We flew in on Tuesday, June 16th. We stayed in Williamsburg. Erika graduated on Wednesday, June 17th.
Erika getting her name read.
Walking down the stairs.
Erika and Grandma Elaine
Proud dad!
On Thursday, the whole crew came to our condo and we hung out and played games. Jennifer, Zander, Leigha, Amanda, Matt (Amanda's boyfriend) and Erika were all there. It was tons of fun with lots and lots of laughing!
Leigha playing putt putt!
Zander loving running around playing putt putt!
Beautiful Amanda
Beautiful Erika
On Friday, Erik and I headed up to Richmond to meet up with Amanda and Matt so Amanda could show us around VCU and Richmond. She was an awesome guide!
The first stop we made before we met up with Amanda was Richmond International Raceway. The gates were open so we just started driving toward the front stretch grandstand. There was an old Mexican named Manuel that was watering flower and he motioned us over to him. When we got by him he asked if we were there for the driving school. When he found out we were just tourists he told us that we didn't hear it from him but they might give us a tour if we just went to the ticket office and asked. So we headed that way. The lady inside called into the back to see if anyone could give us a tour. A man named Kent Winters (who just happened to be the Director of Corporate Sponsorships) came and said he would give us a tour. OH MY GOSH!!!! BEST TOUR EVER!!!! He was the nicest guy who showed us everything. You will see in the pictures below.
The stands from the parking lot. Very tall and VERY steep!
The front stretch stands!
This is the view from where the cameras are behind the stands. We were able to go where Darrell Waltrip and all his crew go. Awesome!
Turns 3 and 4
Turn 1
Start/Finish line
Pit Road
You can kind of see how steep the stand really is.
Right down by the start/finish line
Best part of the day ever! Kent let us climb to the flag stand so we were right where they wave the green flag. It was so excited to be in there!
View of the start/finish line from the flag stand. It really just hangs right over the track. It would be kind of scary to be in there during a race, but very exciting!
The infield
View of the suites from the infield.
Some worn tires
One of the cars for the driver's school that was going on. They drive cars that were actually used in previous races.
Pit road
Erik and I in Victory Lane!!! Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!!!!!!
Our tour car and the grandstands.
This was the most awesome view. We were in turn 2 where they put the TV cameras.
Video of one of the driver's school cars coming around the corner. See how close we really were!
The banking on turn 2.
The grandstand from the other side of the raceway.
Truly fell in love with the Richmond International Raceway! We will be back for sure.
Kent was so awesome. When the tour was almost over he told us he needed to go in a trailer for a minute. Well, he comes out with jackets for both of us and a CD holder. They are super nice and we can't wait until it gets cooler so we can wear them. When we got back to the building we were buying a key chain and talking to the girl at the front desk, Kent brought out some M&Ms and told us that Kyle had left them for us. And, the best part is how nice he was. AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!!
Then Amanda took us on a tour of VCU and Richmond.
A very ritzy hotel by VCU. A lot of presidents have stayed there.
The first building built on campus (I think that's what she said). It was an Egyptian looking building.
Amanda's apartment for next year. She will be living on the 3rd floor.
The Engineering building on VCU. The building are mostly new and very nice.
Some cool tiles on the floor going into the Engineering building.
Amanda - our VCU Ram!
Proud dad!
A lecture hall on campus.
Cobblestone road in Richmond.
Shockoe Bottom - where slave trades happened in Richmond. This is a train that was going over the road.
Shockoe Bottom
Downtown Richmond
Downtown Richmond
Looking toward Heinrico (which is where the racetrack is)
A magnolia that Erik picked off a tree for me.
The James River
The rest are just pictures of Norfolk and Williamsburg.
This is the house that Erik lived in after he got separated from his ex.
I absolutely LOVE the tunnels.
The Monitor-Merrimack tunnel
Going on the bridge into the tunnel
Most freeways look like this.
It was the best trip. We had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together.
