On the Road with Thelma and Louise

(Spring)The day began with too much to do and really no time to do it in. I headed out the door to meet Val for our girl weekend and as I was pushing the pedal to the metal I received a voice mail. It was my son’s school nurse. I immediately turned around and went to find out the situation. He was fine but I had to have him checked out. So over an hour later than what we had planned, Val and I were off.

Val drove and in a way it was a blessing, I was forced to relax. Unfortunately, many of you do not know who I am for I never have time to blog, much less relax. However, I really must admit, it is very hard for me to be in the passenger seat of anything, especially a car. The tunes kept us going and the white lines continued whizzing by as we inched closer and closer to the much anticipated Lucas Oil Speedway.

After 3.5 hours of what seemed forever there the track stood. Majestic and glowing in the sun beginning it’s descent for the day. What a beautiful facility that awaited our entrance. Weld Racing Wheels had requested our presence and we were met with smiling faces and walked in with ease. It was a pleasure to work there. Friendly folks, clean facility and I must mention the kettle corn… well it was fantastic. I wish I would have tried the toasted marshmallow. As for the Colorado Bulldog, it was great… thanks.

I immediately geared up for the walk through and my adrenaline was full speed ahead. How is it cars and wheels, engines and fumes, grease and dirt and oh Yes! One must not forget the speed can affect a girl so much? It is in her blood. Why do I spend my free time of which I remind you, I really have none of, stopping cars for a moment in time… because it’s in me and I get it. I truly want to share with others what I feel when the cars blur by. There is beauty in everything in this world even when it is covered in mud. I can get dirty with the best of them.

Walking around the pits any of the guys hanging around the cars are the owners, friends, and family members, all of whom seem to like racing and are very much involved. I met Jerry Coons Jr. again and spoke with him and the guys hanging around the car. There was something the same about all of them, the light in their eyes when it was time to go. I believe racing is something that comes from within. If it’s not down in there, what is the point of getting behind the wheel? Walking around I could see it in some and in others it was missing.

SO my new lens was baptized that wonderful Friday evening. You may wonder with what, well, what else but mud. It was flying everywhere and the exhilaration of catching some just adds to the experience. The guys got on the track and went to work. I admire so many of them, doing what they love and happy where they are, yet others have dreams of more. I have a wonderful son who is turning 6 on the 25th and he has a huge interest in things with wheels. As I watched from the stands the wild ride Bryan Claussen took, I shook. It was a nasty one and my thoughts and prayers are with him during his recovery. I would like to thank Bob Baker of Weld Wheels for having both Val and I out to do our jobs and spread the news.

After the cars had exited the track and the pits were quiet and empty, Val and I headed off on yet another adventure… to find our cabin for the rest of the morning. We found it with ease and it was very nice and very clean. Randy of Stillwater Resort said we would have a great view of the lake, well we are certain that we did, but arriving around 1am and pulling out at 5:30am, we missed the beauty. But Randy, I can see it in my mind.

Val and I were both exhausted but when our heads hit the pillows we found ourselves talking racing for another hour. I had a wedding to shoot that day, but how do you stop the spinning? We woke up and dragged our weary bodies out the door in search of coffee and sustenance. The sunrise was worth our early rise as we traveled home. Our first Road trip is under our belt… the next one we are hoping for is Kansas City, we will see.

In this road of life keep on spinning and loving what you do.