Just got back last night from Florida where I visited my mom for Thanksgiving and have not had reliable internet access until now, but I wanted to just make a post on my first-ever trip to Columbus and an Ohio State game. Aside from witnessing the birth of my two kids, this was this most memorable experience of my life. I arrived Thursday at noon and left Monday morning around 10:00. EDIT: Added some info (in Navy below) about the night before The Game...the haze is finally lifting.
Day One (Thur): Arrived at noon and Scott (Hawaiibuckeye) picked me up. After dropping my stuff off at the Varsity Inn (not a bad place, actually), we headed out. Got to eat at Easy Living, the deli owned by Vlade Janakievski. Vlade is about the nicest guy you'll ever meet, and his Italian sub was one of the best I've ever eaten. It wasn't the last time we stopped by there. We then headed over to the Varsity Club, and if I recall it was not even 3:00 pm yet and the place was wall to wall. I got to meet fellow BP'er Bucktastic there...really great guy (ask him to show you his camera phone photo of his co-worker Maria
). After a "few" drinks we went around to a couple other places, including Damon's where we ran into the Denlinger family...really nice people.
Day Two (Fri): Got a call (from Scott or his friend Todd, was too sleepy to remember) about 5:30 am which said if I want to get the breakfast special at the Hall of Fame Cafe next door, I had better get up and get in line. I did, and the line was already down past the Bob Evans restaurant two doors down. Once I finally got in, it was a [censored]ing mad house. It was in their ballroom and game room area, and the ballroom was so packed you barely could move, and the game room area wasn't much better. It was like that for the five hours we were there. After that, Scott and I went to go get the keg of Blue Moon for the tailgate, and then we hit Easy Living again for subs. While there, I got to meet Brian Swartz (Grant's dad), aka LagunaSurf...a really great guy. After the meal, when we got into Scott's van we noticed three guys walking into the shop, and one looked just like Bob Davie, so I went in the see if it was him and if so, give him a "Go Penguins!" since he is a YSU alum. When I went back in, he and the two other guys were at the counter talking to Vlade, and one of the other two guys was none other then Mr Holy Buckeye himself, Brent Musberger (who looks like he should be drinking Ensure more he should than eating subs
). I didn't say anything as to not disturb Vlade's conversation. We then went out to the RV lot to drop off the keg, and I got to meet Doug Datish parents who were right next to Scott's friend Todd's RV. Wow, do the Datishes have a huge RV! I also met up with my friend buckeye68 and his entourage on their way to where they were going to RV. I can't recall right now what went on after that...
EDIT: Just remembered being outside at the VC Friday evening and meeting meeting members of Gonzo's family and chatting with his older brother Joe who played safety at Indiana. Joe really thought it was cool as hell talking to a couple guys from Hawaii (me and Scott both were shooting the breeze).
Day Three (Sat - Pre-Game): Scott was crashed out in his bud's RV after getting only one hour sleep the previous two days, so after breakfast, I decided to walk from my hotel (next to Buckeye HOF Cafe) out to the North RV lot (across from Jess Owens track stadium) at around 8:40 am. Probably not the smartest of moves, but it did give me a chance to take in some sites along the way and learn some of the area. After getting to Scott's RV around 9:30 or so and failing to wake his ass up, I met up with buckeye68 at the South RV lot to hang out awhile. BB73 was also there with, and Scooter was working traffic at the entrance to the lot, so I got to meet two more BP folks (Scooter also hooked me up with a BP T-shirt...mahalo, Scooter!). BB73 and I played bean toss against two teenagers (one wearing Michigan garb, the other Ohio State). After jumping out to a 11-4 (or so) lead, the Ohio State kid (playing beside me) got unconscious and started throwing half his shots in the hole...[censored]ing sandbagger.
They ended up winning something like 21-18. Seemed like every other RV group was playing bean toss...I need to get one for out here in Hawaii seeing as no one plays it. A little later, I went to check on Scott and he was finally up, so I helped him carry a bunch of Ray Mendoza small posters Scott had made to over by The Shoe (I got my exercise big time that day). On the way over, some kid called out to Scott and we stopped to talk for a few seconds...I thought he looked familiar at first and then Scott introduced me--to Josh Huston. Geez, Josh looked like he was 17 or something ([censored], I'm getting old). We got over there, dropped the stuff off and walked back to the RV lot (exercise theme coming into play here). I then walked over to where buckeye68 and BB73 moved (near Bumbrae Ave) for a bit before walking back over to the Lane Ave Bridge to meet up with Scott again. I took some photos of the sea of scarlet humanity before heading into the stadium...it was unreal.
Day Three (Sat - The Game): Between all the walking around and hanging out with two different folks I didn't get to the skull session like I had originally planned, but I did get up into the stands in time to see the ramp entrance and Script Ohio...totally amazing is all I can say. The seats buckeye68 got were B Deck, section 18, row 8, seats 21-26, which were on the visitors side around the north 40 yard line. A couple pillars did obstruct a little bit of the view when the teams were at mid-field, but other than that they were pretty good seats I thought. Everyone on BP saw the game, so I'll spare you the play-by-play. Suffice it to say--and buckeye68 is my witness--that every single play that Michigan had the ball--every single play--I was screaming my ass off. The next day I was totally hoarse and was hoarse until Wednesday. I pulled my load.
After our last play, I made my way down to the lower level and eventually, after about 15 minutes off pushing and shoving, made it to the field. I wandered from end zone to end zone...was probably on the field for about 30 minutes or so, just soaking it all in. I had the weird feeling the I had "arrived" as a hard core fan. Trust me, the 10,000-mile roundtrip and $3000+ cost was well worth it.
Day Three (Sat - Post-Game): buckeye68 was starting to feel a little under the weather and went back with his group, and Scott was busy talking photos on the field and there was no way I could locate him, so I walked back from the stadium to the RV lot where his friend's RV was to see if he had made it back. I waited a few minutes and figured he'd be busy for a while getting post-game shots, so I walked back to the hotel from the RV lot (did I mention that I got a lot of exercise that day?). I went over to the Buckeye HOF Cafe next door and had a couple of beers (my first and only beers of that day...I didn't want to chance having to miss any plays going to the restroom). Not the most exciting post-game ever, but just hanging at the bar watching the highlights and analysis of The Game was cool enough for me.
Day Four (Sun): Met up with buckeye68 and his group around 9:00-ish and bought them Sunday brunch buffet at the HOF Cafe (it was almost
too convenient being right next door). I figured since he gave me the ticket (no charge--he frickin'
gave it to me), I figured I owed him something. He'll be getting some chocolates from Hawaii in the mail fairly soon. I also bought the "scoreboard" T-shirt they had made up right after The Game. Afterwards, I met up with Scott and we went over to the building where the Alumni Association is headquartered to drop off some macadamia nut chocolates for Archie (he loves the stuff). He was in a meeting, so we couldn't deliver them in person, but he'll get them nonetheless. Later that evening I finally caught with osugrad21 to give him his mini bottle of Johnny Walker Blue I had promised I'd give him the next time we went to the NC game. We yakked for about 15 minutes out in the parking lot before he had to bail.
Day Five (Mon): Met up with Scott at Bob Evans and bought him breakfast for taking me out to the airport afterwards. I wore the "scoreboard" T-shirt I bought at HOF Cafe and got a few "Go Bucks" at the Orlando airport when I arrived there. Saw quite a few Buckeye fans and only one Michigan fan (had to give the guys props for wearing his gear after losing).
All in all it was well worth the time, effort, and money to go the The Game. Got to not only finally see a Buckeye game but also to take in the Buckeye "experience", along with meeting some former players, a current player, and several great BP members. Truly the experience of a lifetime. Come hell or high water, I
will be at every home Michigan game from now on.
Go Bucks!
Buckeye Football Is Life! 
Pittsburgh Steelers Rock! 
