A few months back I posted about looking for a Miata...had settled on a really nice white NB in AZ which @Scott_H checked out for me, and concluded it was VERY nice.
But fate stepped in. I mentioned my search to my B-I-L in Dearborn, he's an enginerd who works for Ford. He has a former neighbor looking to sell a 2008 PRHT 6 speed with 41k miles. We struck a deal.
The car is getting new tires next week, and we changed some travel plans to end in Dearborn vice flying directly home. So, we will be driving the Miata from Dearborn to Corpus Christi beginning the 22nd. We plan to take four to five days and see some sites along the way...so what sites are along the way?
We've tossed around Graceland, I went about 20 years ago with my oldest daughter and had fun. My wife is a big Elvis fan so it's pretty high on the list.
The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI
Auburn Cord Duessy Museum, Auburn, IN (blue route below)
Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY (eastern route below.) This route also runs you through Nashville (country music) and The Lane Motor Museum before Memphis/Graceland
The gray western route puts you into Chicago. Also takes you to the shore of Lake Michigan. Have you ever seen a Great Lake?
After Memphis, the route home could be detoured through New Orleans if that's your thing.
As a Texan, in a convertible who happens to be in Michigan for late Sept, I'd want to send you north for fall color.
That top region that starts with the date of 9/25 includes the famous route called the Tunnel of Trees
But that Tunnel is in Harbor Springs, MI which is 4 hours north of Dearborn then extending you to a 27 hour drive back to TX. The temps that time of year would be about 72 degrees daytime and 50 degrees night time. Its the perfect time for top down driving with the heater on and pointed to the floor as the heat wafts over you on its route from floor to escaping for where a roof should be. It fun to clear the leaves out of the car that have dropped in during your drive. As the warmth of the sun goes away late in the day, it the perfect time for a PRHT
I mentioned in the other thread to see the Great Lakes. If you go north, you can not only see them but you can cross them on the Mackinac Bridge. A recommended and unique experience. I know you might think, "but I've been across a bridge before." Trust me, its different and impressive.
"Its the perfect time for top down driving with the heater on and pointed to the floor as the heat wafts over you on its route from floor to escaping for where a roof should be"
You should write for a travel agency...
Thanks for the tips John!!
calteg
SuperDork
9/9/22 7:04 p.m.
I just wanted to give you props for driving a convertible in 110% humidity
John Welsh said:
Have you ever seen a Great Lake?
Out of your way but I just spent all week making calls near Lake Superior.
Hitting Chicago or that Mackinac bridge as previously noted is really awesome.
Picked up the car in Dearborn...didn't manage to get pics until today
If you go to the Corvette Museum be sure to check the operating hours and time your arrival accordingly.
I showed up early afternoon and it was already closed for the day so didn't get to check that box.
Which route are you traveling?
That's the Ohio River in the pics, we're in Bowling Green today and have to pick up the pace as my wife had some work commitments crop up.
We came through Zanesville to get here....amazing roads, scenery, etc
Zanesville, Ohio? That's really not near Dearborn, MI
Lol, no it wasn't...but it got us south and on some cool roads with beautiful scenery and only about two hours 'out' of our way.
