Virginia Tech 08
Live Road Trip/Tailgate Updates
Well here we go. The first ever live Tailgate/Road Trip Tailgate. Hopefully this works out all right. We are currently on 97 North, actually now getting on to 32 west. The plan is to outflank the DC traffic by going up to Frederick, then down to Harpers Ferry and then into the Valley. Once there it will be one long stretch of 81 for about...well forever.
So a quick story. Last night was probably the closest I have ever come to soiling myself. I don't know what the weather was like in your neck of the woods but in Denton it was pitch black, raining, and winds gusting to probably 30 mphs. As I was loading my golf clubs into my car the sound of the wind howling was interrupted by a huge explosion, then another then another. Before I knew it I was running up the steps yelling "KKKrrrrriiiiiiiissssstttttiiiiiinnn!" like some school girl calling for her mother (god I hope my daughter is more of a man than I). But as I was fleeing the scene I figure out that a tree had fallen. I got a flash light to look at what happened and I could see the tree. I couldn't see the top of it, but if I was some hippie tree hugger, and went to embrace it at it's base, I would not have been able to get my arms around it. So basically in the middle of a storm a giant tree snapped about 35 yards from where I was standing and luckily fell away from me at a 45 degree angle. But for those who have not witnessed a giant tree snap, there is nothing to describe that horrible sound, and add in that I couldn't see what was going on, it was quite a shot of adrenaline. I tried to think for a moment if that was an omen or not for the trip, but then since nothing bad or good really happened, I figured it was just a tree falling.
We are now almost to Columbia getting ready to cross 95. So far not much to note. I did leave my cell phone in my car and we had to go back to get it, so boo on me for that. But that was only 4 minutes into the trip. I will update before too long, actually I will try to update a lot, after all it's better to type than have to talk to Chris and Brian.
Oh and I almost forgot. Brian is actually driving. I guess my theory that his license was suspended is starting to loss steam.
I See Mountains!
We are now in Frederick and making a turn toward the southwest (the lap top is sliding off my lap as I write!). Before we get too much further into these re-caps I should point out that Chris picked us up a nice mini van for the trip. He will post a picture later. But I just wanted everyone to have an idea how "un-cool" we look as we head to Blacksburg. In the meantime since I last updated, I conducted a survey in the car. The question was "Are you upset that California is ranked a head of Maryland?". The results were Yes 3-0.
Also there is a big game this weekend in the world of Fantasy NCAA Football, Bob W's "Beauty School Drop Outs", lead by Colt McCoy are taking on Chris's "Bix's Heisman Hopefuls" lead by Chanse Daniels, in a semi final match up. There are no playoffs in the real NCAA, but luckily there are in fantasy football. So to celebrate this HUGE showdown, we had Brian break down our teams. According to Brian, Bix had the advantage in QB, and I had the advantage in Running Backs, and then that is pretty much were the breakdown ended since he hadn't heard of any of our WR's, TE's, or K'ers.
Also and I damn near forgot to mention this. I will be making my professional writing debut in the November 25 edition of the Delmarva Farmer. Now I don't know if that techincally makes me a "professional", but I'll say it does because after all I was getting paid while I wrote it. Actually it isn't written yet, but it will be shortly. I have to turn it in by November 20th. I'll keep everyone posted, and if we have an event after the publication date, I will be more than happy to sign anyone's copy for them!
In travel news we just crossed the mighty Potomac into Virginia, and now we are crossing into West Virginia. Soon we'll be back into Virginia.
Natch!
Well, I just got a call from my wife. I am just outside of Winchester Virginia, my bag however is in my bed room in Denton, Maryland. I guess I was a little too excited to leave this morning. Anyway, I am a run away candidate for the Anti-MVP award. Luckily Bix and Brian have some extract clothes, and I at least have my gloves.
Anyway just some things to point out. Outside of Harpers Ferry WV, you can get townhouses starting in the 100's! They are nice ones to. I was trying to talk Brian into selling his and buying 3 up here and just cutting a doorway into the wall to make one giant house. I don't think I was successful though.
Let's see some other observations, people in the Shenandoah Valley really like those one story ranch houses, they are everywhere. Another thing, I'm not an Advertising Genius, but we saw a billboard, facing southbound traffic no less, advertising the Slots in Dover Downs about 5 miles away from the Charlestown Races and Slots. (By the way I guess the owners of those two places had their rears pucker up with the OVERWHELMING passing of slots in Maryland, parties over guys!). But who is going to drive the whole way to Charlestown, see the Dover sign and say, hey let's turn around and go back there. Now maybe it is so that the next time those customers are looking to play slots they'll think of going to Delaware, but as much as they like to think, slot parlors are not full blown Casinos, most customers are going to go to the closest spot, not the fanciest.
I guess that is all for now, I got to get back to collecting lint out of Brian and Chris's bags so that I can knit a nice sweatshirt for tonight.
Oh and for those following on the map, we are 10 miles north of Woodstock VA.
I Can See Mountain Tops!
The main story in the last hour or so (other than the mocking I received from forgetting my bag) has to be the lifting of the weather. As the title of this post indicates, the clouds are lifting. The wipers are now off and a few patches of blue sky can be seen off to the west. We also passed the site of tomorrows golf outing a few miles back (New Market if you are following on your map!). It is going to be me and Brian vs. Bix. Our team gets to use our best score between the two of us, and Brian is getting 27 strokes from Chris. I like our chances. The winner gets a piece of merchandise of their choice in the 15-20$ range. If Bix wins he gets two things, if he loses he owes 2 gifts.
Also we opened up a new section on the message board called "Ask the Mini Van". If you have a question for us, post it on the message board, and we will answer it in the blog. And our tech geek has told us that there is an issue with posting pictures, that is why the last update took a little bit. We will have to add pictures at a later time.
So keep checking back, we are trying for 100 hits today!
Brunch Break!!
We just got back in the car, or van I should say from Chic-Fil-A. I got the breakfast burrito and Chris and Brian waited the extra ten minutes for lunch. We are making pretty good time. Anyway, as I was waiting for those two to get their chicken strips, I mentally went over some figures from our trip. Here is what I got:
2- The number of breakfasts I've had today
4- The number of times Chris has mentioned his trip down here for his parking ticket
1- Number of VA Tech Fans Brian High-Fived in Chic-fil-a.
0- The # of toothbrushes I just realized I would have tomorrow AM, can't borrow that from Chris or Brian.
1- Number of Biggie Smalls songs played so far (what the hell is going on up in that front seat?)
1- Number of Cars full of Maryland fans's we've passed so far.
4- Number of VT cars we've passed so far.
2- Number of breakfasts I've had today that featured Chicken
10,000- Number of cows I've seen today
0- And perhaps the most important number of all, the # of speeding tickets so far (knock on wood).
5- The updated number of VT cars we've now passed.
1- Number of near hockey fights that broke out in the Chic-fil-a bathroom
OK, I see we have some questions.
1. The toothbrush- As you see above, I just thought of that. I'm thinking I may swing by a Wal-mart at sometime. I'll go brushless before I would borrow, for the record.
2. The beds....hmmm good point. Brian said he F'ed up his shoulder in Atlantic City so he's is definitely in a bed. I guess the Chivalry list goes Pregnant women, children, regular women, then 31 year old men with bum shoulders. We'll put this question down as undetermined.
3. As for the last question, all were remembered. Now the debate in the van is at what point in my trip would it be worth going back to get my bag. I say 15 miles in, after that, it's forgotten.
Also just a heads up, we are having some trouble posting these updates. We are trying to keep them coming hot and heavy, but the server has other plans. Hopefully we can work this out and get a little quicker.
Getting Closer
As you may or may not be aware, we are having a terrible time with the server. Hopefully once we get into town that will be resolved. As it stands now we are a mere 8 miles from Christiansburg which is where our hotel is. I think we left Annapolis (the 2nd time) at 7:30 and it isn’t even 12:30, pretty good time. Good work Brian. The ride has been very pleasant, there isn’t a cloud in the sky at this point. The trees are also very colorful, or as we would say in my High School German Class “Die Baume ist bunt”. Three years of German, and that last sentence is about all the use I got out of it.
As for our surroundings, let there be no doubt about it now, there are VT cars all over the place. We are strongly outnumbered, but not discouraged. We talked on the ride down about how nice it is for Tailgating purposes that our school isn’t in the middle of no where. Imagine if you lived in Northern Virginia and were a VT Alum, how many times a year would you want to make this trip?
Anyway, I see we have some questions, so let’s get to it. Reader J from Mt. Airy writes:
What is our ETA?
Well J from Mt. Airy, I think we are pretty much there. It is only a matter of how far Christiansburg is from Blacksburg, I’m guessing less than 15 miles, but again I don’t know for sure and I don’t have the map in front of me, but we are practically there (Don’t worry that won’t stop the updates)
Ah I see we have another question. This one also comes from J in Mt. Airy, J writes:
What is your MPH right now?
Well J, actually we are getting gas so the answer would be 0. We have tried to stay under 80 though I know there are times Brian has been gunning it at 86. I guess we have learned nothing from Chris’s previous experience.
And our final question comes from J in Mt. Airy. J writes:
Has anyone seen an Alaskan License plate?
Well J, I’m assuming you mean today. I have seen them in the past, but to answer your question, no I have not seen one today, in fact a huge majority of plates I’ve seen today have been MD, VA, and PA, a couple odd balls like a Florida, but not as much diversity as you would expect on an interstate.
Anyway, thanks for reading J, and for all those out there, keep those questions coming.
Bob’s
Luck Turning?
First and foremost, we may have the internet posting issue finally resolved,
sorry about all of that. And also the good folks at the Holiday Inn Express
bailed me out and provided me with a complimentary toothbrush. Sure it only has
about 10 bristles, but it’s better than nothing. In other news I have raided
Chris’s remaining clothes and found enough warm weather gear to get me through
the night. Luckily he had to pack for the whole weekend and not just the next
36 hours. Of course I’ll be impersonating Chris tonight, much like the night
Tim impersonated me back on Columbia Avenue, it just won’t be nearly as
humiliating!
Anyway, we’ve got some questions to address.
The first one is a phone in from Jill in Annapolis. Jill wants to know:
How come there was no mention of me picking up that spare when we went bowling
last Friday, I thought that would have been a great addition to last NC State
Recap?
Well Jill in Annapolis, what can I say, I dropped the bowl, but it was
impressive. You don’t see many bowlers pick up that shot. Good work, I hope I
can someday make it back on to your X-mas card list.
Jason in Calvert County writes:
Remember the last time we went to Va Tech and Matt L threw up the whole way
home?
Of course I had to paraphrase that last question, it was just too difficult to
re-live the entire experience. But don’t fear Jason, I don’t know what all the
historical markers in the Shenandoah Valley say, but I can pick out every spot
we had to pull over on that fateful day. In fact I often think of that trip and
wonder “Would I rather had Maryland win and me be the one puking the whole way
home, or would I rather have lost and not been sick?”. To this day I can’t
answer. I’d like to say I’d take one for the team, but as anyone who knows me
already knows, I’m not too good at being sick.
Well we are all checked into the hotel, and are now on Campus. It’s time to go
to lunch and grab some beers. The next few recaps will probably be under the
influence of alcohol, so if you are a stickler for grammar, you may want to
avoid them!
Lunch Time
We went to Sharkey's and and had a wonderful meal. Another meal of chicken for
Bob. We had wings, and ordered some sandwiches to go. Bob made us order some
girly man heat wings. We are en route to a lot.
Little factoid. Sharkey's serves beers that are 32 ounces. 3 32 ouncers are
$13.50. My wife gets martini's in Boston that cost more than that.
Excitement level is rising by the minute. Bob is still waiting to find out what
my surprise is.
A quick answer to a question from J. in Mt. Airy:
How much is a gallon of regular:
We filled up at $2.14 a gallon. Not bad.
For our next question we again go to J, in Mt. Airy:
Will PPK be played?
No, lots look to full. I don't think we would be looked upon to kindly for
banging into cars.
We are going to try and update this.
Tailgate Ho!
The tailgate has begun. Sure it is only the three of us, but a tailgate is a
tailgate. But before I go any further, I just want to say, Va Tech sucks. I’m
sorry there is no way about it. Sure the people are nice to us, but they aren’t
opening the lots until 5:00! Can you believe that, even at Maryland they let us
in at 4:00. It’s funny because after WWII I thought all the Nazi’s fled to
Argentina, but apparently a lot of them made it to Blacksburg and got jobs on
the Tailgate planning committee. Fortunately for us, they don’t guard the
enterances very well and as a result I am submitting this post in an illegally
parked Vehicle in some God forsaken Lot.
Also the surprise has been revealed. Chris made or somehow obtained the game
where you throw the golf balls tied together at the pvc pipes. I don’t know all
the rules yet, but I really don’t need to in order to know that Brian is killing
him. Anyway, a pretty good amount of MD flags, but for the most part we are
surrounded by Hokie fans. This game should be pretty intense, I just hope the
Good Terps team shows up, and not the one at the NC State, Middle Tennessee, and
UVA game.
This just in. Brian won the inaugural ladder golf game 21-4. Wow, that’s pretty
decisive.
I guess that is all for now. Party on!!
Damn
this server posting is bringing me down. For those still reading, we are still
tailgating obviously. Not too much to report unless you count Chris running
around franticaly yelling "Where are my balls!". Of course he was talking about
the golf ladder game, but it still sounds funny. Speaking of the golf game,
Brian beat Chris, Chris beat me, and I beat Brian. So we have to go again, but
then again, what else do we have to do? That's all for now.
Uh this just in, Brian beat Chris again. Bix is on the ropes.
MAJOR
ANNOUNCEMENT....MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
This is perhaps the greatest moment in D7 HISTORY!! You won't believe what
happened. Chris muscled us into a game of flip cup against a bunch of Hokies.
They billed it as the Hokie All Star Team against the loser's from Maryland. As
good guests do, we allowed them to set the rules. Because we were short a person
(it was 4 on 4) we borrowed this Chick named Raine to join us in our holy
venture. Since she was a Tech fan from Reston VA, we gave her a new identity as
some girl from Snow Hill.
We played like Warrior Poets, we played like Scotsman, and in the end the
Marylanders won their independence. Would you believe the first series 4-0, and
second series 4-0? Because that is what happened. It wasn't even close, I don't
think we ever had a match where the closers were head to head. They didn't know
what hit them, the were mad, they were angry, they were in disbelief! It was un
real. Now I'll admit, I have struggled as of late, and I have seen days were
Chris and Brian have struggled (can't speak for Raine) but I have never seen the
three of us play flip cup like that. It was if we were touched by the hand of
God! They just about did a we're not worthy chant as we exited on cloud 9.
I just want to say this bit of good fortune is in part to everyone who has
pushed any of us at the flip cup table. In times like these I like to use my
favorite Shakespeare Quote. "We few, we lucky few, for whoever sheds his blood
with me today shall be my brother, and other's back in England lying in their
beds will curse that they were not here and value their manhood as cheap because
they were not with us on this day".
That is kind of lengthy and maybe Chris just said it best "I wouldn't believe
what happened if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.". This is truely D7
Tailgates finest hour!!!!!
EAT IT TECH!!!!
THE
MORNING AFTER
Well we just left the Waffle House in Christiansburg heading for New Market were
the "Friday Golf Match after a Thursday Night Game" Tradition is being upheld by
Chris and I. I'm actually pretty optimistic, I've played in 3 of these and
currently sit at 0-3, but I think the addition of that savy Snively kid, I'm
going to turn the corner this year.
As we are all painfully aware the game was a pretty big disappointment. Not as
bad as our last trip to Blacksburg, but still disappointing. I thought in the
third quarter we'd be able to pull a Clemson on them, but they withstood our
rally. I'm starting to wonder if we are ever going to win down here. Anyway the
post tailgate was pretty uneventful. The lots were a ghost town except for the
people a couple spots down from us. They were pretty cool and offered us Vodka
and beer (we declined both thank God). The one kid was actually an Ag major so
Chris and I mentored him in his future in America's Number One Industry. In a
way it was like looking back into the past, this poor kid was trying to figure
out how he was going to make it through organic Chemistry, I think we've all
been there right J?
So overall the trip was a great experience, as most road trips tend to be. The
game wasn't what we wanted, but as the Rolling Stones say "You can't always get
what you want". We'll keep the updates coming and will definitely summarize the
golf outing. But for this post I am going to end it with what I think is one of
the quotes of the trip. Of course I'm the one who said it so you know it will be
full of wit and insight!
Brian: How do you go to Waffle House and not order a waffle?
Bob: I didn't order a house either.
Brian: Good point.
This is a second attempt at the golf outing recap. I had written a wonderful recap, only to lose it when I hit submit because I had lost the internet connection! Dagger.
This was the Third Annual Post Thursday Night Football Game Golf Outing. In the past, it has only been Bob and I, and we play for $20 in merchandise from the pro shop. So the match was Brian and Bob against Me. They got to play their best ball, and Brian got 27 strokes. We selected the Shenvalee Resort. It was a great venue for this trip, and broke up the ride home very nicely.
The first hole started out with me getting a birdie on the par 5. I thought I was in for an easy day on the course. That quickly changed on the second when Brian drained a slick down hill 20 footer for a 4 (net par). The putt almost ran out of steam as it got to the edge to only taunt me before dropping in, as Bob leapt at least 2 feet in the air, exposing his belly. I knew it was on. That seemed to energize the whole day. I won the third hole with a bogey as Brian and Bob both posted scores they would rather not have posted on the site. The fourth was won by Bob as he bogeyed the par 3 to tie things up. This match was getting more serious. The 5th was halved by all parties with bogies or net bogies. The sixth was halved as Bob and I recorded pars. The seventh was also halved as I pared and Brian made a bogey (net par). The 8th was again halved as Bob and I bogeyed. The 9th was halved as I had a double bogey 6 and Brian had an 8 (net 6). So the front 9 ended all square. The match was very even, and some shoddy putting by everyone kept some holes halved.
The 10th was a par 5 that was won by Brian as I missed a gimmie birdie after Brian had par net birdie. So they held a one up advantage. The 11th was halved with bogies by Bob and I. The 12th was also halved as Bob and I made Bogey. The 13th was halved as Bob and I again bogeyed the hole. The 14th is the hole I will look back on as the turning point for me. A nice down hill 501 yard par 5. I hit a titanic drive, and it was in the fairway for once, and then an 8 iron to about 15 feet for Eagle. I would 3 jack the green for a par as I blew the first putt nearly 10 feet past. Brian would make a double bogey for the net par. This was my chance to tie it up, and I let it slip away. Brian would win the 15th with a double bogey (net par) over my bogey. I was now 2 down with 3 to play. This was a short par 4, and I was in excellent position just short of the green after the drives. Bob pulled out a clutch 9 iron to about 12 feet. After I finished playing hockey around the green with my wedge, he would go on and sink the birdie to put the dagger in my heart, thus ending the match. Now we are all aware there was $20 in merch available. Bob would select a Sky blue Titleist hat, while Brian selected a black Callaway hat. But that did not conclude the golf. With our competitive nature, we couldn’t play the last two holes for fun. We decided the winner would get his dinner purchased for him at Johnny Appleseeds in New Market, VA. A great local home cooking place. So Bob would get one stroke, Brian 2. The 17th hole, or first of our Two Hole tournament for dinner was a long par 3. Brian smoked a 5 wood over the green and directly behind a pine tree. Bob hit a 3 wood short, and I hit a 6 iron on. I would make my par, Bob would make his bogey, and Brian made a great double considering he had to pitch out from behind the pine tree in the opposite direction of the pin. So we were now going to our last hole for all the marbles, and it was going to be straight up. All the strokes were used to even up the previous hole. It was my advantage as it was a 310 yard par 4. Bob put his out there just a bit left, but in good position. Brian hit his best shot of the day, when it mattered most. He launched a dead straight, 295 yard drive right in front of the green. I then hit my drive pin high, but a good 45 yards right. After second shots where neither of us found the putting surface we were all chipping our third shots. Brian rolled his putt from the fringe to about 4 feet. Bob got his chip to about 8 feet, and I left mine way short, but I still felt I could make it. Well I didn’t. I made a nice run at it, but it just didn’t fall. Bob’s effort was also missed. It left it up to Brian. He had performed well all day. He was looking at a free meal. He stepped up, and rammed it in. The par was good enough to pull it out. It was a great day. The weather was near 80, a nice fall day in the mountains. We really couldn’t have asked for more. We all played fairly well, except for a few putting disasters, it was a well played round. Be sure to check out all the pictures and videos. We have pics of the the new hats, Brian in front of the 20’ Talking Johnny Appleseed, and some videos from the course.