Irwindale Speedway

We had a fun evening last night at Irwindale Speedway watching my cousin Gwen's granddaughter, McKenzie, race her bandolero car.  There were several of us there to cheer her on!  It was a great way to wind down our California visit.  It's hard to believe we've been here 2 weeks already and will be leaving for Yosemite National Park in the morning.  It's been such a wonderful visit and we've seen the entire family.  We are so fortunate to have cousins that are so welcoming and fun to be with!

 

 

The grandstands at Irwindale Speedway

McKenzie climbing out of her car

Gwen, Mari, Kenz, Stacie & Jamie

Bob with McKenzie

The front of her car

McKenzie with Dad, Mom & brother Michael

McKenzie with Grandma & Grandpa

The inside of her car...powered by Briggs & Stratton  :-)

#10 is in 2nd Place!!!

On the track

The "Legends" Cars

Skid plate...these are 4-cylinder front-wheel-drive

cars with skid plates welded to the rear wheels. It

was hilarious!  They were drifting all over the track. 

Skid Plate Racers

Jamie made me this blanket to remind me of my

nutty cousins in California.  :-)  So sweet!

McKenzie's Go Daddy jacket -

autographed by Danica Patrick

and her crew.

McKenzie

Roses from Paul

Bob came home from working at Highland Cycles today with these

beautiful roses that my cousin Paul sent for me.  He loves me!!! 

 

 

Another Wonderful Evening With My Cousins

We had another great evening with my cousins.  Tonight we met Paul, Cheryl, Paul II (aka: The Deuce), Wendy & Sarah at Chili's for dinner.  We had a great time and were so happy that we finally met up with Paul II, Wendy & Sarah.  Bob has been working at Paul's store with Paul II, but I had not seen him yet.  I can't believe how great my cousins treat us...it sure makes us feel good!!!  Tomorrow evening several of us are going to the races at Irwindale Raceway to watch McKenzie (Gwen's granddaughter) race her bandolero car.  Should be lots of fun!

 

 

 

Wendy & Sarah

Paul

Cheryl

The Deuce  :-)

The moon on the way home...I couldn't get a picture

of it when we got home because it's hiding behind

the mountains.  :-(

Clearman's North Woods Inn & LAX

This evening we went to LAX with Paul & Cheryl so they could see his uncle and his uncle's new wife while they had a 1 1/2 hr. layover on their way from San Francisco to Tampa, FL.  Unfortunately, their flight from SF was delayed and they had to immediately go to the gate for the next flight.  After all that, they didn't even get to say hello.  :-(  It was very disappointing, but at least his uncle knew they cared enough to be there.  On the way to LAX we went to dinner at Clearman's Northwoods Inn.  This restaurant is wonderful!  The food is excellent and the service is, too.  Of course, it helps that Paul & Cheryl know the waiter and he's been there for 33 years.  :-)   We had a great evening, in spite of the disappointing turn of events at the airport.

 

Paul in the truck on the way there.

A bear inside North Woods Inn

The sign out front

The outside of the restaurant - with fake snow on the roof.

Another view of the outside.

This tunnel goes under one of the runways at LAX.

Kind of strange!!!

a la minute - A Modern Creamery

Tonight we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner with Gwen,

Jim, Mike & Jamie.  After dinner we went to an ice cream shop in

Redlands.  They add all the organic ingredients into a mixing bowl

and then add liquid nitrogen as they are mixing it to fast freeze it,

which makes the ice cream very smooth.  All the flavorings are

from local merchants.  It was so unique and delicious!!!

 

 

Look at the ice on the outside of the pitcher of

liquid nitrogen.

POOF!

Miscellaneous

Just a few pictures from this week.

 

 

Mama, Daddy & babies...taken from the back

window of our 5th wheel.

Beautiful orchid that my cousin Mari brought me.

The view when we are leaving Mountain Lakes

RV Resort in Lytle Creek.

Another Fun Night with my California Cousins!

We had a great evening with Todd & Mari, Jim & Gwen and Jamie & McKenzie.  We had dinner at Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant at Bass Pro Shop.  I never knew they had restaurants!  The food was excellent and the company even better!  After dinner we all went

shopping in Bass Pro Shop...it was a really fun evening! 

I finally got to meet Mr. Wonderful (Mari's husband Todd).  :-)

 

 

Todd & Mari

Photogenic Jamie

McKenzie & Uncle Todd

The alligator that Todd & McKenzie

ordered for their appetizer.  YUCK!

Jim & Jamie

McKenzie picking Tony Stewart's nose  :-)

Bob, me, Todd, Mari, Gwen & Jim

Bob & I with Todd & Mari