The need for speed

Robert and I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway together yesterday (Wednesday, November 18, 2009). We had no idea what we were in for and neither of us are race fans so we were mostly just looking forward to spending an afternoon together in the middle of a work week.

The experience began with a delicious, catered track-side luncheon. We enjoyed the meal in the same room where the biggest sponsors gather on race days. What a view! After the meal, we were put through driver's training and fitted for our helmets and race suits. When it finally sunk in that we would actually be DRIVING the race cars ALONE for eight laps around the TRACK, I couldn't believe it. I just kept thinking, Nobody would ever let me do something like that! It can't possibly be a good idea for me to do something like that! But they did let us do something like that and it was a great idea.
Robert was one of the first drivers to climb into his car. He pulled in behind his lead car and shifted thru the gears into fourth, crossed the white line and made his first lap. We were told that in order to achieve maximum speed we needed to be three car lengths behind our lead car and stay in his tracks. Three car lengths is so close when you are going 130 mph! Robert did a fabulous job keeping that distance and was one of the best drivers on the course that day. His top speed was 134 mph. He came off the track with a giant smile and a glimmer in his eyes... uh oh! Career change, perhaps?!
I was only one of two women. Earlier in the day I heard one of the previous female drivers say she had topped out at 90 mph and I thought, What a sissy GIRL! I drive 90 mph on the freeway in my Corolla. I have got to beat that! But once I shifted into fourth and crossed the apron, I realized it was much harder than I thought to keep the distance, track the lead and navigate the turns. The G-force was awesome. I could feel the earth pressing on me with every turn. The entire time I was screaming, OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! My heart was pumping. My hands were sweating. My adrenaline was flowing. I was flying. It was incredible. There was hardly a moment to breathe or take in the surroundings. Twice I passed other drivers and left them in my dust. My top speed was 128 mph.
We were also able to drive an autocross course. There were two Mercedes - beautiful cars - set up on a short course for us to navigate. The goal was to complete the course in the fastest time and penalties were given for every cone a driver hit. It went against everything we were taught in drivers' ed... floor the pedal, slam the brakes, screech the tires. It was a thrill and I was especially pleased to score well and complete the course twice without hitting any cones. I am a Mercedes girl now. It was difficult to climb back into our Toyota Corolla to drive home after sitting behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz.
I don't think Robert and I will find ourselves suddenly transformed into major NASCAR fans after this adventure, but we definitely gained more respect for the men and women who drive the cars for a living. It was much more difficult than I expected and is not a sport for the weak-hearted.

Of all my crazy life adventures to date, including those I enjoyed in Idaho, this ranks in the top three. Insane! Crazy! Scary! Fun!

Never felt this way before

This giant stack of felt has been calling to me from the corner for a week or two now and finally I am cutting into the delicious colors. The sewing machine is humming. I am making something like this for Zackary for Christmas. And I am happy! And I can't wait!

Right now...

...we spend a lot of time just sitting around, watching this little guy grow and basking in the joy that is having Zackary in our home.

-Tuesday, November 3, 2009-
Zackary at six months and four days
Mommy and Daddy at 30 years

Over a bowl of homemade chicken tortilla soup, a Nothing Bundt Cake and a few "horsey" rides, we caught up with another old friend from the SUU Ballroom Dance Team. Rob Breedlove was in town on business and called to catch up. We hadn't seen him since our wedding six years ago. It was nice to share our home and our lives with him, and to reminisce.

Lazy mommy Halloween

Zackary has a lazy mommy who stuck him in orange-striped pajamas and a borrowed pumpkin hat for Halloween. He would have much preferred to be something cooler like a silly monster or a dog or a pirate. Maybe next year.

We enjoyed attending the tri-ward Trunk-or-Treat and passing out candy with the Brewers. We loved greeting all the primary children as they came by for a treat and a short visit with Brother Lea. Brother Lea is a bit of a primary celebrity... that's what happens when you are called to be the primary chorister and you do cool things like Spin the Primary Child, Singing Olympics, Hangman. We so love serving together in the primary right now!

Outtakes

Zackary says...

A little bit about our birthday boy and girl...

GRANDPA

Grandpa loves hiking, family, his grandchildren, clean cars, retirement, security, Finland, scooters, serving, produce, fresh water, square dancing. He is wise, fun-loving, secure, predictable, talented, likable, adventurous, young, clean.

AUNT T

Aunt T loves family, decorating, shopping, Kallie, cooking. She is brave, forgiving, kind, hard-working, loyal, talented, beautiful, strong.

Happy birthday to you both. We love you so very much!!!

Forever

Thank you, Office, for meeting, nay, exceeding our expectations. We will love you "Forever."

Proof...

...that our baby is growing and changing every day.

-Photo taken October 5, 2009-
-Teeth arrived September 14, 2009-

From simple drops of water

In one place, near at hand, a stalagmite has been slowly growing up from the ground for ages, builded by the water drip from a stalactite overhead... That drop was falling when the pyramids were new; when Troy fell; when the foundations of Rome were laid; when Christ was crucified; when the Conqueror created the British empire; when Columbus sailed; when the massacre at Lexington was "news." It is falling now; it will still be falling when all these things shall have sunk down the afternoon of history, and the twilight of tradition, and been swallowed up in the thick night of oblivion.
-Mark Twain-

The preceding quote really puts into words the feeling that exists for me inside Kartchner Caverns. I've been to several beautiful show caves and so my expectations for this spot were high.... These caves surpassed them all.

The story of Kartchner is an exciting one. In 1974, two geology students and amateur cavers discovered the caves after crawling through a hole the size of a stretched out coat hanger. They waded through 1,000 feel of mud up to their waists. It took them three hours to travel that short distance. The cavers kept the caves a secret for many years, worried that if the secret got out the caves would be vandalized and damaged. It took an additional 25 years before the cavers and owners of the land on which the caverns lay succeeded in turning the area into a state park and opening the place to the public. Because those involved in the project were focused on conservation and preservation, Kartchner Caverns will be around and continue to grow over the next million or so years. A very cool story.

Before you enter the actual caverns, you walk through two airlocks and a set of misters. The locks keep the moisture inside the cave and the misters dampen your clothes so that you don't absorb any of that moisture and carry it out with you, damaging the delicate formations and stunting their growth. The caverns are handicap accessible. Awesome. And the trail leads you so close to the formations you can actually reach out and touch them. In the large Throne Room there is a small ampitheatre where you sit and enjoy a light and music show at the conclusion of the guided tour. The formations are lit in time with the music, allowing you to savor each stalactite, each stalagmite, each column and drop of water as it is highlighted in the room. Holy.Moly! Nature is an amazing thing. From simple drops of water, year after year, something beautiful is created. Our Heavenly Father is a talented artist.

-Monday, October 5, 2009-
(photo of Kartchner Caverns from the book
"Nature's Underground Wonderland: Kartchner Caverns State Park" by Sam Negri)