Afterglow 2003

Brian smiles because he passes the Jim test for the second consecutive year. When it comes to height, it only goes uphill, something that Brian will be forever thankful for. 1 ride down, thousands more to go...

Several youngsters strap themselves into the karts on the slick track, and ruckus ensues. It was the slick track that got us kicked out last year, and we hoped that this year would be no exception.

The entire purpose of this picture was to capture the essence of the evening. And by that I mean all of the locals, hicks, hillbillies, and especially that guy with the racing shirt and a checkered yellow hat (to Gary's right), who by the way, had one really sweet mullet. This was the only way I could get away with capturing a picture of these people, and Gary was kind enough to play along with my little escapade.

Stacy's driving turned out to be the greatest surprise of the evening, as this little kid wowed us with her negligence to laws and standards. She tore the pages out of the rulebook and dominated on the track, passing everyone with such grace NASCAR was calling her name. Look out Jeff Gordon, Stacy Kurutz is on your tail, and that checkered flag is looming ahead.

The gang snacked a bit and took one last ride, for it was no closing time for the Kartway track. Even the locals need to get some sleep, so that they can wake up in the morning to hunt and fish. We caroused around the property for a little bit, but sadly, did not get kicked out. So the streak gets broken. Oh well, there's always next year. It was late (10:00-10:30) by the time we got back to Afterglow, so that meant we didn't have too much time to wait until casino time. That's right, at midnight those over 18 (including Jenny, for at midnight she would legally be able to gamble in Michigan) drove up to the Indian casino in Watersmeet, Upper Michigan for a little gamblin'. It was lots of fun hitting the slots with Jenny, but I only wished I had won some money. Those Indians weren't as kind to me this year as they were last year (when I won over $100!), but I had fun anyway. Good times, good times.