Well, nineteen CVIers and C-Firmers boarded the bus for Kansas City Friday some time past midnight. We popped Football Factory into the DVD player people pretty much either passed out or passed time.
As the sun came up - so too did many of us (I think it was in Hayes or shortly after) and the community food share was broken out - donuts, egg/ham sandwiches, Mist (Manly Mist!), and all sorts of various junk food (much of it Red). After a couple more movies, we arrived into Kansas City around 11 AM on Sunday.
Showers or naps were the general activities when we checked into the hotel, which very happily was a parking lot away from the Stadium. We all met up in the hotel parking lot at the Caulderon's tailgate with another 11 Rapids fans that arrived by their own means. Let me tell you, these kind folks put on a great event (One CVIer is still getting grief for giving TOO MUCH praise). The tailgate is hard to miss with a smoker, two enormous grills, an RV, and tables of Ribs, Grilled Veggies, Baked Beens, and deserts galore. They were kind enough to host us for the cost of a handshake!
We all filed into the stadium and into our party deck, which would be located down the first base line in the outfield. Not as great as 108, especially with the foul pole obstructing our sights, but enjoyable none the less.
The players gave us waves as they came on to the field, and then proceeded to play an upbeat style with the aim of winning one on the road! Jimmy Conrad brought us supporters and Stephen Keel's spirits down a bit. But heaven be praised, the team's heart came shining through as they fought back to even it up.
And although they lost it late, we all walked away pretty satisfied with our boys character! They fought hard, and they fought to win. Hats off to Fernando Clavijo for sticking with the young players that again stepped up and performed so well. Of course we want to be shouting "Victoire!! Victoire!!" game in and game out (what, did you watch Victory first thing Sunday Morning on the Bus back to Denver?) but if we lose like that, we'll have a team we can be proud of no matter the outcome.
A special word of praise for John DiRaimondo and Jose Burciaga, Jr.. John's play was stellar and if he keeps it up, some of those more experienced players are going to be looking over their shoulders. And Hopefully Jose will gather some satisfaction for another excellent game. While he didn't beat the old club, he did bury one beauty on them!
After the game, we walked around the retail district called The Legends, having dinner at Arthur Bryants (to mixed reviews). We went to do some drinking at the Yard House. To our surprise, this was more of a restaurant, as was all the "drinking establishments" around. So, like all good weary travelers, we settled for ice cream (don't forget the Sprinkles!), and went back to the hotel where we either crashed out or blathered on to each other in the hotel lobby.
Everyone on the road trip had a very good time (especially Kelsey the Birthday Girl - she turned 35 so everyone wish her a happy 35th birthday next time you see her). So good in fact, that we started planning the next road trip in the middle of Kansas at an IHOP!! Stay tuned. Hopefully you'll join us next time around - even if it does involve airplanes instead of a bus and endless soccer movies!
Posted by mark at April 7, 2008 02:12 PM