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Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
My First Kentucky Derby
I was soooooooo excited to head to the Kentucky Derby this year. We got tickets through a co-worker who used to work for Churchill Downs, and he's also friends with jockeys and celebrities and knows pretty much everyone in Louisville. He's a good friend to have.
I started planning my outfit about a month in advance, and normally, I don't get all girly about dressing up, but this was special. So Robbie and I got new outfits and we were ready to go.
We decided to drive separately from our friends we were meeting there, and we parked about a mile from Churchill Downs in the Cardinals stadium parking lot. It was not a big deal to walk, because part of my outfit was to wear new extremely comfortable and extremely cute shoes :) So smart, right?
Of course, I had my derby hat, which I borrowed from a lady at work, and I even decorated it myself to match my dress. I went ALL OUT dudes. My sunglasses matched my shoes and earrings, and boy did I look SCHWEET.
We arrived at the track and met our friends on the 300 level. We only had "walkaround" passes, so there were no seats to be had. Which didn't bother me too much, because I figured it would be fun to walk around, check out the wagering windows, maybe stroll to the infield and just basically "float" and take in the whole experience.
Well, to be honest with you, the whole day was a total cluster. The place was packed to the brim with people, and the weather was horrible. It was cloudy and rainy, and chilly. When we stood outside, it was so windy I had to put a jacket on to keep warm, but then when the rain would start, the whole mass of people would migrate indoors, and it was about 300 degrees and smelled like B.O.
I guess I learned that regardless of the "class" of event you are attending, The Great Unwashed is still unwashed.
Our friends decided to leave after only about an hour and a half. So Robbie & I tried to wander around and enjoy it as much as we could. We had been at the track for 4 races, and still hadn't even seen the horses run around the track yet. Being 4 feet tall, it's pretty difficult to see something that everyone standing in front of you is trying to see as well.
The only time we got to see the actual horses running was when it was pouring rain and we were the only ones dumb enough to stand out in the grand stands to watch.
After getting nicely misted with rain, we decided to place our bets for the Oaks and the Derby, and take our leave. But not before I got a few hat pictures. http://www.humzoo.com/betsyradish/photos/21/14/
... and my dang mint julep.
Now it's time to walk back to the car. As we tried to leave the track, we found out that everyone else was trying to do the same thing. Except it was pouring outside. So everyone was standing in the same place, under cover, in a rather small area, desperately trying not to get soaked.
Robbie and I got pretty fed up with standing around, and all the ponchos were sold out, so we improvised.
... and started our mile walk back to the car.
There comes a point in my mind when I'm all dressed up in the rain when I just say "F*ck it," take my shoes off, and run like hell.
Unfortunately, the mass of people in front of us on the pedestrian bridge weren't thinking the same thing, so I didn't get too far before I was walking again. SLOWLY.
You know when you're watching TV, and there's a guy who has had a horrible day and he just got fired or something and he's walking home in the rain through the city, and a car drives past him through a huge puddle and soaks him to the bone?
Yeah, well, that happens in real life too.
Twice.
By the time we got back to the car, it had gotten to the point where I was beyond pissed and just had to laugh at our situation, or I would have to cry. After we checked the tag on Robbie's brand new suit jacket and read "Dry Clean Only, Low Moisture, 100% Wool" we had to just get in the car and head for home.
Lesson Learned: When visiting the Kentucky Derby, unless you're a movie star or a millionaire, keep your expectations low and wear comfortable shoes.
My First Kentucky Derby
I was soooooooo excited to head to the Kentucky Derby this year. We got tickets through a co-worker who used to work for Churchill Downs, and he's also friends with jockeys and celebrities and knows pretty much everyone in Louisville. He's a good friend to have.
I started planning my outfit about a month in advance, and normally, I don't get all girly about dressing up, but this was special. So Robbie and I got new outfits and we were ready to go.
We decided to drive separately from our friends we were meeting there, and we parked about a mile from Churchill Downs in the Cardinals stadium parking lot. It was not a big deal to walk, because part of my outfit was to wear new extremely comfortable and extremely cute shoes :) So smart, right?
Of course, I had my derby hat, which I borrowed from a lady at work, and I even decorated it myself to match my dress. I went ALL OUT dudes. My sunglasses matched my shoes and earrings, and boy did I look SCHWEET.
We arrived at the track and met our friends on the 300 level. We only had "walkaround" passes, so there were no seats to be had. Which didn't bother me too much, because I figured it would be fun to walk around, check out the wagering windows, maybe stroll to the infield and just basically "float" and take in the whole experience.
Well, to be honest with you, the whole day was a total cluster. The place was packed to the brim with people, and the weather was horrible. It was cloudy and rainy, and chilly. When we stood outside, it was so windy I had to put a jacket on to keep warm, but then when the rain would start, the whole mass of people would migrate indoors, and it was about 300 degrees and smelled like B.O.
I guess I learned that regardless of the "class" of event you are attending, The Great Unwashed is still unwashed.
Our friends decided to leave after only about an hour and a half. So Robbie & I tried to wander around and enjoy it as much as we could. We had been at the track for 4 races, and still hadn't even seen the horses run around the track yet. Being 4 feet tall, it's pretty difficult to see something that everyone standing in front of you is trying to see as well.
The only time we got to see the actual horses running was when it was pouring rain and we were the only ones dumb enough to stand out in the grand stands to watch.
After getting nicely misted with rain, we decided to place our bets for the Oaks and the Derby, and take our leave. But not before I got a few hat pictures. http://www.humzoo.com/betsyradish/photos/21/14/
... and my dang mint julep.
Now it's time to walk back to the car. As we tried to leave the track, we found out that everyone else was trying to do the same thing. Except it was pouring outside. So everyone was standing in the same place, under cover, in a rather small area, desperately trying not to get soaked.
Robbie and I got pretty fed up with standing around, and all the ponchos were sold out, so we improvised.
... and started our mile walk back to the car.
There comes a point in my mind when I'm all dressed up in the rain when I just say "F*ck it," take my shoes off, and run like hell.
Unfortunately, the mass of people in front of us on the pedestrian bridge weren't thinking the same thing, so I didn't get too far before I was walking again. SLOWLY.
You know when you're watching TV, and there's a guy who has had a horrible day and he just got fired or something and he's walking home in the rain through the city, and a car drives past him through a huge puddle and soaks him to the bone?
Yeah, well, that happens in real life too.
Twice.
By the time we got back to the car, it had gotten to the point where I was beyond pissed and just had to laugh at our situation, or I would have to cry. After we checked the tag on Robbie's brand new suit jacket and read "Dry Clean Only, Low Moisture, 100% Wool" we had to just get in the car and head for home.
Lesson Learned: When visiting the Kentucky Derby, unless you're a movie star or a millionaire, keep your expectations low and wear comfortable shoes.
The photo of you and Robbie at the end had me LOL'n What an awesome *allbeit PITA at the time* first experience at Churchill Downs