#50 Day Trip to Daytona Beach

On Saturday, we met our friends Jimmy and Geri at the Oakwood Smokehouse Restaurant in Lady Lake.  If they look familiar, they are part of the Disney World Cast: Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. We had a nice visit and we hope to meet up with them again soon.

Sunday, we made a last minute decision to take a day trip to Daytona Beach.  The skies were clear, the temperature was comfortable and it was "Test Day" at the Daytona International Speedway.  We got online and found out it was free and open to the public.  Yes, I think we can do that!

Fans could stand and watch the testing or go up into the grandstand.  They only had one section open and we were surprised that attendance was low.  We had lots of room to walk and look around.

This was our first time to the Speedway and as NASCAR fans, we were excited!

Now, I had to be quick with the shutter to get this photo of Brad Keselowski's No. 2.  What speed, it was loud and to say they are fast..is an understatement.  The first thought to come to my mind...rockets with wheels..

And when they all came around at one time, the noise was deafening.

Of course, we wanted to ride on to Daytona Beach and we were happy to see they allow you to drive right on the sand.  That was fun!

Ron wanted to walk on the pier to see what the fishermen might be catching plus there was a Joe's Crab Shack Restaurant right on the pier as well. We decided to get some dinner, which was very good. 

Afterwards, on our walk down the pier, we saw this 6 pound sheephead.  Whoa, what a fish and look at those teeth.  The same couple also showed me their other caught sheephead plus a big black drum in their cooler.

The weather has been comfortable so far and is predicted to be nice this upcoming week too.  So far, we are really enjoying this winter.  :)