The Lady in Black or the track "too tough to tame"

Friday it rained and rained, but then about 3 it stopped. They dried the track, ran cup qualifying and we went to the Nationwide Race.   Saturday, we showed up at the track about 1 p.m., sat in the sun in our lawn chairs for about 3 hrs in the beautiful sun (about 80 degrees), read, and enjoyed the afternoon.   The race was very exciting.   As usual, during the last 100 laps there were a fair numbers of wrecks, but Regan Smith, from a one team garage won the race (his first cup race).   His win was somewhat overshadowed by the behind the scenes drama.   There was a wreck involving Kyle Busch and 2 RCR drivers, Bowyer and Harvick.   Bowyer ended up hitting the wall and Harvick continued on, apparently very upset with Busch.   At the end of the race, Harvick pulled into the pits and Kyle pulled in behind him.   Harvick jumped out of his car and it looked like he threw a punch into Kyle in his car.   Kyle pealed out, pushing Harvick's empty car into the pit wall.   Afterward, both driver's ended up in the NASCAR hauler (like the principal's office).   We will find out Tuesday if either or both of them get fined, warned or put on suspension.  

One of the exhibits we went to on Saturday allowed Roy to picture himself as a NASCAR driver (see pic)

South Carolina and Myrtle Beach

Arrvied in Florence, South Carolina RV park on Monday afternoon.   This is close to the famous Darlington Racetrack - the track "too tough to tame".   Today (Wednesday) we drove over to Myrtle beach and spent  the day.   One of our beagles, Sally, was scared of the ocean.   The other two dogs thought nothing of it.   Somehow the waves of water was not something Sally found friendly at all.   Tomorrow is Roy's birthday,   Going to a BBQ (pulled pork) at the RV park and a hauler parade in the big downtown of Darlington.  

Richmond International Speedway

Sad to hear about Tuscaloosa, we traveled through Tuscaloosa on our way here last Monday.   Now the town is basically gone.   Pray for them as well as all the other tornado victims!  Pray also for our friend Betty and sister Debi who have had cancerous growths removed.

  

(Top Joey Lagono and Michael Waltrip, Bottom Tony Steward)

Thursday we went to a driver's Q&A at the track. The driver's were there to participate in the Denny Hamlin charity race that evening.   Proceeds went to children's charities and to the tornado victims.  The driver's were in a pretty jovial mood.   Chris asked Michael Waltrip what it was like to drive at 200 mph at Talladega pushing another car and not being able to see.   He responded he better not say because some of the driver's involved in his wreck were sitting there.  Everyone laughed.  
Friday we went to the Nationwide Race.   Saturday we had a pit tour (from our NASCAR members club)

Here's Chris in front of Dale Jr.s hauler inside the track.   Go Amp.   Jr. didn't have a great race, which dropped him to 4th overall in points.   Doing great overall!

Here's a picture of turn 1 at the Richmond (3/4 mile track) early in the race Saturday evening.   We are moving on to South Carolina tomorrow.  We are having a relaxing time but miss everyone.

Today we went to Appomattox, where Lee surrendered to Grant to officially end the civil war.   The surrender was signed in the McLean House, which burned later.   It has been restored (the outer brick portion is still original) to look like it originally did.   The signing was in the done in McLean's parlor, with each General sitting at a different small table.  The one pictured above is Lee's table.  

We also drove to Hollywood cemetary, a cemetary where the southern president Jefferson Davis is bured.   The picture is of his grave,   His wife and adult children are also buried in the circular area.   This year is the 150 year celebration of the start of the civil war.   Many celebrations are planned by the southern states.

Richmond, Virginia

Arrived at Richmond yesterday.   Spent today cleaning the RV and doing wash.   The weather has gone from 91 and humid, to cool and raining.   We see the storms are going to get worse the next couple of days before it clears again.   Seems like it always rains/storms while we are in Richmond.   Dogs got away from us this morning and had the run of the RV park with a couple of others chasing them too.   Nice that they are back...they should sleep well tonight.

A week in Nashville

Wednesday night at Grand Ole Opry was great with Randy Atkins (pic) and Craig Morgan.   Of course there were others, but these two were the biggest hits.  Chris drug Roy all over Nashville to listen to country western music, including Bluebird where beginners are singing (some good and some not so good).   We also went to a songwriters night, where songwriters sing their own songs, some of which have been sold to famous artists.   As you can see Roy is becoming quite a country fan!!

On Friday night we went to a NASCAR truck race, Saturday there was a Nationwide NASCAR race.   Roy's neice Margaret came to the race with us (she's in school at Bowling Green, Kentucky a little over an hr. away.)   We then went out to have some good BBQ.  

Sunday we went to the Cowboy Church, where they did a play of the Last Supper - very moving.  After church we headed out towards Virginia.   Tonight we are in a Walmart parking lot about 300 miles away from Richmond Virginia.   We will be in Richmond all next week (races next weekend in Richmond)

Nashville

Monday we drove to Nashville and are parked in a KOA next to the Grand Ole Opry. Monday night we went to the Bluebird Cafe open mic - a place where people try to get noticed in country music.  Tuesday night we went to the Opry and saw Jesse McReynold, Kim Richey, Bill Andersopn, Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan and the forever young Little Jimmy Dickens.   It was a great night.   Last night we went for BBQ at the Wildhorse and listened to Phil McNaught.   Friday and Saturday there is more NASCAR at Nashville International Speedway.  Margaret STringer (neice) is meeting us there on Saturday afternoon.