miscellany

Because of Greg's (un?)lucky December trifecta (birthday on the 11th, our anniversary on the 19th and Christmas), I like to give him a big December present and smaller ones on the various days. This year, I got him good!

After telling him to reserve Sunday the 17th solely for us, I dropped one misleading hint ("It's not an alpaca.") that got his head really spinning and also told him it could be life-changing. We left the house around 8:15 on Sunday morning. Greg was driving my car (PT Cruiser Convertible) and we headed to the Interstate. Once on I-85, I commented with a little frustration that I'd forgotten the swimsuits. "Oh well, we'll still be in wetsuits." As we approached the Asheboro exit for the NC Zoological Park, I mentioned something about swimming with polar bears. He didn't believe that one. We passed the Asheboro exit.

Approaching Charlotte, we saw the Concord Mills sign and it just happened to be the exit we needed to take. So, I let him think for a moment that was our destination. But, at the top of the ramp, we turned left instead of right. To the left is Lowe's Motor Speedway. We'd been there earlier this year for a car show. We both really liked the show and being able to walk on the track. As such, T-Boug thought we were in for another car show.

We drove to the other side of the arena and stopped at the security shack. The security officer asked if we were there for the race car ride-along/drive-along. I replied with a simple "Yes." We were a bit early, so we had to park outside the gate for a few minutes. In that time, I had Greg complete the "sign all your rights away" forms. Despite his having to initial about 30 places, he still thought he was going for the ride-along. I didn't bother to correct him.

Once inside and having the forms processed, the moment of truth arrived. He realized he was not doing a ride-along at all. Instead, he was going to drive 8 laps around the track in a real race car! His adrenaline was already pumping when he thought he'd be riding. I thought his heart might explode now that he knew he was driving!

The experience was very cool, much like described on the 1-800-BE-PETTY website. However, we got to have a little bit more... Turn #2 was a little wet and they needed to dry the track before things got started. They invited all of the participants to take their personal cars on the track to help dry it by driving laps. AND, the people that came with them could ride, too! So we dropped the top, got in line and drove a dozen or so laps. Of course, the requisite phone calls were made, video was shot and pictures were taken. It was so cool!

After the track was dry, Greg and the others got to ride and/or drive and everyone seemed to have a blast. Greg was so funny when he exited the car after his laps; he walked to the left after driving 32 left turns at race car speeds! I took pictures (click the above picture for the album) and shot video and a professional photographer was shooting, too. When we saw the shots she took of him standing in full race gear beside the car and then in the driver's seat, I had to get him the plaque with both of them and several insignias. It was the perfect way to top off the event.

Happy 36th Birthday, 8th Anniversary and Merry Christmas, Greg! I LOVE YOU!

Labels: anniversary, gregpretre, sammoore