March 7, 2015    Up at 5:00 a.m. and I couldn’t be happier.  We have my son Richie with us and were taking him to the Albany, Georgia Marathon and 1/2 Marathon.  He’s running the Marathon (26.2 miles) and we’re specrators  🙂   Richie has a goal of running a Marathon in each State.  I’m losing count, but I’m thinking this is his 18th State.

For those of you reading this,  that have children you know the pride I am feeling.  Richie’s an awesome athlete,  but an even more awesome son,  husband, father and person.   It’s not often that I get to spend time with him without “distractions”.  This is special.

It’s cool out at 5;30, but it’s great running weather.  The spectators are wearing hats, gloves and winter coats … to start the race.  We finish in sweatshirts.  Great start even better finish.  Richie is very glad there’s no snow!

There is not a whole lot of attractions in Albany.  For a big city it’s kind of country.  Downtown Albany is exceptionally quiet on this Sat morning.  In following Richie at several  spots along the route we get to enjoy a little of the “flavor” of Albany.  It seems pretty “artsy” to me.  I loved Ray Charles Plaza.  The Riverwalk was very pretty, but a good portion was under construction.    Art Park on Pine is a unique way for aspiring artists to present their work.   On Sunday afternoons it is an open venue.  If you’d like to perform poetry, a skit or paint on the  building walls  it’s your medium.  There are “Painted Turtles” scattered all over town which add a nice touch to the area.  I have seen Moose like this in Toronto, Canada. They are pretty neat.

Richie finished with an excellent time of three hours and 28 minutes.  Phew!  It made me tired 🙂

The afternoon was spent at the U.S. 19 Dragway.  Richie had never seen live drag racing and it was a treat.   It was VERY amature for David and I.  We are used to National events,  but it’s such an outrageous sport that any venue can be fun.  The people watching out shined the racing.

David cooked out for dinner and it was very nice eating out on the picnic table.  I think Richie is ready for spring back home.

It was a WONDERFUL day!