589 miles to the stadium
California Bears vs. Oregon Ducks
7:30 kickoff
46 degrees with a cold wind off the water
California, here we come! It's Friday and time to fly South once again.
Kimi and I get to the airport early enough for a quick stop in the Alaska Boardroom where the guy at the front desk recognizes us and doesn't even ask for ID. We're not sure if this is a good thing - having the Boardroom Concierge recognize you. Typically, it's not the kind of place "where everybody knows your name!" But then, these are atypical times.
EVERY GAME, EVERY STADIUM.
9-0.
We tip our champagne glasses to the concierge who is also a Beaver. "Go easy on us in a couple weeks," he pleads. "Just go easy on us."
The flight to San Francisco is a fun one. It's mostly filled with Ducks and Beavers as the Beavs play at Stanford in the early game on Saturday. Two good teams we'll face in the coming weeks. The stakes are high for everyone this late in the season, and anything can happen. My short, down to the quick nails are proof of that!
We arrive at Kimi's mom's house and enjoy a good dinner, great wine, and even better company. Later that night, we fall asleep to a Great Horned Howl hooting just outside our window. Not quite a quack, but better than a growl!
The next day, we leave for the stadium early in the afternoon. The weather is gorgeous and Marilyn (Kimi's mom) suggests we leave time for a ride up Grizzly Peak Road for some beautiful views of Berkeley, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Meanwhile, the wind picks up and the temperatures continue to drop. Kimi and Marilyn decide to take a walk. To stay warm perhaps? For something else? I stay at the table to hold our spots. Soon, I hear Marilyn say, "I'm back," and I look up to see a transformed California Bear.
We arrive at Kimi's mom's house and enjoy a good dinner, great wine, and even better company. Later that night, we fall asleep to a Great Horned Howl hooting just outside our window. Not quite a quack, but better than a growl!
The next day, we leave for the stadium early in the afternoon. The weather is gorgeous and Marilyn (Kimi's mom) suggests we leave time for a ride up Grizzly Peak Road for some beautiful views of Berkeley, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Three things to note: the Golden Gate Bridge to the right, the blimp in the sky, and Memorial Coliseum straight down the ravine to where the hills meet the city.
We make it to Berkeley with plenty of time to spare before the Alumni party, so we stop by Henry's, a Duck-friendly bar, at the Hotel Durant. By chance and good luck, we run into some of our Duck friends from Oregon... Tim & Nancy!
Did I mention Kimi's mom is a Cal Bear alum?!? Oh well, we still love her!
Tim and Nancy ask us to join their table and together we watch Texas A&M bring Old Dixie down. Alabama, the #1 team in the country, falls. Henry's erupts in cheers, hoots, and hollers because we Duck fans know. We know with a win tonight, we will move into the #1 or 2 spot in the country and control our own destiny to Miami and the National Championship Game. Go Ducks Go!
Before we know it, it's time for the next party. We bid Tim and Nancy farewell with plenty of Go Duck-goodbyes and high fives. The alumni party is outside, and already, the cold, damp air is settling into Berkeley. But the party has food, drinks, and good cheer - 3 things sure to keep a Duck warm.
I notice this banner at one of the tables and have to take a picture.
Ahem USC, you and your deflated ball/uniform changing ways might take heed.
Meanwhile, the wind picks up and the temperatures continue to drop. Kimi and Marilyn decide to take a walk. To stay warm perhaps? For something else? I stay at the table to hold our spots. Soon, I hear Marilyn say, "I'm back," and I look up to see a transformed California Bear.
"My work here is done," says Kimi.
If you've been following the Duck Tale the last couple of weeks, you know we've had our fair share of celebrity encounters. In the last two weeks alone, Kimi has had her picture taken with Ashton Eaton and LaMichael James. Well, sorry Ashton and LaMike, but tonight you are overshadowed by another celebrity. Tonight we get our picture taken with the biggest man on campus....
PUDDLES!
After the party, we make our way to our seats in the Cal section. The wind is blowing right off the water and into our laps, but the excitement in the air keeps things warm. We look around the stadium and can't believe all the Ducks that are in attendance. Kimi counts 19 Duck sections, and later we would learn, the crowd was 40% Oregon. Our best showing yet!
We would need it. California keeps it close through halftime and into the 3rd quarter. Alabama's loss is on my mind. I imagine it's on the other 40%'s minds too. Bama losing means so much to the rest of the Ducks' season, and we don't need the same fate- not by a lowly 3 and 7 team, who by all reports is in complete turmoil. Finally though, the Ducks break through and as the temperatures drop, the Oregon score rises.
We would need it. California keeps it close through halftime and into the 3rd quarter. Alabama's loss is on my mind. I imagine it's on the other 40%'s minds too. Bama losing means so much to the rest of the Ducks' season, and we don't need the same fate- not by a lowly 3 and 7 team, who by all reports is in complete turmoil. Finally though, the Ducks break through and as the temperatures drop, the Oregon score rises.
One cold, but happy Duck!
By the end of the 3rd quarter, we're up 38-17. The Bears don't score again. Maybe they went into hibernation?
Most of the Duck fans stay until the end, including these three...
FINAL SCORE: 59-17 DUCKS.
We can still be friends, right?
See ya next year, Cal!
Thanks for following the Duck Tale.
SEE YA NEXT WEEK!
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