Great trip and even greater game...

Pam got me tickets for a football game at West Point as a Christmas present last year.  So I selected the Army-Boston College game, as that is the game (at least for the Cadets) that is just under the Army-Navy game in importance.  Granted, they certainly like to beat the Air Force Academy when/if  they can, but this game usually involves at least regional TV coverage and, given who BC plays throughout, provides them with a pretty good measuring device as to how they might fare against Navy.

So we drove over to NY, across the mountains in PA and it was well worth the drive alone.  The trees were changing colors and the sunshine really showed them off.  In the summer that drive is pretty much what I call "the LONG green mile" -- not much variation until you get high enough to look out over the mountains and valleys.  In the fall the trees really catch your eye and really make it enjoyable.

Once we got to West Point, and finally parked the Jeep, we walked up the hills to the stadium.  we have been there before, but not for a game.  The crowd was huge (seems both teams were 1-4 at the time) and the atmosphere was charged.  Part of the Corps was already in the seats and then one of the brigades marched onto the field for the National Anthem and the reception of the football team.  Lots of pageantry.  The cannons went off as the team took the field, and everyone waited for the sky diving team to jump out of the helicopter that was hovering above the field.  Just one catch -- it was very windy and there was a threat of thunderstorms that morning, so they cancelled that part.  Too bad.  There were lots of other "Army Things" going on all morning and lots for the visitors and parents to see.

The rain never showed up, and the Black Knights ended up winning the game in an exciting fashion, 34-31, leaving the Cadets and their families feeling very good, and the BC fans with nothing to do but return to their tailgating.

That evening we drove down to Brooklyn to stay over night with D, D, Q & B.  I must say, that drive which took us right thru the heart of NY was very busy.  4 & 5 lanes of traffic on each side, packed full of Saturday evening drivers with a slight rain in the dark was quite a thrill!  But we got there safely and had a very nice night and next day with them.

So, having gone to that game, I can now cross another item off my bucket list... cross one off and add three or four others.  Still got a ways to go , but making progress and getting to do lots of things.

Some time in the future, our children and grand children will think it strange that we would burn up a few gallons of gasoline just to go somewhere and see a game or a tree.

Hooah