Out of the Wilderness

Wave the Green Flag! (Daytona 500 Part 4)

Aloe Blacc.
Jeff Gordon.
Country music.

Where I come from, rain is a good thing! -Luke Bryan

My sister and I made it to back to the gate entrance a couple hours before the rain started. Of course, we didn’t know it was going to rain at all, so we walked in excited for our first NASCAR race ever.
We scoped out a few lunch options then found our seats in the Turn 2 section and I must say the view was fantastic. All turns except for part of turn 3 were visible so that was a good surprise. We chatted with the people around us who were also from out of town. On the large jumbotron we watched Luke Bryan gyrate around the stage, much to the delight of fans cheering wildly for him to look their way.
After a short set from the country heartthrob it was time for driver introductions. Shannon went crazy for Jeff Gordon.

A few minutes later, the national anthem was performed by Aloe Blacc. He did a relatively conservative rendition which was smart given the audience: NASCAR fans that might love the USA more than their own mullets (it’s a close race, though). The flyover was really cool. I caught the second pass of the fighter jets.

So the race began. Jimmie Johnson was basically the last car in the race and Jeffy was in the top 5. Ugh, would I have to endure my sister ragging me all year because of this? I hoped not! We decided to get lunch at lap 40. I miss the raaaiiins down in AAAAAAAfrica! Yeah, because that rain that should’ve been in Africa was directly over Daytona, man. It was lap 38 so when we went to get lunch, everyone went to get lunch.
We were safely under the grandstand and dry, at least for a few minutes. We were in line, and trying to avoid getting wet, for about 25 minutes when the confrontation happened. A gentleman cut in the front of the line, just ahead of me and a couple other guys and this, this is where it got interesting. Check back tomorrow for more!

For part 5, click here!

Things I Can’t Unsee from the Daytona 500 (Daytona 500 Part 3)

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!

Continue on to part 4!

Let’s Burn Rubber! (Daytona 500 Part 2)

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.

Here’s part 3…

Lady and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! (Daytona 500 Part 1)

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.

I finally made it to Tallahassee around 2:30pm on Saturday, just in time to meet my dad for his church’s annual “Manly Man” lunch. There were venison burgers, barbecue, hushpuppies, fried fish, pork… so much good meat. And looking back, I’m so thankful I’m not a vegan. I even had the chance to take part in archery because when you think about it, what’s more manly than shooting something with a bow and arrow, am I right Maid Marian? Robin Hood has nothing on me! And if the 3 people who actually saw me shoot wildly out of control would feel free to not chime in on this, my off-off-off-so-far-off-Broadway-it’s-in-Nashville role as Legolas in the stage adaptation of Lord of the Round Shiny Things (what? New Line Cinema can be very litigious with “Lord of the Rings”) should stay in tact.

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 >>>

Festive Dog Sweaters

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!

Santa, I tried being good... — Santa, I tried being good…

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