October 1st, 2016
We’re back at Hayes State Park in the Irish Hills, for Bill’s MIS excursion, which was rained out on July 24th. The forecast for this weekend was pretty soggy, but we went for it anyway. It rained pretty good on the way out, and we didn’t get two miles from home before some idiot texting rear ends our trailer, bending the ladder. I won’t spend too much time on this because it will just infuriate me all over again. It could have been worse though, everyone is okay, no major damage, but it’s damage nonetheless. Grrrr.
So, of course after waiting for the police and going through all that, we finally arrive at the campsite at 10pm. In the rain. One very cool thing though – as we made our way down the entrance road to the campground, we saw a very large bird swoop down into our path about 50 feet from the truck. It then ascended straight up and onto a branch. As we approached it, slowing down, it remained on the branch. The biggest owl I’ve ever seen! And no, my camera was packed away. 🙁
More rain Saturday morning and we both watched the weather radar which looked like we might dodge it. No cancellation call from MIS so we kept our fingers crossed. The rain bounced off the roof of the trailer which got loud at times, waking me up at about 6am. Ugh. Not the best camping weekend but it’s still a nice getaway.
We lucked out, the clouds cleared for a while and the sun came out! His time slot was for 2:30pm and we made our way to the racetrack, where he received a new lanyard, jump drive for his video and donned his racing suit.
They started a bit early as rain was on its way, so the brief class started about 2pm before all the racers headed out on to pit road. We waited on pins and needles for his name to be called. I was concerned he’d be at the end, catch the rain, and be cancelled again! He was assigned to the #19 Stanley car, a Toyota, which we laughed about, since he works for a Ford supplier. The cars are assigned based on a driver’s height, I think, because I heard one of the instructors assign another car to a lady who was rather tall, saying that one would fit her the best. ??
As it turned out, though, Bill ended up with the Richard Petty #43, which was cool because 1) it’s a Ford and 2) it’s the Richard Petty #43! And this is the Richard Petty Driving Experience. His plaque, with his photos, would match. Pretty cool.
He got in the car when it was his time (would have been very cool if he could have Bo Duke’d it across the hood first!) and was off. I tried to count the laps as I took video and photos each time he came around. It went fast. I was glad I got him 18 laps – any less would have felt like you were done before you got started. And that’s my perception as a spectator! It would have flown by way too soon for him.
I loved seeing the racers come back after their stint, they all had a smile a mile wide, comparing their top speed to the other drivers. Too cool. I couldn’t wait to talk with him afterward. He had a ball.
So we waited at the concession trailer to pay for his plaque and video, which didn’t completely turn out. “WHAAAAAAT?????” was what I said, hopefully not too angrily. It’s stated when you buy the package that you can purchase the video, IF it turns out. Grrrr.. So they gave us the pieces that did record, and we spliced them together with Windows Movie Maker, for a total of a 7 minute video. Still very, very cool.
And we missed the rain by literally minutes! This was coming our way, and soon.
On the way back to the campground, it poured buckets. I hoped the awning held up, but all was fine at the campsite.
We lucked out again that evening, the rain passed and the skies actually cleared to reveal the star-filled sky that we are used to camping under out here. Perfect weather to visit Haunting in the Hills at Stagecoach Stop, right outside the park entrance.
They offered three attractions, a walk-through haunted house (which took place where the saloon and shops used to be), a haunted hayride, and the Train Car of Terror, which is actually Eisenhower’s actual train car from when he was our 34th president. All three were very, very cool.
I don’t find these kind of attractions necessarily scary anymore, but they’re still fun and this one is near and dear to my heart. We were extremely sad when Stagecoach closed in 2008 and all the amazing artifacts were auctioned off. My mom-in-law was heartbroken, with her love for the old west. To see this place open again and coming alive makes us so happy.
The former ice cream parlor was open and all aglow with scariness, with pizza and pop available. We also enjoyed talking with a few of the actors outside on our way out. Well done, guys!
