It’s been a good weekend. The weather has been great and it all began with the first Spring “On The Tracks” on South Railroad AVenue in downtown Opelika.  This was the best weather yet for the 7th edition.  It’s back in October.  Flip Flop Foto was out taking pictures, so they should have some on their site in coming days.  I finally got out for some much needed yard work.  It began with me findling that Mantis tiller I had loaned out last year.  Of course, I loaned it out again after edging some sidewalks in the neighborhood.  Unfortunately, I missed what is one of the best Derby Parties of the area.  Sorry Flip, maybe next time.

And after being home from the race for nearly a week, I’ve started to pack away and clean up from the event.  I’ve got more on this, but you’ll have to pick up an OA News on Tuesday for my monthly stab at newspaper journalism.  I think that parking pass in the truck window is a badge of glory or something.  Then this coming Friday, Star Trek returns for old and new fans alike. I will devote a longer post to that.

Feels like the Winner’s Circle to me!  Miss Sprint Cup (there are two of them) Monica Palumbo (left) and Anne-Marie Rhodes answer their life long goals of getting a picture with Jerry Katz at this past week’s races at Talladega Super Speedway.  Oh wait, maybe it was me wanting that picture. It was nice to chat with them a moment in the Sprint Experience outside the track. I may have to switch back to Sprint.  And a bonus picture below.  The cars warming up before the start of the Aarons 499 at Talladega Super Speedway in April 2009.

If you’re planning to spend three days in the Infield at Talladega for a race, your list of required items appears to be about the same if you were running from a Hurricane. Okay, so maybe the fact that a three day supply of beer is required might not be the same, or would it?  I’ve found as I’ve gotten ready for the race, just two weeks away, is similiar to the Emergency Packs recommended by the Red Cross.  As I gather supplies the next few days, I’ll take a closer look at what I’m taking about, and what I may need as Hurricane Season approaches again. I plan to offer up a checklist to cover both, with many items the same.