Fast Cars N Good Times

I would like to dedicate this post to my father who left this world all to soon in 1985. When I was very little he introduced my brothers and I to racing, muscle cars and the excitement and fun to be had at the Riverside International Raceway. I think it only fitting that my first Sunday In My City post for our new home town of Rapid City, South Dakota show off the local race track; Black Hills Speedway.

A few Friday's ago Mr. G, Bubba and I headed out to the speedway to meetup with a couple of friends and have a good old time.

Not only was this Bubba's first time going to a race track but it was a special night as the program for the night included a Monster Truck show and two amazing stunt shows.

We got there early enough to go down and get a close up look at the monster trucks and meet the drivers.

There were three mini-monster trucks as well and we met these two drivers. Both have been driving in shows for a year. The young lady is 14 and the boy is 8. I do have to say though that while the female driver was very likable the young man had a rather nasty attitude and was very rude.

Our friends had warned me that it was muddy but of course I wasn't about to miss the photo op. Much to my dismay my flip-flop got stuck in the mud at one point and through me off balance resulting in a rather muddy foot. (Note to self: next time wear actual shoes!)

 The night was full of a variety of races.

The stock cars were Mr. G's favorite and of those number 22 was the one he wanted to win the race.

One of our friends picked number 35 to win and the cheering was on, in the end number 35 won both heats.

The main attraction of the night was the monster trucks, with three full size monster trucks and three mini-monster trucks. Although I have to say the full size ones did not impress the crowd, the mini-monster trucks did put on a very good show.

Of the three full size monster trucks the green truck was the only one that did not seem to hold back and really gave it his all. By the end of the show he had lost the back panels off his truck and died before it could get back to the spot where it was to park.

Of the three mini-monster trucks the young lady was by far the better driver and the one who really went all out making high speed approaches, high jumps and filling the field with her dust as she spun donuts. At the end she even went in reverse and jumped the cars getting her truck off the ground and soaring through the air backwards. I should mention that her father was the driver of one of the full size trucks, so I am sure he has been giving her lessons.

It was a good thing we decided to sit high up on the far side of the bleachers where there were not many people behind us, because Mr. G and Bubba got so excited they were often standing and cheering on the drivers.

When they started setting up for the first stunt, called Wall of Fire and Steel, Mr. G acted like the track crew had gone out to the parking lot and got his car. The car chosen for the stunt was the exact make, model and color as the car we had driven to the track. Of course little Bubba knew it wasn't Daddy's car out there and just laughed harder at his dad's antics.

Can you see the car held up by the stilts? Take a good look because it sure didn't look like that when the stunt was over. Here is a short video of the action:

To wrap up a very exciting evening a Firetruck that was outfitted with a rocket engine completely melted a car.

I do believe that little Bubba will forever remember his first trip to the racetrack, I know I do and mine was just a typical race with a few crashes....

I hope you have enjoyed this virtual trip to the race track and if you are ever in Rapid City I encourage you to visit the Black Hills Speedway. 

To continue your virtual travel head over to Unknown Mami's by clicking the button below.

Thought for Thursday: Be the Infulence

My thought for Thursday comes from an inspirational quote I saw a while back and decided was perfect for this composite photo art. What better way to spend a day than sharing the beauty and fun of the ocean with a child.

Design available on posters and gifts Here

When you come right down to it this can go for women and girls as well. It is up to us as adults to be that good influence on the little ones around us, even if they are not our sons and daughters.

This week's Thursday Challenge at Spunwithtears is 'Outdoors' so I am sharing this artwork. The photo of the man and boy is a stock photo which I altered and combined with a background I created  using a photo that I took last summer. 

To share or enjoy other Outdoor images hop over to the Thursday Challenge.

First Father Daughter Dance

There are so many special days in the life of a child. Some of them come and go without us adults thinking to much of them. Of course we take note of the biggies and capture them with photographs but what about the littler ones?

Friday was just such a day for my granddaughter Sissy. At her school they were having their annual Father Daughter Dance, and this year her daddy was home to attend. Last year he was deployed at the time of the dance. Her mom and dad let her pick out what she would wear and what he would wear.
As they were walking out the door I asked "What about pictures?" and sure enough they hadn't thought to take a picture, so grabbing my camera I snapped this photo.

As I turned around to head back in the house I saw Bubba. He was all sorts of upset that he wasn't going with Daddy and Sissy. Only the promise of him having a special DATE with daddy the next day calmed him down. What often is little to us are major events to little ones.