The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. We left home to start the summer in Maple Grove, PA with the Embry-Riddle jet dragster, then back home to pick Andrew up on his last day of school. Then fly off to Michigan to make a quick stop at the school of some of my biggest fans. Speak in front of the entire school, then whisked off to visit one of my sponsors Matrix Systems, to tour the factory and finally ended the day at a backyard BBQ. Up again early the next day to work the Roush Museum with my good friend Susan and display the jet dragster with some of the NASCAR guys. Time for me to work on Friday evening making a nice pass down the track. Saturday morning and back to the track for two more passes with the new Miller Welding Jet Dragster. Sunday my best friend Jennifer, picks me up at the hotel to hang out with her family and to do a little pre-father's day shopping. Best Buy here we come. After a GPS and few other things, we headed back to her house where we spent a nice night. Morning and it is time to get back at it. I am supposed to be at a local distributor event for the Miller team and the weather isn't looking good. But a few good fans stopped by before Jennifer to the rescue takes me to the airport to make my flight home for just a couple of days.

Back at home and it is just Chris and myself. Andrew is staying with his Aunt Nancy and Uncle D. He is fishing everyday and having a great time. Chris and I are celebrating our 24th anniversary. Yes 24 years we have been side by side. Chris made a reservation for us on the beach at the Don Cesar in St. Pete, FL. What a beautiful place. We enjoyed fun in the sun for just 24 hours. We only had a small amount time and then back to the airport. Yes oh Yes Jennifer back to the rescue to pick us up at the airport and drop us at our rig.

We meet up with Uncle D and Andrew and then Kansas City, MO here we come. The Embry-Riddle team has been at this wonderful competition called Skills USA and for the third year we are back!!! We spent a week with these extraordinary students and I always leave feeling very inspired. This year was no different. Watching these students excel is just so much fun. Thursday afternoon and no time to rest, we need to hit the road to make Atlanta by the next day in order to make their night of fire!!!

Friday evening and we meet up with the Road Show rig and it seems as if some of the crew decided to race in the test and tune session. Saturday and back to the track. HOT HOT HOT!!! Florida does not have anything on Atlanta in the heat department. The crowd is small at first, but as the day goes on, the crowd slowly fills up and makes for a great night of racing. The Miller team makes a couple passes. Every time I get more laps in the new dragster, it gets better and better. We ended the night with great fireworks and then eating every dessert on the Ruby Tuesday's menu!!!!

Sunday morning and back at the track to tear down. Then nap and pool. Monday morning and I am getting itchy to get back home for the first time in a couple of weeks. But we have one more stop at the Air Gas display. At first I was thinking, "what are we doing here?" Just as those words popped into my head, people started pouring in!!! Now, of course, they were all there to see me, not the FREE lunch that they guys were putting on!!! HUMMMMMM. No matter who or what they came to see, it sure was fun when the place was packed!!! Some of my good friends from the track came out to see us as well. But home was calling me and we headed out!!!

For the first couple of hours we did great, but about 6 hours into the trip home we lost it and didn't think we were going to make it. But finally at 11:00 p.m. we walked in the door!!! Home sweet home!! It was sweet until it was laundry time.

We will be home until July 5th and then it is NASCAR time in Chicago. Time to switch over the clothes and get some sleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ I will check in later and let you know how that all turns out.

luv ya,
e