Texas Motor Speedway

WARNING: LONG POST-LOTS OF PHOTOS!

Several weeks ago we had a mini vacation.  On Thursday afternoon we flew to Dallas, TX.  My cousin, Mark,  and his wife, Lori picked us up at the airport.  After a nice supper we spent the night at their house.  Friday morning my brother, Dean, and sister-in-law, Gay picked us up.  We did a couple of touristy things that I had insisted on.  Our first stop was Southfork.

What is Southfork, you ask?  Well, at least several of my kids asked!  Southfork is the home of JR and Sue Ellen Ewing among other fictional characters on my favorite tv show---Dallas!    I have to say it was disappointing.  The home wasn't all that grand, and come to find out none of the show was filmed inside!

A new series is being filmed, and I WILL be watching!

From there we went to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.  This is formerly known as the Dallas Book Depository. The museum chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.  

In this photo you can see the window on the right that is always left open halfway--just as it was the day of the shooting.  It was very interesting.

Next off was a great meal at Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen.  We started with some appetizers--

Alligator on the left, and frog legs on the right.  I have to say I preferred the alligator, and the frog legs did NOT taste like chicken to me!  The rest of my meal was FANTASTIC--right down to the cheesecake for dessert!

Then we were off to the real reason we were in Dallas--The Texas Motor Speedway!  We camped in the infield in my brother's camper.  There were four campers in our group.  

This shows part of my brother's fifth wheel where we stayed, my cousin's RV, a friend's RV, and there was another Rv on the other side of us.   There were about 100 acres of campers. (I didn't come up with this number, but it may be wrong..just sayin.)

My cousin has this fancy "thing" (not sure what to call it!) that he built that they watch the races from.

Yup, that there's Bud up there watching the race on Saturday.  They have seats and a TV up there too.  You will notice headphones on them as they watch the race.  Well, they can listen in to the drivers' conversations as they race.  I can't imagine how boring it would be to watch the race without them!

Underneath is the cooking area complete with a grill, cupboards, and a serving area.  Cynthia and Randy made some great food--chicken wings, ribs, tenderloins, fries, etc.

Friday night was the NASCAR Truck Series race, Saturday was the NASCAR Nationwide Race, and Sunday was the big one--the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race.

Sunday Dean, Gay, Bud, and I went to the CAT tent where we had breakfast and lunch and met Jeff Burton.  

He had an autograph session, so we got our hats signed. (We were given a hat as we entered the tent.)  We were also lucky enough to be chosen to have our photo taken with him.  Then we spent some time at the merchandise area.  Finally, it was time for the race!  Mark and I sat in the stands for about half of the race.  This was our view--

Thanks to Dean, Bud, however,  was able to be in the pits for the Sprint Cup Race.  He was in HEAVEN!!  

He was this close to the drivers, their crew,  their cars, and the track:

Even with that, the best way to watch a race may be this:

At the race track, headphones on, watching the TV on the side of the RV!!

Bud really just sat there for a short time when he came up for food.  He finished the race in the pits, then proceeded to the garage.

As you can imagine there was some socializing at the campground!  Kevin Black, brother of Clint Black, performed just around the corner from us.  Bud and I listened to him for a while Saturday night.  He was very good!  Trace Adkins had a concert before the race, and then he sang the National Anthem. There were many campsites with very elaborate grills, big TVs, and stripper poles!  Our last night there we had a good time reliving old memories.  I guess we do that more when we get older!

Mark, Randy, Bud, Dean--Randy and Mark are my cousins that are the same age.  Bud, Mark, and I were in the same class for about 5 years.  Dean is my younger brother.  We all grew up in NW Iowa, but now Dean and Randy are in Dalhart, TX, Mark is in The Colony, TX, and we are in SE Iowa.  

We spent the last night back at Mark and Lori's.  After lunch on Monday we flew home.  I have MANY more pictures of cars, drivers, the garage, and the track!  I had a good time seeing relatives, and it was an experience.  Bud can now check it off his bucket list!

Thanks Dean & Gay, Mark & Lori, and Randy & Cynthia for a great weekend!