My First Man Trip

I've always liked football. Actually, it's pretty much all team sports. I've always watched and enjoyed, discussed and attended sporting events. It's the way I was raised. I share these interests with my brother and it's one of our strongest links as siblings.

I grew up watching NFL football and have admired many players for their incredible talent. Dan Marino & the Miami Dolphins, Steve Young and the San Francisco 49s and Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers were some of my most favourite quarterbacks and teams.

When I started to travel more intensely, as an adult, I began to pursue "life experiences" rather that vacations or mere casual vacation activities. Meaning that I decided I could travel for an event or a specific activity NOT just because it was my holiday time or I had casual interest in a destination.

So when Brett Favre came out of retirement for the 2nd time and announced his intention to play with the Minnesota Vikings, I decided that I was going to see him play live. It took some research and preparation. After all... the greatest (my opinion and that of many others) quarterback of all time was going to play just one more season. I had to see it!  There was a huge buzz and very quickly Minnesota Vikings games were selling out all over the country.

My next step was to analyze the schedule and see where they played that would suit my work schedule. I then narrowed it down to "away games" and cities that I had interest in seeing. There was no way I was going to freeze my ass in chicago in the middle of winter to see ANY football player. So... Arizona it was! Arizona is also an ideal location as with their slumping economy and desire for tourists, flights are cheap and so are accommodations. Not that I want to take advantage of anyone in a down turned economy, it simply makes sense to visit and offer them any little boost I can.

So I decided that I  would start planning in earnest. I talked to my brother and he thought it was a great idea. I then picked up a pair of club seats off of Stub hub. (My friends & I have used this service numerous times and never got burned. It's fabulous for grabbing the seats you want when you want them.) Club seats.... they deserve a column of their own! Though, in short, my theory is that if the difference in the best seats and the "nosebleed" seats is $50. YOU HAVE TO GET THE GOOD SEATS. Especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience or you are travelling for an event. Sit in the good seats!

I should mention that with club seats, in Arizona anyway, you get access to the building and lounges 3 hours pre-game. You get to see the teams warm up and you get to chill and enjoy the atmosphere before the flood gates open and the other 60,000 people get in.  (So worth it!)

Anyways, when my brother & I go on Man Trips we get a 2 bedroom condo or something similar. The Marriott (Towne brand) chain is good for these types of rooms as well. There are a number of "long stay" kitchenette type rooms that you can get at a reasonable price.

Flights weren't hard to get either. We simply searched our dates regularly until they came to a typical sale price for the route & then pounced!

I think in the end we stayed 4 days in Phoenix/Glendale. We took in a Coyotes game (I'd highly recommend it) and THE GAME.  I LOVED the whole NFL experience. It was like absolutely nothing I'd ever done. When 65,000 people are all cheering, it moves you. You feel the vibrations right through your ribs and into your core. It's like being a part of one big surreal experience. And never mind the tailgating. OMG I had no idea they were THAT serious about tailgating. Keith and I showed up 3.5 hours before the event, thinking we'd be able to take in the whole atmosphere and really it seemed like we were the LAST people to arrive before the game. Crowds arrived pre-dawn it seemed to stake out their spot and set up their elaborate BBQ stations. Plus there were bands playing and people tossing around footballs. It seemed that the Sunday night NFL game was a 12 hour experience for Arizona fans.

Ultimately, I got to see my favourite QB play. The game and weekend were amazing. And there began my love for the Man Trip.  Why do I call it a Man Trip?  Because Keith & I went, just as a couple of buddies, going to see a game. No kids, no pressure, no shopping, no whining, no fancy clothes. Just a couple buddies, a couple beers and a couple games.  Ah, the Man Trip. When can I go again?