Ben and Sue Day 35

Thursday, October 11, 2007, Day 35

I am changing things up a bit and trying to put my E-mails as a blind carbon copy from now on as some have asked me to do this.  It has taken me a while to figure out how to do it but I think  have it correct now.  Hope so.

. . .We are much enjoying extra rest and taking our time in the mornings these past couple of days.  The first couple of weeks we were always encouraging one aother to hurry becuse we had so many places to go and people to visit.  But after a while we realized there was no way we were going to be able to visit all the places and people we wanted to and started to enjoy the whole experience so much more.  We are beginning to realize  this trip has given us a good overview of America and on future trips  will take one section of the country at a time.  For example we think the mid Atlantic states would be a good start.

. . . We started out on our merry way towards New Orleans but decided we would stop first at  the Bristol Speedway.  Oheeeee did we have a grand time!  I asked Ben what his favorite time was and he saidwalking up te embankment -- 37 degree grade -- it was hard to walk up and we could not walk all the way to the top.  Just as we arrived a new tour was leaving -- actually Ben and I were  the only ones on the tour and we had a very knowledgeable guide -- she answered all Ben's racing questions and talked  with him a lot about racing.  She actually drove the tour van twice around the 1/4 mile race track -- was fun -- she did go kind of fast.  Then she took us to the owner's private suite -- very plush -- way up high where he and about 50 invited guests could view the race perfectly and out of the elements -- private bathrooms -- lazy boy chairs -- coffee and food all available right there in that private suite.  A bit out of our price range though -- the smallest suite  that seated 15 people cost $16,000 for one season -- ouch!  Then we went to the winners circle and had a look around.  Then we went to the souvenior shop and I strongly encouraged Ben to buy an official NASCAR jacket and he looks really cool in it.  So all of you from Washing be sure  to tell him how cool he looks in it when you see him okay?

So . . . We started on our way about 12:30 -- stoppd soon for lunch -- and drove highway 81 to 75 south to the city of Sweetwater Tennessee.  Not making a lot of headway westward but having a super grand time being together, seeing all kinds of new things, enjoying the warm/sunny weather.  Okay. . . to be perfectly honest it was a bit cooler today -- about 65 degrees most of the day but still sunny!

I remembered something so funny that happened in Virginia.   Ben and I passed a own called Dumfries -- like French fries only Dumfries.  I thought that was a  rater ridiculous name for a city and askd my sister Kathy why the people did not change the name of the city.  She REALLY thought I was joking for a while, but when she realized I was not joking she told me the name of the  town was pronounced Dumfreeze.  Ohhhhhhhhh!  Our son and daughter Benjamin and Kathy are thinking of Concnully just now I am sure!

. . . That's about it for today.