North to South Bend

Too bad it's been more than 2 weeks since I've made a blog. I have to get better ... but anyway, here goes another.

As much as we hope to still get the wave runner out one more time (while it is still warm), our Saturdays are once again mostly dedicated to college football – namely, the Fighting Irish. So dedicated are we, that we (fortunately) got to take a trip north to South Bend a few weeks back to see Charlie and the boys play in their season home opener. Even though the Irish fell to Michigan State 44-41 in overtime, it was a great game to watch and WE STILL LOVE CHARLIE. Got to meet and stay with Dale’s relatives – what a great trip it was.

It was my first trip to South Bend and Notre Dame (we all know Dale’s story) – it was everything everyone said it would be and more. With the Irish coming in at 2-0 and (of course) it being Charlie’s home debut, the campus was electric to say the least. We tried to get into pep rally, but I think more of us got turned away then actually made it inside the gym before the doors were slammed shut. The entire trip was unbelievable but a few highlights to jog my short-term memory: "more cowbell" needed from State fans; opening up (unfortunately not closing) Corby’s Bar (a scene from Rudy was filmed here) for a cold one after a long drive; standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fans in the bookstore the day before the game; seeing Ruth Riley in the Huddle walk in right in front of her own poster taken from the days when she played at ND; and getting a great parking spot to tailgate, but one that led to a painful exit after the game – both because of the loss and the way ND routed traffic. Can’t wait to go back!

Renae out …