Full Squad Mini Camp June 6-8th

Miami Dolpins

December 7-11, 2006

"List Trip"

Usually there is nothing but excitement surrounding a list trek but this year's trip was a bit different for me because it was under a cloud of uncertainty. Every year, our group of 8 (my family, Bama, Steve, Ernie & Jose) make the trip and score great tickets in the End Zone for the game. This year our connection fell through on the night before departure. I must say, I literally felt sick over leaving with no tickets and most specifically in leaving Steve and Bama in the lurch so close to the game. I immediately contacted them and told them to call in the reinforcements.

I went to work on Thursday for a half day then came home to pack, sync up the ipod, empty the iriver and head to the airport. Naturally, we headed to TGIFridays for our traditional pre-flight meal and drinks. Our flight was uneventful and we laid over in Baltimore before heading up for the final leg of our trip. We got in a bit later than expected because there was a scheduled shuttle take off so we needed to be re-routed a bit but it ended up getting cancelled anyway. After picking up our van and checking into the hotel, I hit the lobby to jump online and Big Al headed out for a cigar.

On Friday morning, Al, Jacob and I hit the gym and running track then Kelsea joined us downstairs for the breakfast buffet. While there, Cecil and Deb came down and we caught up. They had arrived the night before as well but were upstairs by the time we got in. Big Al and I headed to the airport to pick up Bama then I settled in the lobby soaking up the free wifi and watched various ticket opportunities on ebay. More listniks began to arrive and fill the lobby. Robin, Monty, Christa, Dave, and some friends, Jacob, and  Bill B. were part of the early arrivals. Planeteers  Joephoto and Keith and Rachel (Drink-a-lots) were also in the house.

In the early evening, we went to visit Cousin Linda and Aunt Linda then met up with the Paxtons who were just arriving and then set to work monitoring the soon to be ending ticket auction. Lonie's  friend had two extra lower bowlers which took care of Steve and Bama (and caused a HUGE weight to be lifted from my shoulders... ), we won an auction for two lowers for Jacob and Albert and Kelsea and I decided to take Joephoto's two extra nosebleeders with the Drink-A-Lots. As for Ernie and Jose, they are the resourceful type and said that they'll take care of their own tix (if they even decide to forgo partying to make it to the game...)

Most folks hung in the lobby, Ernie and Jose showed up and enjoyed some of the bartender Edwin's wife's Lumpias that she made for us. Kim arrived late, Monty's crew dragged Jacob out for some middle of the night carousing and Robin crashed outside our door when the kids didn't answer when she went up to bed... (As I told her, you can tell how much I care because my immediate reaction was NOT getting a great pic for the website, rather of concern for her curled up sleeping my doorway waiting patiently for us to come up to bed and making sure she was ok!)

On Saturday morning, we received a call to go pick up our tickets, did so, ate the breakfast buffet and I went online while the boys headed to town for cigars. Later, we  headed down to Aruba Beach Club for some tropical drinks and appetizers with the Drink-A-Lots and Robin and had a great time. Food was good, music was great and the company was even better :-) When we got back, the wind had died down, the smokers headed outside and I settled in to blog and set up my fantasy football.

The lobby got crowded with fans, family members,  and hotel guests alike and then the team arrived  and there was a buzz in the air. Guys headed up to their rooms and the few that had family in town came down to the lobby to spend some time with family members. Robin was thrilled to share an elevator ride with Tedy and Rachel took a spin with Tom Brady :-) Troy Brown was downstairs for most of the night and Lonie naturally spent time with his family while  Joephoto helped out by taking their family picture in front of the Christmas tree.

At night we grabbed burgers in the lobby lounge and froze in the way too highly air conditioned lobby.. Craig Miles came in from Texas with his brother and Erdo Ed arrived on his bike for the trek enroute to the Keys as part of his cross-country bike tour. Monty and crew headed out to South Beach while most of us enjoyed a mellow early night downstairs.  Folks were excited about the upcoming game and anticipated a hard fought battle the following day.  Naturally, football talk was in the air and the listniks analyzed, predicted and strategized all night long.

Game day dawned with a strange yellow ball in the sky... something that we hadn't seen the entire trip! Al, Jake and I ran in the morning then headed up to shower and get geared up.   We hung around to watch the team  head to the busses  while drinking coffee then packed up and headed over the stadium.  We needed to take an alternate route because of a charity motorcycle run which closed down Rt. 95. 

Our crew arrived via van, got a great parking place and headed into the lots to hook up with the Paxtons and Mike for some pre-game tailgating.  (The rest of the crew, who bought the "list package" including ticket, bus ride and tailgate set up in the bus lot on the other side of the stadium.)  Mike and his crew proved to be quite the tailgate hosts and while we were there, robd54 happened to walk right up our aisle and recognized me!  We chatted for a bit then headed into the game.  Pre-game Miami fans were pretty quiet (short of the guy blowing his whistle every time a Pats fan walked by.)  We separated and Bama and Steve headed to their seats, Al and Jake to theirs and Kelsea and I headed up to our section with Joephoto, Keith and Rachel.  They were up there but honestly, not even close to being as high up as mine in Gillette.

Unfortunately, the Patriots must have stayed at home in New England because the team on the field seemed to be imposters!  Pats couldn't put anything together and got spanked 21-zip! During our walk out of the stadium, we were met with jeers and a huge downpour!  After regrouping, we headed home disappointed and wet and got changed then hit the lobby with the crew.  Smokers convened outside, bloggers inside, and all went back and forth between to the lounge to watch the remainder of the games for the night. We sat around in the lobby until late with list folk and the Paxtons before saying goodbye, wishing each other well, and keeping the faith!

Check out the Complete Miami 2006 Album for more pics...