South Bend Bound!

Today's the day!  Today is the day we head to South Bend to meet up with the rest of the One Lappers.  I can't believe it's already here.

Last night and this morning was filled with last minute prep, packing, and sleep.  Now that Dave and I have done this once before... we know a little more of what to expect.  And yet, we still probably packed too much and didn't go to bed early enough.  Our dad always taught us to be prepared - and that we are!  Prepared for rain, snow, the tundra, and the Sahara...  no really... we didn't pack that much...

I had to work today so the plan was for us to meet up in Toledo around 6pm, drop my car, then head on to South Bend.  A special thanks to Samantha's parents for boarding my set of wheels!  It will make the return trip much easier.

This year will be diametrically different from the last time we did One Lap.  Three years ago we had all the luxuries of a 2001 BMW 328i... Air conditioning, radio, cushy seats, quiet engine, back seat, watertight sunroof... not this year!  This year we're taking my brother's 1987 BMW 3 Series which has a loud modified engine, gutted interior, no A/C, race seats, 5 point harnesses, full roll cage, and limited space.  Yup - no lap of luxury here!  Have no fear... Dave's come up with some ideas to make it a bit more comfortable including a TempurPedic neck pillow, ear plugs, and a headset communication system.  We're still working out all the bugs but we'll make do.

My additions (to make the seats more comfortable and allow me to reach the pedals) may not look very pretty but should be okay for now.  At least the reds match!  (I care about this more than Dave does, I assure you.)

Tonight, our plan was to check into the hotel and relax as much as possible before the chaos starts.  It's always a little unnerving to know you're at the calm before the storm.  But, alas, it looks like we may be at the calm before the storm both figuratively and literally.  The forecast looks pretty foreboding for tomorrow.  In light of that, we decided to put graphics on tonight...below a parking lot light... at 10pm.  I surprised Dave with a hood graphic!  He thought he was just getting clear vinyl to make his sunroof water tight... ha, I fooled him.  Many thanks to my cohorts back in MI!

 

BEFORE 

AFTER

 

READY!

Luckily tomorrow is all car prep, safety checks, and drivers meetings so staying up a little late wasn't a big deal.  Saturday... we drive! Or in the words of Nicholas Cage... let's ride!