Abby is now officially an Autocross Dog!

This weekend we were off to the historic Wendover Airfield for the first autocross out there of the season. The Utah Region is hosting a couple of National level events in May, and Mom and Dad (and Uncle Charlie and Aunt Linda) want to be prepared for them. Because Wendover is 130 miles away, Mom and Dad decided to go out Friday night (Mom and Dad aren't exactly morning people...). Friday didn't start off as a particularly promising day; we had snow. We sent Abby out to make sure that it was real snow... Heehee!


But, by the time we were leaving Park City, the weather was starting to lift.

We picked up the car trailer in Salt Lake and were off to Wendover. Abby took my napping spot (again) so I got to sit with Mom. Abby thinks that she's got the best spot, but I think I've got the best spot! Which, now that I think about it, means that we're both happy. As for Mom? I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have me as a lap dog! Heehee!

I wanted to stop on the way out there to see my buddy Clive, but Mom and Dad wanted to get to Wendover before dark.

Clive! I didn't know you were So Close! And you are so important that you've got your own freeway exit!

Oh. Mom says that's a different Clive. Gosh darn it. I was so excited to see you! I guess I'll have to wait until Air Fiona is operational again before I can come visit.

We arrived at Wendover before the sun set, and Abby got her first sight of the hangar where the Enola Gay was housed stateside during WWII.

Mom says that for those of you who have asked about the House With Wheels, when we tow the trailer, we are 64.5 feet long. (The legal limit in most western states is 65 feet...)

When the sun set, we settled in to relax for the night.
This way we could be up bright and early the next morning. We all slept well (well, except for Mom, because Abby has decided that she should be a pillow dog like me, and I guess there isn't quite as much pillow room in the bed in the House With Wheels) and were raring to go the next morning!


Unlike some autocross events where we are parked so I can sit and look out the window at Mom driving the Big Yellow Car, at this event, we were parked a fair distance away from the course, but still close to all the cars and people in the paddock. Abby took to the whole autocross business fairly quickly, and was pulling her 'cute face', suckering people left and right.

I swear, this girl has no shame sometimes!

Anyhoo, after a late start, Mom and Dad spent the day dashing back and forth to the House With Wheels to let us out on walks, in between racing and working. Notice how Dad is scattering the course workers here!

Dad at the start.
When they were done, Mom and Dad took us on a long walk, so we could check out the sights of the historic airfield.
We got to see the old barracks

(Mom says that every time she sees these buildings her brain automatically plays footage of a nuclear bomb going off. I have no idea what she's talking about...)

And bits of airplanes.
A most excellent walk in a most historic place!

The next day, Mom and Aunt Linda drove the Big Yellow Car, while Dad and Uncle Charlie drove the little silver and black thing.

Mom and Dad both had a great time, and Mom apparently made great strides on Sunday (but we don't have any pictures of anyone driving on Sunday - Mom and Dad were too busy working and driving to get any pictures), so it was a good weekend; I know Mom seemed really happy with how she drove on Sunday - I think Dad was happy, too, but I think he was too tired to be really excited!

Sunday was kind of a long day, though, because Mom and Dad didn't finish driving until 5pm or so, and then they had to load up cars and get the House(s) With Wheels packed up and ready to go, and then we had to drive back to Salt Lake and drop the trailer and then drop the motorhome in Park City and go home. We didn't even get home until 10pm! And then after Mom and Dad were all exhausted, Abby decided to get under the bed (she barely fits!) and bark incessantly for like 10 minutes. For No Good Reason, other than that she's a puppy. Like that's an excuse. *sheesh*

Today was a bit of a recovery day; Mom and Dad had spent a lot of yesterday running around (literally!) when they weren't driving (not to mention Dad driving us all safely home after such a long day!), and so they were pretty worn out today. Me? I was happy to kick back and keep Dad company, but Abby had to have a serious case of puppy-itis, so Mom took her to Petco to wear her out a bit! And Mom saw Jessi, the lady who is training Mom to give us turkey hotdogs, and Mom says that we will be going back to school for more education. I totally blame Abby for this continuing education. Unless it involves more turkey hotdogs, in which case it will all be okay. I guess.

Mom wants to add a few gratuitous racing photos, so you can see what this autocross is all about.



Oh, and I should mention that Abby is totally cool with the autocross - my little sister is becoming more and more of a real dog every day! (And yes, she is getting BIG! I would be nervous about her getting so big, but I know that I can run faster, corner better, and change directions quicker than she will ever be able to, so I'm not too worried - she won't ever be able to catch me!)

Heehee!

*kissey face*
-Fiona