Our Indy Tradition!

The tradition has lived on and the Rowberry's went to the Indy 500 again. This time we all had a very special reason to go. We took Pawpaw's ashes to the track! He wanted part of him to be left there, and for good reason....that place was a special part of his life! So, 20 of us caravaned down to Indy on the Saturday of Memorial Day. We searched for a good place to spread the ashes and in my opinion we didn't find the perfect spot, but we did get some of him on the track. The rest of the weekend Cindy carried him in her purse. We toasted to him at the hotel with shots and put his ashes next to a bud light! I'm sure he was happy to see us all there having a great time and carrying on the tradition. All of his children together and a lot of his grandchildren too.

Sunday was race day and an early morning. The open ceremonies are always very important to dad. We all had tears as they played the taps and the national anthem and cerimonial "Back home in Indiana" by Jim Neighbors. These are the only few times I ever see my dad cry. He sat in Pawpaw's spot with Julie by his side. It truly is an awesome thing to see at the beginning of the race. I get chills over and over. The engines start and then as the green flag is thrown your whole body vibrates as the cars fly by!!! Its something to see once in your life and its even better when you are with your entire family.
As always, we laughed all weekend and there are always the same Indy stories told year after year that make us all pee our pants every time no matter how many times we hear them! I look forward to it every year! After the race Jason and I had a long 12 hour drive to Gulf Shores, but it was kind of nice that we could do it alone!

All the Brothers and Sisters...

 cousins...

 the outlaws!

 the whole Row gang!

 LOL...Steve came out of the bathroom with toilet paper hanging out of his pants!! Omg was that awesome!

 Here is where they spread the ashes....

 Pawpaw by his beer :)