DAYTONA

How do you get a job at the Hawaiian Tropic tanning research lab in Ormond Beach?

We played Condo Commando for a week at Ocean's East Resort. It was clean and everything worked.

A room with a view!

Daytona, U.S.A.  The birthplace of speed.  Entrance to the speedway museum is free.

On race day Garage Alley is swarming with mechanics.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. coming around the back turn.

The Grandstands and Press Box are painted just like the checkered flag at the finish line.

The Mayor celebrates after his thrilling come from behind victory at the flag by whooping it up in the Winner's Circle.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is just south of Dayton on Highway A1A.  Just drive until you run out of road.

That rotted hunk of wood on the wall is a 15th century Seminole canoe.

19th century Kedge anchor.

A bronze buoy bell weighing 1,000 pounds, made for the U.S. Coast Guard in 1911.

The Mayor and First lady relax after climbing all the way to the top of the second tallest lighthouse on the east coast of the U.S.

The view from the top looking north back towards Daytona.

The view from the top looking east out to sea.

The view from the top looking south across Ponce Inlet.

Decisions, Decisions.

But your choice is obvious.

What can I say? A sunrise like this will get you up early even on vacation.

This was the official pace car for the 2000 Daytona 500, which was still about 3 weeks away when this was taken.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s transport truck.

My camera mechanism was so slow, it took me 3 tries to get this shot.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was coming around so fast I couldn't catch him on film!

This close-up shows the detail in the press box and stands.

People in Florida do everything in their cars!

The F.D. Russell Tugboat formerly ran out of Ponce Inlet but is now retired as part of the museum exhibit around the lighthouse.

This 16th century anchor belonged to the notorious pirate Jean Ribaults.

This empty raft was found floating by the Coast Guard.  The life jacket tied to the raft means those onboard were rescued.

This is the original Fresnel Lens for the lighthouse.  It was made in France and shipped over in pieces.  Fully assembled it is over 12 feet tall.  As you can see, it still works.

The First Lady and First Mom take a breather at the top.

The view from the top looking west across the Intracostal Waterway.

Breakers at Ponce Inlet Beach.