Dayton, WA
Here are a few pics from the car show. Click on the images to see a larger version. (the one on the right is my favorite)
SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY! ONE NIGHT ONLY! AT THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS!!
Above: Before the actual demolition derby part, they run about 10 car races. Each race is about 6 laps, and there are almost no rules. You can crash into opponents, run them into the concrete barriers, or even team up and crush cars. (Click on the images to see a larger version.)
Above: You win some…. (Click on the images to see a larger version.)
Above: You lose some…. (Click on the images to see a larger version.)
Above: And, well, sometimes you have to be towed off the track. (Click on the images to see a larger version.)
Above: The beginning of the actual demolition part of the derby. All the cars start off facing the outside of the track. The last car running wins, and you are disqualified if you don’t crash into at least one car every minute. (Click on the images to see a larger version.)
Saturday, 6/17 10pm
Location: Dayton, WA
Coordinates:
46.3145 N
117.9903 W
Today’s mileage: about 30
Tomorrow’s destination: Clarkston, WA
In anticipation of the mountains that I will ascend this week, I went to the Post Office this morning and mailed home all of the things that weren’t worth their weight, in terms of usefulness on my trip. For example, since I’ve only used my camping stove once, I shipped off my stove, cooking pot, cannister of propane, dish soap, and instant oatmeal. Also, I got rid of my wool sweater (it’s light, but it takes up a lot of space). I probably only shaved off 3 or 4 pounds, but I’ll bet that when I get to Lolo Pass (5,200 ft), I’ll be thankful for any drop in weight.
The ride to Dayton was brief and pleasant, yet not too eventful.
My solitary reason for stopping in Dayton today was to visit Dayton’s annual car show. Actually, “car show” is an understatement. It’s an entire festival of shows and car-related events. The moment I entered the town, I knew that stopping in Dayton had been a brilliant decision.
Main Street was closed off so that cars could not enter the center of town. Or, should I say, so that only waxed and polished cars could enter town. Lining both sides of Main Street were cars from every era, starting with a 1902 Oldsmobile “Horseless Carriage”, to a 2006 Ford Mustang, and everything in between. Hotrods, cruisers, sedans, coupes, pickups, low-riders, you name it; there was something for everyone. Well, something for everyone who likes good ‘ole American cars. You don’t show off an imported piece of scrap metal at a car show in Dayton, WA!
As a Corvette fan, my favorite car in the show was a mint condition 1958 two-tone convertible (all ’58s were convertibles, of course). However, some of the deuce coupe hotrods and 70’s muscle cars were sights to behold as well.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the entire day came as a total surprise. As the car show was winding down, I went off in search of a place to stay for the night. I had heard that they might let me set up camp in the county fairgrounds, so I headed off in that direction. To my great surprise and delight, as I entered the fairgrounds, I saw the following sign: “Demo Derby tonite”. That’s right; I had stumbled upon perhaps the most reckless, destructive, loud, dirty, and yet ass-kickin’, of all American traditions: the demolition derby.
Having never attended a demolition derby before, there was simply no chance that I could miss it. I paid my $10 and walked in the gates. What I encountered there was a spectacle of smoke, mud, oil, and tobacco-stained wifebeater T-shirts.
I must remind you that I grew up in Houston, Texas, where I attended the rodeo several times every year. However, in terms of civility and refinement, the Dayton Demolition Derby makes the Houston Rodeo look like the San Francisco Ballet. Just a few things I witnessed:
– A 6 year-old boy lighting the cigarette hanging from his mother’s mouth.
– A woman yell, “You need a f#$%’ing driver’s license to race in the derby? That’s f#$%’ing bullsh*t!”
– A grown man crying in joy when his buddy won $100 in a race.
– A female driver ram another driver into a concrete barrier, after which the other driver’s car caught on fire. Moments later, the man next to me exclaimed, “Finally! Jamie’s hasn’t been herself tonight. She’s usually more aggresive like that. I’m glad she’s back to normal.”
I couldn’t help but think to myself that demolition derbies appear to be a bit, um, dangerous. On the other hand, nothing gets a crowd going better than screaming engines, flying dirt, and violent collisions. God Bless America! If Alexis de Tocqueville were alive today, he’d have much to write home about.
Finally, in an all too fitting coincidence, there’s a single-screen movie theater in town which is open four days a week and offers two viewings per day. On the marquee today (and I could not have planned this if I had tried), in large black letters, is none other than the recently released animated movie “Cars”.
Tags: Travel
daviddmcmillan