MissHathawaysGreatRace

Providence, Rhode Island to Freeport, Maine

We woke up this morning feeling like we were coming to the end of the race. We have covered a lot of territory over the past week.

The weather was beautiful this morning. We were scheduled to drive from Providence to Loudon New Hampshire for lunch. The morning was full of turns and speed changes. We continued on the two lane roads where we saw more lilies and wild flowers. The roads continued to be wooded on either side. We would go through tunnels made of tree limbs and leaves.

We made our way North toward Worcester. Massachusetts, and then into New Hampshire. We only know where we are based on the license plates and state route signs. The backroads rarely have a welcome sign into a new state, so we have to use the information around us to figure out where we are.

We were being hosted for lunch at the New England Racing Museum. The museum is located in Loudon right next to the New Hampshire Speedway Flat Track. The Museum had old midget race cars, dragsters and NASCAR style cars.

We restarted the afternoon almost directly across the street from the museum. We took off and made an immediate left into a housing development. We were in the eastern part of New Hampshire near the Maine boarder. We continued Northeast toward Freeport, Maine.

We rallied all afternoon and were excited to be back in Maine. When we arrived in Freeport we were greeted by our friends Jane and Sherald and a crowd of people in front of the LL Bean flagship store.

We met Jane and Sherald 10 years ago in Ogunquit, Maine on our first Great Race. Jane rallied with her cousin, and Sherald was their support. Jane and Sherald have rescued us on past races. They drove across the US buying us spark plugs when we drove across Route 66 in 2015. They have also flown all over the US to meet us on different races.

After having a great day, we were ready to go to eat some lobster. We went to a local restaurant to enjoy the company of our friends and some fresh seafood.

Jane and Sherald we are so grateful for you making the journey from New Orleans to Maine. Your charisma always makes for a fun time no matter where we are.

Binghamton, New York to Providence, Rhode Island

We started the morning with good weather. The cars were wet, but the ground was dry. We were heading east today towards Providence, RI, but not before going southeast towards Montgomery, NY.

The back roads in the Northeast are mostly two lane highways that twist and curve as you weave through little towns and villages. We were driving through the Hudson Valley. The roads are fun to drive, but this year we have had obstacles in our way more than ever. Because we are being timed, we either make up the time that we lost or we are allowed to take time delays. This sounds easy, but they have to be taken in 10 second increments. This makes it a little more challenging and creates a little more chaos in the car.

We arrived in Montgomery, New York a village about 60 miles north of New York City in the early afternoon. It was a beautiful day, and we had another lunch filled with spectators. It is always nice seeing people of all ages enjoying the old cars.

The afternoon was a short day of rallying. We headed North after lunch toward Poughkeepsie. We crossed the Hudson River and then drove further North through Bethel. Bethel is a small village with a population of about 4000 people. It is most famous for “Woodstock”, the famous music festival that brought 500,000 people to the “Borcht Belt or Yiddish Alps”. This area of the Catskills were given this name for the summer resorts that were located in this area. People from New York City and Upstate New York would vacation here. It is a beautiful mountainous area.

We came out of Bethel and headed South toward New London, Connecticut. We started the long transit toward Providence. We past through Mystic, Connecticut and then headed north to Providence. We finished at our hotel in Providence. We had the pleasure of meeting up with my lifetime friend Victoria who lives in Newport, RI. We enjoyed our time with Victoria and ended our day.

Thank you Victoria for taking the time to meet up with us. We appreciate you waiting for us to arrive with no communication. We know you had an early morning and a good drive back to Newport. We loved spending time with you!!!

Frostburg, MD to Gettysburg, PA

We started the morning with a nice crisp morning. We were in Maryland, but very close to West Virginia.

We weaved our way back into West Virginia, again climbing hills. Sometimes it is a challenge to hold speed while climbing, but I count when we have fallen behind. Typically once we reach the peak, we will make up the time lost going up the hill. After weaving up and down, we crossed over an old wooden toll bridge. The Oldtown Toll Bridge crosses the Patomic River. The bridge was built in 1937, and is about 15 feet long. You feel every piece of lumber as you slowly roll across it.

We continued rallying throughout the winding roads of West Virgina heading East toward Virginia. We stopped at a fellow Great Racer’s family farm for lunch.

It was a super lunch stop! Brad and I typically pass on lunch, but we could not pass up the beautiful spread Ken Walsh set up for our group. They had different types of salads, sandwiches, and a charcuterie board full of delicious cheeses, fruits, nuts and crackers.

After lunch we were directed to the local Purciville Shell station. There we were given free gas by the Walsh family. We voted that the best lunch stop.

We were in Virginia farm land. The farms were top notch with colonial style houses. The houses all looked like they were well maintained. The fields were mostly covered in corn.

That afternoon we headed toward Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle of Gettysburg took place on July 1 through July 3, 1863. It is said to be one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. History says over 50,000 men were killed in the three day battle. Gettysburg was also believed to be the turning point between the North and South.

As we drove through the hallowed grounds, we could imagine by the positions of the cannons how so many young men died. It is incredible to think about the divide that must have driven the Americans at that time to fight to the death.

After seeing the battle fields, the driving tour looped us through the historic part of Gettysburg. The houses from the middle of the 1800s still remain in Gettysburg. The doors are much smaller in height and width than modern homes. The houses were mostly Victorian style row houses.

We finished the day at the hotel a few minutes away from the downtown area of Gettysburg.

There are many volunteers that make this race happen, but one who stands out is a man named Hal from Tennessee. Hal closes his business for 10 days every year and comes on the rally. Hal is a fantastic mechanic. He helps racers with any problems they may have.

We were having some minor electrical issues and I saw Hal. I asked him for help, and he immediately came to the car. He found a wire that looked like it was corroded. He was able to fix it in less than 10 minutes.

We are grateful to Hal and all the volunteers that make Great Race happen. The men and women who sit out rain or shine to mark our times, tally our scores, and set up the lunch and dinner stops are incredible. We are a traveling circus, and this group of people are incredibly organized and make it fun for all.

Marietta, Ohio to Frostburg, Maryland

This year has been different because we put our phones in the trunk before we leave for the day, and don’t take them out until we are finished for the day. In years past we were able to take our phones out at transits and lunch to take pictures. We have taken very few pictures this year even though the scenery has been over the top.

We started the morning with Birthday greetings for Brad from different racers. We have celebrated Brad’s birthday for the past 10 years on the race. One of our friends and one of the younger racers, drew a card for Brad. It was a great surprise!

We were hoping for a nice clean day of rallying. We left Marietta and quickly headed East toward West Virginia. West Virginia is such a conundrum because it is one of the most visually beautiful states in the union, but one of the most depressed states economically. The lack of opportunities and industry are obvious as you drive through the different areas. As we drove into the winding mountain roads, we marveled at the lush thick forests. We drove around the winding mountain roads and were up and down in speed all morning. As we came around the turns we would glance down at the river running down below.

We made it through the mountains, and headed to Morgantown, West Virginia. Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University. We were greeted by a large crowd in Morgantown. We ate lunch at a local restaurant and visited with some of the other racers.

In the afternoon we were driving into Maryland, like West Virginia, North Western Maryland was thick with green forests. We came down out of the mountains and saw the agricultural fields. The farm land in Maryland was full of corn and soy. We were purposely routed in circles around the farms, and then headed toward the finish.

We finished the day heading for Frostburg, Maryland. Frostburg is home to one of the first towns on highway US 40. It is a charming town with its brick buildings and two spires as you come into town.

We finished our third day, and Brad completed another trip around the sun.

Lawrenceburg to Marietta, Ohio

The morning started with a 30% chance of rain, but we figured it would not really be an issue. Sure enough as we arrived at the host hotel, the skies opened up. It poured rained for about a half an hour and then stopped.

We were able to pick up our instructions and begin our day with little interference from the rain. We started the morning and all was going smoothly until we came upon a line of about 30 race cars. I tried to look down the road to see what was going on, but couldn’t really see. I knew there were two cars somewhat blocking the road we were scheduled to turn on. Brad and I decided we should stop.

We stopped the car and found out there was a train blocking the road a little further down. After sitting there for 20 plus minutes, cars began to go. We all decided we would continue in 30 second increments.

When it was are turn, we made the turn onto the street where the train had blocked the road. We continued toward the train, and saw that it was coming back again. We tried to make it across the tracks before the arms went down, but unfortunately, we were stopped again. We sat for another 5 minutes waiting for the train to pass. This of course messes with your timing, but you are allowed to take a “time delay” for these type of incidents. The important thing is handing in the correct amount of time you need to stay on time.

We continued with our morning and again were winding around beautiful roads with farms, and forests. We would go through tunnels made from tree limbs. The trees are all full of bright green leaves and make the best shade and the prettiest paths.

We were heading to Lancaster, Ohio for lunch. Sadly, because of the train delay, many of the racers were in and out of Lancaster before we even saw it. There was a nice crowd there, and the weather was a bit more tolerable because of rain the night before and earlier in the morning.

We were back out to rally after a little paperwork was turned in and a quick snack in the car.

We rallied through Eastern Ohio, it too was beautiful. Lush and green with trees everywhere. Brad and I are so captivated by all the trees. Everywhere you look are big healthy trees.

We ended the day in Marietta, Ohio. Marietta is a very historic US city. It was founded in the late 1700s. They rolled out the red carpet for us, and we were so impressed with not just what they did for us, but the history of this midwestern town.

This bridge connected two towns over the Muskingum River. The towns on either side were enriched by the bridges ability to take people and freight over the river.

The Muskingum River was significant to this area and the Ohio River because it provided shelter in the cold winters for boats. The man who worked on the Panama Canal, also built a lock system in this river to get boats out of the icy Ohio River.

The town was charming with its old steeples and pretty brick buildings. The flags on the bridge and the trees down the riverside were all part of its allure. The people of course were as wonderful as the sights. They all were welcoming and kind.

Owensboro, KY to Lawrenceburg, IN

We started our 10th Great Race today. We love seeing all of our friends, and meeting new friends every year on the rally. We love the competition of the rally, but truly, the people and places we see are what make us return every year.

We started this morning with all 140 cars lined up on the river front in Owensboro. It was a warm morning, the Midwest was experiencing a big heat wave. Most people were seeking shade and water while we waited for the ceremonial start.

Like most sporting events we start with a few introductions, recognition is given to the local people who help put on the event, a prayer and a rendition of the Star Spangler Banner.

We were given two special treats. First, our friend JeanAnn gave the racers, their teams and all those involved a special prayer of safety throughout our travels. We then listened to a banjo player play My Old Kentucky Home and the National Anthem. No surprise we had a Blue Grass version, given that we were in the home of Blue Grass Music. What was surprising was how wonderful it sounded on a banjo. It was unlike any version we had ever heard. I wished we had recorded it. We just didn’t know what we were in for.

After the National Anthem , we returned to our cars and we were headed out to rally. We headed north toward Indiana.

We never tire driving through the agricultural areas of our country, the amber waves of grain, and the corn fields are always a beautiful sight. We are reminded that the people who work these fields are the people that feed us. When you see places like Kentucky and Indiana, you know why they are part of the Heartland.

We rallied for most of the day. We were feeling like luck was not on our side. It seemed we could not catch a break for a smooth leg. We used all the knowledge we have, and were so thankful for Barry our mentor. He taught us to think through the moments that were not smooth, and make the necessary adjustments.

We finished the day and stopped for gas. We had a little car issue, Brad was able to quickly get the car started and we went to the finish line in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Brad reached out to Mustang Country, and they immediately helped us resolve the issue. We are so grateful to Allan and Brandon for the quick troubleshooting, and great solution.

After the car was repaired we learned our friends Jean Ann and Gary won the day. We are rooting for Jean and Gary. They are strong competitors and have always helped us on the rally. We were so grateful for their friendship

We ended the day by preparing for Sunday. This rally is all about endurance. A good night sleep is an important part of that.

Thank you to Jimmy Morgan, a friend and the person responsible for dragging our things from Owensboro to Gardner, Maine. Thank you for all of your help, and making our car less jam-packed!

Thank you to Billy and Ronnie of McCollister’s for making another year on the rally. Billie retired from working with McCollister’s, but has come back to drive the sweep truck on the race. He is some kind of driver! We drive on very narrow windy roads, and he takes an 18 wheeler down these roads.

Thank you to McCollister’s we appreciate all you do for us and the Great Race!!!

Owensboro, KY to Gardner, ME

The week started with our return from Nairobi. Our dear friends and fellow Great Racers Jean Ann and Gary Martin picked us up from the airport in Cincinnati (actually located in Kentucky). We enjoyed our time with them. We were with them Sunday and Monday night. I am not sure we were such great guests, we were definitely fighting jet lag.

Brad and Gary worked on the cars, and Jean Ann and I relaxed in anticipation of the race. We were ready to head to Owensboro. Tuesday morning all of us were antsy, and excited to make the two and a half hour drive from Shelbyville to Owensboro.

We pulled into Owensboro, and the venue looked familiar. We had spent a night during the 2021 Great Race in Owensboro.

Owensboro is the fourth largest city in Kentucky. It is known for being the home of the Blues Music Hall of Fame.

A few years back, they created a river walk which is phenomenal. It is beautiful with a little something for everyone. There are benches that double as swings to sit on while watching the sunrise or sunset. There are several stages for bands to play, and a huge playground for the children.

The Great Race planned different events from skeet shooting to bourbon tasting.

Friday we had our opening event meeting, and The Trophy Run. The Trophy Run is a half day rally that helps to shake off the cob webs. This year we rallied around the agricultural area south of Owensboro, and then back to the starting hotel.

In the evening, the race hosted a dinner for all of the racers and their crews. This year is the largest field of cars the event has ever had. There are 140 cars. All in, the group is close to 700 people.

While we were having dinner there were several bands playing on the river. After dinner we walked down the river walk, and enjoyed the music and people watching.

Thank you to Jean Ann, Gary, Bob and Ralph for getting us all safely to Owensboro.

Thanks to McCollister’s Transportation for sponsoring the rally. We feel privileged to be sponsored by and represent McCollister’s. We appreciate you transporting Jane safely to Kentucky.

The alarm went off at 5:30am, our coffee was delivered to the room, and we popped open the window. Standing there was Ed ready for breakfast.

We took turns feeding Ed. Then ran next door and woke up our friends. They sat at their window, and started feeding Ed.

The giraffes are such gentle giants. Giraffe Manor has a program for rehabilitation and returning Giraffes into the wild.

The giraffes at the manor are pretty lucky. They are fed several times a day, have plenty to eat on the property, and don’t have any predators. The three females are currently pregnant and want nothing to do with Ed. At some point, they will go back into the wild.

After feeding Ed and one of the ladies, we headed downstairs for breakfast.

Once again, we were surprised to see the giraffes would be joining us. We ate our breakfast and then opened the windows. In popped the head of Kelly, one of the females.

We all fed the giraffes at breakfast, and continued to be amazed by their size and beauty. Smiles were on everyone’s faces.

Our trip was coming to an end, but our adventures will continue….

A huge thank you to our friend & guide Paulo. He started as our guide, but quickly became our friend. He answered all the questions we had about the animals, people and the countries we visited. He encouraged us to push on when we needed a little push, but more importantly we appreciate his warmth, kindness and the million laughs he gave us along the way. We look forward to seeing the pictures you took of our adventures together.

Thank you again, to everyone who made this trip possible. Especially everyone at home. Marianne, Madison, Lauren, and Dylan thank you for keeping the office running smoothly. Kalli, Lauren and Dylan thank you for taking care of the pups. We couldn’t have done this without you!!!!

We said goodbye to the team at Singita and headed to the airport. We loved the people in the bush. Everyone wore big smiles and were always kind and couldn’t do enough to make our stay perfect.

It was another morning of flying with a stop for passport control. We landed in Nairobi in the early afternoon, and were greeted by the our “handlers”Cheli & Peacock. Faith and Wycliffe made us feel so comfortable, we climbed in the van and were on our way to Giraffe Manor.

This stop was on my bucket list, and Giraffe Manor was a must see. We pulled into a beautiful tree lined driveway, and on the right was the manor, and the left a more modern building. We did not see the giraffes upon entering. My heart sank, I thought the giraffes just roamed the property, and I was sorry we didn’t see any.

We sat on the patio and had a drink while we were checking in. We could see the giraffes on the far side of the property. We were told we would have a late lunch, and then at 5pm the giraffes would come for their afternoon snacks.

As you can imagine, most everything in the manor was giraffe themed. The silverware had a giraffe print, the plates, and even the fire pit was plasma cut like a globe with giraffe under acacia trees.

About 4pm we were walking around the property, and Ed, the largest of the giraffes made his way toward the manor. He is immense.

We were excited to feed him and the other giraffes. 5pm couldn’t come soon enough for Ed or our group.

Feeding a giraffe is fun, but getting a kiss from a giraffe is something pretty special. Their tongues are gritty and a bit slimy. Fun fact: Giraffes’ mouths are antiseptic. The Acacia thorns cut the giraffes regularly, and nature has given them the natural ability to kill germs.

We continued feeding the different giraffes on the front yard of the manor. We sat outside for a cocktail and some snacks. The warthogs came in after the giraffes, and cleaned up what had been left behind.

The giraffes like an early breakfast, and we were ready for an early evening. We wrapped up the evening and turned in early.

Our last day in the bush. We had a late start after a relaxing morning in our tent. We were going on our final morning game-drive. We still had not seen a cheetah or leopard.

Cheetahs are solitary animals, and difficult to spot in the tall grass. We drove around for an hour and saw the usual suspects, but the cheetah escaped our eyes. We all agreed it was something to come back for.

We had not quite seen the big five, but counted the genet sighting as our leopard. We were more than lucky in all we had seen. The time we spent with Craig the Super Tusker Elephabt was so special, as well as the hours we spent with different lion prides.

Some of the other animals we enjoyed seeing:

We had seen more than we could have imagined. The birds were the big surprise. So many beautiful and interesting birds.

We saw zebras and giraffes daily, as well as baboons and elephants.

We did one last game drive in the evening. We wanted to watch the lions hunt for dinner. We went out a little later in the evening. There was a pride of lions not far from the camp.

There were two females, 4 cubs and a male all in the same vicinity.

We watched as the lioness was stalking the baboons. She slowly walked towards them. She didn’t make it far when they all started yelling, and running up into the trees. The lioness’s cover was blown. She immediately returned to the pride.

We continued watching them, and she saw another group of baboons. She started to stalk them, but within a few minutes the first troop of baboons let the other troop know the lioness was on the hunt.

Although the lion is the king of the jungle, their lives are not easy. They are smart animals, but they are praying on other smart animals.

Once again, the lioness returned to the pride. This time she went to the male lion.

The two nuzzled one another for a few seconds, and then moved on.

We watched the pride for a little longer, but the sun was starting to set. We went to the watering hole to wrap up the evening.

Tanzania gave us a spectacular goodbye in the form of a perfect Serengeti sunset. The sky continued to change as the sun went down.

Thank you to the team at Singita Sabora. Asante sana (Thank you very much in Swahili) and to Musa, our guide and driver. We appreciate all you shared with us. Your incredible knowledge of these wonderful creatures is second to none!!!