Winnipegopher
Wag more, bark less
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 3,587
- Reaction score
- 113
- Points
- 63
In an effort to bring something different than “Fire Brewster” into the mix I thought I would provide a recap of my recent trip to Minneapolis to see the Twins/Oakland, Gophers/USC, Vikings/Dolphins.
We left Winnipeg at 7:30 the Friday morning. Stopped at Fargo for lunch and saw the Northeastern State (Oklahoma) team in the mall. Turns out they were playing UND the next day so I am not sure why they were in Fargo. They couldn’t have taken the bus from Oklahoma- maybe they flew into Minneapolis? A bite to eat and then onto Minneapolis by 4. A quick stop at Surdyk’s and then off to our room at the Ramada Plaza on Industrial (note to out of towners: do not book this hotel and be very careful in bidding Priceline. It is in the University-Metrodome area but nowhere near the U). A few drinks in the room and then off to Gluecks for a few more drinks prior to the game.
We had standing room tickets to the game, stood for two innings and then moved into Legend Club seats on the third base side. This was my second game at Target field and I remain thoroughly impressed. I am not a baseball fan but I have found I love outdoor baseball. After the game, we headed over to Dinkytown for some Chinese food and two for one drinks. Walked Fraternity row and felt very old (we are all 40) and somewhat creepy.
Saturday we were at TCF by 11:30. Went for a meal at the Korean restaurant on Oak (the only business near TCF that sees no spinoff business, we were the only customers). FYI, this place has good food (I lived in Korea for six years) if you order the soups. U-kay jang (spicy) or Kalbi Tang are both excellent hangover cures and provide a lot more sustenance than the $3 dominos pizzas down the street.
After lunch went to TCF and watched victory walk. Thought the team looked pretty amped up and crowd was great. We then sauntered over to Sally’s for some beers. Good times and pretty sure Eric Small was there quaffing as well. Got to game about ten minutes early and up to our seats (220, row 24, bought on StubHub for $20). We quickly moved down to row 15. We were very impressed with TCF. Didn’t even miss the beer even though this was my first alcohol free sporting event in memory. Game was good- at least until the mid third quarter. I have never seen a stadium empty like TCF did after USC got up 33-14, and on such a nice day too. Weather was so nice, one of my buddies got mild sun stroke (although the eight pre-game beers on an already hung over body probably had something to do with that). After the game back to Sally’s for more drinks, generally a happy crowd- I guess losing doesn’t really kill the mood when you get used to it. After an hour or so, my sun stricken buddy needed to sit down so we went over to the Big Ten. A little while there and then back to the hotel for a nightcap around 11. We watched Arizona-Iowa but couldn’t make it to the end.
Up early Sunday and over to the Dome for the ungodly 12 noon kick-off (in upper deck end zone, row 24 for $70 on StubHub). Man the Metrodome is a dump. There are huge lines to get in, for concessions, for the washrooms and to leave. Very annoying fans too, a large amount of drinking and swearing. Guys in front of us spilled beer all over the people in front of them and thought it was funny. Metrodome scoreboard looks like an old Atari sports videogame. The smaller of the big screens is unwatchable and about the same size as my 46” screen at home. Happy to leave and get outside on such a beautiful day. That night out again to Bullwinkles and then over to Stub and Herbs. Both Seven Corners and Stadium Village were completely empty. Where do people go on Sunday nights?
Up Monday for a long drive back to Winnipeg. On the whole an excellent trip. Interestingly, my two buddies agreed that the Gophers game was the highlight of the trip and think next year’s trip should include Gophers and Twins (or if later in year, Gophers-Wild). Vikings are out.
I was tired at work all week.
We left Winnipeg at 7:30 the Friday morning. Stopped at Fargo for lunch and saw the Northeastern State (Oklahoma) team in the mall. Turns out they were playing UND the next day so I am not sure why they were in Fargo. They couldn’t have taken the bus from Oklahoma- maybe they flew into Minneapolis? A bite to eat and then onto Minneapolis by 4. A quick stop at Surdyk’s and then off to our room at the Ramada Plaza on Industrial (note to out of towners: do not book this hotel and be very careful in bidding Priceline. It is in the University-Metrodome area but nowhere near the U). A few drinks in the room and then off to Gluecks for a few more drinks prior to the game.
We had standing room tickets to the game, stood for two innings and then moved into Legend Club seats on the third base side. This was my second game at Target field and I remain thoroughly impressed. I am not a baseball fan but I have found I love outdoor baseball. After the game, we headed over to Dinkytown for some Chinese food and two for one drinks. Walked Fraternity row and felt very old (we are all 40) and somewhat creepy.
Saturday we were at TCF by 11:30. Went for a meal at the Korean restaurant on Oak (the only business near TCF that sees no spinoff business, we were the only customers). FYI, this place has good food (I lived in Korea for six years) if you order the soups. U-kay jang (spicy) or Kalbi Tang are both excellent hangover cures and provide a lot more sustenance than the $3 dominos pizzas down the street.
After lunch went to TCF and watched victory walk. Thought the team looked pretty amped up and crowd was great. We then sauntered over to Sally’s for some beers. Good times and pretty sure Eric Small was there quaffing as well. Got to game about ten minutes early and up to our seats (220, row 24, bought on StubHub for $20). We quickly moved down to row 15. We were very impressed with TCF. Didn’t even miss the beer even though this was my first alcohol free sporting event in memory. Game was good- at least until the mid third quarter. I have never seen a stadium empty like TCF did after USC got up 33-14, and on such a nice day too. Weather was so nice, one of my buddies got mild sun stroke (although the eight pre-game beers on an already hung over body probably had something to do with that). After the game back to Sally’s for more drinks, generally a happy crowd- I guess losing doesn’t really kill the mood when you get used to it. After an hour or so, my sun stricken buddy needed to sit down so we went over to the Big Ten. A little while there and then back to the hotel for a nightcap around 11. We watched Arizona-Iowa but couldn’t make it to the end.
Up early Sunday and over to the Dome for the ungodly 12 noon kick-off (in upper deck end zone, row 24 for $70 on StubHub). Man the Metrodome is a dump. There are huge lines to get in, for concessions, for the washrooms and to leave. Very annoying fans too, a large amount of drinking and swearing. Guys in front of us spilled beer all over the people in front of them and thought it was funny. Metrodome scoreboard looks like an old Atari sports videogame. The smaller of the big screens is unwatchable and about the same size as my 46” screen at home. Happy to leave and get outside on such a beautiful day. That night out again to Bullwinkles and then over to Stub and Herbs. Both Seven Corners and Stadium Village were completely empty. Where do people go on Sunday nights?
Up Monday for a long drive back to Winnipeg. On the whole an excellent trip. Interestingly, my two buddies agreed that the Gophers game was the highlight of the trip and think next year’s trip should include Gophers and Twins (or if later in year, Gophers-Wild). Vikings are out.
I was tired at work all week.
