Another “fun” hangover!!

For those of you who have following along on this crazy journey of mine, I have had more than one “fun” hangover!   Well, prepare for another!!

From the minute I arrived in Louisville, (my hometown) for Derby week, it was non-stop fun.   Maybe that’s a little exaggeration, because I had to take a break in between activities, but it seemed like non-stop!

There was a birthday celebration on Tuesday night, the all-day Track fun on Wednesday, Pizza dinner on Thursday, Derby Eve appetizers and drinks on Friday, along with non-stop TV coverage of all of the Derby Eve parties that had left me off of the list.   Then came DERBY DAY!   The Saturday that many people celebrate on some level, the most exciting two minutes of horse racing.  

I intentionally got up early on Saturday to watch the day-long coverage that started early.   The news teams are all over the city, looking for the stories of Derby.   There are the reporters who are in the Infield at Churchill Downs.    These reporters remind me of the ones who are standing in the middle of the torrential rains as a hurricane prepares to hit land.   They are inviting themselves to the parties and finding the most interesting things to share with all of us.   I have always loved watching the buildup to the race.   There are stories of the jockeys, the horses, the trainers, and owners.   They show the races throughout the day and as the Derby race gets closer, you can feel the excitement building.   I had to stop watching at some point to get ready for the party that I was planning to attend.

I was invited to a great party being thrown by a good friend and let me tell you, she did not disappoint!   The weather was crappy…actually, worse that that.   “We’re in for a real soaker” were the words used by the weatherman.  But no one cared about that!   The party had all of the ingredients for success…bartenders, lots of traditional Derby food, gambling, and some of the most stylish men and women in the city!!   The outfits, known as "Derby Attire," were stunning!!   Fun, colorful and the hats and fascinators…SO.MUCH.FUN!

Side Note:  This Derby was so crazy with the disqualification of Maximum Security for the longshot, Country House, it caused a brief delay in the fun.   Who knew there were so many rules in horse racing?  I’m still not sure I totally understand what happened, but it was history in the making and we were there.  

We celebrated Derby in style and that included laughter, strangers becoming friends, and the realization that it would soon be over!   As we drove home from the party, I could feel the tears starting to come again.   The Derby Week fun was about to end.  

If you have never experienced Derby on some level (a party, the track, a mint julep), you need to just DO IT!!!     Take time off, go to a party, treat yourself to time at the Track, even go to Louisville at some point during Derby week to just get some of the flavor…the fever!   It’s like nothing I can explain.   You won’t be disappointed!   

I’m home now…putting Derby Week 2019 in the books.   Thanks to everyone who was a part of the week!   See you next year!