Irish4Life09
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This might be kind of long,but I thought I'd share it with anyone interested.
For the first time in 15 years I was back in my mecca of South Bend for the Navy game. I moved away as a kid and have always been dying to come back,but never had the chance.
Friday Started out early on Friday morning, 5:30 to be exact so that I could get to campus in time to do the Tunnel Tour. It was supposed to be a 4 1/2 hour drive from Cincinnati, but due to traffic it ended up almost taking 6. After getting to my crappy Motel6 in Mishiwaka I headed over to campus at 12:30. Unfortunately my gps in my car failed me, and I ended up getting lost on the crazy streets on SB, only to show up just late for the tour at 2pm.Came back to campus later at 4:30 so that I could pick up a ticket for the game from the extra allotment Navy had returned.(Got an awesome seat in Sec.111,Row 4,directly on the 25.)Waited in line for an hour and a half for the Pep Rally and had a blast! Funny halloween costume contest and a great speech by Kelly and Harrison Smith,also by the walkon(who I can't remember his name.) Now my day turns to a roller coaster. I walk out to the library parking lot(where I believed I had parked) and there are almost no cars in the lot...I'm at a loss for words.I looked around for 15 minutes and couldn't find it. I track down a security guard and he very nicely offers to drive me all over the lots just in case, at the last possible place,once I've thought it's been stolen, it turns out I am retarded and completely forgot where I parked.lmao
However,thankfully the night got much better. Went to my favorite restaurant, Rocco's, for the first time in almost 2 decades, and besides the renovation it hasn't changed. Same amazing atmosphere, gracious hosts, and the most delectable food imaginable. It was so nice talking to the owners again, and telling them how much my family has loved that place.
Saturday
Woke up early so I could get over to campus early and get good parking.Ended up at Holy Cross which wasnt too bad price, and not too bad of a walk.
Walked all around the campus.Started off around the dorms and quads, then made my way over the the Basilica and the Grotto(where I had the nicest prayer for my dying great-uncle...It meant a lot that I could do that in such a special place.)Then made the short trek to the Golden Dome...got some amazing pictures on my FB if anyone's interested.
Then I just had to check out the new Ice Arena...WOW...very well done..(One thing I'm curious about,if anyone could answer, what is the deal with the new ND logos in the corners overhanging the ice?Very interesting.)
I then wanted to head over to Labar real quick to check out the tour before the Player Walk but the thunderstorm hit so I couldnt.After holding up in the Arena again until the storm ended, I went over to The Gug to see the players...got real close to all of them,with a good pic of Kelly and said hey to Harrison Smith.
Then I had my 1st of only 2 disappointments of the weekend,and don't hate me....but after what I've heard from everyone I was dying to try a KOC Steak Sandwich...so I go over and wait in line for an hour,was even nice enough to do the All-In for charity, and I got to taste the most delicious shoe of my life!...that was the toughest,rubberiest piece of meat I've ever tasted(that's what she said.)I was upset.
After that went straight to the stadium ('It was the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen.')
AMAZING GAME! F-18's flew directly over my section.That was a really cool start.Then just an all-around amazing game on all sides of the ball.
After the game I had to go over to my old stomping ground at Wings Etc....and this is where I had my second disappointment.I'm a big hot-wings guy, and honestly don't normally have trouble with hot sauces...I got their TNT wings which were only their 3rd hottest,and could only eat a few...wayyyy too peppery..oh well...still a cool atmosphere to watch the great Stanford/USC game.
Sunday
Woke up early and left the hotel.Had a few things I had to take care of.
Went over to my Dad and I's old home course at Morris Park.(still as beautiful as ever.) And got him a nice little gift. Then I just had to go to the College Football HOF.(I was always upset growing up because they literally opened the exact day we moved away from South Bend...such bad luck.) Wow that was fun...stayed there for 2 hours and still only saw about 70% of the stuff.That was cool.
Then I had to go to see my old home in Granger at Knollwood. Still so pretty over there.Then headed over to my old elementary school and had some great memories.Then drove back the 4 hour drive.
I just wanna say thanks to any of the great fans I met this week, the owners of Rocco's, and anyone else I might have befriended that were all so incredibly nice and friendly to me in my first home gameday experience with The Irish. It will always be a memory I'll never forget.
For the first time in 15 years I was back in my mecca of South Bend for the Navy game. I moved away as a kid and have always been dying to come back,but never had the chance.
Friday Started out early on Friday morning, 5:30 to be exact so that I could get to campus in time to do the Tunnel Tour. It was supposed to be a 4 1/2 hour drive from Cincinnati, but due to traffic it ended up almost taking 6. After getting to my crappy Motel6 in Mishiwaka I headed over to campus at 12:30. Unfortunately my gps in my car failed me, and I ended up getting lost on the crazy streets on SB, only to show up just late for the tour at 2pm.Came back to campus later at 4:30 so that I could pick up a ticket for the game from the extra allotment Navy had returned.(Got an awesome seat in Sec.111,Row 4,directly on the 25.)Waited in line for an hour and a half for the Pep Rally and had a blast! Funny halloween costume contest and a great speech by Kelly and Harrison Smith,also by the walkon(who I can't remember his name.) Now my day turns to a roller coaster. I walk out to the library parking lot(where I believed I had parked) and there are almost no cars in the lot...I'm at a loss for words.I looked around for 15 minutes and couldn't find it. I track down a security guard and he very nicely offers to drive me all over the lots just in case, at the last possible place,once I've thought it's been stolen, it turns out I am retarded and completely forgot where I parked.lmao
However,thankfully the night got much better. Went to my favorite restaurant, Rocco's, for the first time in almost 2 decades, and besides the renovation it hasn't changed. Same amazing atmosphere, gracious hosts, and the most delectable food imaginable. It was so nice talking to the owners again, and telling them how much my family has loved that place.
Saturday
Woke up early so I could get over to campus early and get good parking.Ended up at Holy Cross which wasnt too bad price, and not too bad of a walk.
Walked all around the campus.Started off around the dorms and quads, then made my way over the the Basilica and the Grotto(where I had the nicest prayer for my dying great-uncle...It meant a lot that I could do that in such a special place.)Then made the short trek to the Golden Dome...got some amazing pictures on my FB if anyone's interested.
Then I just had to check out the new Ice Arena...WOW...very well done..(One thing I'm curious about,if anyone could answer, what is the deal with the new ND logos in the corners overhanging the ice?Very interesting.)
I then wanted to head over to Labar real quick to check out the tour before the Player Walk but the thunderstorm hit so I couldnt.After holding up in the Arena again until the storm ended, I went over to The Gug to see the players...got real close to all of them,with a good pic of Kelly and said hey to Harrison Smith.
Then I had my 1st of only 2 disappointments of the weekend,and don't hate me....but after what I've heard from everyone I was dying to try a KOC Steak Sandwich...so I go over and wait in line for an hour,was even nice enough to do the All-In for charity, and I got to taste the most delicious shoe of my life!...that was the toughest,rubberiest piece of meat I've ever tasted(that's what she said.)I was upset.
After that went straight to the stadium ('It was the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen.')
AMAZING GAME! F-18's flew directly over my section.That was a really cool start.Then just an all-around amazing game on all sides of the ball.
After the game I had to go over to my old stomping ground at Wings Etc....and this is where I had my second disappointment.I'm a big hot-wings guy, and honestly don't normally have trouble with hot sauces...I got their TNT wings which were only their 3rd hottest,and could only eat a few...wayyyy too peppery..oh well...still a cool atmosphere to watch the great Stanford/USC game.
Sunday
Woke up early and left the hotel.Had a few things I had to take care of.
Went over to my Dad and I's old home course at Morris Park.(still as beautiful as ever.) And got him a nice little gift. Then I just had to go to the College Football HOF.(I was always upset growing up because they literally opened the exact day we moved away from South Bend...such bad luck.) Wow that was fun...stayed there for 2 hours and still only saw about 70% of the stuff.That was cool.
Then I had to go to see my old home in Granger at Knollwood. Still so pretty over there.Then headed over to my old elementary school and had some great memories.Then drove back the 4 hour drive.
I just wanna say thanks to any of the great fans I met this week, the owners of Rocco's, and anyone else I might have befriended that were all so incredibly nice and friendly to me in my first home gameday experience with The Irish. It will always be a memory I'll never forget.
