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| Midnight Sun Fun Runs The Midnight Sun Fun Run (MSFR) is our standard hardcore run to Fairbanks on the longest day of the year, June 21st. It doubled up as John's birthday, with 3 days and 2 nights. We would leave from Anchorage on a Friday around 11 am and end up at Monderosa around 6 pm where we would meet the AKMC Fairbanks Chapter. We would set up camp in Fairbanks. Saturday morning we usually hit Chena Hot Springs and eat at a nice place for dinner that night. This would be places like the Turtle Club, Food Factory or what have you. We would cruise around and check out the strip at the "Clinic". Sometimes we would watch a movie, play poker, or hang out at a local party. Sunday is breakfast at the Northern most Denny's and either back down or do a loop to Delta Junction, Paxon, Glennallen and back. Mike, JJ, Ed, John, Andrew and gf, Mike and Sharon, and Tim and Maria
June 20-22, 2003 Michael and John left Anchorage for Denali around 3 PM arrived in Denali and spoke with Sue. Ed made a trip to Fairbanks to drive down with the Midnight Sun Miatas. Sharon and Mike said that they weren't going to have the event in Denali but still wanted to meet in Nenana at Monderosa to eat and socialize instead. When we got to Monderosa there was six members and four Miatas. After eating, talking, and taking pictures we decided to follow Mike and Sharon back to Fairbanks. On the way there we met up with two other Miatas. Now we were 10 members, and six Miatas. So, back to Monderosa for more pictures and socializing. This was so cool!
But it got even better as we followed the MSM back to Fairbanks and they showed us their backyard. Great roads! Special thanks to Mike and Sharon who are the coordinators for the MSM this year. We hope to see you again next year.
JJ June 21, 2004: No Run June 17-19, 2005
David, Gabe, Mike, Sharon and Mike, John and Kristi, Mindy and Derek, and Tim If this picture doesn't tell you how much fun we had, take a look all the other pictures. The AKMC Fairbanks Chapter is officially back on track and has combined members with the Midnight Sun Miatas. They still have to iron out the details but as a group they did very well hosting the Anchorage Chapter and have bigger plans for everyone next year. We are working on a three day trip to include, Chena Hot Springs, Tanacross Airstrip, and the Hull Road. AKMC members include John and Kristi, Derek and Mindy, Michael, Gabe, David, Mike and Sharon, and Tim. Six Miatas and an RX-7 (FC) were present at Monderosa in AKMC style, KARLUK, Gabe's Silver M2, BABY, FANDANGO, KOOPA, and JENNY.
VADER, GABE's, BABY, FANDANGO, KOOPA, and JENNY The first thing we did was head to Fairbanks and through another construction zone where we got a lot of attention. On the way there we did the zigzag game which wasn't as good as two years ago. Once in town we headed for Chena River Recreation area to secure a camping spot. After that, we toured the local twisties of Chena Ridge. Man, these guys are nuts! Miata nuts! It was a spirited run, nevertheless. A quick visit to the local Mazda dealer to see when the NC would arrive. The manager informed us that they were on the bottom of the list and wondered if they were even going to get one. We then had ice cream at Hot Licks which means we will hook the Fairbanks crew next year.
Thank you for the ice cream Mike, Sharon, and Tim. It was yummy! We continued to cruise and let Gabe, the new AKMC Fairbanks representative, show us around a few more roads. Around 6 PM it started to rain and we grabbed some drinks and headed back to camp. Around 10 PM, most of the crew went to watch "Batman: The Beginning." After that we got a friendly visit from the Fairbanks AKMS crew. Cars present included a turbocharged FC, a Celica, and even an SS Camaro. We talked cars and drank a few. I was starting to fall asleep and turned in at 3 AM. Tim picked up his brother from the airport and camped with us.
In the morning, 9:30 AM most of us had breakfast at the nearby Denny's. We had the pleasure to speak with Tim's brother who raced Miatas in C Stock. Also, he raced Spec Miatas. Currently he plans to do some Rally crossing with a new car. Well, around 12 PM it was time to go home. Speedy and Mindy went with Tim and his brother to Chena Hot Springs. KOOPA and JENNY headed home to complete the journey. It was a very successful trip ending with 10-13 hours of sleep afterwards. Can you believe it was TOO much driving? June 23-25, 2006
Alex, John, Mike, Brian, and Derek (Speedy)
VADER, JENNY, KOOPA, and LEELOO Monderosa with no local members. This trip Chena, some views of the Alaska pipeline. We ate at some nice places for sit down dinner.
Night with Gabe and Jeff and their crew. Poker with M&Ms and the grand opening of a videogame place. Run back to Anch through Delta Junction, Paxson, and GlennAllen. No tickets. 2007: The Last Midnight Sun Run?
Only two Miatas were leaving from the Barnes & Nobles parking lot. But we were determined to do this regardless. It was road trip mode. Mike, PK, and Sarah (taking pic) with JENNY and PKIZZ ready to go. The weather got worse fast as it was already overcast due to smoke from the fires. We went through rain and heavy fog by the time we got to Denali. It was so bad that no photo opportunities came up. It cleared up on the road to Nenana. We made it to Monderosa only to find that no one was there to meet us. So we ate our dinner and was able to make contact with Jeff. Jeff met us at the camp site in Fairbanks and took us out to the local Strip. We met up at the "clinic" and met lots of car guys. PK was up for 24 hours so we let him sleep until 11 am to get all the rest he needed. The next jaunt was to Chena Hot Springs. On the way there we met Brian and family in the Mazda 6. Our itinerary was a bit different so we would meet for dinner at 6 PM. Meanwhile, our plan was to experience the natural hot springs at Chena. Add a couple of hours basking in the sun there too. We stayed and rested there until dinnertime.
The Turtle Club is located in Fox, a nearby town from Chena Hot Spring Resort. We were a bit early and PK decided to teach Sarah how to drive a stick in his Miata. It was a short lesson. Brian and family came and we took a couple pictures. The Turtle Club is famous for their prime rib, soft and generous portions.
After dinner we had a chance to check out the Alaskan Pipeline. Here is a picture of JENNY in front of the pipeline.
There are more pictures to come but for now this is the latest update. The ride home was also interesting going through Delta Junction, Paxon, and Glennallen. You got to talk to PK about the crazy truck we met. Looking back at this run, it was the most dangerous, but it will not be the last. There was also talk about a HARDCORE run to Juneau (via ferry) next year. Until then, take care, and peace. |
