Daytona Beach

Just when you thought the blog was dead forever, we took a Spring Break trip to Florida.  Since we took over 400 photos, I thought I'd better do some blog posts.  Today, part 1 of our trip, Monday in Daytona Beach:

Our first stop was Daytona International Speedway (why is it called "International"?) for the All Access Tour.  We rode in a tram around the track and infield.

 

We got to climb the track at the finish line.  It was quite steep, and this isn't even the steepest banking on the track (which is on the turns).

 

 The flag stand:

 

 These next two give a better idea of the degree of banking at the finish line:

 (No, you don't know these people.  It's just a better shot of the slope.)

 

This gives an idea of the banking on the turns.  The driver took us just a tiny bit up onto the track at a lower slope.  He said you have to be going 95 mph to stay up on the top of the track at the steepest parts.

They had an official photographer taking pictures for purchase in victory lane, but he would also take one with your own camera.

 

 We got to see the garage stalls, which currently were housing Richard Petty Driving Experience cars.

Next we got to go up into the press box (7 stories up).

 

Looking down on victory lane:



 

Turn 3, Lake Lloyd, infield camping:

The last stop was where they keep this year's Daytona 500 winning car, taken straight out of victory lane.  It was covered in confetti, Gatorade, and who knows what else.

 

After lunch at Chick-Fil-A, we headed to the beach!

In Daytona, cars drive and park right on the beach. 

There weren't any bathrooms or changing areas readily apparent, so I did not change into my swimsuit, which turned out just fine, because the water was cold!

The menfolk, however, managed to change discreetly in the van and quickly headed out into the water.

They all enjoyed jumping the waves:

 

 Jeremiah looks like he's conducting an orchestra:

Jeremiah stayed fairly close to Daddy, but he was bravely jumping waves just like the big boys.

There were some decent-sized waves.

 

After probably an hour in the ocean, they all moved out to the sand to dig holes and build things.

 

After a couple hours, we were ready to load up the van and head out on the next leg of our adventure...