BCS National Championship BAMA V TEXAS Janurary 2010

January 5, 2010 - January 9, 2010 Pasadena, California - Tim, Tanya, Ivan, Pattie, and Jonathan

The Road to the Championship began in ATL.

January 5, 2010

Tuesday night Tim and Tanya met Ivan, Pattie and Jonathan at the Comfort Inn on Camp Creek Parkway. It is COLD. We checked in and went to Lornhorn for dinner. Back to the room. We have a long day on Wednesday.

January 6, 2010 - aka, Jonathan's birthday. Trip to Pasadena, nice present.

Wednesday morning we were up before dawn and on the way to the airport. The hotel provided us with a shuttle. We helped some fellow BAMA fans load their luggage into the shuttle. They didn't know that you can leave your car at the hotel and take the shuttle. We arrived at the airport, used curb side check in. I swear we were the first people to check in. :) Good news: We were through security in about 15 minutes and they even had to pad down Tim, aka, hip replacement man. WHOOOOOOO! Bad news: We have 3 hours before the plane leaves. Oh well, better to be early than stuck in security lines.

It really is a small world. Waiting for the plane was an AMSTI teacher from CA Donehoo and the principal from Litchfield Middle which is an AMSTI school.

Finally, it is time to board the plan to Chicago. No problems. For some of us it was our first trip to the Chicago airport. We ate lunch and then camped out to wait for our flight. We had a LONG layover but finally it is time to go to LAX. The flight from Chicago to LAX was VERY LONG. We all became very bored. Once we landed, we picked up our luggage and then onto car rental. No problems at ALMO either. We used the self serve kiosk and it was a breeze. Thank the Lord for the GPS, aka Karen.

On to the freeway with 7 or 8 lanes on each side. WOW but surprisingly it is not too bad. There were cars everywhere but the driving was not too difficult. "Karen" directed us to our hotel. We checked in, unloaded and proceeded to find dinner. We were starving. Dinner was at Cafe140. The bread was fabulous. Next, onto World Market and Ralph’s for supplies. WHEW! Traveling is over and we are here. Back at the room, Tim detects smoky smell in the room. Upon further investigation, the smoke detector is hanging from the wall with a towel over it. Tim calls the front desk and long story........ we move rooms. Now in the new room, we discover that the air conditioner doesn't work. Yes, in LA in January you need air. In Alabama it is 15 degrees but in LA it is 60 and need some air circulating in the room. Another call to the front desk and they come to check it out but it is an electrical problem and no other rooms are available so they bring us a fan. It's been a long day. Finally, time to sleep.

Thursday, January 7, 2010. GAME DAY!

Ivan, Pattie, Jonathan, James and Leah went to IHOP while Tanya and Tim went to Ralph's for coffee, and game day supplies. We join forces back at the hotel and onto to Old Pasadena.

We finally find a place to park and we hit the streets. Before we had made it to one shop, we ran into Phil and Lynda who were on their way to wait for Michael and Amanda. We shopped and purchased programs and ticket lanyards. More shopping and we ran into Michael and Amanda. The atmosphere is terrific. There are Bama fans and Texas fans everywhere. It is so much fun. Small world, Jonathan ran into Vicky Brown.

We have tickets for the Alumni tailgate package which begins at 1 PM. Finally it is time to go to the Rose Bowl. We still can't believe we are here and going to the historic Rose Bowl. What a privilege for a college football fan. What a blessing!

Pasadena is an easy town to navigate and James, AKA Rand McNally, is great with directions and is currently serving as navigator. Tanya is driving and James is the navigator.

We make our way to tour pre-purchased parking area. We are parking on a golf course, yes, a golf course. Now to find the Alumni Tailgating Tent. We walk toward red and white balloons but no that is not the correct tenWe show a map to some game official on a golf cart and he sends us in the wrong direction. We circled the WHOLE Rose Bowl.

We walked and walked and walked. We saw great sights and many fans. It is amazing just to be here out side the stadium. Finally, on the opposite side of the stadium from our parking area, we finally find the tailgate party. We have to get in line for the actual tickets. Tim stands in line forever for beverages, while the rest of us collect the plates of food. The choices were hamburger or hotdogs and chips.

Note to self.... do not buy the tailgate package again. $35 is a lot for a hamburger, chips, drink and a place to sit down. We must walk the mile or two back to the car for our jackets. The weather is beautiful. It is at least 75 degrees but when the sun goes down, it will be chili. On the way back to the car we ran into Sharon Tucker and Allan Rutherford and their families. Small world!

We found our gate and our seats. WOW! We are in the Rose Bowl. We are at the National Championship Game! Incredible. The Rose Bowl is old and shows it age but WOW the football history in this place.

Evidently when it was built, it was only built as a football field. The exterior walls and gates had to have been built much later. The concourse was dirt and vendors are set up along the walls. There are only 15 tunnels leading in to the Rose Bowl. There is security posted at each end of the tunnel and when it is full, they stop people from entering the tunnel until it clears.

We arrived early to soak up the atmosphere. Watching it fill up was so cool! Cheers from fans would begin periodically. The band arrive and Cheers of Roll Tide became more numerous. Every time the band played the fight song, all Bama fans would sing, very loudly, the fight song.

The pregame included paratroopers with an Alabama flag, a Texas flag, a BCS flag, an American flag and one with a red streamer. Josh Groban sang the National Anthem and there was fly over by 4 fighter jets. Well, it is the National Championship game.

The first quarter was a mix of blunders by Bama and after holding Texas 2 field goals Bama finally scored. Colt McCoy, Texas QB, went out with an injury. Bama proceeded to score three TD's and a field goal to lead at the half 24-6. Third quarter was extremely frustrating. BAMA couldn't move the ball and Texas was getting its act togher and out gaining Bama in yards.

Tim went to the restroom and outside the restroom was a FIGHT between a Texas fan and a Bama fan. One went to the hospital and one to jail. The Texas guy lost his shirt during the fight. The police were taking statements.

Texas pulled to within 3 points 24-21 before the AL defense stepped up and caused a 4th quarter fumble. BAMA recovered and a few plays later, scored to make it 30-21. The noise was so loud all game that you could barely hear the radio. We stood the whole game. The people in front of us stood on the seats so we were basically watching the game as we looked between their shoulders.

They were also VERY DRUNK! The fact they didn't fall had to be luck. The bleachers were wobbly and they stood on them and they couldn't stand on firm ground without swaying so they are lucky the didn't fall and roll onto the field. We are glad there was a video screen because that is how we watched a lot of the game. Bama scored again to seal the deal.

The final score was 37-21. Bama wins its 13th National Championship. WOW!! And we were there! WOW WOW WOW! We sang Rammer Jammer and the fight song.

The crystal football was presented to the team and Coach Saban. Unbelievable.

Now for the hike to the car. One the way out of the gate, there were people grilling and selling food on top of grocery store carts. YUCK. We are starving but not that hungry. :) The Rose Bowl vendors ran out of food by half time.

We find the car and it is Champagne time! We are the Champions! WHOOOOOOOOO The parking lot, aka golf course, clears a little and we decide to leave. Its a slow process but we have been in worse traffic leaving a game. We drop James and Leah off at their hotel and being our search for food. At this time of the night, nothing is open except McDonalds. Yes, our celebration dinner was McD's.

Back at the hotel we fall asleep watching the replay of the game. Still can't believe it.

Friday, January 8, 2019

Friday morning we have a tour of LA scheduled so our morning began early and with the help of "Karen" we are off to Hollywood LA Tours. GPS "Karen" is a wonderful invention and with her help we arrive early.

We check in and then walk around and see the stars on the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. The tour begins and our driver is Donny Dangerfield. He's quite a character. Born and raised in LA and loves his hometown. He has lots of comments about the city and the sights. The tour took us through LA and to Venice beach. Venice beach was our first picture stop. It is beautiful.

Waves are amazing. Then onto downtown tour of LA both new and revived. Downtown LA, aka, concrete jungle. LA High School is a new multi million dollar building and it takes up an entire block. It's impressive. Second stop and we bought popcorn from a street vendor.

Tim had his picture made with a donkey. Jonathan and Pattie bought souvenirs. Donny was terrific. Lots of facts, current and past events as he described the area. Back to Hollywood for lunch. Lunch was at Mel's diner on Hollywood Blvd. It's the diner in American Graffiti. Across the road is Hollywood High school where John Ritter was student council president. After lunch we toured Hollywood.

Our next picture stop was on the side of a mountain where we could takes pictures of the Hollywood sign and have it in the background of pictures.

Then onto Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hiss, and Bel Air. We saw the homes of the STARS. Our final stop was on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Yes, Bama fans galore on Rodeo Drive.

The trip back to Hollywood took up on Sunset Blvd, which is part of historic Route 66. Part of the tour took us by Malibu breach where Baywatch was filmed. It was a great tour and we saw lots of sights and learned a lot about LA.

Even though it was rush house when we finished the tour and headed back to the hotel, with help from "Karen" we didn't have any trouble. Back at the hotel we got ready for dinner at Smitty's.

Before dinner, there was a quick shopping excursion to Old Pasadena. Parking was nonexistent so Tim, yes Tim, Pattie and Ivan shopped while Tanya and Jonathan drove around town looking for a parking place. None found so we picked them up with the souvenirs and we were off to dinner. Smitty's is an upscale restaurant but this is the only nice sit down dinner we have had since arriving in LA. The food was fantastic. Back to Old Pasadena for more shopping. Luckily, we found a place to park and everyone can shop one last time. Now time to refuel the van, one more trip to Ralph’s, and time to repack.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Saturday morning and its time to go to the airport. "Karen" gets to there and leads us to the rental car return, once Tanya enters LA rental car return and not just LAX. DUH! "Karen" is only as accurate as her operator. Signs were not plentiful so thanks to "Karen" no problem. Note to self, when traveling in a strange city ALWAYS rent a GPS. A quick return and we hop on the shuttle to the airport.

Good news, we are early but the check in process at LAX is not as efficient as the one in ATL. Shock! Check the big bag and whew, it is 48 lbs, just shy of the 50 lb limit. Souvenirs are packed in the carryon bags so clothes had to go somewhere. Security check in was no problem even though Tim was once again thoroughly searched.

Bad news, now time to WAIT for our plane. We have about 3 hours. Oh well, better to be early than be stuck in traffic (in an unknown city) or in the security line forever.

We camped out at gate 47 but then our gate was moved and so the Ray Barnes campsite picked up and moved. Finally it's time to board the plane. The plane is going to be PACKED so the stewardess offers to check peoples carry on.

We all allow her to check our carryon luggage. We will pick them up in ALT with our other bags. Our plane is suppose to land at 6:20 in Chicago and our plane to ATL boards at 6:50.

The flight from LAX to Chicago was smooth. We literally walked off the plane in Chicago and got in line to board the plane to ATL. That's close! The flight to ATL was smooth. We collected our luggage, called the hotel for pickup. Of course Tim and Tanya had to refuel the caddie.

Once again we were all starving since the only time we had eaten was breakfast in LAX and that was a LONG time ago. We picked up coffee and some chicken. We arrived home at 12:30. WHEW its been a long day.

What a wonderful trip! BAMA National Champions and we were there. WHOOOOOO!