Nora and BW at the Kentucky Derby 2006 -- Louisville

Nora and BW at the Kentucky Derby 2006

We had the best time! Just fun from beginning to end.

We had the same sheriff/driver as last year--the guy whose family owns the Dizzy Wizz--a little diner and Louisville institution. At our request, he took us and our coordinator, Cathy, there for lunch right after we landed. Fueled up and headed into the hotel. Cathy'd already checked us in--bless her--so it was just zipping up to our suite. Gorgeous space overlooking the river, with a big (but noisy due to highway) terrace. Weather's perfect.

I'd agreed to make an appearance at a fund-raiser--a festival for cancer survivors. Face painting, games, food, demonstrations. Ran out to do that, said hello to the crowd, got a really silly hat and signed autographs for a bit. Then it was back to settle in, then change for Club Night.

Music, crowds, food, drink, all in one of the clubs in Louisville's 4th Street Live section. Lots of pretty people wandering through. Since it's our second trip, we actually knew some of them. LOL.

Back to the hotel to rest up for Friday.

BW goes to the Oaks, and I just hang. He has instructions to bet on any gray in the field for me, in all races. I get in a work-out, laze around, go for a walk, then wander back to take advantage of the offered manis and pedis in the hotel a local salon's set up in one of the meeting rooms. While I'm getting nails, they ask if I'd like my hair styled. Hadn't thought of it, but hey, I'm there. While I'm getting that, they ask if I'd like my make-up done. In for a penny.

Lots of the ladies going to the gala that night are taking advantage of the service, too. And the operators seems to be having as much fun as we are. In a screen-off section of the room, they're doing body painting on some models. Lots of laughter from behind the screen.

Prettied up, I go back upstairs, stretch out on the couch with the TV--and fall asleep. Next thing I know BW is standing over me waving three twenties. My winnings. LOL. Fun to win--and pretty cool to win without even being there. He was juiced up as he'd won about a hundred more than that himself.

And he'd hung out with John Elway and his wife at the track.

Gala time. This is the black-tie event. Red carpet, silent auction, cocktails, dinner, entertainment. Really convenient as it's in our hotel. We just go down--meet our sheriff--go outside, down the carpet, do a couple quick interviews, and we're in. It seems like dozens of bars are set up, and everything is pretty and festive, including the people.

I spot the body-painted models. Wow! Movable art.

We wander down to check out the silent auction and I fall for an original painting--rolling meadow with fat sheep and those tall, narrow Italian-looking trees. There's also a terrific framed litho of Secretariat--very stylistic. And a HUGE basket of Mac products. We bid on all three. Wander some more, meet and greet. Up our bids, go into dinner.

Eat, chat, watch Derby wins on the big screen, applaud the jockeys they bring out.

Check our bids again, bump them up again. At the end of the auction, we'd lost the Mac, but won the painting and the litho. I'm delighted!

Pose for pictures, chat some more, slip upstairs to get out of fancy clothes and hit the sack.

Nora

ADWOFF > Kentucky Derby 2006 > Louisville > The Race