I suppose, technically, that the Summer of Herbie is complete. We're past Labor Day, football has begun, my fall classes have started, and the window for fun weekend adventures has all but closed for the time being. The flurry of activity of the past 2 weeks left me laid up on the couch with a cold last week. Of course that gave me a chance to catch up on my reading - exciting topics like cash flow statements, leadership traits, and virtual business teams.
The extended Labor Day weekend was a fitting end to the adventure that was the Summer of Herbie. Thursday night, the Bulldogs kicked off the 2008 season. I could do the math and figure out how old the current crop of 'Dogs were when the magical 1997 championship season happened, but why bother? That's too depressing. In any case, the annual crosstown matchup with Kent City proved exciting. The Dogs took an early lead and threatened to score again to go up 14-0, but a roughing the kicker penalty got in the way. The Eagles punched in 2 TD's in the second quarter and the hosts took a 13-7 lead into the half. A strong effort by the Dogs in the 2nd half provided for a comeback victory, by the score of 20-13, despite a 31:00-17:00 disadvantage in the time of possession.
Friday night, I weighed my options - go to the beach with my lovely wife, go golfing with my friends, have a bonfire and BBQ in the backyard....and decided instead to hang drywall on the ceiling of the project house basement with my dad. Neither I nor the dust that collected in my ears, nose, and eyes can fully describe the excitement that ensued.
Saturday morning, I was back for more, although I got the slightly more desirable task of installing baseboard trim. The joys of nailing straight boards on curved walls really need to be experienced to be comprehended.
Saturday afternoon and evening, fantasy football took center stage. After a thoroughly enjoyable 9-hole scramble at the Creeks, we gathered for the draft at Flem's new pad. We had waited all summer, and finally, RAFFLE 2008 was to begin. Ambassador Flem and myself (the Commish) put on quite an event, aided significantly by Skot's food contributions and Silly B's grilling expertise. The Herbie Community College Walkin' Colonels (we walk because it hurts too much to run) had an excellent draft and ended up right where we wanted to be on the draft board, with Tony Romo and Terrell Owens as our first 2 picks. The night was capped by swearing at the Spartans losing to Cal and floor pong in Flem's garage.
On Sunday, after moving slowly for much of the morning, we left on our true Labor Day weekend adventure. We packed up the tent, air mattress and cooler, hoping for sunshine and an available camping site once we got to our destination in southwest Michigan. Along the way, we hit up some beautiful wineries along the
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Stops at Fenn Valley, Contessa, and Karma Vista proved relaxing and provided both wonderful views and cheap wine. For once, I don't have pictures, but we do have two bottles of wine left - and I'm not sure which is more surprising.
Sunday evening, we stopped in Bridgman, at Weko Beach, hoping to find the aforementioned campsite. And what do you know - site 39 was still available! A stop at the local gas station for ice, fire wood, and marshmallows later, and we were in business. Going for an early morning stroll on an empty beach the next day was very cool. And seeing some of the RV setups on the walk to the showers were pretty entertaining. I'm pretty sure the folks with the table and chairs, astroturf, multiple oscillating fans, full wet bar, and flamingo yard ornaments were staying for more than one night. Our packup was a little less complex, and soon we were rolling down I-94 on our way to meet Beebe & his friend to carpool to the Cubs game.
After arriving in Chicago around 11:00 AM local time (for a 3:00 PM game) and parking in the McDonald's right across from Wrigley Field, we mulled our options. Souvenir shopping, deep dish pizza, sightseeing....all vetoed in favor of walking 40 feet to the Cubby Bear and plopping down at the table in front of the biggest big screen. We were lucky to have my good friend Vinnie join us, and ate and drank to our heart's content.
Shortly after 1:00, we made our way to the center field bleacher entrance. This might be a good time to mention that it was sunny and 90+ degrees, and I had been fighting a cold for about 4 days. At 1:30, we found aisle seats in centerfield. At 1:34, we found some seats much higher up, that were much more shaded. Solid decision.
Technically speaking, the game was a good one. Roy Oswalt pitched an outstanding game for Houston, going 8 1/3 innings and surrending only 4 hits. Unfortunately, a technically sound game isn't necessarily a lot of fun to watch in person, especially when it's 92 degrees, you're already a little sick, and you haven't hydrated properly in the hours before the game. In the top of the 8th, I was hit by what I'm calling a slight case of heat exhaustion and a major case of me not taking good care of my body. Let's just say that my confidence in not vomiting was not really high as Roy O took the mound in the bottom of the 8th, and we left for the car.
Luckily, I held it all in. Unluckily, the attendants at the McDonald's lot double park the back row, where we were located. However, the two cars next to us left, and what happened next was at least entertaining, if not slightly disturbing. A 17-point turn and a small scratch on the car in front of us later, we were free.
Beebe rocked the house by driving us back to our car in Portage, IN, and we arrived home safe and sound late Monday night. Unfortunately, the full effects of my sinus cold kicked into high gear, and I was sick for the next 3 days. Thus, the Summer of Herbie ended the same way it began - with me on the physically unable to perform list.
However, the weather's still nice, and I've still got lessons and thoughts and diatribes still to share, so I've decided that summer gets to last for at least 6 more weeks.
Plus, I'm gonna start running again this week...
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