As you all are aware, I went to Wisconsin this weekend to visit Pete and Babs and, although unknown to me on Saturday, to see the Colts get their asses handed to them at the game on Sunday. *sigh*
Lambeau Field. Wow. This is a truly phenomenal stadium. The history of the Packers organization, coupled with the devotion of their fans is something that legends are made of. From the moment we drove up to Lambeau, the cameras started snapping and we stared at it in awe.
We drove down Lombardi Avenue and managed to park on a homeowner's lawn just two blocks from the stadium. Price: $10. Not bad. The lots around the stadium are sold out to season ticket holders and so parking on-site was not possible. Parking ranged from $25-$10 and I think we scored a primo parking space that was easy to get out of.
For my Indy readers, the interior of Conseco Fieldhouse's entry (where the Indiana Pacers play, to non-Indy natives) and the interior of Lambeau Field's entry is nearly identical. If the same architect was not used for both, I'd be very surprised. When we walked in, we were handed gloves (bright yellow with a GB logo) and our first greeting was from a beer vendor in the entrance. He welcomed us to Lambeau, told us he hoped we had a good time and encouraged us to check the place out.
We went, first, to the Pro Shop where we each bought a cheesehead. Yes, dear readers, I allowed a foam rubber wedge of cheese to ride in the car with me. I know, I know, sacriledge. My purchase was for my cousin's friend's son who, although he lives in Lexington, KY, is a huge Packers fan. Who knew?
We finished up at the Pro Shop (which was ass-to-elbow full of people) and headed downstairs to the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame (admission $10) is worth every penny. It is interactive, with plenty of exhibits and highlights the players, the fans and the town. We took our time and looked through the exhibits and Jason found a couple of players' jerseys that he had on his fantasy football league so I took a picture of him next to that. We read through telegrams sent to the football coach from the Governor of Wisconsin (at the time), the various owners of the other football teams (including what was then the Baltimore Colts), and proud citizens. It was truly heartening to see how much Green Bay is the Packers as much as the Packers are Green Bay.
Heading to our seats, we received a fair amount of ribbing from various Packer fans but overall, a very congenial atmosphere. The seats, oh the seats ....
Thirty nine rows up, section 102 (right behind the goalpost area), two end seats. The only downside of the seats was a jackass behind and to the right that kept up the verbal abuse for the whole game. Nice lesson to teach your daughter, jackass. Maybe someday she'll rise to the level of classiness you showed us. *snort*
The other fans around us ... obviously pleased that their team was winning but overall accommodating and pleasant.
Another interesting observation -- Lambeau has very few 'seats' -- it is mostly aluminum bleachers. There is quite a cottage industry of renting seatbacks at the stadium and most people either rent or bring their own. We did not rent seats but instead used a blanket I had brought to keep our tushes off the cold aluminum. Very good.
The food was fun. I had a bratwurst and some cheese curds (yes, I tempted fate again Peteski -- lots of cheese in two days' time) and washed it down with a beer. The normal other foods were there too but this is the first place I've ever seen that the beer guy also sells Old Wisconsin Beef Sticks. :)
In closing, although the Colts bombed at Lambeau, the field and place made the day spectacular. Thank you, Pete and Babs, for sharing your tickets with this Colts fan. I'll keep an eye out for Bruce tickets and if you ever have an inclination to watch the cars go round and round the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please give a shout. :)
Lambeau Field. Wow. This is a truly phenomenal stadium. The history of the Packers organization, coupled with the devotion of their fans is something that legends are made of. From the moment we drove up to Lambeau, the cameras started snapping and we stared at it in awe.
We drove down Lombardi Avenue and managed to park on a homeowner's lawn just two blocks from the stadium. Price: $10. Not bad. The lots around the stadium are sold out to season ticket holders and so parking on-site was not possible. Parking ranged from $25-$10 and I think we scored a primo parking space that was easy to get out of.
For my Indy readers, the interior of Conseco Fieldhouse's entry (where the Indiana Pacers play, to non-Indy natives) and the interior of Lambeau Field's entry is nearly identical. If the same architect was not used for both, I'd be very surprised. When we walked in, we were handed gloves (bright yellow with a GB logo) and our first greeting was from a beer vendor in the entrance. He welcomed us to Lambeau, told us he hoped we had a good time and encouraged us to check the place out.
We went, first, to the Pro Shop where we each bought a cheesehead. Yes, dear readers, I allowed a foam rubber wedge of cheese to ride in the car with me. I know, I know, sacriledge. My purchase was for my cousin's friend's son who, although he lives in Lexington, KY, is a huge Packers fan. Who knew?
We finished up at the Pro Shop (which was ass-to-elbow full of people) and headed downstairs to the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame (admission $10) is worth every penny. It is interactive, with plenty of exhibits and highlights the players, the fans and the town. We took our time and looked through the exhibits and Jason found a couple of players' jerseys that he had on his fantasy football league so I took a picture of him next to that. We read through telegrams sent to the football coach from the Governor of Wisconsin (at the time), the various owners of the other football teams (including what was then the Baltimore Colts), and proud citizens. It was truly heartening to see how much Green Bay is the Packers as much as the Packers are Green Bay.
Heading to our seats, we received a fair amount of ribbing from various Packer fans but overall, a very congenial atmosphere. The seats, oh the seats ....
Thirty nine rows up, section 102 (right behind the goalpost area), two end seats. The only downside of the seats was a jackass behind and to the right that kept up the verbal abuse for the whole game. Nice lesson to teach your daughter, jackass. Maybe someday she'll rise to the level of classiness you showed us. *snort*
The other fans around us ... obviously pleased that their team was winning but overall accommodating and pleasant.
Another interesting observation -- Lambeau has very few 'seats' -- it is mostly aluminum bleachers. There is quite a cottage industry of renting seatbacks at the stadium and most people either rent or bring their own. We did not rent seats but instead used a blanket I had brought to keep our tushes off the cold aluminum. Very good.
The food was fun. I had a bratwurst and some cheese curds (yes, I tempted fate again Peteski -- lots of cheese in two days' time) and washed it down with a beer. The normal other foods were there too but this is the first place I've ever seen that the beer guy also sells Old Wisconsin Beef Sticks. :)
In closing, although the Colts bombed at Lambeau, the field and place made the day spectacular. Thank you, Pete and Babs, for sharing your tickets with this Colts fan. I'll keep an eye out for Bruce tickets and if you ever have an inclination to watch the cars go round and round the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please give a shout. :)
