...as this was our first day to break 40 degrees since December 17th, and I hadn't driven my S2000 w/the top down ever!

Fortunately I didn't have any work this day, but it started overcast. The sun broke through around 11:00, so after taking care of some things I went to the garage, warmed the car, lowered the top, and away I went!

Nevermind having some lunch, putting on warmer clothing, or anything else!

Everyone on the street turned to watch me drive out or waved (here in CT, waving is rare)...

I headed north, keeping to the more main and drier/cleaner streets, but took my chances on some back roads too.

Is rather weird having the top and windows down whilst trucks w/plows mounted are passing the other way!

The river looked awefully pretty with the ice and snow on the water--nevermind the ice fishermen.

Had the laser jammer kick off when passing a Postal truck (yellow strobe lights) which I had heard about before, and actually found a cop w/a car pulled over w/a hot Ka band radar gun so got to test the new detector (Bell 980).

Had an awesome drive and almost didn't come home, stayed out for about 2 hours--was gorgeous!

As I'm returning home, I realized two things.

1) My temporary plate from the dealer was taped on the rear window--FOLDED UP IN THE LOWERED TOP!

2) I am 3 miles shy of turning 1000 miles. Not bad for an S2000 that's been sitting in the garage the past 2 weeks--that I've only had less than a month!

Randy

PS: Looks like I'll have to figure something out for the paper temp plate this weekend--Saturday's supposed to be over 40 again and my girlfriend will surely want to go for a drive...

PPS: Now it's damn time for some lunch!

 

Two things. . .

1. Tape your temporary plate in the upper right hand corner of your front windshield. . .

2. Enjoy lunch

 

Randy! Im around this weekend e-mail me if you feel like getting together on Sat some time. Hopefully it will be warm enough for me to wash my dirty car and put the top down sometime!

Well I gonna go eat my lunch and take my car out for a spin!(maybe with the top down!)
laters.

 

any recommendations for some nice, twisty back roads in CT ?

 

I hear Rt. 7 is nice. Though I really dont know. Just get lost somewhere and you will find some damb nice ones! Just gotta go in the upper left of the state. Can't go wrong.

 

Hey Randy, I can relate to you! Today, I was preparing Scarlet with new tires for the trip to the Dragon this weekend and luckily today it's clear and 41 freking degrees! I was the ONLY maniac out on the mean streets of Chi-town with the top down...it was awesome! And 41 compared to how cold it has been, man, it feels like a summer day!

Congrats on going topless, it's a feeling I miss terribly!

And I totally forgot about lunch...!

 

Yes, let's see, where to begin.

One of the hard parts is traffic. Rt. 15 from NY state into CT and up is very pretty and a much better alternative to I-95. Built during the depression, it has some severe corners and a 55 MPH limit as well as bridges crafted by Government paid artisans--each bridge is unique through Fairfield County. Forget it during rush hours though, the tight two laner bogs down excessively with nowhere to go during accidents.

Any of the road marked as scenic on a map (mostly in the northern section) feature twisty 2-lane roads usually bordered by a river.

Route 7, above Danbury is gorgeous, but stay away during rush hours--expect traffic on weekends too.

Route 7 diverges near New Milford--following Rt. 202 leads to Rt. 45 which connects back w/7--allows a loop trip (and is shorter than staying w/7).

Above where those two connect back is lesser trafficked and quite nice--be sure to wave to Lime Rock Raceway as you pass.

You've now reached the North Western corner of the state (one-hour drive plus), before crossing the Mass. line, in Canaan, you will find Route 44.

You may want to go West to enter NYS and come back down the Taconic, or go East to enjoy CT over toward Winsted. There you may want to catch Rt. 8 (limited-access highway) if you want a quick trip returning South. There's a beautiful section south of Torrington along the Naugutuck River in a valley with big sweepers.

I haven't pursue any of the scenic drives in the middle or Eastern portion of CT yet, so can't speak of them.

A good tourist destination is Mystic Seaport, way over in the South Eastern corner. Historical buildings and some featured demonstrations (one period dressed actor may be found at the library) are delightful--sorta' expensive though ($20 or $25 admission).

Much of Connecticut in the North Easter corner has beautiful hills and farms--taking any of the non-Interstate routes will reveal enjoyable scenery and winding roads.

Fair warning however: Connecticut speeding tickets are expensive. Minimum of about $120 if you don't contest it, maximum I think is over $300.

If you can afford the day off, contesting it makes it $50...purely a revenue generator.

At least detectors are legal now! However CT departments can afford the laser detectors, which is why I put the jammer on my Yellow...

Things to remember, CT extends about an hour north to south, two hours west to east.

Randy

PS: Sign up to join us at Lime Rock this Spring if you haven't already! (Was it Memorial Day?) Many of us are meeting in Danbury to take Rt. 7 up to Lime Rock.

PPS: So how about returning the favor in regards to New Jersey?