The Drags, and an amazing young lady 8)

I left Missoula and went to Spokane to visit a traveling buddy and good friend Dale.

Spent a relaxing week at his house basically eating good food, relaxing, and gaining weight. LOL

Dale lives with his Portuguese Water Dog Sydney so when we hang out whether in his home in Spokane or one of the RV's in Arizona out biggest accomplishment is getting off the couch. He's not going to Arizona this winter so I decided to stop by on my way. While there he said his granddaughter Denise was racing that weekend and that, I wanted to see.

I'd heard a lot about his son Rick and family and really was interested in meeting them.

Rick use to drag race a Monte Carlo at the Renegade Dragstrip in Wapato Washington with his oldest daughter as his "crew". Now Rick has "retired" the Monte Carlo and is crew to his daughter.

 

Meet Denise Jarnicke an un-assuming college freshman who drives a 6 litre, 550 hp, chevy rear engine, dragster that crosses the finish line in 9 secs at 148 mph on the 1/4 mile. She drives for Hayseed Racing out of Harrah Washington which consists of her Dad Rick, herself, and sometimes "Gumpa" Dale. (and that weekend me)

Denise began racing when she turned 16 and now at 18 is an old pro.

Speaking of Pro that is the class she races in. Not only did I have the privilege of watching her race I watched her win every race that weekend (they said I was their good luck charm LOL) she clinched the National Points title with her nearest competitor 140 points behind her.

On Sunday, the last race day of the season they had the runoff for King of the track. She beat a Super Pro Class 1969 Chevy El Camino.

Later in the day when she received her two trophies, $1,000 in prize money and the King of the Track hat someone commented it should say Queen of the track. She said she liked being the King

I enjoyed meeting Denise and her family very much they are all hardworking un-assuming people and Denise multiplies those characteristics x 10. She is a great kid.

She has a hard record to break next year but is hoping a promise to get her into a funny car, a jet car or Super Pro has her excited. She has lots of fans not just because she's only 18, a female, and the top point gainer in the nation but because she is simply a great young lady and I am very happy to have spent a weekend getting to know her, her family, and watching her race.

 

The Hayseed Racing Team

Rick Jarnecke, Denise Jarnecke, Dale McCollum (Gumpa)

of Harrah Washington

 

Getting ready for the race weekend at Renegade.

 

This Super Pro Chevelle was a treat to watch as well as the white S-10 behind it and a Jr. Dragster which are driven by 8 - 15 year olds and were pumping 78 mph in a 1/8th mile all on the same team.

Note the 4 post lift in the trailer where the S-10 rides above the Chevelle while traveling.

The Jr. Dragster and golf cart ride in the front section of the trailer.

 

The funny cars are always fun to watch.

There was one called Artic Thunder. The guy used to live in Anchorage but only used that as an advertising gimmick. He lives in Washington now.

 

This sled was class champion for the Sled/Bike class in the King of the track runoff.

The barstool however was to ride around and visit. No barstool class.

 

There were 8 Jr. Dragsters

Some quite elaborate some quite simple but all this style

 

A sled and a Motorcycle

 

 

Super Pro's. That 55 Chevy wagon was fun to watch.

 

1950 Chevy, 6 cyl, 2 door. Ran Pro Class

 

 

I had a great weekend. Probably if not the best, one of the top 1 weekends I've enjoyed in my adventures.

(other than visiting family of course)

 

The winners circle. The official picture has moi in it. Afterall if not for the good luck charm ,,,,  LOL

That ones on the tracks website

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the

King of the Track 2013

Good Luck Denise, looking forward to Gumpa's reports on your racing next season.

 

I left Harrah, and the Jarnecke's Monday morning headed south to Catalina Az for the winter.

I decided to take a new route down the eastern side of Nevada to save time and some concerns re; weather

Since I was rested and in the mood for traveling I decided to do a 500 mile day compared to my normal 300.

I was headed for the Flying J in Twin Falls Idaho at mp 173 on I-84

 

At mile 172 I hit something in the road. It was black and about 3' square. It was dark and I didn't see it until it went under the box.

So a free week exploring southern Idaho while the entire exhaust system on both box and generator and the drivelines are replaced.

Could have been worse I was 1 mile from my destination and the tow was only 2 1/2 miles

 

til next time 8)

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Is it sadly excited or excitedly sad? is it 8) or 8( ?

The morning of September 16, 2013 I performed a , by now routine, preparation for a new adventure. I slept poorly, "got up" early, packed, and with a sad heart but a mind full of excitement I got out of Jessica's car and turned to the airport to begin another adventure.

Sad? Well duh, I was leaving family and friends. True I had been home 9 weeks and for the first time my Granddaughter Samantha had come up alone with me for the first 8 or so. We did a lot of fishing, sightseeing, and other adventures then her mother and younger sister came up for a week. Sad, absolutely, but excited because this evening I would be at their house in Missoula Montana for a week. During which we would celebrate Sam's 11th birthday.

The week was fun, the evenings spent at Amanda's house visiting and having dinner. The days getting stuff done I needed to do in preparation for hitting the road.

Two of her friends, Maddie and Ray, rode the bus home from school with Sam and Nick was to meet us at the pool.

 

The pool was at a hotel that I cannot remember the name of. Amanda rent it for 3 hours. It had two of the biggest slides I've seen indoors.

 

 

Taylor even went down the slide all by herself. Yet another first for her on the visit.

 

The kids swam so long I was getting all wrinkely sitting on the side LOL

 

I was sent to get the pizza's while they did gifts and cake.

 

Samantha wouldn't let me take pictures of her eating.

 

So I did anyway

As they say being a Grandparent is a lot more fun than being a parent.

I read that somewhere, I think it was the introduction to the job description summary page.

 

Everyone had a good time.

Then it was home again and back to the routine.

 

I was asked to stay Monday and watch the girls because Amanda and Jason had a meeting that morning. So that weekend the girls spent the nights with me and we did the regular stuff to get the RV ready for me to head for Spokane.

 

Don't ask me why but Samantha and Taylor actually like helping me dump the sewer, get gas, propane, and fresh water.

 

Go figure !!!!!