Road Trip IX: Dallas

I'm blogging today from Dallas, Texas as I am in the midst of my ninth annual road trip.  I just got back from seeing the Cowboys thrash the Eagles, 33-10 at Texas Stadium.  That makes ten stadiums with only 22 more to go.

I left for Dallas right after work on Friday morning.  I spent the night in Emporia, Kansas and then headed off to Tyler, Texas where I met up with Miss Spirit Sprinkles who I haven't seen in a year.  We hung out together last night and went to her church (Sylvania Baptist Church) this morning where I do believe I had the best church experience I've ever had outside of B-Bap. 

Then it was off to the game.  Another game, another city, another stadium.  It's always the same thing except with different shirts.  I got heckled a little bit for wearing a Vikings jersey.  The game was over in the first quarter after the Cowboys built up a 17-0 lead and the chant of "Eagles suck!" played like a broken record from the cheap seats. 

Tomorrow Spirit Sprinkles is planning to show me around town a little more and then we're going to the Stars/Coyotes game on Tuesday where I'll get to cheer on my old team for the first time in person.

For those who don't know, I came up with the idea of trying to see a game in every NFL stadium in the country nine years ago.  Here's the recap:

Road Trip I (1997): RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana.  The Patriots beat the Colts 31-6.

Road Trip II (1998): TWA Dome, St. Louis, Missouri.  The Vikings beat the Rams 38-31. :)

Road Trip III (1999): Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri.  The Seahawks beat the Chiefs 31-19.

Road Trip IV (2000): Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Ravens beat the Bengals 27-7.

Road Trip V (2001): Adelphia Colesium, Nashville, Tennessee.  The Titans beat the Jaguars 28-24.

Road Trip VI (2002): Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Washington.  The Seahawks beat the Vikings 48-23. :(

Road Trip VII (2003): Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan.  The Vikings beat the Lions 23-13. :)

Road Trip VIII (2004): Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, New York.  The Bills beat the Jets 22-17.

Road Trip IX (2005): Texas Stadium, Dallas, Texas.  The Cowboys beat the Eagles 33-10.

And, no, my trip to the Super Bowl last year did not count because A) it's not a road trip if you fly, B) it only counts when the home team is playing in their home stadium, and C) I had to leave in the first quarter!!!!!!

It's been a great run so far.  Every city is unique, but in the same way.  They all have their little differences, but overall it always has the same feel as if I was back home at the Metrodome.  It's interesting to note that Drew Bledsoe has been the starting quarterback for three of my road trips on three different teams and has won every time (I, VIII, IX).

This weekend was not without its disappointments, however.  Soon after I scheduled this trip early last summer I found out that the Desiring God conference was taking place on the same weekend.  I should have known that Piper would schedule the conference on the Vikings' bye week knowing what a big Vikings fan he is.  Oh well.  I'll have to look forward to listing to it on CD when I get back.

Comments

[Tommy Boy]

Next year Lambeau!!!

[Micah]

Start saving your pennies then and we'll plan on it!