MATG 2024
Miata's at the Gap 2024 is what I would define as the turning point in the rest of my life. I needed MATG204, Between being stuck in a toxic job that was ruining my mental health, to not having anywhere to go in life, no direction, no purpose, these were the most confusing and questioning days of my life and little did I know, my life was about to get so much more interesting, so much more fun, and I would soon find a very good purpose for my existence.
It was the Monday before MATG2024, we got the call to pick up Charlie the friday before, we left in exactly one week. We knew right at that moment, that our lives were changing forever. We had been struggling at a toxic work place for quite some time at this point, I was pre transition and in a very emotional environment, my chronic pain was at an all time high, I was having thoughts I wish I had never been born. I was ready for a relaxing car event. I was terrified because now I'd have to experience it with a puppy. You see, all my dogs have been rescues, and I've never truly had a puppy. I had everything planned without a puppy but I was ready. This lil man was ours, and he was going to be a road trip puppy.
We spent the first couple nights at home then it was time to put the bed in the footwell of the Miata and head out and...
One Passed out little road trip puppy. He was truly our puppy. He rode like this nearly all 561 miles aside from when he wanted up in our laps. I drove almost the entire way, only leaving Jeff drive the last leg to our hotel room because I was tired.
We pulled into our hotel and instantly knew we were in the right area. None other than the chalkboard Miata was parked right outside. This Chalkboard Miata will make several cameo's in this article, and the gentleman owner is still a friend to this day. Stay awesome T.
We checked in right away, and I wanted to lay down and sleep. Some puppy however. Some puppy had other plans for me.
So I won't hide the fact that at this point in my life I hadn't done much laughing, I almost forgot what it felt like to laugh and this little ball of insanity made sure I couldn't stop. He had me rolling, crying, sputtering with laugher messing with me tickling me with his cold nose and he knew where to get, and he loved my laugh. The harder I laughed the harder he messed with me. I've never laughed so hard since watching Bed Knobs and Broom Sticks as a young kid. That scene where they're at the soccer match. We closed the evening off smoking a joint on the back porch watching the river then went to bed.
We woke up early the next morning, well, as early as two night shift workers could, 9:30 Am we packed up and went to our Air BNB a half hour away, we got acquainted with our cabin mates, and headed to Fontana Village for the festivities.
The whole event wasn't about the cars, it was bonding with each other and Charlie. From him falling down his first hill in Fontana Village to refusing to walk on the leash, we walked around, everyone met Charlie, everybody loved Charlie, I took what photo's I could but the whole purpose of the trip shifted the moment we picked him up. I had so much planned, It just wasn't going to happen, and the only thing I grew frustrated about was not having the time to escape Jeff in order to go buy an engagement ring.
A Failed Proposal
My first intention of Miatas at the Gap 2024 was I was going to propose to Jeff. The thought first occured to me when we first traveled to North Carolina and Tennesee when we first got blinky in 2023. We took the dragon stayed in a cabin, we went to Gatlinburg, the whole week was like a fantassy. I never thought myself the marraige type but there I was with the thought. He is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with!
We drive eachother nuts but we always hold each other up. We're along for the rollercoaster in this world no matter where it takes us. We've been through hell and came back for seconds and overcame a tremendous amount. The growth wasn't easy, it was painful, but we stuck it out. Set out a dream and stopped at nothing to make it happen.
Jeff and Charlie however were now glued to me the whole event and I wasn't able to go out and find a ring. I couldn't really focus on photography or the cars, it was all how much we were bonding and getting back to ourselves. It felt great to smile, and have people to smile with. Nothing went to plan and it went the best way. I throw this in here as an aside because to me it was an important thing on my itinerary that went unchecked.
We would end up having a wonderful engagement at Lake Arthur, several months later.
Back to the Yatas
We saw so many Miatas, met so many wonderful unique people, and even formed friendships that have lasted over a year past the event. TC, ER and CR, I hope you are well and loving the hell out of your little cars. These images got lost in a folder and finally uploaded, I just want to thank everyone at MATG for such a phenominal experience, and even though 2025 wasn't in the cards, 2026? Maybe, one can hope! See you next time! Enjoy this gallery of all the photos I took at MATG 2024 and be well.
ps. when in doubt Miata Is Always The Answer!
