Hometown Sluice Box Derby

As I got ready to depart the city for the short trek to the mountains, I received this in my inbox:

That’s me in the front, in my lil’ cruiser, naturally.  Then those are my two entourage dudes…because everyone needs an entourage.  And pulling up in the back there…that’s the salad panda. (Don’t ask.)  (Thanks, LB!)

So happy camper that I am when I depart city for mountains, I arrived just in time for the hometown Heritage Days.  Oh yes– complete with Parade, Petting Zoo, and Sluice Box Derby.

And nothing says small town like a Sluice Box Derby…

And nothing makes me smile faster.  (Well, a few things do, but that’s another topic all together…)

Anyway…Sluice Box Derby in the hometown.  They even closed off School Road for the Heritage Days Parade! (I swear this is a real place.  See, there is a brochure and everything.)

And the good people of the town lined up to watch…tail-gaters, ambulance drivers, parents, grandparents, judges, etc.

And the lil’ racers lined up, waiting for their number to be called.

I mean, it’s serious business around here…

And the first lil’ racer is ready… (I love the propane truck in the back, waiting patiently to get through…)

And he’s off! Racing through the hay bales!

Speeding down the homestretch!

To where flag-men await at the finish line!  (Seriously– can’t you just feel the excitement?!) (That is not sarcasm…I love this photo.) (Okay, it may have been mildly sarcastic but it still stands that I love this photo.)

Then the lil’ race cars get towed back up the hill by the tractor. (I’m basically dying watching this… I mean…where in the city do you see this sort of thing??)

And seriously…why did I not do this as a kid??

See… She’s doing it.  Representing the girls!!  Go lil’ lady!

All the while the medic is standing by if necessary… Things could get seriously out of control here.

I mean, a Sluice Box Car may race by, completely out of control sending flag-men and shaded spectators running for cover!

But that didn’t happen.  It was all smiles and sunshine at the Sluice Box Derby. (Especially for my friend’s son who consumed an entire bag of M&M’s before this picture was taken.  Happy little camper.)

All in all, it was a good day in the mountains for me, my entourage, and the Salad Panda.  And I didn’t even take home any animals from the petting zoo.  (This little guy really wanted to come home with me.)