Eight and a half (more on that later...) Miatas shot north from Plano this morning for a jaunt through the countryside. mx52nr joined us at the meetup point, but wasn't able to make the drive. Our "Long Haul" award definitely goes to bio243 for this event... He and his girlfriend drove up from Temple!

Rain was threatening during a few parts of the trip, but we escaped all but a few drops that came down as we turned off Hwy 75 toward Weston. Traffic threatened - and impeded a few times - but largely kept away. All in all, it was a wonderful trip with good friends, great food and lots of smiles.

Our group today consisted of Outrace, tailchaser, brock, Treibenschnell, Bio243 (and girlfriend), apex2apex, POS Racing, Dave04, IMVivid (and co-pilot).

As we exited Hwy 75, I watched a dozen raindrops dance across my windshield. My response? Hit the gas. It worked. We met our first LEO as we cruised through Weston, Texas, at the posted limit. I saw his brake lights come on, but apparently he was just counting convertibles. We proceeded without impediment up to FM 121 and met our second and final LEO (just 35 minutes into the day!) as we slowed to a stop for a train in Gunter. Sometime after that, we understand Dave04 offered to pop the trunk and let Outrace jump in... Apparently our two-wheeled bandit wasn't on perfect behavior.

A short while later we pulled in to Clark's Outpost in Tioga for some of the finest brisket known to man. A few gallons of iced tea and several pounds of meat later, we were back on the road retracing our steps on FM 121 en route to Van Alstyne.

bio243 shows off the cool Racing Beat intake on his '99. Outrace looks impressed.

Somewhere south of Blue Ridge, a suicidal squirrel ran between my front wheels, exited the driver's side, ran back through the rear wheels, exited the passenger side, waited on the side of the road for a few cars to pass and leapt under the right front wheel of the POS racer. Reports indicate he departed the right rear wheel in a much more two dimensional condition and managed at least 4 feet of air before being deposited on the side of the road. We ask that you now join us for a moment of silence for Mr. Squirrel...

In the first episode of "Dirt Roads with Tailchaser" we ventured in to Sister Grove Park on Lake Lavon to relieve "P"ressure, take some photos and chat. Outrace told me, "Up until about 3 minutes ago, you were my best friend! What do you think this is, a dirt bike?"

After sitting in traffic leaving Princeton, we caught a break for a spirited run up FM 546 into Fairview before partaking of "Dirt Roads with Tailchaser Part Deux." For those keeping score, that particular dirt road was Lewis Lane. Is that Superman's brother in law?

We drove by Southfork and headed back to Plano for a beer at On The Border - where I still swear I heard Vivid order a Squirrel Margarita. It was a great day, and we'll try to give out more than four days' warning next time so that more of you can join us. Until then!