When someone tells you they are going from Minneapolis to Phoenix at this time of year, you can automatically assume they are snow-birds. This is a person who flies south to get out of the winter. Can you really blame them for doing such a smart thing? It makes you want to be like them and do the same. With that said, I am no snow-bird. I was merely spending a long weekend with family, friends and some stars from the USA Women’s National Soccer team. Yes, you read that correctly. Let me tell you more...
On Saturday, I flew out of Minneapolis at the break of dawn. Need a more specific time? 4:00AM, my alarm went off and I was at the airport no later than 5:30AM. I am assuming the flight was great, considering I slept the entire way. I woke up as we were descending into Denver for what might have been the shortest layover of my life. My ticket said a half hour, I had about ten minutes to sprint to the next gate and arrived in time to board with zone three! Again, my flight to Phoenix must have been great, because I slept through it! I think this means I am getting too used to traveling. What are your thoughts?
Upon arrival to Phoenix, I was greeted by my friend Bryce’s parents. Since I didn’t have checked luggage, we were able to leave right away! When we got back to their house, we waited a bit for Bryce to get back from work before we headed out for lunch. I knew I couldn’t go anywhere but Chick-fil-A! It has been my favorite fast food restaurant for quite some time! :) If you have not experienced one, please do so!!
After lunch, Bryce’s Dad, Bryce and I made a stop to their storage unit to get a mattress for me to sleep on. We made the transition fast and easy with Bryce’s monumentally large truck (his truck fills the lane, and puts you up almost as high as the semi drivers)! As soon as I was settled, we headed out to a new outlet mall area and planned on walking around until dinner before THE GAME: US Womens National team vs. the Republic of Ireland. While shopping, I picked up a cheap pair of UnderArmour running tights- you can’t have enough right?
For dinner, Bryce and I headed to the Yard House to meet our friend, Josh, who was joining us for dinner and the soccer match. Little did we realize, Josh did not know it was a women’s game, or that the match was on during the Big10 Championship game (featuring Wisconsin and Nebraska {which is a big deal because all three of us are from WI}). By having dinner at this steakhouse/bar, we were able to catch the beginning of the football game, too. We were able to eat a delicious dinner, enjoy fantastic Beglium beers, not to mention the Half Yard (also know as a Yard Stick or Tall Boy). Our waiters name was Jason. If anyone reading this goes to the Yard House near the Cardinal's stadium, request Jason! After watching most of the first quarter of the football game, we walked to the stadium, unfortunately about 10 minutes late. We had missed first goal. Luckily for us, the ladies scored again in the first half. This game didn't see as much action as the previous game against the Republic of Ireland earlier this week when we won in a 5-0 shut out.
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| JOSH |
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| BRYCE |
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| ME |
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| ABBY WAMBACH (no. 14) |
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| MEGAN RAPINOE (no. 15) |
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| JOSH, ME, & BRYCE |
When the game was over, we headed back to the Yard House to see the end of the Wisconsin vs. Nebraska (70 - 31 final) football game... and a few drinks. We requested to be in Jason's section, and boy was that a great idea. I went to the restroom while waiting on our appetizers. On my way back from the bathroom, a short-haired blond was sitting in the booth nearest the hallway. She waved. Naturally, I returned the favor with the same response. It wasn't until I was half way back to my table that I realized that was Megan Rapinoe. When I looked back, I realized
Shannon Boxx was sitting with her, too. When I got back to the table to tell the boys about who I saw, Jason approached the table holding a permanent marker. Jason said, "So you guys went to the game, yeah?" We nodded. He continued, "And your favorite player is...?" I responded, "
Abby Wambach, didn't you see my jersey?" He laughed and said, "That's why I think you'll be needing this. Your girls in the next section, sitting outside. I'll let you know when she has had her plate cleared. You wouldn't want to interrupt her." And he walked away, leaving the permanent marker on the table. I cannot tell you how uncool I was for the rest of the night. My excitement was just too much.
I eventually made Bryce get up and go with me to see
Megan Rapinoe. Lucky for us, she was getting drinks at the bar by the time we were headed in her direction. Not wanting to disturb or interrupt her conversation with
Christie Rampone, I waited a bit longer. As soon as I had a moment, I tapped her on the shoulder, thanked her for a great game and asked for a signature on my left sleeve. I was so stinking excited!! Shortly after Bryce and I headed back to the table, Jason informed us that Abby was done eating. I made Josh come with me this time. He played it off so much cooler than I did.. we walked out to her table, he knelt down and shook her hand, thanking her for the great game today. And he asked her if she would sign my jersey (obviously, because I could not form comprehensible words). I knelt down, too, giving her my right shoulder to sign. She said, "Why don't you turn around, I'll put it on the number!" My jersey just went up exponentially in net-worth. You can bet I won't be wearing it often- let alone washing it ever!
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| BRYCE & ME |
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| JENNY & ME |
After such an eventful night, we had no choice but to sleep in, enjoy a great home cooked breakfast, and a day full of (more) football games. This must be how the rockstars live.. Wow. I was still basking in glory from meeting two of my most esteemed idols. Once the football games were done and we had collectively outlasted our lazy day, Bryce and I headed to Cave Creek to meet my Uncle Chick, my cousin (driving from California) Jenny and her daughter Phoebe! We had a few drinks at my Uncle's house before heading to Sesame Inn for an oriental treat. It has been years since I last saw Chick, Jenny or Phoebe-- it was just wonderful to catch up (Shelby!! We really missed you!!). This time I even managed to have photographic evidence (my mom always hates it when I forget to photo-document a family get together, which, I have accidentally missed A LOT of opportunities this year)!!
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| JENNY, CHICK, BRYCE, ME, & PHOEBE |
On Monday, Bryce had been called into work in the middle of the night to cover for a co-worker who fell ill. When he finished up with work mid-morning, we headed to the
Musical Instrument Museum. I had heard loads about this place from family and friends, I knew I had to stop in. Bryce isn't the most instrumentally interested, so I wanted to be sure we had a good time. We started from the weirder, older instruments and worked our way through the United States & Canada exhibit; eventually ending with country, rock and roll, and famous artists/music from Arizona. Afterwards, we tried our hands in the Experiment Gallery, took a walk through the Mechanical Music Gallery and Artists Galleries. The museum is fantastic. I recommend everyone go! There was so much to see, and the few hours we spent there was hardly enough time to see it all!
After the museum, Bryce and I headed to
Cafe Mimi to meet up with my Uncle Chick once more. It is so much fun catching up with family. I could do it all the time! After some coffee, lemonade and appetizers, Bryce and I headed to
Oregano's to meet his parents. We had some delicious pizza-- some of the best-- before heading to the
Phoenix Zoo to see the Zoolights!
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| LION |
There was so much to see at the zoo! And hardly any animals! A number of the trees were wrapped in lights, which gave it a beautiful effect. These pictures hardly do it justice.
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| SNAKES! |
In most areas, the real zoo animals were asleep, but there were plenty of lit animals near where they were to know what animals belonged where!
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| DAVE & KIM |
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| ME & BRYCE |
On Tuesday I had every intention to get a run in with the nice weather (despite my knees), but I was so exhausted I took the morning to sleep in. Unfortunately, Bryce was called into work again, but it gave me a chance to start getting my things together for the trip home and snack on the greatest of great chocolate cupcakes his Mom made me for my birthday (THANKS KIM)!!!!
My flights weren't too bad, but not quite the breeze I had coming in. In the first few minutes at my gate, I had a number of ferocious sneezes, leaving my face leaking like one of those kleenex ads! My eyes were crying, my nose was running- and looking around, I knew no one was happy that I would be on their plane. After getting in on the courtesy checked-baggage, I went for Wendy's and some NyQuil (mind you, it was noon). I slept through the first flight with out a problem. Ran with my first seatmate and the two guys behind me to the next flight out of Denver.. And just as I was expecting to get some sleep on the second flight, I had an infant and her parents next to me. Instead, I tried my hardest to stay awake. I worked on editing some photos and the first half of this blog! Ta-Da!!
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| MONKEY-ING AROUND AT THE ZOO... |
At this point in time, I don't have any more surprise trips (or planned) trips. I'll alert you the moment that fact changes! Until next time..
Sarah Marsh
After the museum, Bryce and I headed to Cafe Mimi to meet up with my Uncle Chick once more. It is so much fun catching up with family. I could do it all the time! After some coffee, lemonade and appetizers, Bryce and I headed to Oregano's to meet his parents. We had some delicious pizza-- some of the best-- before heading to the Phoenix Zoo to see the Zoolights!
