I got back the other day from picking up my Emira in Indianapolis, then making a 2-day roadtrip back to the DC area. It started off in downtown Indianapolis, where I caught a Fever vs Mystics WNBA game (the fans are really into Caitlin Clark!). I stayed at the Sheraton downtown, and they didn't want their valets driving the car so they just let me park it on the street directly in front of the hotel, and they had 24-hour staffed valet nearby.
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I included the night photo as the red interior is visible, and you can see the TracWrap I applied before my drive. It went on easily, and the car gets a proper PPF at my local installer tomorrow.
There's a few ways to get from IN to MD, and I chose a more southern route that took me via Dayton, OH then onwards to WV, instead of the northerly route through PA. It was a glorious day for driving, with not a single drop of rain, and only a few clouds here and there. The miles went by quickly, thanks to the cruise control, and the pleasant scenery of lush cornfields and rolling hills while approaching the eastern part of OH.
I then peeled off to the Ohio River Scenic Byway in the direction of Ironton. The hills increased as I entered the Applachian region. I spent the night in Huntington, WV, at the Doubletree where the valets escorted me to a spot where I could self-park securely.
The next day, it was through the hills of WV and onwards to MD, where I crossed the eastern Continental divide.
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This part of western MD is near route 40, the former National Road (before interstates). In MD, there's also a Scenic 40, and that was some excellent driving, where I could really see what the car can do.
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No other cars on the road, and twisty country roads made for a great time of zooming through the turns with lots of action on the shifter.
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Eventually I rejoined the interstate, and DC-area traffic meant I was no longer alone on sparse interstates, but I did make it safely home.
It's a great car. I owned an Elise until a few months ago when I got word my Emira was on the way. The Emira is more a GT car, with the amenities to match. I got my Elise 16 years ago, and things were different then. I could tolerate the lack of comfort and impracticality. The Emira is like a more grown-up version of the Elise... but I've grown up too, and for me, it's the right car at the right time.