Just Bowl Me Over

Have you ever been to a college football bowl game? I've watched them on television all my life. Well, "all" my life is stretching it a little, but since I was a kid -- probably in junior high. Back then the important bowl games were on New Years Day -- the most important one being the Rose Bowl. After all, it is the "Grand Daddy" of the bowl games. But more important, it is "our" bowl game. That means the University of Oregon Ducks play for a chance to go to Pasadena each year. They don't usually make it -- they have only been to the Rose Bowl 4 times. Their first appearance was in 1917 when they defeated Pennsylvania 14-0. Alas, their next 3 trips to Pasadena ended in loses. But one was close. I remember watching at my brother's house on New Years Day 1958. Ohio State was rated the number one team in America. They should have been facing Oregon State but a strange "no repeat" rule meant that Oregon got the bid. Ohio State scored a touchdown in the first period. Oregon followed this with their own touchdown in the second quarter. Oregon had a chance to take the lead in the third period but kicker Jack Morris hooked a 34-yard field goal try to the left. Early in the 4th quarter, Ohio State tried a field goal from the same spot; it was good. They led 10 to 7 but Oregon had another chance... until they fumbled the ball. But it wasn't over. Oregon got the ball again with just a few minutes left on the clock. Quarterback Jack Crabtree had his team moving down the field but with 47 seconds left in the game his fourth down pass fell incomplete. Oregon lost 10-7. It was exciting; it was a let-down. I found little consolation in the fact that Oregon beat Ohio State in yards gained and first down conversions. Perhaps Oregon's domination of the game was expressed in the fact that Jack Crabtree was named Player of the Game, one of only a very few people on a losing team to get that award.

So you can guess what we did on New Years Day. We watched bowl games. But Oregon wasn't in one of those. They played on Tuesday, the 30th in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. I've always wanted to see a bowl game in person. I know Oregon's record in bowl games isn't exactly stellar. They have lost 13 times and won only 9. But one can always hope -- and shout. When I found out Oregon was going to the Holiday Bowl, I got on line and discovered there were tickets available that I could afford (well, sort of). So I bought two and asked Korak to go with me. Actually, I supplied the tickets and he drove. Our seats were high and kind of on the corner of the end zone. Not too bad, really. It was amazing to be there. All the pageantry and glitz. At the beginning, a Native American National Guard Unit unfurled a flag as big as the football field. They had people stationed across the field to hold it up. A 12-year old boy with a tremendous voice sang the National Anthem. When he got to "rocket's red glare" they shot rockets into the air. Then with "bombs bursting in mid air" they set off loud explosions and when he got to "flag yet wave" they jerked on the flag so it had a wavy effect across the field. Then the jets did the flyover. I was duly impressed.

The half time show ended with a great fire works display. And the game ended with... yes! an Oregon win. They defeated Oklahoma State 42 to 31. I went home a happy camper.

Speaking of camping... Friday we left our precious little ones (the bigger ones are precious too, but you know what I mean) and headed east. We camped in Needles, California for two nights. Yesterday we drove up to Oatman on the old Route 66 highway. It is a combination of Tortilla Flats and Tombstone mixed with some burros and rolled out along a narrow stretch of old road. Burros roam the streets looking for a handout and locals open the shops looking for a sale. Find a place to park somewhere and then stroll through the stores selling Route 66 memorabilia, old west things and just plain stuff. It was fun to do. We had stopped at a Route 66 museum the day before in Victorville so didn't need anymore 66 things. We drove a little of the highway. I would like to drive all of it someday.

This morning we attended worship at Calvary Chapel in Needles, went back to the RV for lunch, then packed up a left. We are now in Lake Havasu City. We'll take a look at London Bridge, snoop around town, get some prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart and then move on down to Quartzsite. Take care and have a happy new year.