After the Richmond race and one last trip to Wawa, we flew back to Michigan for a day. I had enough time to get some work done at the shop, unpack my suitcase, do a couple loads of laundry and re-pack. It is already getting cold in Michigan. Before we left for Richmond, it snowed and I took a picture outside of our shop. Can you believe, snow in October?

Tuesday after the race, we flew to New York City. I love that place, but we spent less than 24 hours there because it was a business trip. We are hoping that what might result from the trip will be great for the future of myself, Kalitta Motorsports, KB Racing, and also NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. Time will tell.

I left New York Wednesday afternoon for a little vacation. I rented a car from La Guardia and drove to Boston. Some of you know that I went to college near Boston. At times when there’s a lot going on, getting in the car, driving alone and being on the open road for awhile is really nice. I had a lot of time to myself to just think and clear my head. The fall foliage appears to be peaking right now so it made the drive that much more enjoyable.

My close friend Abby and her fiancé, Noah, who now living in Huntington Beach are staying with her dad in Southborough, Mass. I decided to drop in on them and stay there too. Their house is only about 30 minutes from Wheaton College where Abby and I attended college. During our four years there, Abby and I would always go to her house whenever we needed a break from campus life. My home was 3,000 miles away, so Abby, her dad and brother were kind enough to give me a second home. I used to spend Thanksgiving, Easter and some other holidays there because it was too expensive to fly all the way back to Northern California.

When I arrived there last night, Abby’s brother, Peter, made us all dinner. It was so nice to sit at a dinner table and have meal made for us. I seriously can’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal. At my place I’ll microwave a frozen dinner and I don’t even have a dining room table. When we are on the road, we eat out most of the time. Sometimes if we get back to the hotel late, dinner for me is a quick package of hot oatmeal and then sleep.

Tonight we’re meeting up with a bunch of other friends from college who I haven’t seen in more than four years. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a sort of bachelorette party. Then tomorrow, we’re driving up to New Hampshire because another college friend, Brea, is also getting married. Brea was my roommate for three years of college and she also was on the diving team with me.

I love being back in this part of New England. They don’t have Wawa around here, but Abby and I went to Dunkin Donuts first thing this morning. I’m not sure if I’ll have time to visit the Wheaton campus because my time here is limited, but I will really enjoy reconnecting with old friends. My mind rarely ever drifts from racing but maybe it will this weekend, which is a good thing. The break will do me some good. I should have some cool photos by the end of the weekend. Have a great weekend everyone.