Talladaga 2014

Today I am packing for Talladega !!

I booked this Dream Trip thru WorldVentires a travel club my son and I belong to. They are the company that arranged my trip to Cancun last year.

In February I was looking at their web site and this trip was listed. 2 nights in Atlanta, Georgia at a 3 star property= Aniston Tower tickets to the Sprint Cup race Sunday=pit passes=airport transfers=roundtrip transfers to the Talladega Speedway on Sunday= and lots of goodies. Trip is for two, under $800.00, airfare not included.

They will have personnel at the hotel to take car of any of your needs, room upgrades, tickets to the races and upgrades, transportation and reservations at area restaurants and transportation to them. I found them very helpful in Cancun. It is a 1st class organization. I am glad to be a member of my son's team.

After the 6 and one half hour rain delay at Daytona and Atlanta starring in the Weather Chanel TV Shows I am planning on rain. Royce is buying ponchos. He thinks I will last longer in the stands if I can keep my underwear dry. I am taking my Danica Patrick jacket. It kept me dry for quite a while in Daytona and this is one of the few places I can wear it . I am packing jeans and racing tee shirts, scarves for wind and to keep sun off the back of my neck.

You know turning up your collar and ascots serve a purpose.

I am also taking some layers, hoping for sun. We get in late Saturday, Sunday is race day, so we have Monday and Tuesday to see Atlanta. I have never been to Georgia. Atlanta is a big city with lots to go and see. I have ask about Stone Mountain State Park, with their train ride and any Confederate tours. The hotel and the trip folks will have info available foe us. I am not driving so I wand to go and do and see the area and not be in a car or a building. I told our Host going to the race and the airport do not count as being in Atlanta.

I remember a interview with Michael Phelps after he won his last swimming medal in the Summer Olympics. Bob Costas was chatting with his Mother. We all saw her in the stands over the years, read the articles in the magazines and in  newspapers. After 10 years or longer you feel like you know them. He turned to Michel and ask about The Barcelona Olympics in 4 years, "There are rumors you are going to retire". "I am really thinking about it" His Mom laughs and says, " But I want to go to Barcelona". Michael says I have been to every major city in the world. Competing in the World Cup or in a different race. I have seen every airport, swimming pool, hotel, and out, on to the next meet. I have never seen the city. I have never sat in a café and had a 2 hour lunch with friends and not hurried. Bob turned to his Mother and said, "I'll bet he can buy you a ticket to Barcelona and get you in to he games!". They all laughed. But that is just it, airports do not count, I want to see some of the city. We may only have two days but that is enough time to see if we want to go back.

So back to packing. I have a black maxi that is straight with a sliming silhouette. With a red shrug it will  dress up in case we go out to dinner. I am toying with the idea of packing one more skirt. They are cooler than pants and jeans are for the races. I like jeans in grandstands, you never know want to expect. BUT, we are only there 3 days the other days we are flying, and I only want to take one bag this time ......so I have to be reasonable. Also there are shoes.  Real sturdy ones for the race track, we have pit passes, I don't know what that means, how much walking we will be doing, so my Converse tennis. Then got to have some thongs (flip flops), I have some nice wedge black ones for the maxi, slippers, I am up to 4 pair now. Then underwear and an extra jacket and two tops in case it really does rain !! One bag .... wish me luck.

Oh, did you hear about the black bear attack in Lake Mary Florida ?
I wonder how close it was to the hotel we stayed in for The Daytona 500 ?