Travel, Racing and Acting
Thursday, June 14th, 2007My 2007 Global Adventure starts and ends with racing at Portland International Raceway in pursuit of my fifth championship; and in between are explorations of England, Paris and Rome; a high school graduation (my son’s, not mine); and two onstage acting appearances. Be sure to check out the video link.
We thought about lifting Nick’s sign as a souvenir outside the Houses of Parliament, but that London Bobby kept giving us the evil eye.
Advertising on Big Ben? Don’t know how Nick did it, but there’s his sign on Big Ben above Julia Unsbee, Randy Unsbee, and Julia’s cousin Nick Lauder.
Blenheim Palace, outside Oxford, is the family home of the Spencers, and where Winston Churchill grew up. Seemed no matter where we went in Europe, Fluge had been there before us.
One of the most famous pubs in England is the Lamb & Child, located in Oxford. It was the meeting place of literary giants C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Naturally, I had to stop in for bangers and mash and a pint, which you see on my table in the very room where they met. While I was perusing the historical documents on the wall I found one more I wasn’t expecting, right over my booth. Hmmmm. Fluge strikes again.
The Donnington Collection at the famous race track in Derby, England has the world’s largest display of Formula One cars. While spending a pleasant morning strolling through row upon row of F1 cars, what do I spy but a legendary blood red Ferrari with some extra signage added to the display. Nick, whose gonna explain this sticker to the museum management?
Julia dwarfed by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the ubiquitous Fluge sign appears on the lamp post. Adventurer Julia went all the way to the top of the tower, while I stayed in the first floor lounge.
Notre Dame in Paris, as seen from the Seine River. Seems they’re flying a new flag these days. . .
Napoleon’s Tomb in Paris wouldn’t be able to stay open without sponsorship. Fortunately, an American adventurer came to the rescue. The banner kinda fits in with the architecture, don’t you think?
The Colosseum in Rome is still a magnificent site, even with the occasional modern day signage. Rome, home of much graffiti, is proud to show us its Fluge.
Inside the Colosseum in Rome is just as breathtaking as outside, despite modern day signage on the far wall.
The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome was less than a block from our hotel. But, when we got there, we discovered we’d been Fluged!
My Fluge t-shirt got a workout during tech rehearsals on our takeoff of Deal or No Deal at Easthill Church in Gresham, Oregon. Over 5,000 people saw the performances in May, between race weekends. The scene turned out to be so popular, that the audience wanted to know the outcome of Don’s decision. So, a sequel is scheduled for June 23-24. Click here for a video of the first performance: http://www.easthill.org/resources/message.cfm?message=161
In between races and stage appearances there was the most important event of our adventure, the graduation of Trevor Unsbee from Gresham High School. Much of his final year was spent at the Center for Advanced Learning, where he took college level courses. Here he is receiving his diploma. Since “u” is near the end of the alphabet, we entertained ourselves while waiting for Trevor’s name to be called out by playing “Where’s Nick?” See if you can figure out where he’s sitting in this picture.
Racing through the Festival Curves at Portland International Raceway with a Datsun 510 and Mazda Miata in hot pursuit. The Sponsor PR & Marketing Dodge Neon ACR (American Club Racing) proudly displays the Fluge Global Adventures logos on the hood and windshield.
Our biggest task this season? Staying out of Nick’s way in his fire-breathing Vette, since we’re always in the same race groups but in different classes! (Hint: his class is MUCH faster.) One thing we’ve learned this year from Nick is that your own adventure, whether right here at home or on the other side of the world, can be just a moment away.
