One of the most amazing times around Daytona Beach starts in February and ends in March. Towards the beginning of the month it all starts with a change in the air. Afternoon highs start to climb into the 70's and the nights are still nice and cool in the 60's. After a few months of bundling up for our Florida winter we are more than ready to get back to the beach. Now the sun is great and weekends are full of events but unless you are from Minnesota don't dare enter the water. We haven't quite got that far into the year but it sure looks inviting.
By far the largest draw in February is Speed Weeks at the Daytona International Speedway. If you crave anything that goes fast it is featured this week for sure. Believe it or not the first race around the track is actually people. They hold a 5k on the track the morning of the 24 hour race to kick things off. I have ran this in the past and it is the most amazing run going 3.3 miles from pit row, through the infield and then around the 2.5 mile track finishing at world famous start/finish line of the Daytona International Speedway. This is followed by the 24 hour race which tests the endurance of the cars and drivers and fans for 24 hours straight. For the next 2 weeks they race motorcycles, trucks, go-carts and of course the stock cars of NASCAR. Tens of thousands of fans and racing support staff move into the area filling hotels and turning the infield and the adjacent lots into the largest RV park you've ever seen. But none of it compares to the ingress and egress on the day of the the Daytona 500. 182,000 in attendance for this one race with over half of them arriving just for the one day of racing and leaving the same day. Trust me if you are into racing this is a truly amazing time but if you live near the track and are not into racing get home and stay home. Thankfully we enjoy the events and all the energy it brings and you normally find us happily out in the mix.
Shortly after they shut down for the races the trucks, trailers and bikes of the Bike Week participants start rolling in. By far some of my favorite visitors and events are here during the 10 days or Bike Week. The funny thing is I don't ride a motorcycle. That doesn't stop us from going out to the different venues, taking in the carnival like atmosphere and enjoying steak and potatoes with an ice cold beer. You'll find bikers in condos, hotels, campgrounds, spare bedrooms of friends and sleeping in backyards. In fact, if you find yourself heading this way during Bike Week look us up and we'll see where we can fit you. If nothing else we will meet up to take it all in. We have built a tradition of meeting some of our best friends for a night out to enjoy all the sights and sounds that Bike Week brings us. This year it will be from March 4th-13th so if you are reading this and headed our way give us a call.
The best part of all this is that we don't need to go out of town to attend and enjoy what we have come to love. It comes to us and this year Spring has sprung and we are definitely out there enjoying it.
Until next time........
My journey through life with family and friends.....
