54th Daytona 500...

a race of firsts...rained out...run on Monday...at night...top favorite drivers out at the beginning of the 2nd lap...it lasted until the next day...and...hmmm...

 All the folks, who have been here before, say this field is the best it's ever been. But several had to get lots of boards...shovels...jacks and even tow trucks to pull them out of holes. This nut-so didn't bother to start his engine, take off the brake or even put it in neutral to help the truck. Broke the first strap immediately. Then the truck driver clued him in as to how to help...gees. We're looking pretty good...so not to fret.

 Here we are in our assigned seats for every race. GREAT SEATS! We could see the entire track, and we didn't have the cold wind at our backs, as those in the top row had. Yep, we got here early again. But we hate to miss anything. My new Danica shirt went right into the dirty clothes after this race. Three days is quite enough...LOL

 All lined up and ready to roarrrrrrrrr! The officials dispensed with most of the pre-race activities...sent a camera guy down the line of cars, as the drivers were introduced...Cub Scouts presented the flag...a local woman sang the National Anthem...not even fireworks...or waiters in the stands...hee-hee

And the green flag was waved...beginning of the second lap both our favorite drivers were out from the wreck. Jimmie Johnson's car was beyond repair. Danica came back in about the 66th lap, but just to get the points, as those who were driving along with her in the back of the pack were also doing.

The Goodyear and DirecTV blimps circled overhead all during the race. I figure the Goodyear pilots either had more experience or better instruments. As the fog dropped lower and lower over our heads, so did the DirecTV blimp. By the time the evening was over we could almost see the 'whites of their eyes'...lol.

It was a good race...lots of excitement...got back to the coach about 2am...yawn. This morning we're headed back across the way to the KOA to get propane, dump and do laundry. Tomorrow we hit the road back to Yuma with a couple sightseeing stops along the way. BTW, what is the name of that restaurant we need to eat at in New Orleans?

Yesterday was a long day...

full of uncertainty. It was dry in the morning, which gave us some hope for the weather. We watched as two blimps began circling the race track. They were soon joined by five small planes pulling banners. The sky was a busy place in the morning.

Then the sprinkles began. We donned several layers and waterproof shoes...threw an old poncho and raincoats into our bags...hopped on the golf cart and headed to the stands. We did go up to our seats...twice. We did want to see as much of the activities as we could, that were taking place in the infield (we didn't want to be part of the mobs down there trying to get to seats just before the race).

RAINING! The parade of emergency vehicles took place, but the Budweiser Clydesdales pulling the big wagon couldn't  come out (track is too steep on the turns). Some of the cars were lined up, but covered.

Still RAINING! Lenny Kravitz performed about four songs acompanied by fireworks and flashing lights...toe tapping & singing along was I. Between his songs we got to hear bits of country songs. These folks sure love their country singers.

 RAINING some more...The drivers were introduced with a lot of fanfare...Danica above and Jimmie Johnson below.

The fellows in red and white are drummers...big drum rolls please...that huge black and silver thing in the middle? That's the Daytona 500 trophy. It's dang near as tall as Danica.

After the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung the Thunderbirds did fly over the track. Pretty dang COOL...they had to fly low because of the clouds...bonus!

We sat on the floor under the grandstands and ate a little lunch, as many did. Found a spot to watch Lenny under the stands also...Finally went up to our seats and were joined by a few others..."we paid a lot of money for those seats, gonna use them"...LOL...Finally soaked through despite all the rain gear, we headed back to the RVs to 'wait and see'.

A couple hours later we could hear in our RVs the jet dryers on trailers behind trucks drying the track . So several of us donned all the gear and got back to the stands, just as they announced the postponement until today.

The forecast for today is 90% rain...not good...still have some hope.

I AM SO BUMMED....need chocolate

It started out a near perfect day...sun was out, sorta...windy...we were yapping at each other, sorta...caught the correct tram to the infield...

 One Clydesdale out for us to take a close-up look at and picture. Dang, he's BIG! Just his foot is bigger than my head, although I have to admit I've got a pinhead...lol

Victory Lane...hmmm, we could have gotten a photo taken here with the trophy, but opted for this pic like many others were doing. Gees, stuff is expensive...one Coke=$4.

 We got up over the garages just as Danica came out of the team trailer. Then ran back down and watched as she got in her #10 car and prepared to practice for the 500. She's sure a tiny thing.

Nah, faking this picture. I can do this anytime I want at home...lol. But it is one of the things the fans can do in the 'FanZone'.

And here she is at the Pole position next to Trevor Bayne, last year's winner. Bumped out by her own teammate, after doing a really swell job of racing...I sulked for quite a while.

Is Danica the only one we're rooting for? Nope...but she's important to me. We like the racing of the Bush brothers, Dale, jr and a few others. Today Norman/Dad will be rooting for Jimmie Johnson.

Today we wear our new t-shirts (well, I wore mine for Saturday's race, too).

Hoping it doesn't rain!!!

The Wheels on the Trucks go...

round and round...round and round...

Yep, thought it would be an exciting 100 laps, but they just went round and round...

 WHAT? Who is this? ROB HORNADAY, JR!

He should have come in in the top three...a terrific driver...but the cards were against him. He'd get outside and do some great drafting...pushing several to the front positions, then not having anyplace to pop into for himself. He was in 4th, when this accident happened forcing 'another' green-white-checkered' try at finishing.

This most exciting part of the 100 laps was the last 20+ laps, as they really tried to get ahead...one time even trying 4 across...doesn't work...someone gets squished out, and we have another caution.

We did the Midway this morning, and I finally found a motorcycle that would be fun to drive...LOL! Bought tees for the g'kids...signed up to win a couple cars...moseyed around. Then lunch...reading...nap...circle of new friends to gab...traded a Chevy shirt I won for a Dodge shirt...then off to those "wheels that go round and round".

Daytona Memories

Yesterday was a free day, except Norman had to be back by 4-ish for a Good Sam provided happy hour...LOL...We headed over to the peninsula aka Daytona Beach and picked up a few geocaches on our way to the southern tip, the little town of Ponce.

This is the the Ponce de Leon lighthouse with a memorial to our Armed Service Personnel. Norman climbed to the top and took some great pictures all around. The following pic is one of them. Me? Well, I don't climb towers very often, because I have a heck of a time coming back down...usually with my eyes closed.

We had a wonderful lunch on the inland side of the peninsula along the Halifax River. Norman/Dad had a trigger fish sandwich. It was yummy!

We stopped along the Atlantic coast at a couple places, but forgot to put our feet in the water. So I guess we'll have to go back. Most of the areas along this section of the coast folks can drive their cars. Sure a lot handier to not have to carry all your stuff to a spot in the sand.

Today was the Nascar Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Dual. Two races to finish the line-up for the 500 and to allow a few drivers, who had not qualified, to get into the 500. The following picture shows the trucks and the garages for the '500' race drivers.

 Before the races people can pay to go into the infield for a stage show, see into the garages (not go in), be in the grass area for introduction of drivers and to sign the checkerboard or the double yellow line. We'll be going in Saturday and Sunday. Sunday the big entertainment is Lenny Kravitz. I don't know how long Norman will stay and listen to him...lol. But we'll look around and when allowed to enter the grassy area, I want to sign the checkerboard.

This is the view from our seats. We're in the second row from the top. It's so high and steep, we couldn't see the bleacher seats we had used last week. What is very nice...we can see the whole track!

 See the headphones the fellow has on. We were told we needed earmuffs for the races, because they are so loud. It's really true! But then we couldn't hear anything...like the announcers. So we rented a small tv/scanner and two headphones. They dampen the sound of the cars, we can hear the announcers through the scanner part, listen to the pit crews talk to the drivers, even re-play wrecks. They are so worth the money.

Tonight we had a "water party". We hooked up a hose to a faucet across the street. Then each of us added our own hose in turn and filled our tanks with fresh water. It took a couple hours to do all our coaches. Then we flagged down the poop patrol truck and got our grey & black water tanks emptied.

OK...busy day again today...I've had my shower, done this blog, now I'm going to see what everyone else has been up to on facebook and play a game for a little bit.

BTW...it got up to 87 today. Thank goodness it was also partially cloudy and kept us from getting sunburned. But the coach got very warm, and we're having to run the a/c.

Monday & Tuesday

We did our own tour on Monday, then a paid by Good Sam tour of the grounds on Tuesday.

I LOVED THESE! They're huge...did not turn...but who cares. They are a display in support of the COPD foundation. The pinwheels are among the displays outside the buildings.

Dale Earnhardt...ol' #3...We did a geocache challenge here the next day. The challenge was to wear t-shirts that said "Dale Who?" and get our picture taken before a race. We cheated a bit and just held up signs. Boy oh boy, there were some folks upset with us...LOL

Well, yes, we did do a couple geocaches here. This one is hung from the middle of the "Welcome to Daytona Beach" bridge.

Chasing seagulls in an empty parking lot...what else?...hee-hee

Danica's garage...#5...the window has a space at the bottom, which can be opened for autographs.

 It's a big open garage with most of the cars inside...covered...darn it.

In the foreground is most of our group. We have the top four rows in the third white section from the tower. They used to belong to Winston before they pulled out (no smoking rule doncha know).

And we laid around some...did a little grocery shopping...camera battery went ka-poop and had to buy a replacement...happy hours with some of the group

A couple in our group is on their very first RV trip, and within two days had to pull out, find a dump site for their tanks and get fresh water. I remember those days! They are learning about dry camping quick.

If we're careful we'll make it until we pull out. Otherwise it will cost us $40 to have our tanks suctioned out. We could get them filled for another $40, but we're having a water party tomorrow night. Adding our hose to the others in our group and then to the 'one' faucet in the corner and filling tanks. Now that should take most of a long night...lol

Saturday the 18th @ Daytona

A very busy day which began at 7a and ended after 11p. I'll tell it mostly in pictures.

This is the view from the front of our coach.

We saw absolutely beautiful (unaffordable) driver's coaches to this going into the tunnel to the infield. Every bay was looked into, and the bomb dogs were present. Now what do you suppose this guy was going to do with the couches and the other junk?

Old race car parade next to the beach this morning

 Got yelled at by a cop, when I stood up in the seat of the pickup to get this shot of Richard Petty. Then he laughed and said, "I had to do that. My boss is right over there."...LOL

Shopped for t-shirts

Free hot dog lunch because we own a Toyota...hmmm, my new Danica hat

The Arca series...Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200...70+2 laps which had a terrific ending right in front of us as the leaders ran out of gas and stopped wherever on the track...These folks run real low budget...family and friends form many of the pit crews.

Venza pace cars today

 Nascar Sprint Cup Series...Budweiser Shootout...75+2 laps

Little Big Town was the Pre/Post concert and sang the anthem...fireworks as the drivers were introduced...25 cars...or the 25 all but 3 were involved in spectacular crashes and only 13 finished.

Toyota trucks paraded the drivers past the stands

It's the Budweiser Shoot-out, of course the Clydesdales were here

 

pitting

 And the winner is Kyle Busch after being involved somewhat in all the crashes and his own. Proved he's a pretty great driver!

Kennedy Space Center

Yep, we made it yesterday to the Space Center. This is a tourist attraction now totally supported by the dollars we spend. AND it cost mucho bucks...lol..The Kennedy Space Center is located on Merrit Island, which also has wildlife refuges on each end helping to make it quite secure. We saw a couple turtles and lots of gators in the ponds.

At the Space Center they have many displays and explanations of all that has been accomplished with the dollars spent on the rockets and shuttles...take for instance the advancement in cell phones and GPSrs. Norman is playing one of the games available. He's trying to dock into the space station. He did pretty darn well. Me? I crashed every time.

We paid for an advanced tour over to parts of Cape Canaveral, which is an Air Force base. We drove past many of the installations and had them explained. Norman was particularly interested in transporter below, because the tracks were made in Oakland, OR.

 This is the Vehicle Assembly Building, where all the parts are put together before the launch...transporter...platform...orbiter (shuttle). This is a temporary stop on the tour, because many changes are happening, since the space program is going private now.

 This is the only operational launch site for a shuttle right now.

 

I had a very nice lady take our picture on the Cape, but unfortunately, she was short and also couldn't see the picture before it was taken...lol...Norman lost the top of his head. And, drat it all, it turned out to be a nice pic of us.

A great full day...We could have spent a couple days here.