First Game of the Season

Last night was the first game of the season and excitement was high in the stadium. The setting of the sun brought with it a hint of crispness in the air, giving us hope that fall is on its way.

It has been ages since we last attended a high school football game. Our boys made the marching band this year, as 8th graders! The band director decided to let 8th graders audition and then put them through a rigorous band camp to see if they had what it took to march with the big dogs. It is a coveted position to be sure, and one shared with 13 other talented and committed 8th grade students as well.

Times have changed in our absence. The place was alive with activity and pomp. The teams had inflated little huts they ran out of, there were drill teams and bands and cheerleaders and mascots as far as the eye could see, not to mention the stands filled with cheering fans. It was impossible not to be caught up in the buzz.

The teams took their places on the field and the game began; our team didn't disappoint us. They played well and kept us screaming and cheering from our vantage points in the stands. The band did their part playing to the crowd. The cheerleaders followed their team on the sidelines with shouts of encouragement and glee. The mascot was a bit flat but it was a pretty warm night and I am sure the suit was stifling. Everything was thought of and even the concessions people were in the stands with goodies so you didn't have to miss a minute of the action.

Our team was up by 7 at the half and we were waiting with baited breath for the band to take the field. We watched the the other team perform their halftime show and enjoyed their efforts, but our real interest was in our own teams performance. We had seen bits and pieces of it over the past several weeks during practice.

They marched onto the field with what to us was perfect precision, and the drill team too, the show began.

We were trying to pick out our boys in the group, it is difficult when they all are dressed alike. This was the first time to see them in their full regalia too. We finally spotted them both only to have the show start and to lose them in the steps. The show was awesome!

They out shined the other band in complexity of the steps. It was wonderful, the drill team, the dance team, the band; all of it. The crowd went wild when they were finished. This years show looks to be a hit. They will continue to add to their show as the weeks go on, and I for one can't wait for the next one.

The players took the field after the half, entering again through their little huts to cheers, whistles and even an air horn. The excitement didn't end and our team went on to win 33 to 7, a fantastic start to the season.

We made our way out of the stadium, our faces beaming with excitement and pride. We decided that we would try and travel to away games, if our schedules allow, as we don't want to miss a minute of the action. What a GREAT First game of the season!

Texas to Michigan: Diary of a Road Trip

We decided to drive this year for our vacation. Since most of our extended family lives in Michigan it is a logical choice. The trip is long and grueling but worth the effort when we get there. What follows are notes I journal-ed during our trip; enjoy the ride.

Day 1: June 18, 2009
Left at 4:30 am . For a state the size of Texas there are relatively few freeways, especially in our neck of the woods, so the two-way traffic slows things just a bit. There are quite a few truck s on the road. Only in Texas, just south of Texarkana we find the craziest thing, there is a traffic light sort of in the middle of no-where and the speed limit drops from 70 to 55 in about 20 feet to get through the light. Makes no sense to me.
First gas up in Benton Arkansas, traffic has been surprisingly heavy even with the high cost of gas. Again, lots of trucks. Gas $2.59 per gal. We have two vehicles to fill, our middle daughter and her other half are following in my car. I will be returning home later than my hubby and them as the boys and I will stay a few extra weeks in Michigan with mom to help her with her booth at the Flea Market. At least we are on the freeway now and we can "hit it and get it" as my hubby says.
After a quick stop for a picnic lunch we are back on the road with me at the wheel. Hubby has decided to take a rest. The traffic is heavy across I-40 to Memphis, but I just cranked up the oldies and keep up with traffic.
Blytheville AR, stop for fill up, potty break for us and the dog, ice for cooler. Gas is $2.54 per gallon here. We were stationed here in the early 90's at Eaker Air Force base, where we lived until it's closure sent us further west to Arizona. We enjoyed living in AR, but are saddened at the dilapidated condition of the base as well as the town since we left. I think the closure of the base here had a pretty negative impact on the town.
There is a heat advisory today, not surprising in the Mississippi Delta. It is just like a sauna outside. I am thankful for AC in the car and feel a bit of sympathy for those who came before such luxuries and wonder how they could stand it. We are a spoiled bunch for sure. The hubby is back at the wheel after a nap. He was actually surprised we had gone so far as he slept. He was really sleeping hard, snoring and everything in the passenger seat. Ev and I were chuckling at him, and I just turned the radio up a bit to cover the noise.
The news says we may be in for some severe weather, but so far sunny and clear. The cotton is up and the corn is higher than the knees. All seems as it should be here in the southeast USA. We are getting ready to cross into Missouri for a short hop, then across the Mississippi River into Illinois, the "sort of" home state of our president. Traffic has thinned significantly, a welcome reprieve. Southbound lane remains heavy.The freeways in Arkansas east of Little Rock are in pretty rough shape, and I-55 N here in Missouri isn't much better. They have a road sign that reads…"The difference is you, Drive Safe." There is lots of debris and potholes on the road, but there is a mile marker every 2/10 of a mile!
A pit stop in Cairo Illinois; just over the Mississippi River, is a sad reminder of the economic climate. It is pretty shabby looking with many boarded up buildings and closed businesses. I did find a $5.00 bill laying on the ground next to the truck in a parking lot though! We decided to stop for the night in Mt Vernon Illinois, at the Red Roof Inn, they are pet friendly and have complimentary breakfast. We have Kirby along this trip, it is her first road trip and she has been so good. She hasn't eaten or drank much though.

Day 2: June 19, 2009
Woke up to gas being 20 cents higher per gallon! Overnight! Price is $2.78 per gallon. I guess we should have topped off last night. The freeway is still in rough shape, as well as medians and shoulders. The state over all in southern Ill seems neglected. It reminds me somewhat of one of my first trips to Mexico and a road trip there, their "freeway" system was in pretty poor condition. I can't help but think back to other road trips across this same stretch of highway. There is a grief, if you can call it that , sort of like the USA has fallen into serious disrepair, like an abandoned old building. It is a shame.
The roads further north, closer to Chicago, seem to be in better shape, as well as the medians and shoulders. Maintenance must be the responsibility of the counties for the most part. There are many farms in the area we are in, it is a nostalgic and comforting scene to see fields of wheat and corn as well as barns and silos along with farmhouses. I just saw a sign for Cumberland County, it is truly beautiful country.
The horizon ahead looks like we could possibly run into some of the weather we have been watching for. My guess is in Chicago. We just passed the mowers and got a nice big whiff of fresh cut grass. There are lots of "Burma Shave" style signs in this area of highway. We just passed ones that said, "Young thugs won't dare attack, if a teacher might shoot back." gunssavelives.com
Pit stop in Paxton Ill at a Casey's General store, very clean restrooms! Quite a picturesque little town. The storm seems to be looming larger on the horizon. We did run into some rain, just enough to clean our windshields and knock the dust off the car, God's carwash!
Huge Abe Lincoln standing on the side of the road holding a sign that reads "Annoy a Liberal, use facts and logic." in Kankakee. They like to make statements here LOL. Traffic in Chicago relatively light and no delays. Quick trip across I-80 through the corner of Indiana and up I-96 into Michigan and into the rain! Stopped at welcome center for a quick lunch under the maple trees.
Gas is $2.79 per gallon. Saw it for $2.89 in Indiana and as much as $3.05. The soaking at the pump is just in time for summer travel. I hope it drops some after the July 4th holiday. It is funny, we haven't lived in Michigan in over 20 years, yet there is a feeling of "coming home" just crossing the border. Our son in law is on his first trip to Michigan and it is exciting to be able to share the experience with him. I hope he still loves us after traveling 2 days and then the next 10 days "hanging" with family. My hubby describes it like being a puzzle piece put back in its place; at least for the time being-- then it will be back to home in Texas.
We missed our exit not paying attention and had to go about 5 miles out of our way to the next exit and get turned around. I think this is about 3-4 times we have done this on this trip alone. It has been quite a while since our last road trip and we are a bit rusty. Blue skies ahead, looks like we are driving out of the storm. We had to turn off the AC in the car because we got a bit chilly, another nice reprieve.
For the state of Michigan being so broke, the medians and shoulders are all mowed and there is very little debris on the roadways. The freeways are in pretty good repair too. I imagine we will need and alignment after this trip for sure. We were able to pick up a repair brochure at the welcome center that lists all areas of road construction and repair going on around the state, so we can compare it to our route and decide if we want to find and alternative route. We have 2-way radios in the cars so we can keep in touch with the kids behind us, it has made for a fun ride.
I guess I may have spoken too soon, I-196 at South Haven is terrible. We decided to go through Holland for a quick stop at the Wooden Shoe shop. US 31, the scenic route may not have been the best idea, traffic is pretty heavy and stop and go, oh well we are on vacation--right.
We are on the last leg of our trip. There are lot's of RV's and trucks pulling boats, it lets us know we are close to the water. I am thinking they must be gearing up for the holiday weekend coming in a couple of weeks.
We drive into Manistee, a quaint little Victorian town and it is a reminder of small-town USA and childhood memories from the 1970's. It is quite picturesque complete with a steeple in the distance rising up out of the trees.
A few miles further and we will arrive at our destination, the little house in the woods, along the banks of the Betsie River, where I spent a good part of my childhood, and where my mom still lives today. It will be home again for the next few weeks. Our families will gather and hugs and laughter will abound, as well as the exclamations of "I can't believe how much you've grown!" for the nieces and nephews. All the good stuff memories are made of. Let the vacation begin…