A spur of the moment decision to drive to Walla Walla, Washington for Memorial weekend has led to another close encounter with a DNA cousin. As I write this, I’m tuned into the start of the Indy 500, an annual ritual regardless of where I happen to be in the world. Years ago while living in Indiana, I either went to the race or listened to it on the radio. In the Indianapolis area, there was a television blackout to encourage attendance, so if I wasn’t at the track, I was near a radio and to this day still prefer the Armed Forces Radio Network coverage. However, this morning I’m watching the first year of NBC television coverage from our hotel room.

After the first few laps, we’ll take the dogs on a “Schnauzerthon” and head to Pasco, Washington, about a half-hour drive from our Fairfield hotel in Kennewick. I’ve been invited to the home of a family that shares two DNA connections. I owe a strong debt of gratitude to the father, Terry, who provided the initial documentation that led me to the location of my suspected birth mother. He was my very first contact through the 23andMe website, and although we have talked on the phone several times and communicated through e-mail have never met until this morning. His son, Fred, also is a DNA match that I’m looking forward to meeting. My wife will join me on this monumental memorial weekend encounter that will hopefully lead to finding our connection on my Jerry Banister Family Tree. As much as we’ve both tried, we can’t find the genealogical links to our DNA ancestors. 

The Indy 500 must be in my Hoosier DNA. The start of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is a real rush, especially if you have access to the grassy area on the inside of the first turn. I’ve had this privilege on several occasions when I was involved in the marketing of the race – back in my working days. Sometimes, work has its benefits! This morning’s “Schnauzerton” was even more challenging since I once again forgot my running shorts and had to wear blue jeans. They get heavy in conjunction with pushing a 25-pound dog in a stroller. I only got in about two and a half miles but sustained “The Streak” at 3,801 consecutive days. After the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” and the green flag drops, I’ll grab a quick shower and we’ll head for Pasco for a close encounter of the DNA kind.

I enjoyed meeting my cousin and his family. Their home is in a beautiful setting amidst an orchard of cherries, and we sat outside on a beautiful morning so our dogs could freely explore the fenced-in yard. Nothing new was discovered about our connection, but my wife was intrigued with the similarities of our noses. As an adopted child, it’s always interesting to finally discover physical connections with your relatives. Terry believed that it was a “Carpenter nose,” based on pictures of his family. I showed him a photo of my alleged birth father and the resemblance of the eyes. There was a definite chemistry between us, but I felt that he would get along easily with any stranger, just as I often do. Both my wife and I thought he was a doppelganger for actor Dean Norris of Breaking Bad fame. I will continue to stay in touch.

As we left my cousin’s house for our wine tasting appointment in Walla Walla, I checked on the status of the Indy 500 and my closest connection to the race, Conor Daly. His mother and I continue to be good friends after we worked together for a few years in Indianapolis. His father is also a long standing acquaintance. Conor finished a respectable 10th today after flirting with the leaders most of the day. It will be a solid stepping stone for his career, as he continues to search for a consistent ride in the on-going Indy Car Series. Hopefully, he’ll secure something for the Portland race later this year.

After today’s close encounter, I’m now even more motivated to find the ancestral link between cousin Terry and myself. He’s identified as only a 4th cousin, but was such a big factor in my search for birth parents that he feels like much closer family. We’ll both put our “noses” to the ground and resolve the mysterious genetic bond that brought us together through 23andMe. Neither of us knew the other existed even three years ago, yet we’re living only a few hours apart, so consequently got the up close and personal chance for a hug. It’s indeed a small DNA world.