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.
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