Originally Posted by
Hotboat
Looks like this little adventure is wrapping up. Gotta say, probably one of the memorable trips I've ever taken. I've always been a Packers fan, and I've always threatened to go to a game. Had a chance years ago when Farve was still playing and passed it up. Mrs. HB took the bull (that would be me) by the horns and made the trip happen. Best birthday present ever!!
Couple things we learned; when the weather is in the teens and twenties, you just can't dress warm enough. We thought we were prepared, but there are a few things we could have done better. We also had a chance to use those warmer packets. Mixed review for me. If you stick them to your skin, they kind of work. If you just put them in your pocket, they don't do anything. For 3 hours in 20+, you'd need a boatload of them to really do you any good.
We also had people (locs) tell us to take cardboard for our feet. We had insulated shoes and thermal socks. But if your feet are on the concrete for hours, no matter what you're wearing, they're gonna get cold. Cardboard would have worked well as an insulator between our shoes and the concrete.
Beer: I normally love to drink a few beers at any sporting event. Didn't realize what 20+ does to you when you drink. After 3-4 trips to the mens room the beer stopped. Just not worth the 30+ deep urinal lines. So next time we're heading straight for the cocktail booth and going for the vodka/soda, hold the soda :D
Apparently this was the coldest Packer November game in 37 years. Guess we got lucky :D
The trip itself (assuming we get home tomorrow lol) was pretty easy. GB is a short 30min flight from Chicago, Chicago about 3-4hrs from So. OC. Once in GB its a 10min taxi ride to the stadium. We stayed at the Hilton, about a long block from the stadium and within walking distance to several restaurants and bars. Once you're here, you don't really need to go anywhere else. We hit a couple places by cab just because we heard they were must go to's. The Pancake Place Friday morning for breakfast, very good food, and Titletown Brewery, really good microbrews. Both excellent establishments. Across the street from Titletown Brewery is Hinterland Brewery. Rumor has it Obama loves their beer and has it flown in on occasion. I'll leave that, at that :D
We probably got hit up at least 6-7 times over the weekend about where we were from. We either didn't look like locals or we dressed funny, or both. When we answered "Southern California", people reacted like we were celebrities. They then told their friends and before you knew it everyone knew we were from So Cal. It was kind of funny really. All good people, all very friendly, and all very cool. I think the District was the place we had the most fun. The servers were very cool and if they like you, they'll have a few shots with you. We had such a good time there we were asked to leave, at 2:30am, about 15min after everyone else had left LOL.
We took the Lambeau tour Saturday. That 1 1/2hr was about as touristy as it gets, but I loved it. Lambeau is an amazing place. And the history behind the field and franchise is truly a storybook. Because I am a Packer fan, I was aware of some of the history, but I definitely learned a lot more on the tour. I guess the most staggering piece of info is there is a waiting list of some 30,000 people who want season tickets. Turnover is somewhere around 50-100 per year. So apparently parents, who are not season seat holders, sign up their newborns with the hope that by the time they're in their 30's they'll have a shot at season seats.
Our seats were on the visitor side, but that didn't really matter. Probably 75% of the people there were Packers fans. We had a few Vikings fans near us but you couldn't really tell. They were just as friendly as anyone in the place. It really was a great experience.
I've been to Green Bay before, years ago. Unfortunately didn't have a chance to catch a game. Next time, I won't make that same mistake. In fact, I'm sure I'll be looking for the next excuse to get me back in the area. Anything within 1 or 2 states will certainly be close enough for me :D
HB
