The Race

It is interesting being here for a major sporting event. On Sunday, after church, we drove down to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse (#2 in the U.S in height after Cape Hatteras). The air was cool with a hint of rain. We knew the race was developing just 20 miles away. We explored the area, including the historical race area. We could see a blimp off in the distance. Then the F-15’s flew over in formation. It was at that point we decided to drive out to see the race area.

Speedway Boulevard is a main causeway from the beach to the racetrack, the airport, and beyond. During the race we drove in light traffic. Cars were parked deep on both sides of us 4 miles before we reached the venue. The race had started an hour earlier but still, on two occasions, entrepreneurs held tickets in the air, for sale. We heard the roar of the engines and the stadium loudspeaker as we drove by. The grandiosity of the setting was only rivaled by my Rose Bowl experience.

We did a U turn and headed home. Rain was in the forecast and unfortunately it proved true. Shortly after arriving back to our condo, we tuned the TV in to the rain delay. Then we received the news that it was over. Barb walked out to hallway, a western view, to see the live fireworks that I was watching on TV.

Earlier that Sunday, as we explored the area, we happened upon that site that first hosted the races. Walking down the beach it was noted where, in the early 1900’s, racing enthusiasts gathered to race down this pristine beach. It was an odd mix. NASCAR has its roots in the moonshiners that drove these roads in the 30’s and 40’s (1950’s song – “And there was thunder, thunder over thunder road. Thunder was his engine and white lightning was his load.”). But it was the Brits and the French that set the early speed records here. In 1903 Ransom Olds came down with his brand new car to visit his friend, John D. Rockefeller, who wintered here. Olds came in second at 69 MPH. In 1906 the Stanley Steamer, a US product, won at 121 MPH. During those years, the races of varying distances were one way up the beach. Land speed record events were held here. In 1927 a Brit broke the 200 MPH barrier. Official races continued and in 1941, Lloyd Seay won the race but was killed the next week by a family member over a dispute in the family’s moonshine business.

In the 50’s the race developed into an oval, a 2 mile stretch north up the beach, then a 180 degree turn south onto a paved road (A1A) which is the main street through town. The Daytona Race, mainly with southern drivers, gained international notoriety.

In the mid ‘50’s the organizers met in a hotel here and established NASCAR. Then in 1959 they built the present track just 10 miles out of town.

Monday we enjoyed the sun and the beach. Tuesday found us at the NASCAR Experience (again we are not NASCAR fans but NASCAR is America). The tour was great. I was very critical of Canton and I enjoy the NFL. I don’t watch NASCAR but this presentation was first rate. I now understand how a street-looking vehicle can travel 200 MPH. I also understand why all those vehicles with their flags of colors and numbers passed us as we migrated south. NASCAR has got it right. Pure entertainment. A sport, relatively unspoiled, and truly American. However, its history of running from Gmen and its early technology having European roots, depicts it not as so.

The lighthouse, the track, Barb in the stands and by this year's winning car.

Daytona

It is reported that 185,002 tourists migrated to this area this week. 185,000 came for the Daytona 500. Barb and I are just migrating to the space shuttle launch. Traffic was heavy as we drove south. Cars and pickups, with the colors and numbered flags mounted outside their windows, flew by us, vicariously competing in their own NASCAR race. As we checked into our condo, we were presented a NASCAR welcome packet. It really didn’t compete with the welcome basket at the Oscars but we did accept them. The plastic bags contained the products of NASCAR sponsors. Goody’s pain reliever had the likeness of Richard Petty on the package. There was also toothpaste and even a Harlequin romance novel, Speed Dating by a Nancy Warren. Something for the fans to digest as they sit by the pool and swill their Bud Light (not provided). Good ol' boys from all over the U.S. are numerous here basking in the opportunity to attend what they determine to be a milestone experience in their lives.

Our condo, located on the beach just north of Daytona (Ormond Beach) is a studio complete with a Murphy bed. It is not much bigger than our RV but our condo association found this place for us as we migrate south, hopefully rendezvousing with the space shuttle launch. The Atlantic churns against a white and somewhat red beach just below our balcony and only a modest pool lies between our condo and the beach. It was 84 degrees today. It is 8 p.m. and the door to the balcony is wide open, allowing the sea breezes in. We will be O.K. here. This picture is me grilling a steak by the pool.

We are not NASCAR fans. I have often questioned how one can sit and watch cars go around a 2 mile circle for 2 1/2 hours. But I am not one to judge. In one of my last days in China I sat between a Scot and an Irishman as they both berated American football, offering justification after justification as to why international football (soccer) is far superior in athleticism, skill, endurance, teamwork and entertainment. Who am I to judge?

Anyway, we will travel the 8 miles into Daytona tomorrow. Is there a chance that we will become fans?????

By the way we received news that the space shuttle will not launch before February 27. We don’t know when we are coming home.

Jekyll Island

We’ve experienced it before in Florida. We read about these places to visit -areas where the affluent once gathered which are now accessible to us commoners. We’ve found another one. Jekyll Island, Georgia. Macy, Gould, Goodyear, Astor, McCormick, Pulitzer, J.P. Morgan and other barons made this island their winter haven in the late 1800’s. Middle class Americans moved in to build houses and the state of Georgia declared half of the ten mile island as a state preserve. So now there are as many bike trails as highways. No gated community here. There are no high rises, fast food chains or T shirt shops here. The few 2 story hotels look out at the Atlantic. Staying here, once the cradle of American luxury, is now relatively affordable.

We stayed 2 nights and spent considerable time on bikes exploring the many sights. Coffee on the lawn at the club, a picnic at a beach in the sun, and the many winter homes now left as a legacy for the ages. Fine place, Jekyll.

Sunrise this morning. Coffee at the club. Bike paths. The magnificent live oak.

Leaving Oconee

We leave Lake Oconee tomorrow. It is always disappointing for us to leave from here. The environs are so comfortable and the community so welcoming. It is such a pleasure to be part of Ben and Penny’s lives for a time. Inhabiting their lake home is a part of it. Being within “drop in” proximity is more special.

It is still winter here, the lawns are yellow, and the deciduous trees are yet to leaf out. But the temps are warming (high 60’s the last few days). As one of the original 13 colonies and, unfortunately, located in the main swath of Sherman’s 1864 scorched earth march to the sea, the area has a rich history which is readily experienced. Two nearby towns, Madison (3,600) and Greensboro (3,200) have preserved pre-Civil War buildings including some mansions which were not destroyed in the war. Also, the nearby cemeteries honor soldiers from the Civil and Revolutionary wars. The woods that dominate the landscape, now cover the fields which were once cotton fields.

We are driving toward Jekyll Island, Georgia tomorrow, which is on the way to Florida, and hope to stay in that area two days.

We miss you so...

Saturday, February 7

Oh, we miss you so.

I don’t mean the Washington weather. It was sunny and 70 today. Most of my joints actually worked without creaking. After working outside with Ben and Barb until mid afternoon, and after a noon meal of grilled hamburgers on the deck, Barb and I went for a ninety minute canoe ride up the lake and into the Apalachee River.

We do miss Janie. We were in a routine of seeing her at least once a week. She even had a few overnighters with us. We do miss her, and Kari, and Nathan, and Cailyn… (Janie, last week)

But we miss most the RV. If only the Star Trek technology were real. We’d have Scotty beam our RV our way.

We’ve had some adjustments to make. That is very easy in an RV. You just park longer or take a different route. With condos it is not as easy. Also, the launch date appears to be a moving target.

Our condo association (Raintree Vacation Club) has been great. It is written into our contracts that cancellations or changes in the weeks before the reservation date would cost us dearly. It hasn’t. When we explain that we are in Florida to see our friend’s son in law pilot the Shuttle into space, Raintree goes right to work to find us another spot. So far, we are on our 2nd change.

The target date for launch is now the 22nd. Our tickets to fly home are for the 24th. This may work out yet. But it would be easier with the RV.

We plan to leave the lake on Thursday (12) to make our way to Canaveral stopping at some sights along the way. Hotels and condos will be the choice of lodging. Sure wish we had the RV.

Yes, we miss you so…

Sunday Sunrise over Lake Oconee

On the Road Again

We flew into Atlanta yesterday, rented a car, and traveled to Ben and Penny's Atlanta house for a scrumptious salmon with avacado mango salsa dinner. We arrived at their lake home about 10 p.m. and it, as always, was so welcoming.

We have run into 3 temporary set backs: 1) It is cold. 20 degrees last night, only low 40's today. But the sun is out and it will be mid 60's by Saturday. 2) I have a cold. My first one in several years. But I will hunker down today and get healthy. and 3) The one we are most concerned about, the space shuttle launch has been delayed at least a week. We are currently working out the details of how we will deal with the change of schedule.

Space Shuttle Launch Plans

We are heading back to Florida to hopefully watch the next space shuttle launch.

Our return to our favorite state is somewhat sooner than we expected. We have been invited by the family of the mission’s pilot, Tony Antonelli, to view the launch with some of his family and friends. It is scheduled for February 12, and I hadn’t anticipated contacting you regarding this as of yet, but as you can see by accessing the links on our blog, the countdown and final preparations are taking place.

It is a short story as to how we are invited. I worked with Virginia Steves, a teacher here in Puyallup, for several years. Phil and Virginia have owned RV’s for many years and they followed our US trip blog with interest. On arrival back to Puyallup, we learned that their son in law was selected as the pilot of STS-119. Two months ago we received, through the mail, an invitation to attend the launch. Virginia’s phone call to us came the next day.

You can imagine how excited Barb and I are to have this opportunity. To heck with hunkerin down because of the bad economy, we are going to Florida.

I will blog occasionally as the event nears, daily on our arrival at Cape Canaveral. Thank goodness we have enough air miles to fly roundtrip to Atlanta where we will spend some time with Ben and Penny and enjoy their wonderful lake setting again. As the launch time nears, we will drive down to Kennedy to meet up with the Antonelli family and friends as well as the friends and families of the other crew members.

I have included four links in the upper right corner of our blog. The first shuttle info, the second is the Smithsonian link that mentions Tony’s name as perhaps one of the next to fly to the moon. Another is the NASA link which gives generic information on a multitude of projects. The last link, STS-119 Mission, provides information for this particular launch. Each can be informative tools for any children who are interested in space flight.

I hope you enjoy. I know we will. Barb and I spent a week in the Canaveral area last January and we enjoyed the sites and the weather. And with our winter weather, we look forward to Georgia, then Florida in February!!!!