Making Many Miata Miles: A 10,000-Mile Love Story on Four Wheels

At a time when most people are told to slow down, Bill Emerson (89) and Nancy Ball (86) chose the opposite. They went faster—not in speed, but in spirit.

In 2024, this remarkable couple set off on a 10,000-mile journey across the United States, traveling through 32 states in just five weeks. Their vehicle of choice was not an RV or a luxury cruiser, but a bright yellow, self-restored 1999 Mazda Miata, affectionately named “Tweety.”

This wasn’t a bucket-list stunt. It was a celebration of life, curiosity, and the community that forms around a simple, honest sports car.

One Miata. One Name. One Big Idea.

“Tweety” wasn’t just transportation. It was a companion.

Bill personally restored the Miata before the trip, ensuring it was mechanically sound and ready for the road. That alone says a lot. Restoring a car at that age isn’t about saving money. It’s about staying connected to the craft.

The Miata’s lightweight design, mechanical simplicity, and reliability made it the perfect partner. No distractions. No excess. Just driving.

That choice reflects the core message of the journey: adventure doesn’t require complexity.

Visiting Miata Clubs Across America

As they crossed the country, Bill and Nancy didn’t just drive past places. They stopped, engaged and connected.

They visited Miata clubs, car shows, and local gatherings, meeting people who shared the same passion. The response was overwhelming.

The book’s acknowledgements list tells the real story. Clubs from all over the U.S. opened their doors, including:

• Bluebonnet Miata Club

• Cape Fear Miata Club

• First Coast Miata Club

• Houston Miata Club

• Mazda Sports Cars of Washington D.C. Area

• Montana Miata Owners

• Mt. Hood Miata Club

• Nutmeg Miata Club

• Presque Isle Miata Club

• Puget Sound Miata Club

• SAMOA (Sacramento Miata Club)

• Vermont Miata Club

Alongside them are individual names—real people—who welcomed them, organized meetups, and shared stories. This wasn’t a tour built on hotels and highways. It was built on community.

That’s something no spec sheet can capture.

A Book That Captures More Than Miles

After returning home, Bill and Nancy turned the experience into a book:

Making Many Miata Miles

The hardcover book (8.5 x 11 inches) spans 100 pages of text and photographs, documenting not only the places they visited, but the people they met along the way.

It’s:

• Part travel memoir

• Part love story

• Part automotive tribute

The tone is inspiring, humorous, and deeply human. There’s no pretending to be young. There’s pride in experience. The message is clear: you don’t stop because you’re old—you get old when you stop.

More Than a Road Trip

What makes this story special isn’t the mileage. Plenty of people drive far.

What makes it special is why they did it.

Not chasing records. Weren’t proving anything to anyone. They simply loved driving and each other and loved the Miata world enough to show up in person.

In an era where connection often lives behind screens, Bill and Nancy chose handshakes, conversations, and shared meals with strangers who quickly became friends.

That’s the Miata spirit in its purest form.

Why the Miata Community Should Care

This story belongs to every Miata owner.

If you’ve ever:

• Waved at another Miata on the road

• Chosen a back road over a highway

• Spent hours fixing something just because it mattered

Then you’re already part of this story.

“Making Many Miata Miles” reminds us that the Miata isn’t about age, horsepower, or trends. It’s about joy per mile.

Final Thoughts

In a bright yellow Miata named Tweety, Bill Emerson and Nancy Ball proved something powerful.

Adventure doesn’t retire.
Passion doesn’t expire.
And the road is always waiting.

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple car, a shared purpose, and the courage to say yes—again.