As usual, with all the planning and preparation, we failed to to leave Louisville on time for a weekend of racing in Casey Illinois. It was almost dark when we left. We had to make a short detour to Dick’s Sporting Goods to get that canopy that’ i’ve always wanted. I just had this feeling we might be needing it this time (and I was right, it drizzled a bit when we were up there).

The drive was a bit long, but the songs of Maroon 5 and (my all time favorite japanese band) Spitz kept us company. I sang and sang (in japanese, of course, hehe) during the trip, wanted to keep me awake and shift my thoughts away from my aching butt for sitting for a loooong period time.

“At last we’re there : Lincoln Trail Motorsports, Casey Illinois. Around 12 midnight”

It was all dark and quiet…But the skies are beautiful! Before heading to sleep, we just had to stop and pause for a while and admire the star filled skies. Wow, it’s really amazing, all those stars, constellations, even meteors (plus some blinking satellites) and a glimpse of the milkyway galaxy (and andromeda, beat that!)..were..again I don’t wanna sound redundant…were simply amazing!

It was hard to find a good spot to camp so we spent the night sleeping in the truck.

“Morning: around 6 am…still a bit dark.”

We had to find a good spot to camp, it’s hard because all the “prime” spots were already taken. We finally decided to camp behind this huge motorhome but it’s still a good spot for me because it’s located near the tracks.

“The comeback kid”

Kit has been waiting for this for a long time. After being on hiatus for eight years, Kit is back in the scene again. His Hodaka Super Combat has been dormant for years due to mysterious anomalies. But with the help of Donnie’s magic hands, Hodie is up and running again.

“If everything fails…use duct tape!”

And now the day of reckoning. While Kit was preparing for the morning practice and the rider’s meeting, he realized that his racing boots were falling apart…literally! No wonder, after being kept for so long without checking it or anything…the rubber and plastic parts had become brittle, but thank God the leather parts were still good. Duct tape to the rescue! As usual, the ever reliable duct tape saved the day! Kit proudly raced with duct taped shin guards…hehe.

“A sea of testosterone and the 2-stroke-oil-smell-filled-air”

During the race, you see alot of male-bonding going on. As the dust clouds and the smell of 2-stroke oil filled the air…Noises of some sorts have become very predominant: Men boasting about their restored vintage racing bikes, men giving out wild and loud laughters, men and they’re stories (new and old) being told for thousand times ( i guess, hehe). Pit racing is I believe what they call it. It was a really busy day… It was a busy day for me as well for I had to keep the ‘fort’ at least organized. The pots and pans were all ready for the brats and chilis. I made sure the tent is always close to keep dust and dirt from coming in. Took some pictures and video taped the event. Of course we had to document it you know. But aside from all these male bonding going, I still managed to have quiet and peaceful moments with my ipod…Oh, ipod, how can I live without you!hehe

“An unexpected visitor”

We decided to stay for another night. While taking our well-deserved sleep. Kit heard some noises outside the tent. He thought that someone might be messing up with our equipment. It was not a person…not a even a dog…but Pepe Le Pew himself! Yes, a skunk, digging its way inside our garbage. Kit of course left him alone, he doesn’t wanna be sprayed or something. I was really paranoid the next day, I kept on asking him “will it smell? will it smell?”…Of course not. Kit patiently explained to me a thousand times that the skunk will not release it’s dreadful odor as long as it’s not threatened. So folks, if you ever see a skunk…leave the fellow alone!

We really had a great time,especially Kit. Fourth-place is not bad. And even though we went there for the race, nothing beats the camping to start my season of fall.
 

Fall is finally here. Did you feel it this morning? The way the air was crisp and cool? The way the skies changed to magnificent blue with feathery clouds? Or did you notice that the color of the leaves on some trees has started to change? I’m so excited, my favorite season is finally here!

At last no more hot and humid weather…no more sticky sweat caused by the scorching sun. No more, no more, no more.

Everything looks good, tastes good and smells good during Fall.

Nature’s palette turns into vibrant colors of red, gold, orange, brown and yellow. The simple landscape covered with leaves with local wildlife in action – squirrels will be extra busy this season collecting their food supplies and fattening themselves to get ready for winter. People will don themselves with fall fashion and must haves like soft sweaters and flannel shirts. My kitchen will smell heavenly this season,  the scent of cinammon, vanilla, pumpkin and not to forget, the smell of spicy chili simmering in the pot, yum! My oven will be extra busy this season with lots of baking and cooking of fall good eats!

This is the best time of the year to explore nature.

Do I hear camping? Oh yes, surely we will be camping again this season. This is the time of the year when we just wanna get away from the city to explore and enjoy the countryside. Fall brings out hikers and campers not just for “leaf peeping” but to interact with nature.

I’m just so lucky that I can experience and enjoy this annual spectacle. We don’t have seasonal changes like these in the Philippines. Before, I can only experience it in my dreams or just by watching it on television. If I wanna feel “fallish” I have to go to Baguio, but it’s not the same…the lack of fall colors and foliage won’t complete it. But at last i’m here…And my favorite season has arrived…I will enjoy it before the next season steps in…winter.

“My mechanic failed me.”
That’s Kit referring to me as his so-called mechanic. He wasn’t able to race again due to (Hodaka’s) engine failure. That engine has been shrouded with anomalies. We just couldn’t figure out why it won’t start! It’ll be shipped soon to Missouri to get diagnosed. But then again,bike or no bike we still went for the Nationals.

“Double checking is always a good thing”
Especially when you’re gonna go camping. So before hitting the asphalts double check everything! And this time I didn’t forget to bring the necessities: like umm, camping stove and cooking pots,woohoo!Kit was very pleased, hehe.

Kit and I had this 3-day (well, 2-days to be exact, all because of me, errr) get-a-way to Casey, Illinois to attend the AHRMA Nationals (motocross). The weather was perfect for camping and racing. Sunny (but not too hot) with cool blustery winds, its almost like autumn minus the colored foliage. Night time is an added treat,after the sun retired for the day all the stars started to show up like gems on the clear night skies, while the dancing fireflies twinkled their way along the fields. It’s just perfect!

“Watch out for dirt devils!”
Clouds of dirt rose from the ground all day long during the race. Even the smallest crevices of our bodies couldn’t get away from the creeping dirt. We got really dirty! But it was fun.

“What?No shower rooms!!!”
It’s a good thing it’s not a one week event. Cleaning with damp towels freshened us up but of course a shower would be better!

We all had a great time. Even though it was a very exhilarating week, it’s still a break that we needed away from work and the busy city. We hit the shower the moment we came home and snoozed.