Category Archives: Sports

NASCAR at TMS, Fall 2013

Last weekend was one of my favorite times of the year, NASCAR weekend. There is absolutely nothing like heading out to Texas Motor Speedway, meeting up with great people, grilling out, catching up on some laughs and watching the cars “turn left”. Never would I have thought that I would be a fan but boy, have I been missing out!

These weekends are spent camping out in RV’s. We stay outside the racetrack, some stay within the track (more on that later). Flags are flying high, grills and campfires are going, usually there is a TV outside with football on. We are in the South, none of this should be surprising. Plus you never know what’s going to happen. Case in point – Diana takes a ride on a horse…. we are in Texas after all!

Fans across the way. Yes, that does say “Infidel” and “Come and Take It”.

Saturday’s Winner: Brad Keselowski

At night, the party is just getting started. We headed to the infield for some debauchery. It also happened to be a time when a few of the drivers were giving ride-along’s around the track (I’m convinced my invitation was lost). Although what happens in the infield, stays in the infield, I will tell you this. There are massive vehicles, interesting vehicles and modes of transportation (including cooler trains that move too fast capture with your camera). There’s also a lot of drunk people but – it’s the infield at NASCAR. It’s one heck of a time!

This guy was rocking out at an open karaoke. He was joined by his harmonica, a very drunk redneck and a man in the background (you’ll see towards the end of video” who joined in on his air guitar and air harmonica.

The next morning, when we all woke up and felt “refreshed”, it’s time for the final race of the weekend. Bittersweet as we can’t wait for the race but we’re not yet ready for the weekend to be over.

Making really tall friends!

And then it’s time for the race!

: Jimmie Johnson Wins!; All in all, it was an incredible weekend! I couldn’t have asked for a better time except to maybe have the wind stop blowing for a bit (it got chilly). Seriously – one of the best times!; Have you ever been to a NASCAR race? What did you think?!

Standing On Top of Vermont (Part III)

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(Continuation of Standing on Top of Vermont – Part I, Part II)

…The trail. Rocks. Boulders. I sat on my butt and slid down one. I got the “I’m petrified of heights” shakes when having to climb over gaps in the rocks. I lost a water bottle along the way.

View from the top… where we were headed to get down…

Low and behold – we made it to the Gondola.

Can you hear the angels rejoicing?! I had a way down! I was exhausted (and hungry).

We walk in to where the seats were spinning and told to we needed a ticket from the gift shop. I’m not even kidding. $19 each for a one way ticket down.

“#$%&@*%%&*#%*” went thru my mind. I’m exhausted, hungry and feeling very, very old.

“Are you serious? No, thank you.” Came out of my mouth.

Side Note: Dear Stowe Resort. This is a photo of a random wire on your property thrown into the woods. Please clean this before winter falls upon us. It’s environmentally irresponsible. (Near Switchback – easy access to Long Trail nearby.) Thank you.

Green Mountain Man and I began our walk down the ski slopes. Down a black diamond trail. This was seriously the funniest part of our hike. The man not only runs up the mountain but he also runs down. Then falls. Multiple times. Everytime I buckle down laughing and trying not to pee. Karma, I end up falling and continually laughing. Oy vey. It’s the point in the day when you realize you’ve had enough.

At one point, we see a road and my brother says “We’re getting farther from the truck. We gotta cut thru the woods. It’s shorter.” Exhausted because I don’t think I have a choice, I follow suit. Branches, tree trunks, brooks, rocks, I twist my ankle, a twig stabs the same ankle. I feel old, like 90 years old. My thighs hurts, both knees, my toes are squished in the tips of my shoes, I somehow manage to laugh thru most of it but at one point I distinctively remember looking at him with the “evil glare” thinking why are you doing this to me again?! I guess he wasn’t worried about it because he later said that his wife would’ve been a whole lot more pissed than I ever was on this trip. He wasn’t worried. Here we are walking thru the woods, trying to find the trail, once again. All of a sudden we hear a rustle to our left. A dog. It might as well been a moose by the way we both jumped. Calamity Jane! Needless to say, we found the trail, found the start of the trail (which was not where we started) and got back to the truck.

We did it! We hiked Vermont’s highest peak. Although it was a real pain, struggle and terrifying at times but the view from the top was beyond anything I can put into words. This is my home.

Next time, we need a lunch packed but since we hit “the big one” it should all be easy from here on out, right? Plus we have unforgettable sibling memories. That’s pretty special.

Did I mention that there was a toll road to the top of the mountain? I veto’d that idea because I thought that would’ve been “cheating”. Needless to say, the toll road creator – was one smart person.

Texas Tuesday: Texas Rangers

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With fall in the air, baseball season has winded down and officially ended yesterday (for the Rangers). Watching the Texas Rangers baseball team is one of my favorite things to do, especially at the stadium! I love that place! Last Saturday, I was able to attend the game. Even though we were high up (who turns down free seats?!), we were shielded from the rain that came thru and were able to enjoy the game! Here are some shots and if you have the chance, be sure to attend one next season!