Florida Travelers

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May 10 - Mother's Day Weekend

We planned sometime ago to go to my mom's house in Venice, FL for Mother's Day, so Thursday we picked up Elani after work and headed over. Friday we got up and went to the beach arriving around 10 a.m. It was a beautiful day, lots of sun, the Gulf water temperature was around 80 degrees so it was quite pleasant to be in the water. Elani was in the water most of the 3 hours that we were there. Swimming and diving and rolling with the waves. Later that afternoon upon our return to the house and after a light lunch we did a little shopping. By 9:30 p.m. everyone was totally tuckered out and we called it a day! We did a repeat day on Saturday, except no shopping. Instead we took Elani to the Jetty to let her use her new fishing pole. Rudy gave her some quick casting lessons and she tried really hard. Grandpa Higel even put artificial bait and a bobber on her line. Unfortunately, the fish weren't biting. Elani was disappointed and told everyone that we walked past as we left the Jetty Park.

Sunday was just a day of relaxing at the house and some pictures in the backyard. Mom loved all her gifts and Elani loved giving them to her. We had a great dinner before heading back home in the afternoon.

May 20th - Wednesday, we will be heading north to Charlotte, NC for the Coca-Cola 600 with two of our friends for a nice long Race weekend, visiting race shops. Rudy and I will be attending a Jeff Gordon Fan Event at Hendrick Motor Sports, too. I am really looking forward to this trip and to having a great time.

See ya on the road!!

Monday, April 27, 2009

More Talladega Race Pictures

Bobby Labonte

Carl Edwards

# 99 - Carl Edward's car

# 24 Jeff Gordon's car

# 14 Tony Stewart's car

Talladega Spring NASCAR Race

April 27, 2009

We are making our return trip home from a great relaxing weekend at the Family Camp D on the backside of Talladega Super Speedway. We arrived early Thursday morning, set up and then sat back and relaxed and watched other Race Fans pull in and set up. Friday we got up and walked to the track to check out the merchandise trailers and Vendor exhibits. After, we made our way to find the perfect seats to watch some Cup Series Practice. It was a very warm day in Alabama and the sun was extremely hot reflecting off the asphalt 2.5+ mile track. We watched first practice and decided we were too warm to stay for the 2nd practice, so we went back to the cool of the awning shade at our campsite and relaxed a little more. Cully arrived around 11:30 p.m. Saturday we got up with the sun and decided to go find the drivers that would be signing autographs and get some pictures. It was going to be another very warm and sunny day.

On Race Day there was a little more breeze and by the time we found our seats in O.V. Hill North Tower the clouds were coming in to give us a little relief from the hot sun. On lap 7 there was a BIG crash that took out a lot of the top 10 contenders including Jeff Gordon the points leader and others. They worked hard to get that Car back on the track and did so after about 67 laps. This was a typical Talladega restrictor plate race with a large amount of lead changes and 4-wide racing for position. There was another crash that damaged several more cars and then the last lap was the thriller of the day. Carl Edwards was being pushed by Brad Keslowski and gaining on Ryan Newman who was getting a large push from Dale, Jr. The crowd was on their feet and then it happened. Keslowski went to pass Edwards and Edwards blocked and was hit and spun. Edwards went in the air, flipping and hitting the catch-fence and bouncing off again. All of this happened just a short jog from the finish line and checkered flag. Edwards emerged from the car and jogged to the finish line to make sure he finished the race. A few fans were injured, but none seriously. What an exciting ending, although not the driver I would have liked to see win.

We had a great time and it was a good time with Cully,too.

Not sure what the early part of May holds for us, but I am sure we will see you on the road somewhere.

Travel Safe!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

More Pics from Easter

Easter Weekend- April 2009

What a great weekend we had with our extended family in Avon Park. We left early Friday morning with Elani in tow to get haircuts and on the way Elani decided that she needed "a little trim, too". This time when it was her turn, she left Diane wash her hair in the european-style sink. Elani thoroughly enjoyed the wash and the famous Diane head massage that we always get with a wash. Diane is the best! After her trim, Diane gave her some curls, but they didn't last long.

After haircuts we went to Aunt Judy & Uncle Don's where we visited and Elani played with her 3rd cousin Khali all afternoon. After supper we gave them baths and the little girls got their hair done in rags. They were so cute! Then they colored eggs together that Aunt Judy prepared for them.

We all got up for church on Saturday and the little girls loved their long curls. We had a nice dinner and more visiting time and then headed home around 4:30 p.m.

Sunday morning we got up early and went to New Smyrna Beach to soak up some rays and enjoy the beach. Upon our return and after a little time in the pool, too (since we were dressed for it). . . Elani went on her Easter Egg Hunt and found 14 eggs that the Easter Bunny hid for her outside and then found an Easter basket, too.

It was a wonderful relaxing, refreshing weekend.

We are on the road again on Thursday heading to Venice, FL for a weekend at my mom's house and more beach, sun, and sand time. Looking forward to more relax time!!

See ya on the road!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Time at Home

We've been home for two weekends in a row with nothing on our agenda but to relax and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. We laid by the pool, watched the sunset at Mt. Dora lake, colored Easter Eggs with Elani, played in rain puddles and spend time with family. Who could ask for anything more.

This coming weekend we are going to spend some time with more family in Sebring/Avon Park and enjoy a Church Choir Concert at Walker SDA Church in Avon Park.

Then the following weekend we have plans to go to Venice, FL and spend some time with my mom and relax on the beach!

Before we will be on the road in the RV to Talladega, AL for another NASCAR race!

See ya on the Road!