Taking the Long Way Home
We had originally planned to stay in Boston tonight and go see the movie, "The Squid and the Whale" but cancelled our hotel, chose to miss the movie and drove to Portland to get a two-hour head start on tomorrow's drive home instead.
Stopped at our favourite sports store - The Sports Authority - and bought an obscene amount of tennis balls for less than the price of a hamburger. Next stop, Gritty's Brew Pub for a Brown ale, sweet potato fries and a bowl game on the big screen instead of our usual haunt, Grannie's Burritos.
After our light supper we were off the the
Theatre on Exchange where, as luck would have it, "The Squid and the Whale" is playing. The theatre is a little 150-seater dump on Exchange street that shows the
coolest movies! There is only one screen and they play a succession of independant movies for one-week runs.
We just got back to the sweetest-little-deal-of-a-hotel in Portland, the Comfort Inn on Maine Mall Road, and we will sleep in as late as we want and probably make it home by mid evening tomorrow.
It's been an awesome trip. Go Chiefs! Goodbye Dick Vermeil! So long pulled pork sandwiches! Adios to the grass and hello to the frozen tundra tomorrow.
- Rik
Chiefs Last Game of the Season
Kansas City is an absolutely amazing city of football fans. The bus to Arrowhead stadium among all the Chiefs fans was the best way to go, being dropped off at the main gate. The stadium is absolutely incredible!
All of the parking lots are full of tailgaters with the smoke from the BBQ's making us hungry as soon as we arrive. Outside the stadium there are live bands, t-shirt giveaways, a Chiefs shop--and a genuine air of excitement.
Inside the stadium there is a variety of local food like pulled pork (YUM) and brisket. I've been to big stadiums before but none with the variety that Arrowhead offers. It's like a shopping mall going around the stadium.
The game was awesome! We had good seats in the lower section at the corner of the end zone. The fans are LOUD and very enthusiastic. My ears are still ringing tonight even though the game ended over five hours ago. The Chiefs
pummeled the Bengals 37-3. We were treated to three interceptions and, after every touchdown, we got to join in with the classic Chief's fan chant "We're gonna beat the crap outta you! YOU! YOU! You-You-YOU!!" The fans also finish the in-stadium announcer's calls with a resounding "FIRST DOWN!!" everytime there is one. Everyone was so into the game. It was especially nice to see Dick Vermeil coach his last game. The tears were flowing. ;-) Too bad the stupid Lions couldn't beat the Steelers...oh well, we enjoyed the game just as much as if the Chiefs had made the playoffs.
Now that we've finished our pesto-chicken-mediterranean and refried-bean pizzas, it's time to get packed for the 7 AM flight to Philly and then Boston. It's a drag to leave Kansas City because we've had so much fun.
This is the best Christmas present I ever got!
- Rik
