Randy Lewis

ANDORRA, PART 1 - THE PRELUDE

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RANLAY Racing Trackchaser Report

DAYS 1-4 – “ANDORRA….WHERE THE HECK IS ANDORRA” TRACKCHASING TOUR

PART 1, THE PRELUDE

I am in the eye of the trackchasing storm. I have just finished my Wisconsin ice racing adventure. Without returning to home, I will spend time with family, friends and Trackchasing Tourist Activities. Then I will exit the eye of the storm and head to the country of Andorra for some ice racing action.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Lewis clan is a bunch of travelers. Just like the people in the carnival, it is what we do. We are good at it and have the time of our lives “hitting the road”. This week was most unusual, even for us. Normally, when I travel by myself, Carol holds down the fort back in SoCal.

This week is different. Carol left San Clemente just hours after my departure last Saturday night. She and oldest son, J.J. have been touring Italy and more specifically, Rome. Several months ago, J.J. and I took off for Japan just to say we did it. It was a great father and son outing. That trip set the stage for a “mother and son” outing. From what I hear, they are having a fine time.

I didn’t have to go anywhere just because Carol was in Italy. With her away from the house, I could catch up on my chores at home. Wrong! As you know, I don’t have any chores. I also have a sore back right now that has me in physical rehab and away from golf since December 31. With that as background, there was no reason to stay home by myself.

I would be off for an nine-day/eight night adventure going ice racing in Wisconsin, then spending time with relatives and friends in Illinois, then seeing some Broadway plays in New York before attempting to see some auto racing in my 23^rd different country…..Andorra. If all worked within the master plan Carol and I would each return to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) within a couple of hours of each other. Yes, we Lewis’ are a traveling clan.

Editor’s note: I have never been trackchasing in Italy. It dawned on me that Carol might try to slip a trackchasing visit in on me while she was visiting this country. There had been no discussion of such a visit. This would be a perfect opportunity for her to gain a country on me. We all know that trackchasing operates in a “dog eat dog” world, so who can you trust?

THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED HAD YOU BEEN PAYING MORE ATTENTION IN SCHOOL

I will maintain my policy of affording anonymity to readers who send in interesting bits of information or who provide cutting edge analysis.

FROM THE BEST READERS IN TRACKCHASING

I received this message from a reader in the southeast. This sounds like a good financial planning idea to me.

From the Southeast

“At the end of the day, put every $1 bill in your wallet into a jar. Try not to spend dollar bills during the day – just $5s and $10s and $20s, so you get more $1s. At the end of the year, you’ve got enough in the jar for a vacation”.

From time to time, I get invited to drive at the tracks I have visited. I received this message from this past weekend’s ice track visit.

From Wisconsin

“It was a pleasure to actually talk to you on the Marion Pond Sunday. I love checking your web site to see what you have been up to. One thing though, the full size RWD cars at Marion are non-studded. The mod that you saw, actually runs the RWD Studded class at Tilleda. One more thing, I am trying to put together a “Celebrity” race at Tilleda. I think it would be great to have a “foreign” driver in the field……if you are headed back to the frozen Wisconsin we’d love for you (to) participate.”

FOREIGN CURRENCY

The monetary currency used in Andorra is the Euro. For me to have a successful, hassle-free trip I needed some Euros. Carol is my foreign country money manager. She asked me how many Euros I would need. I glanced up from my desk and simply said, “Lots”. Then Carol went away and soon returned with a cellophane bag of Euros. I don’t know where she goes to get this money. I don’t really care where she goes to get it. I’m just happy she always comes back with the cash…..and neatly wrapped in a cellophane bag no less!

WHEN YOU TOUR, DON’T DRESS LIKE A DORK.

This seems like obvious advice doesn’t it. In New York, everyone wears black. I mean everyone wears dark colors. In the winter, New York is cold. I don’t own a lot of cold weather clothing. My best jacket for cold weather is my bright blue and gold UCLA jacket. That’s what I brought to New York. I could not have screamed “tourist” louder than by wearing a bright blue jacket. However, I figured I didn’t know anyone in town so I went about my business just as if I had been wearing plaid shorts and black socks in the summer time.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A FANTASTIC IDEA TO ME.

Last night I was dining in a New York restaurant. As I reviewed the menu, I noticed something strange. Nearly every menu item description showed both the price and the caloric content of the dish. I had never seen such a thing. I asked my server what was going on. “It’s the state law,” he told me. Americans are an obese bunch. Of all the major countries, I think we may have the fattest population of any. As I scanned the menu, I found these items and their calorie content.

Drink

Cherry Lime-aid – 510

Appetizer

Tostado Nachos – 1,700

Entrée

Bacon Cheeseburger – 1,350

Dessert

Brownie Obsession – 1,440

Total Calories – 5,000!

The above could have been a normal meal for me. However, I am trying to cut back on calories. A menu like this works very well with that objective. Here’s what I ended up eating.

Drink

Diet Coke – 0 (although it was $3.99!)

Appetizer

French Onion Soup – 250

Entrée

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta – 640

Dessert

Ice Cream Cone (from McDonalds) – 150

Total Calories – 1,040

I can’t wait for this menu trend to take off anywhere. I’m surprised a health conscious state like California has not already adopted this idea.

I’M SPENDING MY MONEY.

The economy is absolutely terrible. People are holding onto their money as if the world was going to come to an end. If the world did come to an end, what good would all of that money under your mattress do? I’m 59 years old. I will only be 59 years old once. I’m going to enjoy it, and if spending money helps me enjoy it, then that’s what I will have to do. Life is short folks. Don’t put off doing today, what you can do today. If you like it today, you can always repeat the process in the future.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

The purpose of technology is not to confuse the brain but to serve the body.

As promised, I will be providing you information about my Apple iPhone is this section of the Trackchaser Report. Of course, my iPhone is a phone. I can make telephone calls with it. However, less than 5% of my iPhone usage goes to making phone calls. With each Trackchaser Report, I will provide 1-2 special uses of the Apple iPhone. Please don’t wait to buy one until I have exhausted my list of what the machine can do. If you did that, you might never get one.

New App review for this RANLAY Racing Trackchaser Report

The “Currency” app provides foreign money conversion rates for all major currencies in the world. I can add whatever foreign currencies to the application. Andorra’s currency is the Euro. Currently, I can buy .759 Euros with one U.S. dollar. This particular application has and will come in very handy with the amount of international travel I am doing.

Cumulative list of Apple iPhone capabilities

Multiple “hands-free” communication options

Full email capabilities

“Now Playing” complete movie reviews (Rotten Tomatoes) and show times from local theatres wherever I am. The program even provides the movie trailers for nearly every current movie being offered.

“Around Me” details all major businesses within a mile or so of my current location

“Mobile News” gives me all the major news stories in several categories including Top news stories, local news, sports, show biz, business, politics, travel and many, many more as provided by the Associated Press.

“Currency” gives me up to the minute conversion rates on all major currencies in the world.

Coming soon!

How do fellow P&G retirees really think?

I have some really big news set to break by March 15, 2009 or so. Despite frequent questions, I can’t tell you what this is about until the appointed date.

Why I fear Ed Esser.

National Geographic Diversity results will be posted soon. Don’t miss the new “bonus points” feature in this year’s contest.

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Would the trackchaser commissioner help a wayward trackchaser? …………..details in “The Trip”.

Chicago…..New York…….Barcelona…..it’s all in a day’s work when you go trackchasing.................more in “The Trip”.

See the latest “RANLAY Racing Fingers Up’ theatrical revues…………..details in “Trackchaser Tourist Attraction”.

SEE THE PHOTOS; ENJOY THE PHOTOS

If you would like to see photos from today’s trackchasing adventure go to www.ranlayracing.com, click on the “Trackchaser Reports” tab and then click on “Andorra – Part 1” for the Andorra pictures and story.

GREETINGS FROM PORT D’ENVALIRA, ANDORRA (ALMOST)

THE FIRST TWO DAYS AND NIGHTS OF THIS TRIP WERE SPENT COMING AND GOING TO THE WISCONSIN ICE RACES. WHEN THAT WAS FINISHED, I WOKE UP MONDAY MORNING AT MY SISTER’S HOUSE IN DEKALB, ILLINOIS. I SPENT THAT EVENING IN CHICAGO WITH FRIENDS. THEN I STAYED THE NEXT TWO NIGHTS IN NEW YORK SLOWLY ACLIMATING MYSELF TO A TIME ZONE THAT WOULD BE 9 HOURS AHEAD OF WHAT WE HAVE IN CALIFORNIA. I SPENT MY SIXTH NIGHT FLYING OVERNIGHT FROM NEW YORK TO BARCELONA, SPAIN. MY SEVENTH NIGHT WAS IN BARECLONA AND MY EIGHTH AND FINAL NIGHT I SLEPT IN MY RENTAL CAR! MY NINTH DAY ON THE ROAD FOUND ME FINALLY HEADING HOME AFTER A VERY PRODUCTIVE WEEK OF TOURING AND TRACKCHASING.

What you are about to read is based upon a true story. Heck, I’m hearing some of this stuff for the first time myself!

THE OBJECTIVE, THE TRIP AND THE PEOPLE…AND A WHOLE LOT MORE

The Objective

RACE TO 30 INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

Many of you know that I am in a contest with trackchasing’s unofficial commissioner, Will White. The challenge is to see which of us can be the first to go trackchasing in 30 different countries. Going into this weekend we were both tied with 22 trackchasing countries. Depending upon whom you talk too that makes us tied for second place in the worldwide “total country” trackchasing standings. Yes, there very well could be someone who lives in Minnesota or New Mexico or Vermont who has seen racing in more countries than Will and I have. However, if they have not seen at least 200 overall tracks, their totals are not eligible for consideration. I don’t make the interpretations, I just report them to you.

If there ever was a “live or die” or “dog eat dog” trackchasing competition this is it. I am using every airline sponsorship idea I know in the book to compete with Mr. White in this comparison. Mr. White, on the other hand, freely admits he is studying foreign languages in an attempt to make his foreign travels easier to navigate. He has even developed his own “GPS” system to compete with my underfunded “Tonto”.

I will be attempting to trackchase in the small country of Andorra. Any ideas on who the last trackchaser was to “pursue the hobby” in Andorra? That’s right, Mr. White. He went to this country just last month. His trip got me to thinking. If Mr. White can go to Andorra, maybe I could go to Andorra. It’s just this kind of “keeping up with the Joneses” thinking that can get someone to spend their entire retirement nest egg in less time than originally planned.

I tried to check out information about racing in Andorra but all of the website info was in Catalan. By the way, that’s a language! As luck would have it, I don’t speak Catalanese or any other foreign language. I certainly didn’t want to travel to Andorra without first understanding a little bit about the race program. This would be a long trip to find out they weren’t even racing.

I needed to get some trackchasing specific information on Andorra. Where could I get it? “But Randy, why not just go to Mr. White and ask him to help you”, the loyal and supportive RANLAY Racing Trackchaser Report reader might legitimately ask.

Honestly, do you think Will White is going to help his nearest competitor in the international trackchasing comparisons? Yes, I am personal friends with his mother. Nevertheless, would that carry any weight with the commissioner?

Let me tell you how it all “came down”. First, following Mr. White’s most recent trip to Andorra, he wrote a very complete story about his Andorra trackchasing adventure. Like me, he always writes a stirring commentary about his international adventures. I read it word for word. Then I read it again. I noticed that he mentioned that the racing he saw in December was the only weekend of the year that there was any racing in Andorra. It’s a small country. That made sense. I penciled in (all right I entered the text into my Excel race dates database program) the weekend they would race again in December, 2009 and went about my business.

Then Mr. White posted a message that he was incorrect about Andorra racing on only one weekend each year. They had a special ice racing series that would race over five weekends during January and February of this year. Mr. White didn’t have to do that, but he did. I can’t think of a single trackchaser who would have any real interest in trackchasing in Andorra anytime soon……except me. Maybe Mr. White was sending me a secret message.

A little bit later on in my Andorra planning process, I did something I rarely if ever do. I emailed Mr. White and asked him to give me his “watch outs” regarding any trip I might make to Andorra. I was interested in how he might respond. It didn’t take long for Will White to get back to me with some things I should consider such as being careful while driving in snowy winter conditions.

So there you go. Trackchasing is not a “life or death” situation. It never has been. It is not even a “dog eat dog” situation. I don’t even have a dog. Trackchasing is simple. You go see a track and tell your friends about it. Would I help Mr. White if he asked me too? Of course, I would. I am certain that he picks up all kinds of information from my Trackchaser Reports and website. All of the trackchasers do. One of the reasons I share my information so broadly is so that my “fellow competitors” can see how I did it and understand whatever “watch outs” might be lurking in their path.

Mr. White and I have had 45 different adventures in countries all around the world. Can you imagine the memories we will take to heaven from all of these wonderful experiences? I can’t wait until our combined total of countries visited equals fifty-nine.

The Trip

Chicago…….and then onto New York.

When we last talked I was just leaving my sister’s house in Northern Illinois. This followed an outstanding ice-racing day in Wisconsin. I was winding my way East a few states at a time in order to get better acclimated to the time zone at my ultimate destination, Andorra. Andorra is nine hours ahead of “California time”. What does that mean? When everyone else in Andorra is starting their day at 9 a.m., it feels like midnight to me!

After my quick ice-racing trip to Wisconsin, I spent a night in Chicago. This was a very nostalgic trip. I ended up staying at the Marriott O’Hare Hotel. What’s so nostalgic about that? I estimate that I have stayed in a hotel during my business career some 3,000 nights. Since I’ve been retired I could probably add another 800-900 nights to that number.

The Marriott O’Hare was special because it was the hotel that I spent my very first night away from home on business! By the way Priceline came through again (best web rate: $149 per night; Priceline rate: $45 per night).

I had called ahead to my good friend and college fraternity brother Mike Skonicki regarding my trip. I even invited Mike to join me for the Wisconsin ice races. Mike then forwarded this message to several of our Chicagoland friends.

“I just got off the phone with the world’s #1 trackchaser, Randy Lewis. Randy has tentative plans to arrive in Chicago on Sunday, January 11^th. From there he is going to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin to view an “ice race”. Unfortunately, I can’t make it but I told him the rest of you guys are avid “ice racing” fans and may be interested…..Please note that Randy is flying standby and the trip to Chicago is tentative so it is possible you could get all dressed up and have no partner for the ice racing dance.”

As you might have guessed my “civilian” fraternity brothers are not big ice racing fans. They live in this climate all yearlong so I guess they don’t find it as fascinating as I do. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a lovely dinner with Mike and his beautiful wife, Mary. She looks younger every time I see here and Mike is always good ol’ Mike. Thank you very much Mr. and Mrs. Skonicki for treating me to dinner in the midst of a major snowstorm. It was great.

New York…..and then onto Barcelona.

Following a couple of nights in Illinois, I spent the next two nights in New York City or Manhattan to be more precise. I love Manhattan. Priceline made my stay at the Sheraton Manhattan more affordable (best web rate: $209 per night; Priceline rate: $115 per night).

The hotel was in a perfect location at 7^th Avenue and 50^th Street. That’s within 5-6 (short) blocks of most of the Broadway theatres. It was cold in New York with temps in the 20s. New York’s Times Square area is like Las Vegas but without the casinos. I had a wonderful time and saw three Broadway shows during my two-day stay. More on that in the “Trackchasing Tourist Attraction” section.

I did stumble across a nice little Chinese restaurant on 48^th Street in Manhattan. It was sort of a cross between take-a-way and sit down. Their steamed pot stickers and egg drop soup were very good. If you’re in the area don’t miss Hing Won at 48 West 48^th Street (between 5^th and 6^th). It earns a RANLAY Racing Money Back Guarantee.

After dinner I strolled by Rockefeller Center to watch the ice skaters.

I’ve never been a big fan of public transportation. I prefer having my own car. I guess that’s the “California” in me talking. However, there is a time and a place for everything. I used the train and the subway to get to and from New York’s JFK airport and downtown. It’s only seven dollars one-way compared to $45-60 for a cab, more for a limo and even more to rent a car and park it. Yes, I’m spending my money but trying to spend it on things that are worthwhile. I know that my “city” friends will be proud of me with regard to my public transportation successes.

The People

Who really helps me plan these international trackchasing adventures?

I look at it like this. The government’s “witness protection program” already costs the taxpayer too much. I don’t want to add any more people to the program by “outing” the good souls who spend long hours on trackchaser research just to help me out. They know who they are and I’m proud to be on their team. Thank you.

TRACKCHASING TOURIST ATTRACTION

I very much enjoy the racing when I go on trackchasing trips. However, I am not the type of person who would feel the trip was complete if I simply left home, went to the race and came back home.

I do a good deal of traveling. I want to do my best to see the local area when I come for a visit. There are usually unusual attractions that one area is noted for more than any other locale. I want to see those places. I want to touch them and feel them. When I leave an area, I want to have memories of these special places that I call Trackchasing Tourist Attractions. I will remember those experiences long after the checkered flag has fallen on whatever race I have seen that day.

New York City Broadway Plays – New York, New York

I suspect that the best and most famous live theatre is performed nightly in New York City. I was fortunate enough to see three popular shows in the two days I was in Gotham. It was just lucky that my trip included being here on a Wednesday. Most of the major theatres have Wednesday matinees.

I have long been a fan of “tkts” (http://www.tdf.org/). I never buy a ticket for any New York show at full price. Most Broadway theatre tickets sell for about $125. Most tkts show tickets sell for 50% off.

“tkts” has three locations in the city. One is at 46^th and Broadway in the heart of Times Square and the entire Broadway theatre district. At any given time, there are more than 25 different plays being offered. Credit cards are now accepted as well. They didn’t use to do that. In the summer, the lines to buy tickets can be long. We have waited nearly an hour on the worst summer days when the most tourists are visiting the city. However, this week, due to the winter season and the economy there were no lines at all.

I received a 50% discount on each of the shows I saw. My seat locations were simply outstanding. For my first show, I was in the center of the fourth row of the mezzanine (balcony). I couldn’t have been more than 60 feet from the stage in the small theatre. My second show at the much newer and larger Marriott Marquis theatre found me just four rows from the stage in the center of the theatre. My last show’s seat location was just seven rows from the stage and one seat off of the center section. What could be better than having great seats to three Broadway plays at 50% off the normal price.

I am not a theatre critic but will attempt to give you my take on the three productions I saw.

August: Osage County

http://www.augustonbroadway.com/

This is an original darkly comedic play about a totally dysfunctional family living in Oklahoma. The play features 12 characters that all “come home” during troubling times to add to the trouble. The dialog is snappy and realistic. I wasn’t surprised by the amount of “f bombs” dropped, but then I play golf. I was surprised somewhat by the fact that the play offered two intermissions and was about 3 ½ hours long. Nevertheless, since I wasn’t looking for a musical, it was probably the best entertainment, by a narrow margin of the three shows I saw.

RANLAY Racing Fingers Up Rating: 9 (out of ten)

Soul of Shaolin

http://www.soulofshaolin.com/

This production was direct from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in a limited engagement of just 24 performances at one of the newest theatres on Broadway at the Marriott Marquis theatre. This is described as a new Chinese martial arts spectacle. The story takes place in wartime in Chinese history. A young boy is separated from his mother and found by a Kung Fu monk from Shaolin Temple. As the boy grows up under the care of the monks, he is instructed in the unique ways of Shaolin Kung Fu. The action and stunts performed defy the imagination. It’s fully entertaining from beginning to end.

RANLAY Racing Fingers Up Rating: 8.5 (out of ten)

Speed the Plow

http://www.speedtheplowonbroadway.com/

The three person play stars Academy Award nominated William H. Macy (Fargo, Ghosts of Mississippi). He has appeared in more than 50 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. I have no idea what the show’s title means. The play offers a verbal “boxing match” centered on the eternal debate of art versus money. Having worked in corporate America I understood the dilemma. I like William H. Macy but didn’t fully appreciate him in this production. The plays supporting character, Raul Esparza, was outstanding and probably the best theatrical performer I have seen in long time. Raul is mainly a theatre actor, but appears on the TV show “Pushing Daisies”. The dialog was witty and fast, most of which I have already forgotten other than “Why is a nickel bigger than a dime? It just is!” I was surprised when this play had no intermissions. When the curtain went down after an hour and a half or so, I thought it was intermission. However, the play was over!

RANLAY Racing Fingers Up Rating: 6 (out of ten)

I wanted to avoid the musicals playing on Broadway. I’ve already seen most of them with Carol. These two dramas and the unique Chinese production were just what the theatrical doctor ordered. I can’t wait for my next trip back to the Big Apple.

Editor’s note: Not all of my theatrical reviews are original material. Some information is borrowed from more qualified sources.

My next Trackchaser Report (Andorra – Part 2, the Finale) will detail my adventures in Spain and Andorra including my trackchasing activities.

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

Randy Lewis

Alberta’s #1 Trackchaser

My iPhone is making my laptop seem like a boat anchor.

TRAVEL DETAILS

AIRPLANE

Los Angeles, CA – Chicago, IL – 1,743 miles

RENTAL CAR

O’Hare International Airport – trip begins

Weyauwega, WI – 205 miles

Marion, WI – 233 miles

O’Hare International Airport – 590 miles

AIRPLANE

Chicago, IL – New York, NY – 733 miles

World's #1 Ranked Trackchaser