Dontcha Just Love Cheetoes????

 

Another from last winter--soon this will
be 4! 

Lucy, after a fun day this past winter!

 

How We Love a Parade...

Lucy and her 'mini-CUP'

Especially when it is to celebrate the STANLEY CUP!!! Awesome time! It was hot, upper 90s, but the enthusiasm was there!! Neat to see the players in their rides, although at first I didn't recognize them without their playoff beards. And to think I thought they would be passed out all day--they were at the barber shop!!!

Lucy liked it too--especially how close we were to the CUP!!!!

Neat that the zambonis went out on the parade route too!!

Lord Stanley...Lord Stanley...Let's drink some brandy...

The 2006 Stanley Cup Champions

Man, does that feel good to type!! That's what the Carolina Hurricanes are though--the best in hockey. What a game it was too. Once we took the 2-0 lead, I knew, just knew that is was ours. And what a celebration at the end! Lucy, Kerry, and I will head to the parade this evening...so look for more from that!!

Some Sights and Sounds From Sunset Beach, NC

No Lie--My Villa Number...
A good sign going into Game Seven!

And So We Come to a Game Seven...

Would not have thought my Game Seven ticket I bought on a whim would come in handy. I surely thought we would end it in Game Five, then definitely in Edmonton in Game Six. Alas, we head to a Game Seven tomorrow. Unfortunately we're a team on the ropes. We're tired. We're injured. We're struggling right now. Cole came back to add a spark, but seemed hesistant at times and did not crash the net like we're used to him doing. Hopefully it was timing, and he fixed that for tomorrow night. I'll be there doing my best to cheer them on.
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Heading from Sunset Beach, NC (IMPACT Conference) to Raleigh for Game Five was quite the experience. I drove I-40 through what was then Tropical Storm Alberto. Rain was pretty hard, but nothing like the 7.5 inches Raleigh received. Crabtree Creek flooded, as usual, and Crabtree Valley Mall closed. I read in today's N&O that the Mall is built in a flood plain. Genius developers and genius city councilmen.

GAME FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! One game away from winning the CxP. We have three chances to do it, but let's finish it off in Raleigh Wednesday. I head to a conference in Sunset Beach tomorrow, but plan a one day road trip back to tailgate, and *hopefully* see the game. We shall see!!!

GO CANESSSSSS!!!!

Game 3

Wow...An hour before game time in what can become a major step toward bringing the Stanley CxP to North Carolina and the fine people of Raleigh. An unbelievable Game 1, then a good Game 2. I attended Game 1, and you can see some pictures below. Began tailgating at 4, and this was after returning from the NASCAR race in Dover, DE at 2 AM. Then Robin, Sue, her husband, Bridget, and her husband, and her sister joined us.
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How do I feel about our position? Good. Considering that if we take 1 of two in Edmonton, we can clinch in RALEIGH!!! I currently do not have tickets to game 5, and I am scheduled to be in a conference in Sunset Beach, NC, but I began surfing eBay to check out possible ticket prices.
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Lucy is doing awesome! She had a great visit with Nana and PapPap, then met Ashley and Greysen at Playspace today. I'll post pictures soon!

Scenes From Game 1...

Whatever It Takes, Boys!
Clement, Clement, Hands of Cement and Messier, right below my section

Let's Get It On...

Time for the Stanley Cup Finals. After vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland, the fam and I are home (at 2 AM this morning!) in time to get my game face on for Game 1 vs my Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers. I'll be meeting some friends there to tailgate, then heading up for the first in what promises to be a great series of games.
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While in OC this weekend, my Dad and I attended the NASCAR Race at Dover, Delaware. Those of you who know me know how much of a smart a$$ I am. So what do I do? Take pictures of all the NASCAR stuff with my jersey and hats on. It was actually pretty interesting. When we got to our parking spot (at 5 AM!!! Yuck!), as soon as I got out, a guy called to me, 'What are you doing with that Hartford Whalers jersey on?' It was my Hurricanes jersey, but I saw his point. Then we chatted for a few minutes about how bitter he was with Kormanos (join the club!), but he assured me he liked to see the 'team' do well. We parked next to 3 guys from NY, and they started in on 'Ending their Sabres' run. Awesome! Later on, my Dad and I walked through some souvenir booths, and got our pictures taken in front of Dale Jarrett's 88 Ford. The people in line behind me shouted, 'Yeah, that's right--the Canes are going to win the Cup!' The guy taking the picture said, 'What's the series now?' I told him we won, and in his Southern drawl, he said, 'Yeah!' See! Hockey (at least Hurricanes Hockey!) is alive and well in the South. And yes, us NASCAR fans can like it as well. Remember, I'm a Northern boy, and most of the license plates of the 140,000 fans at Dover were PA and NY. I even saw a few Quebec, Ontario, and Maine plates.
GO CANES!!!!