A Day on the Salt

Today the sky was clear, and we expected it to get hot. After applying plenty of SPF50 sunscreen, and packing a lunch and lots of water, we took Ben and drove to the track, arriving at about 9:00.

This time we set up our little viewing area near the 3 mile marker of the long course. Plenty of 250-300 mph runs expected today. We weren't sure how Ben would take to the salt, but he did O.K. His biggest problem was that with no grass within 30 miles he didn't have anywhere to poop! At least he had no shortage of tires to pee on.

The sun reflected off the salt is blistering, and we were glad we'd brought our sun umbrellas. Interesting that the salt itself is cool to the touch.

After we got settled in, plenty of people arrived and set up around us, including a group of bikers from England who built a sun shade out of tarps and extending poles. They were travelling 150 miles each way daily to see the races. Not a bad bunch of guys, we had some fun with them.

After about 5 hours of watching the cars roar past, we had enough, plus we really needed to find a porta potti that wasn't overflowing, so we took the car and cruised along the pit area. Lots of cool cars to see today. Tomorrow we'll set up near the start lines. The speeds at the start are slow, but it gives a better chance to see the competitors up close while running.

Tonight the annual 200 mph club party took place at "the bend in the road". There were free burgers, but we decided to forego the long line-up and make our own dinner. There are some young "rat-rodders" from Alberta nearby, but their rowdy friends from Utah are a bit vulgar and Marlene's delicate sensibilities made us decline their invitation to party with them.

After dark people started setting off fireworks all around the encampment. It was a spectacular display that went on for over an hour. These folks really like their fireworks! This temporary camp has a population we estimate at over 3000 people. At the hotels in Wendover, Salt Lake City, and other nearby towns there are probably 20,000 people all here for the racing. We're posting lots of pictures, but not all that we took. Hope you enjoy them.