This is the first race....Shine...notice the clouds in the background.

The 45th Running of the Aiken Steeplechase....will be run RAIN or SHINE.  Well it turns out we had both, and a Thunderstorm no less.  In the 20 something years that we have been going to the races, it has NEVER poured down rain.  They decided to change the date this year, from the 3rd Saturday to the 4th Saturday...sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone!  Anyway, besides the rain, we had an amazing time. And I have to say it will be memorable...

oh,no here comes the rain....

This is part of the Parade of Carriages...hurry it is about to POUR!

She is holding on to her hat, becaue a big Clap of Thunder and lightning just happened!

And the the Rain....luckily we brought LoTS of umbrellas.

And the The Sunshine...and the fun resumes.

Until a couple of years ago, we had a jump right in front of our spot...but they took it away.  NOW we have all of the races start close to us...a small consolation, having the jumps next to us was VERY exciting, but dangerous.  We have seen many a jocky and horse hurt right in front of us.  Dangerous stuff.

There might have been a little bit of money exchanged...and a VERY happy little girl.

Turns out the way you win a race is to throw flowers onto the field before the race begins...if I had known that all these years I may be rich!  At least NOW we know the secret.

Someday soon I will write a post(s) about my beloved Town of Aiken.  These signs are not uncommon in a town where horses are still a huge part of it...

And dirt roads are still part of the downtown map.

Happy Monday! 

BTW: it is still raining here....at least it isn't snow, which I hear has fallen on my friends up north.