We had good seats on a corner of the track which meant we got to see as the cars made tight turns and wiped out.
The race began and the roar of the engines and tires on the road prompted me to put in my ear buds. Then Andrew informed me that this was a different race, Le Mans would begin in two hours. Mary, always the problem solver, suggested this was the perfect time to check out the carnival area, so we headed over there and Mary rode the rides before it was time to meet our friends for a race track lunch.
The 251ft observation tower is impressive.
For a person who generally doesn't trust carnival rides, and/or their staff, this was quite terrifying for me. Mary, however, had a blast.
Mary held up a long line of adult males waiting for their turn to be race car drivers.
The Le Mans race was a combination of cars. Although I enjoyed the race, it lasted hours and I was desensitized to the noise and excitement after about 55 minutes. I started hoping someone would crash so that it would be exciting again. Then I felt guilty wishing tragedy for the sake of my entertainment. A couple of drivers did spin off the track at one of the corners in our field of view, it seemed like they underestimated the turn. It's a wonder these cars don't flip out of control, the speed they travel, but they just seemed to spin once then come to a stop.
My favorite car, silver and sleek.
We came with friends and planned an evening in downtown Austin, starting with dinner at Hopdoddy on Congress Avenue (highly recommend). On the way out from the race, we came across this very talented biker. I didn't manage to get any good photos; his stunts were amazing. By this time in the day, most people were ready to leave for home and not many stayed to watch him. His talent seemed wasted on an end-of-the-day show. If he had performed earlier in the day, I'm sure crowds would have gathered and showed the admiration he deserved. After some research, I think this is Aaron Colton (http://www.aaroncolton.com/aaron).
In other September news; earlier in the month, for Labor Day weekend, we returned to Cloudcroft and ditched the pit toilets for the freedom of the national forest. The Davis family joined us and the boys brought their dirt bikes and guns.
This area is considered "public" land, so you can do pretty much whatever you like; ride bikes on the trails, make a campfire, set up camp anywhere. There are miles and miles of back roads which means that you can camp far away from anyone else. We usually pass a few groups of campers with their bikes and four-wheelers.
Mary, the bug catcher
We visited the Lava Flow. We must like this place, we've been here many times.
The old Mexican Canyon trestle railway
White Sands in the distance looks like a giant low lying cloud.
Daniel died for a while.
Camp
Carnival rides scare me, yet this doesn't.
We returned to the Bluff Springs to show the Davis' our magical find. The girls had a blast running around like grass and water deprived Midlanders.
Me with Anna, or Crazy White Ghost
Kids have an innate ability to find fun things to busy themselves with.
The girls made an elaborate pet shop and tried to find a good home for Daniel.
The forest was a dangerous place to be this day with the girls shooting arrows and the boys shooting other stuff.
When it came time to chop firewood, it really separated the men from the boys.
Tonia was fierce! I was fierce for about five minutes, and then I got tired.
The boys weren't in the mood for being fierce, they were just tired.
This is a pretty place in the world.
In other September news...
I tried to make a delicious chickpea snack in Cinamon and Spicy versions. It didn't work.
Mary drank "Champagne" and ate chocolate covered strawberries with her friends at the MOSC Gala opening night at Wagner Noel.
Mary took up the violin and I found another use for my race track ear plugs.
We visited St. Ann's fair and Mary had a great day with an all-rides wristband and a group of her friends from school. She particularly liked Bingo where she observed "This isn't really a game of strategy, is it?".
