the interstate you will see a missle silo on your right. Follow that road to the end and turn right on Hwy 89 and go through the Blackfeet rez. Watch out for cows, horses and drunk drivers on the rez. Go through Browning up to the St. Mary entrance to Glacier Nat PArk, pitch your tent for the night. In the AM, take the drive across the Going to the Sun road, which just opened on Jun 20, so watch out for rock slides, loose stuff in the corners and running water from the snow melt, and end up in West Glacier.

bob

We are now in Ohmaha Neberaska. Slept last night at Glenn Cunningham Campgound. What a great place! We made sure to stop in St.Louis following in Man v. Food's footsteps when we had lunch at Iron Barley. Great Food! Saw the arch while we were in St. Louis. Pork Loin over barley with gravy served in a sizzling skillet. Were at the McDonalds at the moment. I can see right now that they are going to be out best friends with thier cheap coffee and free WiFi. As far as today goes we will be heading out to the Badlands via Hwy 275. Its a bit slower than the interstate, but the views should be much improved. On to the pictures.








This place managed to get us to stop, again free WiFi, they got their moneys worth when the charged us 6 bucks for chocolate covered peanuts!

Not really in mexico, but I thought hey why not mess with you folks.

The 1st Sunset over Nebraska!


Breaking down the tent!

The lake not 100 yards from our tent, we picked a great spot considering it was near midnight!


Next update will be either tonight or tomorrow from the badlands.

Wonderful! Please keep 'em coming.

We are now in Rapid City South Dakota. We drove through Nebraska to the badlands and went through that beatiful peice of ground. we had planned on camping in the badlands but since it was early that we expected we went on to Rushmore. At the Mt we saw the lighting ceremony were they lit up the mountain and played a small movie about the four presidents. At the end they had all the military veterans come up and fold the flag. Great place to visit. Driving through Nebraska and then the Indian reservations was quite unexciting. There's just not much out there but flat and brown. Rushmore was a bit of a rip, yes the park is free but its 10 bucks to park. Geez! The Miatas running great however some of these 75 mph speed limits are a bit much for it. So we just cruise around 70 nice and relaxed. On to the pictures.
1st one of these we've seen in a LONG time, we dont have them anymore back east.

Driving Through Flatness


The scenery begins to change after about 3 hours HA!

Dad took over after 400 miles Plus I wanted to see the Badlands





Badlands in the distance, were close!

The nice park ranger wouldn't take our military ID, 15 bucks down




The posted limit was 45....we didn't always follow it. There were alot of COOL roads in that park.


I got a little artsy! Thanks BossFrog for the great roll bar!



The BUG killer. We even somehow had dead bugs in the wheels! The 6ULs are a big killiong machines!




The mighty Miata iron horse beats the Badlands





The 1st time we had to button up the car is because of this baby coming in. We were in route to rushmore.


BTW speaking or Rushmore, that place is a Freaking tourist trap at the bottom.



Flags were at half because of a Ranger who was killed on a rescue mission on Mt. St. Helens.

Nice trip report.

I love that part of the world. I'll be out there next weekend for some dual sport riding, and again in August for Rally Week.

Very cool. Glad you and your Dad are able to enjoy the trip and time together. The more I think on it, the more I need to do a trip like this.

__________________
Rather be outdoors

We've been alot of places since my last update. The Needles highway was in a word amazing! The videos do NOT do it justice. The same goes for the Iron Mountain Road. Great scenery and roads. We hit Custer's Last Stand on the anniversary of the battle by a random bit of luck and got to see a lot of reenactments. That night we camped in the Indian camp next to the battle field...for free! The Indians were great they had fireworks, dancing and a general party on the anniversary. It was great. From there we hit Devils tower and got the Miata stuck in a fire pit that we didn't see in the high grass. Not a huge deal just kinda irksome. We then hit the Beartooth highway and had a snowball fight at 10500 feet. So great! I had alot of video running the Beartooth and the Needles Highway. The videos will have to come later when I have a really good connection. It just takes too long on these roadside 'free' wifi joints. From Beartooth we were in Yellowstone and then the Gran Tetons. That brings us up to date. Next will be from Glacier Park.
Campsite outside Rushmore.























Indian Dance on the battlefield


Police were out in force, to keep everything civil





This guy said he wanted to trade his white horse for mine...




Laying the Peace reef.


CUSTER!







50 yard long tunnel, cool place for a Miata, I'll post the videos later.

This was a wonderful woman's truck, she was 73....yep she was a badass.

This was the Beartooth! We were in the middle of a classic car run!
















That is snow....

I'll bet that Miata seemed a tad small when you were next to that buffalo!

Windy was an understatment











This was the going to the sun road...a bit snow covered. and we picked up a flat


White out!

Filling up the bottles with Mt. Water


A very helpful road worker!


The Flat...it was a rock that did it.

Brand new S.drives too...

Coffee in the aftermath

En route to seattle or Spokane I dont remeber



Made it to Seattle and got a great tour! Thanks Rennee! Most are cell phone shots and wont be here sorry. You guys wont see Pikes Place

Camping in Ranier


Right by our camp




Did I mention it was COLD up here?


Mountain Goats




cooling down the water bottles

Still in Rainier

Now were headed to St. Helens hopefully it doesn't blow.

Somebody sure has a good eye with a camera. These pictures really give me itchy feet.

Scott, the owner of the camp we stayed at. What a great guy, had a beer around the fire with him, quite friendly!


The Volcano stayed shrouded in clouds almost all day, this was the best shot we could get.

Dead trees Galore!


This is Dad and I exploring a lava cave. It was an unguided, unlit awesome trip. We took two mini mag lights, it was quite an experience.







The Meatball!


It was a bit chilly underground...

Dad bashed his head as the cave ended and sloped downward.




The entrace on our way out.

This was the Timberline lodge. Neat place, built in the 30's during the depression by FDRs new deal. Building it put alot of people to work.

Got the tour

Also out 1st real meal since we started, that wasn't an MRE or delicious camp food.





The chains you see here are left over from the snow chains from the trucks they used to build the place.





This little guy was ready to chow down and let me very close.

En Route to Crater







Wizard Island





This eneded up being a WAY too cool picture

The water is so blue and such a deep hue you wouldn't belive it.



Headed out and that's all folks until next time. Well be in Redwoods tomorrow!




v

Send bail money, datsun went missing.

__________________
Dum vivo cano

Looks like great trip and great fun. You do nice pictures also. We were in Yellowstone two weeks ago right before the SWCA meeting.

Made it to Cali and the coast road






Avenue of the Giants






Back on Hwy 1..what a trip!




1st sunset over the Pacific



Made it to 'THE' bridge



Scott was SUPER helpful!


Made it to to the peir, explored the ships




Alcatraz...20 day wait for a tour


Captains quarters


Fisherman's Wharf


Rocco's Famous Cafe...great chow!



Thanks for EVERYTHING KONG! You guys were super helpful!

Kongs the short one on the end...
Nah...he's the cool dude on my left


His Ride

Headed out of the city


Made it!

This place was burned out so sad

Still beauty left













MADE THE LONG *** drive to Vegas for the 4th! What a show! We got to our room not 5 mins before they started. 11th floor of the Hilton, for 39 bucks! What a deal! The fireworks were exploding right at eye level.

Since we got to Vegas so late, we explored the next day. Walked the strip and had a great time.

Our Hotel





'cmon you doesn't go to Vegas and at least gamble once...they got 5 bucks from me. oh well


This little guy made all that neon possible





The engineer in me was really geeking out. Had a great time




Memorial to those that fell in the construction




Drove across


This bridge was just TOO cool

Sun rise over the north rim of the grandcanyon. We had to HAUL to get there. Got in the tent about 1:45 am and sunrise was 5:17 so we didn't get much sleep. worth it!









The colors and views were spectacular

I was playing spider money and free climbing some of the rocks





Coool folks were chatted with on the overlook


Then we thought we hike to the bottom, 8 miles round trip, 4 down and 4 back up. It was a great hike.




Yeah...it was cool out


You can just see the trail and the bridge


Made it




George Vergas, what a great guy. Retired Navy, gave us some crackers. Stand up guy!

We got this one on the way out since it was too dark to get it on the way in.


Thats all for now, sorry for the wait, I think all the pictures make up for it! Were headed to Moab now!

These are the pictures from the drive from the Grand Canyon to Arches the Moab. What a cool place. Then south to Mexican Hat. 5 miles of switchback gravel road and about 1600 feet of elevation change in one hell of a hurry. After the drive we took a river tour down the Colorado and met some great people for Austria.







See...there isn't much out there by desert and really cool climbing rocks.




Made it to Arches





Petrified Dunes







The place from where the park gets its name




Moab beer and an MRE, NOW thats a dinner!


Our Campsite

Boarding the boats for the rafting tour






Floating down some of the 'nicer' rapids

Dad taking his turn on the oars

These are the awesome Austrians we had dinner with.

The Bus ride back!

This is the road to Mexican Hat.

Some SERIOUS weather moving in, we just out ran the rain.

Great view

A road NOT made for a Miata, we had no idea it was gravel till the road just 'ended' we were told it was a great driving road and it would have been....if it was paved.




Here that storm again...almost didnt make it

This is Alb. New Mexico at the Hard Rock Casio. Free money, they give you 25 bucks for free! So...I walked out with 20 bucks cash!



Made it to 'Old Town' played with some of the art work


Great Catholic church

Hanging out


Rode the tram-way up to the top of the mountain







Sighting Tubes

Our Ride!




Had to get a great walking stick





After getting back I met a buddy of mine and we drove the mountain from the other side. 5000 feet to 10000 feet. All kinds of switch backs and awesome curvy roads.
Here's the Video
Rev and Datsun running in New Mexico - YouTube

I hope your dad gets you back for making him cuss so much.

Thanks for sharing,

__________________
Dum vivo cano

Thanks again Rev, you were a great friend to have in ABQ! Thanks for the great pictures and even better drive! We made it to Alabama this morning. Nothing like a 20 plus hour drive to stir the blood Not much happened on the way. We stopped at a killer steak joint in Texas. They had a 72 oz monster you had to finish in an hour then it was free. Dad and I didn't quite trust our selves so we made due with the 18 oz version. Still doesn't get much fresher than that since the slaughter house was 3 miles away...MOOOO!

Having an open top car means you get some great smells as you drive along...And some really bad ones. For instance, hitting a possum and getting it stuck on your HOT low hanging exhaust is most assuredly NOT a good smell.

On to the pictures.

These are the shots that I didn't get to upload from Santa Fe



Great little french coffee shop


Such cool religious history here.

NEAT!


Odd looking saint...


Walking the labyrinth.






The mansion


The steak house in Texas...'The Big Texan' They also refilled our growler with thier own brand of home made beer. Texas Red is tasty.



Our next update will include Hoover Alabama and some chillaxing! Dad and I are adding a DETOUR to the trip. Our cousin in SC offered to take us deep sea fishing. So we will leave Alabama and head to SC. It looks like the Mighty Miata is going coast to coast and abouy 8300 miles total!