"Live" from our Autumn Leaf Tour 2013

[Larry Hill]

Will be back with updates from Race 3 "Live" from Bristol after we get back from the laundromat

[Larry Hill]

So here is the story getting to Race # 3 in Bristol, TN.

We got up early and left Indy along with the Cottens so we could avoid the early morning traffic. So at 5:30 am we drive the 2 miles thru the pits in the dark from our pit space to go back out the main gate which was the only one open that early. You had to kinda follow the garbage cans which were sitting on the edge of the road! So we get thru Indy traffic fine! Then on to get thru Louisville! After a pee break for the guys (too much coffee), we get to Louisville about 8, just in time for the morning rush! So that took a while with "give a gap, take a gap".

Then Larry gets on the phone with fellow stock racer Kenny Miracle who lives down around London, Ky to see what is the best way to get to Bristol. Well he says since it is a pretty day we ought to take the scenic route thru the local towns and roads. A pretty ride and 40 miles closer than taking the interstate.

[Larry Hill]

So here are some pics along the way:








In the tunnel

[Larry Hill]

We even went thru Barbourville, KY where the famous Stock eliminator racer Scotty Richardson lives! And thru Middlesboro, KY where Lee Majors is from.

[Larry Hill]

And then Kenny says be sure and stop at the scenic overlook on Clinch Mountain and check it out. So we do! It says No Commercial Vehicles, which we aren't. So we pull in and what is the first thing we see---3 Tennessee state troopers, who are parked to where there is no way we can get out without them moving. So what do we do, but get out and start taking pictures of all the scenic beauty, just like 2 couples on vacation taking in the sights.


Here are Mike and Paula. You really couldn't see the look of fear behind the sun glasses!


And here's me and Larry!

[Larry Hill]

Coral in the rock wall.

I don't have any pictures of the policemen. But anyway we hung around a while waiting for them to leave, but only one of them did. So then we decided to go ahead and pull out, figuring there wasn't anything we could do if they decided they wanted to measure our rigs. So Larry goes first and had to back up in order to make the turn and then the trooper directs us so that we don't hit his car and they just wave bye to us. Whew~~~~~

So we continue our journey!!! There had to be at least 50-100 stoplights along this shortcut---and Mike with a stick shift motorhome! (I did offer him some Aleve at supper last night)

[Larry Hill]

Then on to the next leg of our day. We both needed to dump our motorhomes and get fresh water. So on Monday at Indy, I called and made reservations for us to stay Tues and Wed nights at the local KOA here close to the track. Well we got off the interstate and headed down this little winding, hilly road til we get to the KOA. They said they had 2 pull-thru campsites that were 100' long when I talked with them on the phone. What they didn't tell you was that you had to go up and down hills and make sharp turns to get to them. Well, after dragging the back of the trailer and the front of the trailer and back of the motorhome, we decided if we could get back out, we were getting out of there. So we did. They very graciously gave us our money back. (I think they wanted to be rid of us!)

So anyway, we get out of there and still haven't dumped or gotten water. Paula calls the track and they said if we could get here by 6, we could dump and get water here after she gave them out sob story.

So thanks to Bristol Motorsports Park, we are set to go for the weekend.

Oh and we needed propane and we got Marsh LP to bring us some, since at one point we ended up across the road from them. And then when Larry opened the storage door where the tank is, we weren't really out like I had told him, but just starting on the red line that says 1/4. So then he is mad at me!

But thru it all, we made it to the track and are stacked! We did need a group hug and some adult beverages after that day!

And Kenny Miracle--we won't ask you for directions anymore! That shortcut was about a good hour longer!! But come on over for a beer when you get here anyway!