My trip to Vegas and California went just as I had planned. We had a blast from the beginning to the end. Sunday night we attended the Tournament of Kings dinner show at Excalibur. It's one of my favorite shows on the strip, partly because you get to eat with your hands. Monday we drove over to Long Beach so that I could get fitted for my new leathers. Later that afternoon we took the ladies from Bates out to lunch at this really great fish place before we headed back to Vegas for more fun. On Tuesday morning I scheduled a spa session for the four of us so that we could get in some rest and relaxation. We all got body wraps then we enjoyed the hot tub and steam sauna for a while before we headed to the strip for some sight seeing. Tuesday night I surprised them with tickets to the show “Zumanity” We had such a good time that we talked about making it an annual get away.

On Wednesday we headed back to Louisiana to join the crowds gathering for Mardi Gras. On the following Saturday, Seth and I rode in the Spanish Town parade in Baton Rouge, La. It was pretty wild! It still amazes me what some people will do for a Mardi Gras bead. After the parade my team owners Karl and Kim Klement, were so gracious to have their jet pick me and Seth up to fly us up to Cincinnati, Ohio, for the V-twin trade show. I spent the day signing autographs at the Rush Racing Products display. It was my first official duty for my new sponsors and I have to say it was a very different feeling being surrounded by Harley-Davidsons instead of Suzukis. The people were so nice to talk to and they made me feel very welcome because they were all so excited that I will be racing the Rush Racing S &S-powered V-twin this year. The most common question was "How do you like riding that V-twin?" Well, we still haven’t done any testing so I couldn’t give them an answer yet. We will be testing next week (Feb. 11-12) and I am so excited about it that I can hardly stand it.

Tuesday was Mardi Gras so we went to Robo Granny’s to watch our little hometown parade and then we walked around visiting friends and family the rest of the day. My grandma lives in a small town called Gheens where on Mardi Gras day, the whole town turns into one big party and you can walk from house to house and everyone you see offers you something to eat and drink. There is one family that roasts a pig every year in the front yard and people stop by all day to grab a bite. We grabbed more than one because it was so delicious as usual. There just isn’t anything like Cajun hospitality. By the end of the day I was worn out and very thankful that Mardi Gras had come to an end and all of my family and friends were safe and sound and accounted for once again. The holiday can be very eventful and not always in a good way so I give thanks to God for taking care of my loved ones by keeping them all safe while they are out enjoying one of the wildest and craziest parties in the world.

Now that the party is over and I’ve taken some time to get away and relax, it’s time to get in gear and start focusing on this racing season. Over the next couple of weeks we will be doing a lot of testing to get me ready for the ACDelco Gatornationals. I am not going to the Gators to try and get used to my new team and motorcycle, I am going there with every intention of celebrating with my new team and motorcycle in the winner’s circle. I have to admit that in the past I may have lost a little of the passion and fire that I had in my heart for winning but let me tell you that it has been completely rejuvenated and my heart is filled with every bit of passion, desire, determination and dedication that I possessed in the first year that I raced in the NHRA. I am ready to get back on track literally and figuratively. I am pretty sure that teaming up with GB3 (George Bryce) again has a lot to do with it.

Finally, since I have this Cajun theme going with my blogs now so I guess I have to leave you guys and gals with something from bayou country. Let’s see … ummm …. oh okay ... Here's a letter from Cloteel to her son T-Roy;



Dear T-Roy:

I am writing this letter slow because I know that you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left. Your dad read in the paper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of the house, so we moved. I won't be able to send you the address 'cause the family that lived here took the numbers for their next house so they wouldn't have to change their address.

This place has a washing machine. The first day I put four shirts in it, pulled the chain and have not seen them since. It only rained twice this week, three days the first time and four days the second time. The coat you wanted me to send you, well your Aunt said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with the heavy buttons, so we cut them off and placed them in the coat pocket.

About your father; he has a lovely new job. He has over 500 men under him; he is cutting the grass at the cemetery. About your sister; she had a baby this morning. I don't know if it is a boy or girl. So I don't know if you are an uncle or an aunt.

All three of your friends went off the bridge in a pickup truck. One was the driver and the other two were in the back. The driver got out, he rolled down the window and he swam to the bank. Your other two friends drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down.

Your uncle John fell in the whiskey vat. Some men tried to get him out but he fought them off so he drowned. We cremated his body and it burned for three days.

Not much more news than this, nothing much happened. Write more often or more times than you do.

LOVE MOM

P.S. I was going to send you some money but the envelope was already sealed.

Well that’s it folks! Until next time. Thanks for reading and God Bless!