Pensacola April 2025

The hum of the tires on the asphalt marked the beginning of our adventure. Tuesday afternoon melted into evening as Christie and I made our way towards Auburn, the familiar landscape a comforting prelude to seeing our daughter, Emily. The energy around Plainsman Park was electric as we met up with Sawyer for an Auburn baseball game against UAB. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd – it was the perfect way to kick off our trip before settling into our Auburn hotel for the night.

Wednesday morning dawned early, a promise of soaring jets and aerial artistry. Our 6:00 AM departure aimed squarely at witnessing the famed Blue Angels practice in Pensacola. The drive was smooth until we hit Blue Angel Parkway. An hour and a half crawl later, it was clear that many shared our Wednesday morning ambition. Finally, we navigated onto NAS Pensacola and found our parking spot at The National Naval Aviation Museum. Excitement bubbled as we walked towards the airstrip, only to have it gently deflated by the news: low clouds and gusty winds had grounded the practice. A collective sigh swept through the small crowd.

Our disappointment, however, was short-lived. As we made our way back to the truck, a timely reminder popped up – lunch with Emily at Chick-Fil-A. Seeing her bright smile quickly erased any lingering frustration. After a happy reunion and a quick bite, we headed back onto base to secure our passes. Emily’s room became our temporary haven as we waited for her class to end. Soon, she was whisking us away, first to the historic Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, and then to the soft sands of the nearby beach, a tranquil escape just a short walk from her doorstep. Our afternoon concluded with a mini-tour of NAS Pensacola, a glimpse into Emily’s world.

The aroma of the Gulf beckoned us to Gulf Breeze for dinner at Crabs. The menu was a seafood lover’s dream. I opted for the rich Crab and Shrimp Linguine Alfredo, while Christie and Emily both savored the Crab and Shrimp Tacos. Our calamari appetizer arrived, a generous portion that could have easily been a meal in itself! Stuffed and content, we returned to our haven for the night.

Thursday offered a slower start. After a leisurely morning, we met Emily for lunch again, this time at Sonny’s BBQ. It was a nostalgic treat; the Atlanta-area locations had long since closed, making this taste of familiar Southern barbecue all the more enjoyable. The afternoon found Christie and me back on the base beach. I learned a valuable lesson that day: even under cloudy skies and a brisk breeze, the Florida sun can pack a surprising punch. My resulting sunburn served as a slightly painful reminder. Despite my newfound redness, the gentle rhythm of the waves was still a soothing balm. That evening, we ventured downtown to Bavaria Pensacola, where I indulged in a hearty schnitzel, a taste of Germany in the heart of Florida.

Friday was a welcome short day for Emily. By 12:30 PM, she was free, and we headed to Captain Joey Patti’s, a charming little diner that immediately won our hearts. Christie and I always seek out these local gems, and this one certainly didn't disappoint with its authentic flavor and friendly atmosphere. We spent a relaxed afternoon at Emily’s place before heading to the cinema to experience "The Chosen: The Last Supper," a powerful and moving film. Our day concluded with a late-night sushi adventure at Rock n Roll Sushi, a vibrant spot with creative rolls and a lively ambiance.

Saturday morning took us back to Gulf Breeze and a new culinary experience at First Watch for brunch. Emily’s boyfriend had sung its praises, and we soon understood why. The fresh, flavorful dishes were a delightful start to the day. Fueled by a delicious meal, we engaged in a spirited round of mini-golf, where I proudly (and narrowly) claimed victory by a single point. A stroll around Gulf Breeze followed, leading us to Wal-Mart to gather ingredients for a homemade salad dinner. Emily was craving a home meal, and Christie expertly crafted delicious salads back at our suite. The evening culminated in watching Auburn compete in the Final Four. Although the Tigers didn't secure the win, the joy of sharing the moment with Emily, who stayed the night, made it a victory in its own right.

Sunday morning brought the familiar ritual of packing the truck. Saying goodbye to Emily always tugs at the heartstrings, but the memories of our Pensacola adventure, from the anticipation of the Blue Angels to the laughter over mini-golf and the shared meals, filled the quiet drive back to Heflin. This first trip had been a tapestry of family, food, and Florida sunshine, a reminder of the precious moments we cherish.

Atlanta Race Weekend February 2025

The weekend started as a typical February race weekend in Atlanta, with chilly weather. Christie and I walked around the Fan Zone, catching a few live shows before heading inside to wait for our friend Marco. While waiting, we went ahead and renewed our tickets for the 2026 season.

When we started our NASCAR journey, we decided to attend both Atlanta races and both Talladega races each year. Saturday’s Xfinity race didn’t disappoint—our favorite Xfinity driver, Austin Hill, took the win, securing back-to-back victories at Atlanta.

On Sunday, we met up with Marco again, picked up our Pit Passes, and headed down to Pit Road. We checked out the cars and did some people-watching, spotting Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip, and Dion "Rocko" Williams.

After exploring Pit Road, we made our way to our seats—once again, we had a great view and enjoyed spending time with friends. AMS never disappoints, and we’re already looking forward to the Atlanta Night Race in June!

Talladega Fall Race Weekend

 Talladega race weekend erupted in a storm of adrenaline. It was Saturday, and after buying our tickets that morning, we arrived at the legendary speedway around 1:30 PM. The air was already buzzing with energy. The sound of engines revving in the distance felt like the calm before the storm, but I knew that calm wouldn’t last.

Parking closer than usual since it was the Xfinity race, we hurried through the merchandise haulers, the smell of burnt rubber and fuel mixing with the electricity of thousands of fans. Our seats for Sunday’s race were prime, so we decided to claim them early as we waited for friends to join. Stage 1 blazed by, the cars screaming past us, the roar of the engines shaking the bleachers. The speed, the intensity—it was palpable.

Stage 2 arrived like a wave crashing onto the shore just as our friends made it to the stands. We barely had time to settle back in before the tension on the track ratcheted up. Austin Hill, our guy in the No. 21, was dominating. But with just two laps to go, disaster struck. Metal crunched as his car got caught in a wreck, the spinout throwing debris across the track. Overtime was called. Sammy Smith took the victory, but it was the chaos of that last lap that left us breathless, hearts pounding. This was only Saturday. Sunday promised even more.

Sunday’s Yellawood 500 was another level of anticipation. The sun rose over Talladega, casting a golden glow over the stadium as we arrived at 10:15 AM, ready for something new—the Garage Experience. After nearly an hour waiting for the tram, we were finally in the infield, but it wasn’t quite the behind-the-scenes action we hoped for. The cars were already staged on pit road, the garages eerily quiet, save for a few older race cars and Earnhardt’s famous No. 3. Still, being this close to the action felt like we were on the edge of the battlefield before the fight.

After a quick reunion with my cousin from Trackhouse Racing, we made our way back to the grandstands. The roar of engines was like a battle cry as the cars lined up. The Yellawood 500 was underway, and the track became an arena of pure speed. From the very start, the drivers were locked in combat, two-wide, then three-wide, and before the end of Stage 1, four-wide racing that defied belief. The tension in the air was so thick you could feel it in your chest. Ross Chastain, our driver in the No. 1, was right in the middle of it, fighting for every inch of track like a warrior on the front lines.

Stage 2 intensified. Ross was pushing for first when disaster struck. On the final lap of the stage, Blaney got turned by Bowman, the cars spinning wildly. In the chaos, Ross slammed into the wall, his car erupting in flames. I could barely breathe as his car came to a smoking halt. Flames licked the sides of the wreckage, but Ross managed to pull himself free. The relief that washed over us was immediate—he was shaken, but he was okay.

And then came “The Big One.”

Lap 185. The tension had been building for hours, the cars trading paint, weaving in and out of three-wide formations. But when the crash hit, it was like a bomb went off. A 28-car pileup on the backstretch. The carnage was unbelievable—cars stacked, smoking, debris flying through the air. The red flag came out, the race brought to a sudden, violent halt. For 45 minutes, we waited, watching the track crews scramble, the aftermath of the crash hanging over the crowd like a storm cloud.

But when the race restarted, the final laps were a high-speed blur. The roar of the engines was deafening as Keselowski, Stenhouse Jr., and Byron battled it out for the win. It was a fight to the finish, inches separating them as they hurtled toward the line. Stenhouse Jr. edged out Keselowski by 0.006 seconds—another legendary Talladega finish that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The day ended with the sun setting over the track, but the excitement still raced through my veins. Talladega had delivered its trademark chaos, and we left the stands with hearts still pounding, knowing we had just witnessed something unforgettable.

Radioactive from the Yellawood 500

Birthday Week: A Journey of Joy and Reconnection

It all began on Friday night, the kickoff to what would become a week full of laughter, reunions, and cherished moments. Christie, Aubree-Anna, Matt, and I headed to Truist Park to watch the Atlanta Braves take on the Blue Jays. There’s nothing like the energy of a baseball game, and the Braves didn’t disappoint, pulling out a 3-1 win. The crowd roared as the final out was called, and it felt like the perfect start to my birthday week.

Saturday morning, we made our way down to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Xfinity race. The heat was relentless, but there’s something about being at the track that makes everything else fade away. Christie by my side, we watched Austin Hill take the checkered flag in the Focused Health 250. It was a special year for Bennett Transportation as they celebrated their 50th anniversary, and it felt like we were part of the celebration. 

Sunday was another race day, but this time we left the Blackstone behind and grabbed sandwiches from Subway. We ate in the reserved parking before heading to the Fan Zone. After a quick stop at the Trackhouse merchandise hauler, fate intervened. We ran into my old co-worker, Marco, who surprised us with pit passes and an invitation to sit in the O’Reilly’s Suite. We didn’t hesitate. It was a rare opportunity, and we were all in.

Walking along pit road, I kept an eye out for my cousin, though we never crossed paths. However, we did bump into comedian John Crist, which was an unexpected and amusing encounter. While in the suite, I reconnected with an old friend from my firefighting days who was working at the track. It felt like a full-circle moment—being there not just as fans but revisiting past roles and memories at the Speedway

Monday was a bit more laid-back. We spent the day with Aubree-Anna, Matt, and, of course, our granddog Lenny. That evening, we met up with Brian, Christy, and my best bud Matthew at LaBamba’s for dinner. As the night went on, Christie and I made an impromptu decision. We’d leave early Tuesday morning for a beach getaway to Daytona. It was the kind of spontaneous plan that sets the tone for a perfect vacation

At 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the alarm blared, and our seven-hour journey south began. By the time we arrived at the resort in Daytona Beach around 1 p.m., we were ready to dive into relaxation mode. After checking in, we grabbed lunch at Racing’s North Turn, a restaurant steeped in NASCAR history. The spot marked the North Turn of the old beach racetrack used in the 1940s and 50s, and it was the perfect pit stop for race fans like us.

Afterward, we strolled along the beach, letting the ocean waves wash away any remaining tension. Though the sky was overcast, it didn’t dampen our spirits. Wednesday was spent much the same—soaking up beach vibes, playing in the water, and battling the big waves. The waves won more often than not, but we didn’t mind. That night, we ventured out for dinner at The Dill, trying out some Eastern European dishes. We both ordered schnitzel, and it didn’t disappoint.

Thursday began with an unforgettable experience. I had set my alarm to catch the SpaceX rocket launch early that morning. By 4:45 a.m., I was the only person on the beach, watching the sky light up as the rocket carried satellites into space. It was a moment of awe, standing there alone with the sound of the ocean in the background as history unfolded before my eyes.

The rest of the day was spent at the beach and by the pool, making the most of our time by the ocean. That evening, we dined at Crabby’s Oceanside, enjoying one last seafood meal before we had to leave paradise. 

On Friday, we reluctantly checked out of the resort after watching the sunrise and headed north toward Brunswick, a town full of memories for me. We spent most of the day on Saint Simons Island, reminiscing about the time I had lived there. That evening, we had dinner with Dawson, Harlie, and Lucy Ray. Seeing them, especially Lucy, was a highlight of the day. She’s a big fan of Gordon Ramsey and might just have a future in cooking. Watching her enthusiasm, I couldn’t help but smile—perhaps she’s

Friday night, we stayed in Blackshear, and Saturday morning brought a surprise reunion. As we headed down for breakfast, I saw a man stepping off the elevator who looked oddly familiar. I walked up to him and asked, “What’s your name?” He responded, “James.” In that instant, I knew—it had been nearly 30 years since I’d last seen him. He was the father of a friend from my Brunswick days. We caught up for a solid thirty minutes before even making it to breakfast. Soon after, his wife Pam joined us, and it was as if no time had passed.

Later that day, we visited Christi’s store, DownSouth Living, where a vendor event was taking place. It was a great way to end the trip—surrounded by good people and memories of the past. As we made our way back home, I couldn’t help but feel that this week was exactly what I needed—a perfect balance of relaxation, reconnection, and spontaneous fun.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s beach trip, but for now, I’m content, filled with gratitude for the week that was.

The First NASCAR Race Weekend

Probably one of the best Valentine's Day gifts we have had. Heading to our first race of the year, the Daytona 500. We arrived in Orlando on Thursday at Westgate Resort. We had a VIP party where we received our Daytona 500 tickets. 

We were excited about this race. The first race of the season and a fresh start to the 2024 race season. Friday we made our way to Disney Springs. Christie has mentioned that she wished that we had gone and had seafood when we were there in October. So we made our way to The Boathouse, where we enjoyed some seafood and being on Disney property. After dinner we walked around Disney Springs and watched a concert, while Christie enjoyed her churro. 

Saturday was kind of a wet day. Just enough rain to not want to do something, but just enough to do want to get out and do something. We drove around and made our way to Icon Park where we at at Gordon Ramsay's Fish & Chips. afterwards we walked around Icon Park and went to one of the 300 outlet malls in Orlando and then back to Disney Springs. 

Sunday was definitely a long day. They Postponed the Daytona 500 and with all the rain we decided to just stay in the room and watch movies. 

Monday we woke up and got ready to head to Daytona for the first race of the season. Even though it was a day later is was definitely worth the wait. Once we got to Daytona we parked at the Volusia Mall and broke out the Blackstone.  After eating we made our way to the track. We walked around to check out some of the stuff going on and made our way inside. This track is not like any other that we have been to. They have an escalator that takes you up to the corridor. For free seats we had a real good view. We sat in the 400 section coming out of turn 4. Six laps in the first wreck of the season took place right in front of us. Along with all the sights and sounds of being at the racetrack this was memorable. You don't realize the good times that you can have with your spouse and how magical of a moment it is to spend time with them. Don't ever take it for granted. These moments are what Christie and I have made for our bucket list. These moments I will always cherish.

    

   

Our Disney Getaway

It all started back in March 2023. It was time to start planning Christie's 50th birthday. What would be something that she has always wanted to do? So I called a friend of mine at Adventure Dreams Travel to help me out. Christie has never been to Disney World, so why not book a vacation to Orlando? As we set the plans for our getaway in October Christie had no idea about what I was doing. Everyone knew about the trip but her. One day in September I got a welcome packet from Disney in the mail, not knowing what else was being sent I decided to tell her we were going. The look on her face when I handed her the packet was something that I will never forget. Her reply was "We're going to Disney!". As the days got closer we started to plan our trip down to Orlando. Sixteen years ago we were in Savannah and purchased our wedding bands. Since that time my band had broke and was stolen in February of this year. So Christie decided that we stop in Savannah and go back to the store we bought them at and purchase a new set. So we took the long way down to Orlando. We left on Friday and drove to Savannah. When we got there we checked in and then made our way to River St. The first place we stopped was Cassandras Jewelry we told to staff our story about how we purchased our original rings and we needed a new set. The staff was very helpful with helping us make our decision. After we purchased the rings we took a walk down River St and watched a couple of Barge's one leaving and the other coming into Port. Then went and had dinner. 

The next morning we got ready to head out for Orlando. Not sure who was more excited Christie or me. We made our way down I-95 going through Brunswick and Waverly. As we made it to the Florida state line, Christie has always told me that when she was a kid traveling to Florida they would stop at the Welcome Center for their free cup of Orange Juice. So why not relive that memory and stop at the Welcome Center? 

After our free cup of Florida Orange Juice, we kept down I-95 through Jacksonville and made a quick little stop at Buc-ee's in St. Augustine. Continuing on our trip we finally made it to Walt Disney World. 

We got checked into our room at Pop Century Resort and made our way to Disney Springs to kick off Christie's Birthday week. We walked around Disney Springs and had a nice dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub. 
The next morning started our Disney Adventure, the first stop was Animal Kingdom. 

My first stop was Starbucks, someone needed coffee and I needed a cinnamon roll. After getting our breakfast we made our way to Kilimanjaro Safaris to go visit our animal friends. We hit up a few shows and looked at some of the sites. It was October 9th and Christie would turn 50 the next day so we took advantage of our Park Hopper pass and headed over to Magic Kingdom. I wanted her to experience Magic Kingdom before she was 50. We time it out pretty well because as soon as we got to Magic Kingdom, a parade was about to start. 
We watched to parade on Main Street USA and made our way down to Cinderella's Castle. 

Then headed over to Tomorrow Land and rode the People Mover. Then a quick little stop at Magic Kingdom and I wanted Christie to experience the Monorail. So we headed out of Magic Kingdom to the monorail to Epcot. The plan was to go to Epcot and get on the Skyliner back to Pop Century. Poor planning on my part I didn't realize that the Monorail was on one side of Epcot and the the Skyliner was located on the opposite side. So we walked through Epcot got a couple of pictures and made our way to the Skyliner. After that, we headed to Pop Century and relaxed. 
The next day we made our way back to Epcot and made a day out of it. We rode a Spaceship Earth and from there we went to The Seas with Nemo and friends, after that, we went and hung out with Crush. At 1 o'clock I got the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy, Unfortunately, we had to wait until almost 8 pm to ride that ride. We walked through the World Showcase and stopped in Germany before getting bratwurst I noticed a sign. The sign said Würzburg. For those that don't know that is one of the cities that I lived in when I was a kid. 

They also had Würzburg Hofbräu, the only brewery in Würzburg, Germany. I found that pretty interesting. It was also the first time that I had seen that since 1989. We also went to the Disney and Pixar Small Film Festival. On the way in we noticed that Minnie and Mickey were inside the building taking pictures with guests. 

So why not get a picture with them? 
After the short film, we headed towards Test Track. We built our car and got to test drive it.

Finally, around 7:30, we got the notification for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. After waiting almost 6 hours we got to the ride and they told us the ride was down and that we would have to wait roughly thirty more minutes. We decided to grab a bite to eat and then headed back to the ride. I will have to say that this is by far the best ride I've ever been on. 

Wednesday was our day at Magic Kingdom it was everyone's day at Magic Kingdom. 7 am I got on the Virtual Queue for Tron and got Group 6 which means we had to get to the park pretty quick. We made Rope Drop and headed directly to Tron. Hardly any wait for the queue. We rode Tron. Also another great ride. 

When we left Tron we made our way to Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. Christie looked at me and said, "I'm Exhausted, can we go back to the room." I didn't have a problem with that plan. We went back to the resort and took a much-needed nap. Around 5 pm we made our way back to Magic Kingdom to get ready to watch Happily Ever After Firework. It began to rain and we made the best of it. The best part was it stopped before the fireworks. 

Thursday was our last day to visit a park. Hollywood Studios was that park and we made the best of it. We watched the Indiana Jones Stunt show. Rode the Star Wars rides along with Rock N Rollercoaster. 

Although it was a long 4 days I couldn't have thought of any better way to spend Christie's 50th birthday. I know that there is a lot that we missed, but here gives us an excuse to go back. 

Friday morning came we loaded up the truck to head home. Christie had mentioned to me that she has never been to St. Augustine which gave me an idea. We are now going to visit St Augustine. As we headed up I-4 I had to make one little stop, at Daytona International Speedway. We toured the track and then made our way up north to St. Augustine. We got checked in and went to grab a bite to eat at Osteen's. 

After dinner, we made our way to  St. George St and walked and enjoyed the historic town. The next morning we went to tour the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and walked the streets of St. Augustine before heading to The Fountain of Youth. 

Christie and I hadn't been on a "real" vacation in a while. But we have decided that we need to do it more often. 

To see all the photos from our Disney trip you can view them on Google Photos