Sometimes I think it would just be easier to just add new pictures under the old blog posts! For instance, we made this trip exactly one year ago – same journey, same days, same destination, and same race-weekend venue! Before even getting started on this blog, you might say it is going to be the same old thing . . . but I bet the finer details are a lot different! Micah came home Tuesday night, Aug 29th, to join us for our Labor Day road trip to Watkin’s Glen Speedway for the Indy Grand Prix road race. Wednesday morning we trekked 500 miles, landing overnight at the KOA that was just 5 miles from the Speedway. After turning off the interstate we followed Tony Kanan’s set-up rig for 20 miles through the New York Country-side . . . we knew we were heading in the right direction! Thursday morning we dashed to the track and were all set by 9:30. The only rain shower that was on the horizon passed through quickly, leaving us with very little chance of rain for the next 3 days. The stage was set for a great Labor Day Weekend! As we entered the Speedway, we had to stop to have our tickets scanned, and for the trailer to be searched -- for unticketed passengers. This is an open-seating venue all weekend, and once you are in you must scan tickets every time you leave and return! Our campsite is the same as last year -- #7 in the paddock area. We arrived to find Helio’s motorhome-away-from-home all set up 6 sites down from us, the track right beside us, and Victory Lane ceremony stands across from us. You could say we are right in the middle of it all. The rain had quit but it was still a little gloomy as we headed to downtown Watkin’s Glen for lunch . . . a pizzeria followed by a quick stroll of some of our favorite stores. I dropped Tom and Micah off at the bottom of the Glen Canyon Gorge trail with the intent to pick them up at the top. A bit of confusion broke out as I ended up at the wrong pick-up area, had a bit of trouble reaching them by phone in the deep canyon, then finally arranged a new pick-up point. Tom took some pictures in the canyon. Back at the Paddock I sat in the sun (at 61 degrees it felt so good) while the boys walked the enormous track infield. Simon Pagenaud had moved in next to Helio, and Charlie had a little encounter with the Jack Russell terrier, Norman, that was with his entourage and running around loose. I was on the phone when Simon walked by and asked me if the gate behind us was open . . . with mouth wide open and phone to my ear, I nodded and pointed limply! (Yes Simon, and If I wasn’t on the phone I could tell you all about it . . . ) At 5:30 we headed out to dinner downtown -- Micah was treating us to an early (by 2 days!) 39th anniversary celebration. Our favorite restaurant in the Glen is Nickel's Pit BBQ, a 100% local establishments with delish signature brewed and bottled BBQ sauces. To top it all off, we brought home a bottle of my favorite Carolina BBQ sauce! And that wasn't the end of the evening, either! We came back to the Silvermine for the opening Buckeye game of the season against Indiana. Not knowing we would have cable hook-up in the paddock, we neglected to pack a cable cord. Not to worry -- Tom found one laying right beside the post! That took care of the entertainment for the rest of the evening, and the #2 ranked Buckeyes started the year out with a great win. Track activities start for real tomorrow morning, with practice sessions, qualifying, and driver autograph sessions. I'll leave you with a little video I took of the little rolling robot from the new Star Wars movie -- he paid a visit to the Silvermine! We're all OK!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |