Thurs-Sun in Phoenix

Thursday evening we had dinner at Ken and Jan Watson's. There were 11 of us there from McCall Church of Nazarene. Wow that was fun. Friday we went to the truck race, Saturday to the Nationwide Race with Chris's Dad and his wife Helen. Sunday was NASCAR race. Ended up being a fuel strategy race - interesting. This year's last race is in Homestead FL and NO we are not driving there. Monday we will head home for just a little while - drop off the RV and dogs. We are then headed to San Diego to help with Thanksgiving with Steve (Roy's brother-in-law who recently lost his wife - Roy's sister). After that we do plan to come home to Idaho for a good 3 months!

Phoenix and Sunshine

Wednesday we cleaned RV and did wash. LaVerne Roberts (a McCall-Phoenix snowbird) came over for Mexican dinner. Today we drove out to the racetrack. Tonight we are having dinner with Browns (from McCall, also snowbirds) and Laverne at Jan and Ken Watson's house (also from McCall, also snowbirds). Tomorrow racing starts with spring cup qualifying and truck race.

Driving through Texas

You never understand how big Texas is until you have to drive across it. It took one day to drive across to the middle of the state to get to Dallas. Now today we drove all day (9 a.m. until 7 pm.) just to get to El Paso. Wow is this a BIG state. It is nice though to be in wide open spaces. Eastern U.S. gets clostrophic after a while. It is nice to be able to see the horizon!!
We will be in Phoenix tomorrow late afternoon. Warm weather and sunshine! Sharon requested a picture of us and the dogs. Gotta to get someone to take one and then I will post it!

Wild racing in Texas

Wow what a day at the race track. We had VIP passes with a pit tour. We toured the Sprint Cup garage, watching the crews adjust their cars and go through inspection. Then we had lunch at the KSCS booth (they are a radio station in Dallas Ft. Worth that we won the tickets from!). Afterward, we crossed over to our seats and watched a wild and crazy race. We were surprised when Jeff Burton ran into the back of Jeff Gordon, totally wrecking both cars. Then both drivers got out and Jeff G. pushed Jeff B. and the pushing and shoving went on until the officials got them apart. Of course, this will be replayed over and over on TV now. The race was pretty good with Jimmie Johnson no longer being the point leader. Looks like him doing a 5-repeat is in question now. Will make our final race in Phoenix a good one I bet. We are currently driving (well Roy is driving) in the RV moving towards Phoenix. Should be there tomorrow night. Will be good to see some friends (LaVerne Roberts, Watsons and Browns) from McCall in Phoenix.

Texas Motor Speedway

Last night we went to the grand opening of a Cavenders (country western clothing) store. Ron Hornaday was there signing stuff. We also entered a drawing and won VIP passes to Sunday's race as well as the store owner gave us VIP hospitality passes for Friday. What fun. We enjoyed talking to Hornaday. Last week he was in a truck wreck where he flipped over and landed upside down. Roy was at the race (I was flying back to Talledega). We do wear our Boise State stuff often (and get lots of comments!)

Today we went to a COPD fair at the Forth Worth Stockyards and Danica Patrick was there. You can sort of see me with Danica as she signed my GoDaddy hat. Roy got so excited, he cut off the top of my head (was he looking at me or Danica????) Ha Ha. Having fun. Thanks for the comment Sharon - - at least I know someone reads these!

Texas and Rain, Rain, Rain

Spent the night in West Monroe, LA and then drove to Ft. Worth, Texas. Rained all night, all afternoon and is currently raining. We are parked in the grassy acres outside the racetrack. We are hoping we don't wake up to a lake tomorrow. Hopefully RVs float??? Races are Thursday - Sunday. Last time we were here, the track church was quite big and it was fun to run into some NNU parents during church. Forecast says sunshine on Thursday to Saturday so we are looking forward to Sun Sun Sun. Looking forward to some R & R the next couple of days.
Miss ya all (is anyone reading this - - a comment would be very welcome!!)

On our way to Texas

On Wednesday, Roy and I flew from Atlanta to San Diego. We went to Joan's rosary and vigil. Roy's brother Don talked about her life as a kid and Steve (her husband) talked about her life as a wife, mother and shared some of her last moments. Thursday was her funeral mass and afterward a dinner. Many people came by and expressed how loving Joan had been (especially people in her support group). We cried in sadness but also rejoiced in the life of a wonderful loving woman who touched many with her kindness and faith. I know she is resting with her savior and no longer in pain and suffering.

Roy flew back to Atlanta and drove back to Talladega. He spent Saturday at the truck race.
I flew to Boise and went to my nephew's wedding in Boise, then flew to Talladega on Saturday. Was wonderful to hug Aaron and Rachael!

Seems like all we've done is be on planes!

Sunday, after track church, we went to THE RACE. This is our favorite race, where speeds can go over 200 miles per hr. when they bump draft. Exciting race and again Earnhardt led laps. Unfortunately, he and Burton got tangled in a wreck and so he didn't finish very well. We are so happy to see him running up front though. Looking forward to Texas races.

We are currently in West Monroe, Lousiana - - will arrive at the Texas track tomorrow afternoon and will camp there until next Monday.