The other day I realized that I've become so accustomed to my Waterville surroundings that I've nearly forgotten what "noisy" really is. I feel pestered when the little neighbor dog has a barking fit and I become grumpy when a car drives by brandishing an obnoxious muffler modification.
I'm not sure what brought me to my senses, but I was compelled to recall what it was like to live on one of the busiest intersections in the middle of Wenatchee; the constant buzz of traffic noise, the booming music from the club next door or being startled awake from the sound of a Chelan Avenue street race.
Then I remembered our first night here in Waterville. The quiet was deafening. For the first time in years, the only thing distracting me from falling sleep was the ringing in my ears.
Living here has really helped me to learn to "stop and smell the roses." Now I just need to remind myself to stop and listen to the quiet.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Demolition Derby 2011
Once again, the long awaited Waterville Demolition Derby and Fireworks Celebration, an event I look forward to every year, didn't disappoint, although the crowd was uncharacteristically slow to enliven. It may have had something to do with a lack of cheesy jokes coming from the announcer's booth or perhaps it was the fact that the evening began with a semi-enthusiastic "yee-haw" contest, which all of the contestants ended up winning.
The overall enthusiasm around us increased only slightly during the "Best Lookin' Car" contest. I always get a kick out of this event because none of the cars are necessarily what you would call "appealing." This year's hilarity was intensified, though, by the flagman who had dressed himself to the hilt in a pink three-piece suit, complete with a matching pink bowler hat adorned with a feather.
The orange 76 team usually dominates this contest, however, this year, the 76 car was looking especially battered. As it, and the other derby-worn adversaries, proudly limped onto the track, two new competitors stole the stage. Number 111 was brightly painted in a Grape Crush theme and Number 3 was navy blue with fancy breast cancer awareness decorations. Both cars really stood out, but the Grape Crush team managed to lure the crowd with its shiny purpleness and successfully bribed its way, with purple tee shirts and cans of Grape Crush, to an easy upset win.
The racing portion of the derby seemed to run much more smoothly this year, with a lot less down time, between races which I think really helped to wake up the crowd. The track wasn't lacking in mishaps, however.
Right off the bat, Whisker Biscuit was deemed DOA and had to be hauled off the track by the front-loader. Number 12, whose team struggled with overheating issues last year, was violently eliminated in the third race by a massive station wagon. Number 3, the breast cancer awareness car was forcefully rear-ended in race number five after having stalled itself out of the lead, and the 0 car created its own front-bumper obstacle course in race number six.
After several races, huge ruts had formed on the corners which was hurling the cars into comical, uncontrolled bouncing fits. One of my favorites, the big green Blazer, Number 84, was especially silly looking as its tiny rear tires caused it to hobble around the corners like a frightened three-legged dog.
Overall the racing seemed much more agressive this year. I'm not sure everyone was following the rules but it was exciting! People were broadsiding left and right, pushing their victims sideways into the tire piles. Sparks were flying, smoke was billowing, cars were spinning out and stalling everywhere. Even the powder puff race, which is usually a little more demure, was intense. I was beginning to wonder if any of the cars would survive for the final derby.
Not only did they survive, but it was the longest demolition derby I've seen yet! The first big hit was fantastic, although catastrophic for the breast cancer awareness car. The collision wiped out its trunk with a crowd-rousing crunch and hilariously pug-faced the rear-end of the car that hit it. Whisker Biscuit was eliminated in the first 30 seconds and number 214 began precariously coughing flames. Somehow, number 85 managed to flip number 222, one of the huge wagons, on its side, which prompted a red flag and wild cheers from the crowd. Once emergency personnel had determined that the driver was ok, the derby was on again, this time with only a few cars, barely hanging on. In the end it was 711 and 214 who, after playing a short game of cat and mouse and attempting a few feeble hits, finally had to call it a tie.
The finale, of course, was the fireworks celebration which was wonderful as always. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" was the musical highlight for me. I know that some people say that it is overplayed and has become cliché, but it brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it and it will always be one of my favorite patriotic songs.
Thanks again, Waterville, for a fun and entertaining July 3rd.
The overall enthusiasm around us increased only slightly during the "Best Lookin' Car" contest. I always get a kick out of this event because none of the cars are necessarily what you would call "appealing." This year's hilarity was intensified, though, by the flagman who had dressed himself to the hilt in a pink three-piece suit, complete with a matching pink bowler hat adorned with a feather.
The orange 76 team usually dominates this contest, however, this year, the 76 car was looking especially battered. As it, and the other derby-worn adversaries, proudly limped onto the track, two new competitors stole the stage. Number 111 was brightly painted in a Grape Crush theme and Number 3 was navy blue with fancy breast cancer awareness decorations. Both cars really stood out, but the Grape Crush team managed to lure the crowd with its shiny purpleness and successfully bribed its way, with purple tee shirts and cans of Grape Crush, to an easy upset win.
The racing portion of the derby seemed to run much more smoothly this year, with a lot less down time, between races which I think really helped to wake up the crowd. The track wasn't lacking in mishaps, however.
Right off the bat, Whisker Biscuit was deemed DOA and had to be hauled off the track by the front-loader. Number 12, whose team struggled with overheating issues last year, was violently eliminated in the third race by a massive station wagon. Number 3, the breast cancer awareness car was forcefully rear-ended in race number five after having stalled itself out of the lead, and the 0 car created its own front-bumper obstacle course in race number six.
After several races, huge ruts had formed on the corners which was hurling the cars into comical, uncontrolled bouncing fits. One of my favorites, the big green Blazer, Number 84, was especially silly looking as its tiny rear tires caused it to hobble around the corners like a frightened three-legged dog.
Overall the racing seemed much more agressive this year. I'm not sure everyone was following the rules but it was exciting! People were broadsiding left and right, pushing their victims sideways into the tire piles. Sparks were flying, smoke was billowing, cars were spinning out and stalling everywhere. Even the powder puff race, which is usually a little more demure, was intense. I was beginning to wonder if any of the cars would survive for the final derby.
Not only did they survive, but it was the longest demolition derby I've seen yet! The first big hit was fantastic, although catastrophic for the breast cancer awareness car. The collision wiped out its trunk with a crowd-rousing crunch and hilariously pug-faced the rear-end of the car that hit it. Whisker Biscuit was eliminated in the first 30 seconds and number 214 began precariously coughing flames. Somehow, number 85 managed to flip number 222, one of the huge wagons, on its side, which prompted a red flag and wild cheers from the crowd. Once emergency personnel had determined that the driver was ok, the derby was on again, this time with only a few cars, barely hanging on. In the end it was 711 and 214 who, after playing a short game of cat and mouse and attempting a few feeble hits, finally had to call it a tie.
The finale, of course, was the fireworks celebration which was wonderful as always. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" was the musical highlight for me. I know that some people say that it is overplayed and has become cliché, but it brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it and it will always be one of my favorite patriotic songs.
Thanks again, Waterville, for a fun and entertaining July 3rd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)