I have spent the day reflecting on Trevor and his ability to convey things and make them relevenent in life. He was a teacher from the age of four when we were walking from our home to the First Baptist Church in East Bernard where we were going to visit Sam and Beverly Downey. Sam was the pastor of the church at the time.
Trevor, at age 4 insisted he needed to carry a bag of toys that little boys carry when they are going to be away from home even for a short period of time. I told him I would carry it for him as it was quite heavy but he insisted he could carry it. After we walked a block, he looked up at me with his blue eyes and said, "Mommy, this bag is really heavy, and I'm tired, would you carry it for me. Knowing how very much I loved my son, I would take the bag from him and carry it. It occured to me that through this little boy, he showed me that God is willing to carry anything for us because we can't even fathom the love for us. My son made me realize just as I loved him, God loves us in the same way as we are his children and he has so much more love for us than even the love parents feel for their children. All we have to do is ask him and he will carry our burdens. I have spend alot of the past 4 1/2 months asking that God carry mine and his family's burden and give us rest.
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| Peggy White |
| Jackie Lumpkins |
July 1, 2007
We arrived at Tickfaw State Park at 1030 Hrs. after eating breakfast in Layfette. Then there was the great bathroom caper. The Exxon where we stopped was the highlight of my day. There was a sign above the potty that said to flush it twice. I only flushed once as when I did, water shot out of the side of it and onto the wall across the room. I left......
Trev and I decided to drive to Hammond to get some steaks to grill. Did you know there are no grocery stores there?? We discovered that after driving around for 45 minutes. We then took the road that returns to the State Park and stopped at a Winn-Dixie which is located about 13 miles from where we're camping.
Went to Rebecca and Slade's cabin to eat this evening. It's really nice. It has 2 bedrooms; a fireplace which I'm sure is quite functional in southern La. and sleeps at least 6 people...very nice. The porch is screened, has a ceiling fan and overlooks a swamp. No mosquitoes though which I find weird but pleasant.
The kids have been very good except for a few shrieks from Jack throughout the day.
We're all poised and ready to venture into the Big Easy tomorrow. The swamp tour is at 1000 Hrs. so we're falling out at 0630 with the plan of leaving the campground at 0730 Hrs. Then off for a carriage ride through the French Quarter.......and of course beignets sometime during the day
July 2, 2007
Day 2 of our venture started at 0630 Hrs. and went on and on and on.
We left for New Orleans at 0730 Hrs. with Norma's parents following us. Trevor thought the Swamp Tour started at 1030 Hrs. but Norma told him after we were underway that it was at 1000 Hrs. Soooo, off we went like we had good sense, got a tad bit lost and had Wayne running red lights to keep up with us.
We arrived just in time to go to the restroom and board. It was really very pleasant and we saw lots of alligators. One was HUGH!! He was 7-8 feet long and obviously loved to eat. I asked the boat captain if he had considered psychiatric help as he reached into the water and picked one up.
Then we ate at (you're going to be so envious) Shoney's where the waitress tried to overcharge us $10.00...
After lunch we went the scenic route through the Desire Project on our way to Chalmette. OH MY GOD!! I'm sure the only reason we made it through there alive was because of Jack's shrill shrieking. Trevor said he got lost there one time, called his hotel and when he told them where he was, they told him not to stop for anything...not even red lights.
Chalmette was very pretty and peaceful. Lovely old trees......cool blue cannons....
Our next stop was the French Quarter. We immediately hit the beignet joint. Talon pigged out. Of course, I only had one. After suitably satisfying our appetite, we took a carriage ride. The mule's name was Little Bit but he was a honkin mule as he carted all of our fat beignet filled rear-ends with no problem. I sat next to Tal who was enthralled. He told me he though New Orleans was just beautiful and very interesting. We left the carriage ride at Jackson Square where we were approached by an elderly black gentleman who introduced himself to Trevor as the "Human Jukebox" You can only imagine Trev's response. Actually I though he was rather polite for a red-neck!
I had my picture taken by the cannon in the spot overlooking Jackson Square where my thoughts turned immediately to you. I do wish you were here!
We had dinner at Ralph and Cacao's....Trevor bought dinner for everyone although I don't think he thought it was going to cost $250.00. They automatically added a $35.00 tip.
We got back to the camp site around 2000 Hrs.
Actually, Jack has been a shrieking delight...... except for that he has been very good and really I'm beginning to like it. I told him the Japanese sure could have used him as a torture technique in the war!! He makes me feel very fortunate to have some hearing loss......
We are to leave for Florida in the morning around 1000 Hrs. We are staying about a 6-7 hr. drive from here so it will all be OK.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Day 3
Not much happened today except we drove and drove. The good thing was Norma sat in the back with Jack so his squealing was not quite as piercing as it is when you're sitting next to him. I forgot to tell you yesterday the only time he wouldn't screech was when I was sucking on his index finger....for some reason, he thinks that is hilarious.
We finally got out of Tickfaw at 1200 Hrs. after Jack got back from the Dr. Trevor said the office they went to was astounded they had insurance. They only take Medicaid so they had to drive across town to the main office.
The Dr. said that Jack has fever.....duh! He couldn't find anything out of the ordinary so he said to just give him lots of liquids and Ibuprofen as needed. He didn't seem to think that there was any problem that he was exposed to Roto-Virus about 2 weeks ago. Pressley had it and Jack was around her. I hope he is right as one of the symptoms of this virus is diarrhea which would make this trip even more pleasant. OH MY GOD!!!
Lots and lots of rain all the way from Louisiana to Florida. We saw at least 4 wrecks along the way. Obviously there are worse drivers around than I am. During one of the most torrential rain storms, someone decided to play the alphabet game. . You know, finding signs with the consecutive letters of the alphabet. Of course it was rigged so I would have to find Q and Z. I finally told them I saw a Zamboni store which was not true but it was getting on my last nerve.
We stopped at a truck stop in Mississippi so I could go to the bathroom. Trevor probably wouldn't have stopped except Jack had to eat something. Next time....fat chance of that....I'm just going to wear Depends and y'all can call me Lisa Nowak. I bought some Jerky, peanuts, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, potato chips and water. Actually it wasn't all that bad except it made me a bit cranky. I told Trevor that today I was wondering why I hadn't drowned him when he was a child! Perhaps a bit harsh and didn't really mean it......well maybe a little.
Trev apparently doesn't appreciate my assistance while he was driving. I would grab the seat and tell him when I saw tail lights lighting up. I told him that two sets of eyes were better than one but he told me while that may be true, both sets had to be able to see. What do you suppose he meant by that??? He also kept calculating his speed and the distance we had to go which I think is a sign of a sick mind. He had me flipping through the Atlas from Alabama to Florida looking for towns, the names of lakes, etc. The print is so small I couldn't see it and I got really tired of singing the alphabet song to get to Florida. I finally put my foot down and said I wasn't doing it anymore! Then there was the discussion of what time zone we are in. After I changed the time on my watch 3 times we determined we're still in the CST for now.
We arrived at Arrowhead at 1830 Hrs. after driving 357 miles today. Trevor set up the grill when the weirdo next came over and asked, “Are you going to cook something". Trev told him no. And then proceeded to address him in his finest "redneck" manner. The guy just said "Oh" and left.
I swear Norma has as much a thing about sweeping as I do about laundry. Every time I look around she is standing there with a broom.
She put some laundry in the washer here at the campground tonight. She found $10.00 under the washer and put it up on the folding table. When her mother and I went down to pick the clothes up we saw it and just left it there. After we got back to the camper we decided that it was stupid to leave it there as we could possibly use it to defer the cost of an airline ticket home so we walked back and got it.
Everyone had burgers to eat, showered and went to bed.
Really having a great time and I'm sure after it's all over I will have even fonder memories of it.
Leaving for Daytona in the morning at 0800 Hrs. so guess I'll get to bed.
Thursday, July 4, 2007
Day 4
I knew it was going to be a fowl (BOO-HISS) day when I was awakened by a rooster at 0530 Hrs. What the hell was that????
As soon as we left the Wal-Mart in Marianna, Trevor was at it again. He posed a math problem to me and said if I didn't complete it in three minutes he was going to execute me. Of course I didn't even try. I was hoping he would go ahead and kill me!! The problem was:
If you drive from Katy to Daytona Beach at 60 mph and stopped every 20 minutes for 1 hour, how long would it take you to get to your final destination?
The good thing was that Talon and Jack rode to Ocala with Norma's parents. I got to sleep for a whole hour! We stopped at a service station in Ocala where I searched to no avail for some poster board. I was going to make a sign that I could hold up saying to "Please help. I've been kidnapped” Actually I did think about it but had decided against it. Tal rode with us from Ocala to Daytona Beach during which time I was treated with Norma reading Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory out loud to Talon. I wished I had gotten the poster board.
We survived the trip from Marianna to Dayton Beach well considering this certainly must be monsoon season here. Actually they need the rain very badly. We saw lots of burned trees from the fires a couple of months back. Brought back memories of New Mexico.
Made a quick trip to K-Mart....Glenda will be glad to know their clerks are not nearly as smart as the clerks at her Wal-Mart.
Bought groceries at Winn-Dixie and came back to the campground. You would not believe the number of rednecks in one location. All the RVs with NASCAR flags, stickers, etc. and lots of beer drinkin' going on.
We're off to Daytona USA tomorrow......I'm sure it will be lots of fun.
P.S. Trevor didn't know the answer to the math problem either so he didn't feel it would be right to execute me....Damn.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Day 5
HELP!
Today started off with Talon saying he wanted to go swimming with Kennedy at the pool here rather than going to Daytona USA. Trevor looked at him very seriously and told him, “Get out of here". He threw him out! Told him to go next door to Mamaw and Pappy because he didn't want to see him anymore. Talon looked flabbergasted....then he went next door. About 10 minutes later Trevor walked over and got him.
Off we went to Daytona.....with Talon being very quiet and Jack screeching! Poor little Jack has developed a rash all over his body but no fever today. I'm sure the diarrhea is next....probably about Sunday when we head toward Texas.
Daytona USA is a cool place. Lots of simulated rides. I drove a race car all by myself. I only flipped it a couple of times...one time it was Trevor's fault because he slid into me. Then I was in the passenger seat while Tal drove. He LOVES to hit the wall and flip...I'm sorta sore. Trevor warned me as he rode with him the first time. When they got out of the car, Trevor was clammy and rather pale. You think I'm a bad driver????
We drove down to the beach with is really pretty. Nice water. We stopped to get a milkshake at a Burger King whose workers made the clerks a K-Mart look like rocket scientist. It only took 25 minutes to get it.
Trevor, Talon and I went back to the racetrack this evening but you know that because I called you. I opted to listen to ear-shattering race cars just to give my ears a break.
Going to get to bed as I'm sure we have another big day tomorrow. Go-Karts I think. I really may just watch......we'll just have to wait and see if I can walk tomorrow.
Thursday, July 5, 2007 (Addendum)
I forgot one thing.
We had played games at the arcade. Of course Talon, being 6 years old wanted to play more. We were getting ready to leave and he looked at Norma and said, “If you want me to ride with you, you have to let me play more games......Norma's head spun around 3 times she grabbed him, took him to the bathroom and proceeded to tell him she was going to beat his ass if he ever tried to negotiate with her like that. Poor Talon. It was as bad as the time he told her to SHHHHH.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Day 6
Well another day has come and gone. It started at 0545 Hrs. (EST) with Jack screeching (in delight I'm sure).
Trevor fixed breakfast and off we went to the go-kart track. Fortunately, I was able to fend off his desire to get me on the track by volunteering to watch Jack (who was sleeping). I was so jealous! The track workers were not going to let Talon ride by himself although he met the height requirement. The "rookie track" was closed but they didn't tell us that until it was time to ride. Trevor sent Talon away and proceeded to "MF" the guy until he relented. Trevor told him that we came all the way from Texas and By God, Talon was going to ride a go-cart. Knowing how Talon likes to run into the wall and other cars (based on my experience with him yesterday), I pointed out to him there was a sign that said that reckless driving was not permitted and....he would be removed from the track (their words, not mine) Poor baby bumped into the wall and immediately started looking around for the go-kart Nazis.
Trevor, Slade and Wayne drove an Indy type car which went from 0-70 mph in 4 seconds. That was pretty cool to watch.
We had lunch at Cancun restaurant....I didn't eat much of anything which is pretty hard to imagine. Went to Target and (No wonder most of their stores closed) K-Mart. I bought 3 NASCAR caps to take to 3 of my favorite patients. I'll give one to Mr. SBD, Mr. Bohemian and Mr. Crotchety Old Bastard.
Came back to the campground. Trev, Norma and Talon went swimming while Jack slept and I did laundry. (Norma folded it later) By the time they finished, Jack was awake and screeching! OH MY GOD! I tried to feed him yogurt but forgot to put his bib on and we had it everywhere. He was good after Norma came in. His appetite has been waning for the last couple of days but it was better tonight.
Wayne fixed steaks so I ran over there and ate a little bit while Norma put Jack to bed. I didn't stay there long because Pressley was there and she was screeching also. Norma told me that she set Jack on the floor with a teddy bear and when she looked at him again he was laying on top of it.....asleep. I guess screeching is hard work. Think I'll try it sometime!
Norma and Trevor left after they put Talon to bed. I think they just wanted to go somewhere cause it's Norma's birthday. I really don't mind cause it's quiet.
The Busch Race was rained out tonight and will be run at 0900 Hrs. in the morning. The Pepsi 400 starts at 2000 Hrs. tomorrow night. If it gets rained out, I suppose they will race Sunday. If that happens, Trevor is planning to drive straight thru as he has a meeting to attend on Tuesday morning. Oh by the way, look for me and Trev on TV if Harvick wins....we'll be the ones streaking. Hey going to jail may be preferable to the drive home!
Guess I'll go to bed as it is 2230 Hrs. here and I'm sure Jack will be up early in the morning. I find myself sleeping in the fetal position sucking my thumb as time goes on.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Day 7
The morning started after Tal got kicked out again. Poor kid.....then after they let him back in and we were driving to the beach...Trev told him to just be quiet. He then said, "Can I talk to Nana?"
We got to the beach at 1000 Hrs. and stayed til 1200 Hrs. I even went out for awhile. Thanks for sending the article about the shark bite after I had already ventured into the water here. Jack stay with Norma's parents so there was no screeching on the way.
We had lunch and then the kids went to the swimming pool here. I stayed with Jack while he slept which was a welcome bit of solitude.
Off to the races at 1600 Hrs. We got all the way to Daytona Beach and had to come back to New Smryna cause Norma forgot her Driver’s License. The Daytona Speedway website said you had to present your DL with your ticket at the gate (which you didn't) but we didn't know they weren't gonna check it. Lots and lots of people. We parked at a shuttle parking lot 4-5 miles from the speedway. It didn't take us long to get to the racetrack however........leaving the race was a different story. So we walked and we walked and we walked. We say a Mervyns shopping cart in the ditch so we got it out and put Tal in it. Jack was in his $3.00 stroller that was so bad no one stole it outside the racetrack. They purchased it at a second-hand store in Katy knowing they couldn't take into the grandstands. So they left it outside and 250,000 people later, it was still there. Jack was perfect during the race. He really is a trooper. He is just acting dazed at this point.....I think he thinks his new home is a Chevy truck. When he sees it, he pats his chest for please and points to it.
The race was awesome although Montoya knocked Harvick out of it for the most part. Trevor rented 2 NEXTEL headsets so we got to listen to Harvick talking to his spotter and his crew chief. Too cool. He called Montoya a MF...and later in the race when Montoya wrecked, he said “Oh, Montoya wrecked...imagine that". There was way too much drinking in the stands though....thought about it myself but opted to wait til the trip home.
Day 7 (addendum)
pearlywhite2004@yahoo.com
From: tangocharlie2001@yahoo.com
Subject: tangocharlie2001@yahoo.com has sent you an article from HoustonChronicle.com
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/4950244.html
Shark attacks teen off Atlantic coast of Florida
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A shark nipped a teenage surfer and caused
Slight injuries before letting go, authorities said.
Chaz Cecil, 18, was bit on his right foot Thursday afternoon, according
to the beach patrol.
"This is a pretty typical Volusia County bite," Capt. Scott Petersohn
said. "A couple of small lacerations to the top of the foot."
Petersohn said the shark likely didn't know what he was grabbing and
when it realized, it let go.
"This was a case of mistaken identity," he said.
New Smyrna Beach is 14 miles south of Daytona Beach.
Brought to you by the HoustonChronicle.com
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Day 8
We left New Smyrna Beach at 1000 Hrs. after Trev and I filled the truck with gas and grabbed breakfast from Burger King. Norma said she wanted a "Hamwich" and Trev said what....Norma's mother was there and told him she said a "Hamwich” He again said, "What". Irene kept screaming "hamwich" and he said, "I heard her but WHAT is a hamwich". As it turned out the proper name was a ham, egg and cheese croissant.
The next crisis came when Talon's DVDs, Cars, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factor, and The Rescuers among other cartoons, etc. were nowhere to be found. She had given them to her mother or her sister when Talon had ridden with them. I figure they will show up sometime but she was mightily unhappy about it. Jack ate 1/2 of my Tuna sandwich.....the kid is a bottomless pit but at least he wasn't screeching as much as he has been. In fact he was pretty good. The next stop was in Pensacola to refuel and walk around. Jack literally giggled when the truck stopped and he knew he was getting out....Talon spent most of the time listening to his CD played and watching movies on his DVD player so he was quite content.
After leaving there we headed to Mobile. While we were crossing Mobile Bay on a very narrow bridge, Jack and I were playing peek-a-boo with a pillow between "watch Nana pick my Sippy cup up" and "let's see how quickly Nana can find my binky that I threw on the floor" cause she knows I'll start screeching if she doesn't hurry. I am way too old for those games. As we were crossing the bridge, Talon was playing with Jack also and Norma was reading "The Box Car Children".
I knew I should have bought the poster board.
We stopped at McDonald in Mobile. I fed Jack his apples, chicken strips and french fries as fast as they could be shoveled in.
Then the next 2 hours were spent playing "Share the Binky with Nana” He would give me his binky (that is when I knew for sure he liked me) and I would put it in my mouth (backwards of course} He would grab it, stick it in his mouth and Giggle.
We got to Gulfport, Miss around 2015 Hrs, showered and everyone has gone to bed. I am very thankful for the quiet time cause I know it ain't gonna last long.
All and all, it has been a great trip, lots of laughs.
Gotta go rest now....I need all my strength and patience
| Jackie Lumpkins |
Friday, February 13, 2010
...I'm thinking this is gonna be a great trip. First flight for Tal...he's such a sweet little but growing up boy. (Jack is staying with Memaw and Pappy) Trevor's getting to see his first "real-live" Daytona 500. Norma's smiling and I'm just happy to be moving.
Here we go again....up at 0600 Hrs. and off to Bush Intercontinental. so we can get in line for security checks and board our Continental Airlines Flight 686 for Orlando. But first there is a trip through Burger King for a HAMWICH to go (That was meal one). Parked at the Park and Fly lot...20/20 (perfect; Maybe I can remember that) Got through security easily...no bomb in our underwear (you know I mean.... a real bomb) so we were good to go. Of course it was only 0830 Hrs. and we were already at the gate for our flight departing at 1025 Hrs... Trevor got all of us (except Talon) a bagel filled with cream cheese (Meal two). We had cream cheese all over our face and down the front of us...oh well; we're rednecks so it doesn’t matter. I know he's trying to kill me....my death certificate will read cause of death: ....FAT. Now I'm not too worried about this because we're going to Daytona Beach and I know I'm going to be walking. The flight was perfect ....the weather was beautiful for flying and they fed us a turkey sandwich too (Meal three). Talon loved it and we arrived at 1330 Hrs. at Orlando International Airport. Since we didn't check bags we grabbed our carry-ons, jumped on the train to get our rental car. We waited in line to get the car from AVIS...it occurred to me that everyone in Orlando is Cuban or really pretty dumb. After 20 minutes in line we were rewarded with the keys to our Economy Rental Car....a bright, royal blue Hyundai about the size of a ....well I just don't know how to describe it except it was so ridiculous Avis doesn't even have a picture of it on their web-site. That's pretty bad because they have a picture of "The Smart Car". Anyway Trevor looked like a big bear riding a tricycle and the G-force when he put the pedal to the medal was amazing...just about like Granny's 1981 K Car. But I was happy cause I wasn't driving and I wasn't walking either. Trevor hooked "Gertie"Gramin (Garmin) up and it was off to find our hotel in Kissimmee. "Gertie" did well but Trevor didn't listen so well so we ended up making several U-turns and traveling through a parking lot before we got to our hotel. Let me tell you, it was a beauty too. We stayed in room 3004...we never found the elevator so we walked up three flights of stairs. Our room had lovely dark maroon carpet and orangish bedspreads. But it was to be our home for 2 nights so we settled in.
We threw our bags down and went on a quest for go-karts....there was a track right next door to our hotel but they had 6 live alligators that you could feed if you wanted to so I nixed that. I'm not feeling too comfortable around Trevor these days.... We drove back almost all the way to Orlando before finding the race track Norma had scoped out on the Internet Now I had no intention of riding a go-kart but Trevor said, "Aw...come on mom" so I climbed in and buckled up as did Norma, Trevor and Talon. Talon and Trevor drove very fast and slid around the corners whereas Norma and I were quite content to drive at a moderate pace. Trevor rear-ended me once and some juvenile delinquent with long hair spun me around in the turn. After that I was content to yield the remainder of my time on the track to Talon. Talon also was the recipient of Norma's second ride. Trevor later said Norma and I looked like we were driving in a parade just following each other. Doesn't he realize how fat and old I am??? I thought it was pretty cool that I even gave it a shot.
Well, all that flying and driving and unpacking and driving go-karts made us pretty hungry so we switched the button on "Gertie" and drove back to Kissimmee. Trevor did make a few snide remarks to "Gertie"...you know a person ain't right when they argue with a GPS but I have to admit...I've done it a few times but not recently.
We ate dinner at Pacino's Italian Restaurant only because the hostess told us there was just a 15-20 minute wait. Note to self.....there are lots of people in the Orlando area so you wait for everything. We were sitting in the bar and had the waitress bring Talon some bread and water because they didn't have crackers and lemonade. We were finally seated after a 45-50 minute wait. The food was great and a girl that looked like Pocahontas with tattoos took our picture. We didn't buy it because...well we just didn't. After this meal I knew my long awaited "Daytona Diet" was going to be a big bust. I had about 3 loaves of bread soaked in olive oil and garlic...well all that except the bread is good for you, isn’t it? Trevor and Norma ate some of my lasagna but not enough cause we discussed roman vomitoriums on our way to Wal-Mart.
Nice, huh? While we were discussing this disgusting subject Talon asked, "What's a llamatorium?" I naturally answered, "That's were Llamas play basketball”. I was promptly corrected by Trevor that I was incorrect...Llamas play basketball in a "Llamnasium” Now tell me that we are not a sick bunch of people. Poor Norma and Tal don't stand a chance at normalcy.
After dinner it was off to Wal-Mart for snacks, beer, cokes apple juice a cooler and make-up.
I didn't pack my Estee Lauder foundation because I was afraid airport security would take it away from me so I bought some for $2.97....I threw it in Norma's zip-loc for the trip back and it made it through security just fine. I guarantee if it had been Estee Lauder they would have confiscated it.
Back in the hotel room...everyone showered and Talon decided he wanted to sleep with his dad. So Norma and I sacked out in the other bed to sleep the night away and dream of "The Great American Race" that we had ventured to Florida to see the next day.
Saturday, February 14, 2010
Cold but SUNNY!!!
0600 Hrs.......It's time to get up and roll. Talon and I slipped on our Dale, Jr. shirts and Tal donned his 88 AMD cap although we're all secretly rooting for "Happy" Harvick to win the Daytona 500 Race today. Well, Trevor is not too secret about it as he displayed his Harvick cap which Norma affectionately calls his "McHarvick" cap cause it does look kinda like something Ronald McDonald would wear. Red and Yellow, ya know.
Breakfast at IHOP next door to our living quarters for one more night. We ate eggs and pancakes to start the day.
We jumped in the "rolling blueberry", got "Gertie" situated and rolled onto I-4 in the direction of Daytona Beach. Did you know they expect 100,000-200,000 people at this race? Three lanes of traffic screaming down the interstate at 10-20 miles an hour. Trevor was driving down the freeway zigzagging like the real drivers do to keep their tires warm. It's not like we weren't conspicuous enough in a bright royal blue car. Every once in a while he would roll down the window and scream "it's a rental". Traffic narrowed down to one lane and he was trying to block it so people couldn't get in front of us. Now that was funny...people just passed us on the shoulder and smiled at us. Closer to Daytona Beach, "Gertie" advised we should bear left which we did only to find we were headed to the wrong side of the track. We drove about 10 miles and after saying some pretty nasty things to "Gertie" Trevor turned around. We crawled back the other way until he decided to cut through an area for emergency vehicles only so we could get to Lot 10. Trevor kept talking about how neat the "fly-over" before the race starts and how he was looking so forward to seeing them. I was just delighted to see the Race Track but I was even more delighted to see an airport between Lot 10 and the Race Track. Maybe I wouldn't have to walk back to the car, across the city of Daytona Beach like we did the after the Pepsi 400 race in 2007. It had only taken up 2-3 Hrs. to get there and at least the race was going to be over at 1700 Hrs. so we could relax in the evening for our early flight the next day.
We climbed on a school bus that took us to the race track...how cool was this. I didn't have to walk 10 miles.
Before entering the race track we muddled through throngs of red necks to get on a tram to take us to the place where all the race teams had their trailers set up to buy their official fan gear. (Next time?? I'll get on E- Bay). Oh, I forgot I'm NEVER going to Florida again. Tal got his AMD Dale Earnhardt racing jacket, Trevor got a new Harvick hat...black, red with yellow flames on the bill and Norma bought a Harvick Tee shirt in a size medium which after looking at it, and she proclaimed that it probably was too big but would shrink. That is what all that healthy food will do for you....I personally am really beginning to like fat.
From that area, we stood in line to catch the tram back to the turn 2 where our seats were located. We were standing under the stands 1200 Hrs. and we heard the "Jets" fly over. Trevor almost had a stroke and did say some pretty ugly words.
We headed to our seats after stopping and shopping inside the Race Track area. Got 2 green Dale Jr. foam fingers, a "Digger" shirt for Jack and sunglasses for Talon. OMG our seats were located on Turn 2 but we had to climb up 3 sets of stairs (18 each) and then down to Row 6 ...the seats were cold metal but at least they had backs that we could lean on. I collapsed but I don't think I lost consciousness.
The Pre-Race festivities started at 1230 Hrs. with a prayer, the National Anthem sung by someone famous and low and behold the Jets came screaming across the track. AWESOME and Trevor was happy.
Of course there were the trips (2) to the bathroom which meant going down and climbing up bleachers. You do the math on that....I figure by that time I had completed what would have been a 3 hours session with Richard Simmons. Trevor made a trip down and got cheeseburgers and hot dogs. Trevor and Norma ate a cheeseburger...maybe she'll fill that shirt out. Talon and I ate a hot dog. And then there was a pot hole that had to be repaired....a 1-2 hr. delay in the race while they attempted to patch it. Some one behind me suggested they use duct tape to hold the cold fill in place...I bet the television networks were happy about that. Someone else behind us suggested maybe the drivers could just not drove over the hole while another suggested filling it with chewing gum. We were surrounded by rocket scientist and few intoxicated people tool. Finally Trevor convinced himself they were never going to finish the race so we needed to just leave. We got up and then there were the stairs.
He turned in his Fan Set head seat and then we heard the announcement for the drivers to return to their cars...so up the bleachers we went.... again. I HATE NASCAR!!
The race was underway again and they went round and around for a while...a few wrecks right in front of where we were sitting. I mentioned to Trev that maybe we could get hurt sitting here. I asked him if the cars every flipped up over the fence and he said "Yeah, pieces of them do sometimes". "Last year at Talladega 9 people were taken to the hospital with broken bones when a piece of a car came flying over the fence." Great...and I don't have insurance but on the other hand maybe it would kill me and I wouldn't have to face walking down the bleachers again.
Harvick lead a lot of the race and in my mind should have won it. In fact, under last year’s rules he would have. But McMurray won with Dale, Jr. in 2nd place. McMurray is probably one of Trevor's least favorite drivers and he won the Pepsi 400 Race we attended in 2007. What a Bummer.
As soon as the race was over, Trevor, Norma Talon and I ran down the up and then down the stairs. BTW with all the delays for the pot hole, it was now cold and dark. Trevor and Norma took off in a sprint to the shuttle line. Of course Talon and I followed. We got on the shuttle pretty quickly and were delivered to the opposite end of where our car was parked. We ran some more and I kept telling them I thought my heart was going to explode...I don't think they cared. We were on the road in 30 minutes and headed to Kissimmee. Norma said her throat was very sore and Talon said his stomach was upset. . We drove through McDonalds got chicken nuggets, a cheese burger, a Quarter Pounder with cheese
and a 1/3 lb. Angus Burger with Mushrooms. Trevor and I ate...Talon and Norma didn't. We got back to our room at 2215 Hrs...so much for an early to bed day. Norma and Talon went straight to bed. I got to sleep with Norma again but I didn't mind at all...I was warm and in bed....and we were still alive.
| Jackie Lumpkins |
OBITUARYTrevor Lane White, 39, of Katy, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 1, 2011. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm, Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Richmond and services will Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10:30 am.
He was born on January 4, 1972 in Richmond, TX and is survived by his wife, Norma White; sons, Talon, 10, and Jack, 5; parents Terry White and Peggy White; and, sisters, Jackie Lumpkins and Larissa Edwards and Grandfather, Jack White.
Friends and family have established a memorial fund for Trevor's two young sons. Anyone wishing to contribute may do so to First Community Credit Union, P.O. Box 840129, Houston, TX 77284 Acct#:2338330
Online condolences may be sent @ www.palmsfuneralhome.com
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