Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
I interrupt the regularly scheduled post to bring you an assortment of fantastic images from the Daytona 500. Only at a NASCAR race will you see stuff like this!
Mean pirates.
Local fare.
Hashtags.
We all knew we should get to bed early for the long day coming, especially my dad who would do most, if not all, of driving. So the night before the race was low key. However, I scrambled to come up with some sort of allegiance to Jimmie Johnson because it turns out pretty much no retail store anywhere carries NASCAR apparel. OK, I’m obviously not an expert when it comes to fashion, because who goes to Lowe’s for clothes? Well, I do. I picked up a tool pouch and some brushed nickel address numbers. The idea was to do something a bit out of the ordinary to cheer on #48. An hour or two later, and possibly too much glue sniffing and I had it. The perfect way to support my favorite racer and carry water at the same time. #doublethreat
Once my project was complete, my dad and I settled in to watch Captain Phillips. It’s a movie about a freight ship carrying containers around the coast of Africa and the crew’s encounter with modern-day pirates. Very good movie. I won’t spoil it for you but I came away being more impressed with the military and even with a bit of compassion for the pirates, which I didn’t see coming. After that, bed time.
Rise and shine! The sun didn’t get the memo because we left in the dark headed east to Jacksonville. Just outside of Daytona we stopped for breakfast at this great little hole-in-the-wall.
And of course my sister was quick to point out the number of her favorite driver, Jeff Gordon.
After breakfast, my dad dropped my sister and me off at Lot 10 where we caught a bus to the track. Crowds and crowds of people were already there and since it was about 9:00am, we had plenty of time to wade through the crowds in search of fun things to do. She was most excited to see Jeff Gordon’s trailer, so while we were there she bought a #24 backpack. And for those of you asking, “What’s hashtag twenty-four?” Let me drop some knowledge on you. It’s number 24! #pwned
I’m a Jimmie Johnson fan if you didn’t catch that yet. And let me tell ya, I got some looks with my manly apron. But I forgot to keep paying attention to the stares because hey, we’re at the Daytona 500! So much fun. We walked around to check out all the other trailers and some of the vendors. We got a Ford backpack, a few bottles of 5-hour Energy (I love that stuff!), and a few other trinkets. Time went by faster than I thought it would so around 11:15am we made our way back to the entrance near our seats. Here’s a gallery of a few pre-race photos.
Fast cars.
Loud engines.
Jean shorts.
Lady and gentlemen, start… your… engines! Last week, my sister and I went to our first NASCAR race, the Daytona 500. There was fun, there were games, but it wasn’t all fun and games. I’ll get to some of that later, but the story starts back in November on my sister’s birthday.
Then next few months flew by and before I knew it, the Great American Race was only a couple of days away. The plan was to drive from Nashville, where I live, to meet my sister and parents in Tallahassee, where they live. The morning of the race my parents would drop us off then pop over to Orlando to see my brother and his family till the race was over. And it all went according to plan until, oh I don’t know, about an hour outside of Nashville. I was so sleepy I had to pull over at a rest stop. I swear I set my watch for a 15 minute countdown thinking that would be enough of a power nap to get me back in the game. Only thing is, I accidentally set my watch for a 15 hour countdown. So I woke up and, after discovering the disaster, was soon passing through…
If you’ve ever driven I-65 through Alabama, you know there are a few landmarks you can’t miss. The most obvious is the huge rocket at the Alabama welcome center. And of course, if you need any sort of shoe wear or clothing, it’s hard to pass up a pit stop at Sikes and Kohn’s Country Mall.
And then there’s this…
It’s actually a pretty nice drive down 65 then east on 231 over to Interstate 10. Along the way, you’ll notice great example of life in the south. Everything from roadside vegetable carts to giant American flag eagles to peach water towers, as seen in this gallery.
The afternoon continued with an inspirational talk from a guy who can boast a National Championship ring and a Super Bowl ring… Peter Boulware.
Later that night, we talked about plans for the next day. Yes, the day I was sure Jimmie Johnson would repeat as the winner of the Daytona 500! Here’s part 2 >>>
Remember the days when your parents used to dress you? OK, I don’t either but as the parent of 2 dogs, I’ve taken it upon myself to put clothes on them whether they like it or not. “I’m your father,” I say when they give me those sad puppy eyes, literally. “You will put this Christmas sweater on. Oh, and smile when your grandparents get here! They drove a long way to see you guys.”
Thanks to my buddy at work who doesn’t have a dog (yet!) for this beautiful sweater that I’m sure my dogs will never chew up or avoid. I mean, take a look, they’re nothing if not thrilled to be wearing such a warm and festive sweater!
How often are you faced with a choice that alters your future, and maybe the course of other lives, as well? Sure we all make choices every day, even tiny ones that seem insignificant but could determine where we are in a year, or 5 years, or 25. Like when I get caught at a red light, or just miss the elevator, or win tickets to a concert, how do those events alter the course of my life? Or do they at all? Maybe, maybe not. It’s the butterfly effect. There’s a song by Norah Jones called “Man of the Hour” that begins with a pretty big decision, “It’s him or me…” so she’s deciding between “a vegan and a pothead.” But I’m a firm believer there’s always a secret third option, which Norah takes and it’s a dog! Of course it’s a dog. Like Carrie Underwood sings, “The more boys I meet, the more I love my dog.”
Norah’s decision affected the lives of 2 guys, herself, and the dog, so I’d say it was a pretty important choice. Then she decided to sing about it, which I’m very happy about. It’s a lighthearted affirmation that dogs are always a good choice.
Out of the Wilderness 
