gone racing

 Eric and I went to the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Va today.  Quite a day it was as we had all access passes and went down on the race track to look in on pit road.

 Of course we were not the only ones looking in, but we were not as well dressed as most on pit road as most sport identifiable brands of something or other.  from soup to nuts,  it is on the side of a race car and on a piece of clothing.

 and the faithful do arrive, in numbers that can be described as lots and lots

The youngster on your right is Danny Hamlin, the guy who actually won the race and wearer of FedEx racing colors.  He came up to our "corporate suite" to meet with us and discuss pre-race strategy.  Eric asked if he was sure he could get his car started.

This is us, notice that we are not wearing our Obama for President pins.

 our suite,is on top of the stands in the distance in the photo above.

 and this was our view-  and below is my shinny head right there on the front row.

You want loud-- down here on the end of the home-stretch-straight-away -- hoh haa - no napping down here.  Even with plugs in your ears, it was loud.

Now up in our suite, this guy to our left -  well it was a Sunday afternoon.

Alabama

See that statute, that would be Hank Williams, country singer of Montgomery Alabama - which is where I have been this week.  FYI,,  brother Mark another country song is "Your cheatin' heart" Hank sang that and many many more.  So Mark, now you know the name to two country songs.  Hank is much celebrated in Montgomery - note below.

See there is the Hank Williams museum, with life sized cardboard cut out set out front.  You know who went in.  Cost was the equivalent of 100 Chinese RMB (not going to tell you exactly how much it cost), but I paid and went in to see Hank's actual 1952 Cadillac convertible.  I paced that baby off and I think it is about 29 feet long.  Talk about one fine car !  and Hank died in it too !  of course music was being played throughout the museum.-- and I enjoyed it- especially the old films that had June Carter - now she could sing.

Below is a 2 second film of Senator Shelby of Alabama, two friends of mine from Mississippi who were at the same meeting I was, and me.  I met the good senator in a bar, yes, a bar and asked if we could have a group photo, well, I set the camera on video, not photo.  (Pure accident- the evening was young). At any rate, I felt good about diverting him from getting out and pressing more Alabama voters for votes in two weeks.

We went to a BBQ restaurant off Tallapoosa Street - I like that name - anyway the restaurant received the compliment as it was referred to us as one where it was generally believed that the banana pudding was vegetarian.  It was a good western style evening.

The traditional view out my hotel window - that is the Alabama River.  And by the way, we are getting more information on the proposed coal ash regulations from the EPA.

a ride up 49 and 64

Last Sunday afternoon just as the Panthers were losing another close one --(yeah, close, sure) --I left Charlotte after visiting with Patt's Mom, I headed north and east on NC 49 and then US 64.  As nearly always a delightful drive.

This view below is one of Patt's and my favorites on the trip, the sun was a little low to fill the whole valley and when it does it is even more beautiful than this. The Uhwarrie Mountains ( a really ancient mountain chain are in the distance)  This is a really very pretty place on the trip.-- and welcome sight as the road again become 4 lane.-- and you know how I feel about 4 lanes.   

Note camera in shadow at bottom of photo below, the top was down and wind was blowing my hair.

This farm in southern Chatham is starting to show a lot of wear and tear over the 40 plus years I have driven past- and is now part of new 4 lane on 64.  The trip has gotten a lot easier over the years - and I sure do enjoy it.-  In the past we really did like stopping in Pittsboro and visiting Granny, Hazel and Clyde so many, many times on these trips too.  We often interrupted their watching of 60 Minutes on Sunday evenings though on most trips we tried to come by earlier.   

Now there is a bypass so we do not even go by their old house - which this, of course is not.

And as I get close to the big City, traffic and my favorite feature - stoplights - show up, though at this one was a 55 Chcvy station wagon.

And we know where this is.  

two birthdays, and part two (which comes first for some reason --like in email)

Same afternoon, same birthday boy just after the soccer game - noted in previous blog - - (note the clever segue) pictured here with noted restaurant reviewer, social critic, political theorist, famed explorer, man who normally does not drink beer.

 

 Scene of birthday party and site of future restaurant review - food was worth noting and returning for more.  Almost foundered but did not.

 Below is the pre- bash gathering crowd - balloons and other decorations displayed

 The additional birthday GIRL -- gamely participated in the festivities and with boy wore hat and festive celebratory pin.  Hat stayed on about 1.4 minutes - perhaps I over estimate.

 Birthday boy and girl with special from Aunt Barbara cup cakes - the rest of us had still warm pound cake with little pumpkins on the frosting. -- really really good too.

 Note how all the crowd joined in the wearing of hats and participation with birthday boy and girl's festivities.  We had a wonderful time, Thai food is as expected outstanding, company great, lots of laughing, jokes, all in good taste of course - right Eric ?  -- and wonderful evening

 and when noted blogger seen below found out he could not keep his hat, he was distraught- and somewhat displeased to learn that he had to give it up.  It appeared that he alone felt that said hat helped make the evening dignified - being a social critic and all - he would know.

a high school soccer game: a two part post

On a beautiful fall afternoon in piedmont North Carolina, fans thronged to a regional rivalry soccer game  with significant import to tournament seedings.  Co-eds were out in colorful dress, (including a few who were related to some of the players. -- note below seen in accompaniment of friend in photo below.

 The action was fierce amongst the forwards, as seen here with birthday boy - seen here with 3 inch vertical leap to (note actual ground clearance) to direct soccer ball toward goal with his head, out "leaping" two of the opponents.  Perhaps it was a 3.8 inch vertical leap and the photographer missed the apex with inaccurate timing of the shot -- while unlikely - it is possible.

 Below is photos of a noted female sports photographer seen in attendance.

 Birthday boy in attack mode in fast developing offensive play for the home team.  Reference to birthday boy is to sync with two part post.-- having never done one - believed to to have a link.

 Just a portion of the huge crowd following the action.

 Birthday boy is the tall blond.

 An uncle and Dad, following the action.

There was a wedding

Guests were dressed.  Ties were order of the day for the men in the crowd - some were happier than others about the attire, but adjustments were made.

 Seats were set up in a rural corner, well not quite all that rural, but it sure was a pretty corner of our fair state

 and nuptials were said.  Rings exchanged.  Vows made.  Bride of course beautiful, and the weather wonderful and service went off just as it should.

 Guests were lined up on the previously identified seats, a few snapping unauthorized photos, (I even know of one or two who checked iPhones for ball scores and such -someone relayed that State was ahead of Tech at this point in time but I would not have known)

After the wedding ceremony, photographers gathered by the hundreds, adjusting equipment and arranging the likely subjects.

This guy below seems happy the ceremony is over or is really happy to have his daughter on his arm.. or do you think both ?  

 Some cousins stood around looking cool, see below -- of course they are

 while others played pretty hard -- and they did

 Mothers-of-the-birde seem to have endless duties and the groom seems to have figured out what he is supposed to be doing too.  Seems helpful doesn't he ?   Like most grooms !

The entrance to the reception hall - barn ?  - was well decorated and surprise - the table on the right was loaded down with candy.  Like wow.  talk about your basic good ideas.

Dancing - especially for the young went on quite late.  Arm waving, foot stomping, girl swinging, beach music dancing.

and Mark and Marie have added one more to their small little family.