Virginia Beach was nice but it was a little cold when we were there. The ocean breeze was more like a frost, and the rain and wind kept things pretty frigid for me. I was glad we were headed south for warmer temperatures. We were on our way to Rockingham, N.C., a quick visit with my brother and his family. Jerry is in the Houston 2005 event win picture posted on KarenStoffer.com. With his travel schedule he attends 4-5 races a season. When he does, he jumps right in as an additional crewmember and helps Gary Doug and Scott with the bike, and for the Memphis event he usually gives Debbie a break in the cooking and takes over chef detail.

Jerry and his wife Connie have two daughters, one of which just had her first child. Andrew Kenneth was born in December 2005, and is already a racing fan; go figure. I can’t believe my brother is a Grandpa and my parents are “great” grandparents. So, that makes my 98-year-old Grandma, who lives with Gary and I, REALLY “Great”; two times.

Jerry and his family headed to the east coast about 16 years ago, so great great Grandma does not get to see them very often. (Here is a picture of the Jerry’s family with Grandma in 2003, the last time they saw great great Grandma). We printed the picture posted here, for her to see Andrew. My mom and dad make a trip east during the racing off-season, when Gary and I are home to be with Grandma. This year, however, they couldn’t make the trip due to my injuries. Hopefully, they will be able to make their way to N.C., after this up coming season.

My visit with the family was a quick three days as I caught a Sunday afternoon flight back to Reno, while Gary was able to spend an additional six days there before moving on to Florida. I added a picture of Andrew in one of my t-shirts. We had a nice time there, and had enough time to meet up with other race team members for dinner.

I will join the race team in Florida on the 17th of February for testing. In the meantime Gary and Doug are working on the bike and enjoying the warm Florida weather. It’s been very nice here in Nevada; however, I am looking forward to some Florida sun.

I’ll blog again soon.