Playing, Driving Tennessee… and the Numa Numa Dance Craze

Hope everyone had a pleasant Veterans’ Day and took the time to think about or thank those who serve or have served to protect our country. We often take for granted things like driving freely across the country and hearing 80,000-plus sing the National Anthem in unison before a sporting event … but always take the time to reflect and remember why we have it this good.

Having said this, we are proud Americans and feel very fortunate to be able to continue our adventures in the 2005 Notre Dame college football season. Over the last week, Dale and I were lucky enough to take a little road trip to see the Notre Dame vs. Tennessee college football game in South Bend and catch some sites along the way. The drive up to Indiana includes passing through the major cities of Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, Louisville, and Indianapolis. What a great drive, especially when driving through Tennessee (definitely beautiful country up in those “mountains” relative to Montana and Colorado of course) and Indiana when fall was in full bloom with “golden” leaves everywhere … relative to the Golden Dome of course. The whole trip was quite eventful and very tiring … we are happy to finally be home again. Nevertheless, my top five from the trip include (in chronological order):

1. Seeing the inside of The Basilica on the campus of Notre Dame. Made my eyes water.

2. Accidentally running into and getting to see the first ND men’s basketball game of the season (against mighty Lewis University) at the Joyce Center for “F-R-E-E” ... well, one free ticket anyway from a college student girl who asked everyone in line, “Hey, anyone want a free ticket?” Sure we do.

3. Touring the College Football Hall of Fame on Friday (while the Tennessee football team was just leaving), followed by a couple of beers at McCormick’s, then wings and more beer at BW3’s (again finally!). (The picture above was actually taken at the Hall of Fame.)

4. Seeing the game versus Tennessee from the end zone near the ND student section. Got to see the players run out of the tunnel and get a much closer view of Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, and Charlie! We are pretty sure we are on NBC too ... still have to watch the game to verify though. Highlights of the game that you couldn’t see on television had to be the F-16 four-ship flyover after the National Anthem (made our eyes water too) and when the ND marching band played “Dragostea Din Tei” (a.k.a. the Numa Numa Dance Song) at halftime. The student section went nuts. Little did I know that this song is big with ND fans on the Internet. Apparently, every time Charlie gets a commit from a recruit, this video is posted … too funny. I had to download the tune from itunes … I am addicted to this feel good song. Listen to it … now how about you?

5. Touring the National Corvette Museum and Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on my 29th birthday (both Dale and my dad thought that that was the greatest thing ever;). The assembly plant tour was amazing. What a great American tradition. Makes you want to run out and buy a new corvette.

That’s it for tonight. Thought I had better get something posted before ND takes on Navy tomorrow. Now that is another great American tradition: Notre Dame versus Navy in college football … 79 years and running, the longest intersectional college football rivalry in the country (und.collegesports.com). Good luck Navy and thanks to you, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for your service to our country.

And, oh yeah, did we feel the magic of Notre Dame in South Bend last weekend? What do you think?

Renae out …