Sunday was a very busy day...
Sunday was a very busy day. We started with the reason we came to this wonderful winterland--the competition itself! Luckily for me I did not have to get up for the 6:40 a.m. warm up practice for the compulsories. Colin and Kate were fine going over there without us parents dragging along. So, the rest of us had a light breakfast and before we knew it the time had come to head to the Xcel Energy Center. It was incredible to be sitting in this big arena and seeing your child up on the Jumbotron. All the novice skaters looked so professional in the Tango outfits! There was a nice small crowd that had come to watch and the audience was very generous with their applause for all the teams. It was also fun to watch the kids in the kiss and cry area with their coaches after they skated. After all was judged and placed, I thought the event went well and it looked like all the skaters enjoyed the experience. I know I did!
So, it was off to find food. We actually ventured outside and went to the famous McGovern's Tavern. We got a good a tip that if you leave from gate 2 of the arena you will be closer to the bar. Well we did and it was still breathtakingly cold outside. Now, I read the comment on my last blog entry from Sara and she was right! The hot turkey sandwich was incredible. So was the Guinness! Yes, I finally had the drink I was looking for. Sara, you win a million dollars for being both the first to comment on the blog and second for giving the great tip about McGoverns. However, trying to collect your prize from a skating parent will be like getting water from a stone!
After lunch it was back to the arena to watch the novice ladies. My favorite, Gretchen Donlan, had a great skate! She is just so smooth on the ice!
Then back to the hotel to catch the Pats game. They WON! Off to the Superbowl again! We New England fans are just very lucky. Had a few beers and got to meet some of the moms from the Delaware crew. They are really nice and it was fun to compare notes and share stories as parents of skaters.
Off to dinner and Kate's Mom, Michelle, found a great bistro that we could get to from the sky walk. We were able to watch the beginning of the Giants/Packers game. Dinner was great and then we were off to the arena again to watch the novice men's short program. We did walk outside and guess what? It was still cold. Go figure!
It was an interesting dilemma that the U.S. Figure Skating staff had. Between events they had put the Giants/Packers game on the Jumbotron. Now, the men's event was due to start and all the judges were announced. There was only 4 seconds left in the game, so they decided to wait until the game was over. The game was tied 20-20 and the Giants were about to kick a filed goal. The whole arena was one the edge of their seats!
Then the Packers called a time out!
Oh no! The skating had to start so they turned off the game! Immediately all the men in the crowd sprinted to the bar. What a difference in these two sports. Imagine if in figure skating you could call a timeout with 4 seconds left in your program?? I am sure the skaters would like to sometimes.
Anyway, the Giants won the game in overtime, and I still was able to cheer for Ross Miner who skated an awesome surfer dude short program.
Well the day was over. Back to the hotel and a late night dip in the hot tub with--of all people--the pheasant hunter guys. Yup! They were there talking about the migration patterns of quails vs. pheasants. All I know is that I could not track these birds even if I had the TomTom GPS--or a TomTom turkey for that matter.
Gobble gobble!
So, it was off to find food. We actually ventured outside and went to the famous McGovern's Tavern. We got a good a tip that if you leave from gate 2 of the arena you will be closer to the bar. Well we did and it was still breathtakingly cold outside. Now, I read the comment on my last blog entry from Sara and she was right! The hot turkey sandwich was incredible. So was the Guinness! Yes, I finally had the drink I was looking for. Sara, you win a million dollars for being both the first to comment on the blog and second for giving the great tip about McGoverns. However, trying to collect your prize from a skating parent will be like getting water from a stone!
After lunch it was back to the arena to watch the novice ladies. My favorite, Gretchen Donlan, had a great skate! She is just so smooth on the ice!
Then back to the hotel to catch the Pats game. They WON! Off to the Superbowl again! We New England fans are just very lucky. Had a few beers and got to meet some of the moms from the Delaware crew. They are really nice and it was fun to compare notes and share stories as parents of skaters.
Off to dinner and Kate's Mom, Michelle, found a great bistro that we could get to from the sky walk. We were able to watch the beginning of the Giants/Packers game. Dinner was great and then we were off to the arena again to watch the novice men's short program. We did walk outside and guess what? It was still cold. Go figure!
It was an interesting dilemma that the U.S. Figure Skating staff had. Between events they had put the Giants/Packers game on the Jumbotron. Now, the men's event was due to start and all the judges were announced. There was only 4 seconds left in the game, so they decided to wait until the game was over. The game was tied 20-20 and the Giants were about to kick a filed goal. The whole arena was one the edge of their seats!
Then the Packers called a time out!
Oh no! The skating had to start so they turned off the game! Immediately all the men in the crowd sprinted to the bar. What a difference in these two sports. Imagine if in figure skating you could call a timeout with 4 seconds left in your program?? I am sure the skaters would like to sometimes.
Anyway, the Giants won the game in overtime, and I still was able to cheer for Ross Miner who skated an awesome surfer dude short program.
Well the day was over. Back to the hotel and a late night dip in the hot tub with--of all people--the pheasant hunter guys. Yup! They were there talking about the migration patterns of quails vs. pheasants. All I know is that I could not track these birds even if I had the TomTom GPS--or a TomTom turkey for that matter.
Gobble gobble!
2 Comments:
I'm so glad you found McGovern's and enjoyed it already! And I didn't even remember to tell you about their turkey sandwich! That's their specialty. :)
Enjoy the rest of your stay and again, best of luck to your child!
Jim, This is just so fun to be able to follow along with your adventure!
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