May 24, 2008

May 24, 2008

We are just an hour east of Indianapolis, IN. Indy is having a big race tomorrow so we decide to stay and watch it. We easily find the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but we are too early for Race Day camping around the stadium. Those rates don’t apply till seven tonight, so we hang around town eating, shopping and reading the time away. At seven we make our way into the expansive Coke grass lot. On the way we pass a sea of RV’s and tents, attendees that have been here since Thursday. It is a college-like atmosphere of mostly the young partying their brains out. We are put at the very end of this enormous lot, seemingly now miles from the stadium.

After we get settled, we take a walk to the racetrack and its carnival-like atmosphere. It is a people-watchers' extravaganza with all types from sinner to preacher well represented. The beer is freely flowing while Nazi-looking Indiana State troopers stand clustered away from the crowd, but still a visible deterrent of trouble. Along the way we scalp a couple tickets for tomorrow. There are all kinds of seats to choose from. The racetrack is huge with stands that seem to go on forever. By the time we are halfway around the stadium our legs are tired and we turn around. We are now miles away from home. I hope we make it back to the RV before it gets dark; otherwise we might not find it. As we approach our RV, a beautiful red sunset is forming. Unfortunately the view is marred by a haze of thick campfire smoke floating over the field.