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Part One

BRILLION, WISCONSIN (August 3, 2001) - The Girlfriend (GF) and I arrived last night, driving up from Milwaukee. My parents have a full year now under their belt of being retired, they having built a home on a nearby lake. Mom and Dad, for some strange reason, don't miss their old jobs one bit. For me, it's a selfish thing coming here; a relaxing setting, a place to get away to, and a place to spend the night when venturing to LAMBEAU FIELD, an easy 35 mile drive through the rural Fox Valley region.

OK, I've established my location and how/why I'm here. Won't you please join me and my GF? It would be great to have your company and there's plenty of room in our virtual car...

FRIDAY morning we're up early, the sun out and shining over Packer Country, giving for a warm and humid day, but not miserable hot like it has been earlier in the week. We take County Road PP through Brown County, and it's like driving through a painting. One scene was a field, a rich golden brown field of hay, almost sparkling, patterned with dramatic shadows cast from the low sun. The hay had recently been cut, sitting in giant rolls to dry and be stored for winter feed, green woods providing the backdrop with a blue sky and low purple clouds.

This is what it's like, driving through the heart of Packerdom. Ain't a 6-lane tollway driving to Soldier Field nor a fight in a dingy parking ramp for a spot barely within walking distance of the Metrodome.

We're heading in early because we know there's going to be a big crowd around the DON HUTSON CENTER where the Packers are in full swing for TRAINING CAMP. However, we have no plans for watching the Packers practice... But...

When we pull into the Lambeau Field parking lot at 8:00 AM, it's already full with Packer fans. First practice starts at 8:45 and the savvy ones have staked out their seats along ONEIDA AVE. Up by the stadium you could see more fans piled up and around. Many of them are kids on bikes waiting to give players rides down to the practice field, and many more hoping to get autographs.

GF and I make our way over to the PACKER HALL OF FAME because our mission is to secure a ticket for the LAMBEAU FIELD TOUR. With this being PACKER FAMILY NIGHT SCRIMMAGE weekend, we know there's going to be a lot of bodies running around and there aren't that many slots for tours. We've been on the tour before but the word is this may be the last year of tours until the stadium renovation is complete. Tours will of course resume, but it will be the new Lambeau Field, so we want to do the tour again before the facelift changes everything.

As expected, the HOF was still closed, so we started going over to the practice field. People everywhere! It was a good crowd in that you got a feeling of excitement, there was just a lot of anticipation of the coming season and it was contagious. I mean hey, this is only training camp and there was a local radio station, (WDUZ) broadcasting live. Lots of little things like that added to the atmosphere. You know the old cliche' "electricity in the air?" BZZT! Packer shock therapy and it felt good! Good grief, there's also a helicopter hovering around, apparently filming the panorama; where else in the NFL does training camp turn into an event?

Even though it was early, the BROWN COUNTY ARENA ticket office was open and we were able to purchase our tour tickets. We also got tickets for the HALL OF FAME, and, a Green Bay tour billed as LEGENDS OF LOMBARDI. First Lambeau Field tour was at 9:30 AM and it was first-come first-serve. You could see the tram over in the parking lot and it was empty, so no sweat about long lines, at least for now. That meant we had time to wander.

We make our way over to the main center of the crowd by the practice field and there were Packers signing autographs! LONGWELL, BIDWELL, STOKES, and one or two others that we saw. They were signing away for everyone. I like to get autographs but we had nothing appropriate to be signed and each player had a small crowd meaning having to wait, so we didn't line up. Just fun to watch.

By then, players started coming down with the kids on their bikes. They rode right through the crowd, everyone appreciating the opportunity to be THAT close. Some stopped long enough to sign more autographs but many went right off to get to work. I'm sure the crowd is a distraction for them, but it's great that the Packers as a whole acknowledge the unique interaction fans and players enjoy; many "special moments" are created here and we were witness to that.

We watch the situation play out and we start wandering some more, crossing the street back to Lambeau Field proper. We're just killing time; it's too early to go sit on the tram for the tour (no one is lining up there yet, no hurry) but it's too late to get involved with anything. We're just kind of making our way to the stadium to look at the construction when we see a guy coming towards us who looks like MIKE SHERMAN. Mike Sherman? Nah... but there's a cop with him as an escort, so who else could it... IT IS Mike Sherman! He's signing autographs as he's walking and as he goes by GF says (jokingly) can you sign my T-shirt? (She's wearing a white T-shirt with a Packer theme on the front). Mike says he has to keep walking and would sign it if she took it off, and she said sure, but only as a joke.

However, I couldn't resist. There was virtually no crowd around him so I grabbed one of the tickets we purchased, walked with Mike for a second, and he autographed my ticket. WHEE! A middle-aged guy acting like a 9 year old kid. We then start to go back to our wandering.

Mike Sherman then turns around (he's probably 20 feet off by now) and yells to GF about signing her T-shirt and he comes back and signs it! GF turned 6 years old there.

You really had to appreciate that. We're old enough and experienced enough to know what's going on, and you could see it in Mr. Sherman's face. He was in a hurry, had a million things on his mind, and his face showed the pressure and stress he was under, and the day hadn't even started yet. He's got to be too busy for general rabble like us, right? But his brain changed gears for 20 seconds and he accommodated a simple request for a 6 year old girl who was trapped inside a 40+ year old body.

It remains to be seen if Mike Sherman will be worthy of his position, but one thing is for sure: He appreciates his being there and realizes the relationship between fan and Packer and what the bond means between fan and Packer. If this guy is half the winner on the field as he is a winner for What Life Is All About, you can start making room right now for more Superbowl Trophies.

If Mike Sherman turns out to be a lousy Coach and General Manager, Football will still have been better off for having the likes of him pass through its ranks.

THE LAMBEAU FIELD TOUR - As I mentioned, we've done the tour several times in the past, but it's always fun. One thing of note was the last minute preparations being made for the scrimmage. The construction has forced changes in gate access and with 36 hours to go they hadn't finished completing the entrances. The concourse was full of vehicles and various construction material. My mind was thinking: Are they really going to be ready for 50,000 fans? (51,000 tickets had been sold as of the night before).

As had been reported in other sources, plumbing was undergoing major infrastructure changes, meaning many of the restrooms were no longer in use. Banks and banks of Port-A-Potties are lined up, ready and reporting for duty. These are going to be fun fun fun in late December; there ain't no heaters in these things.

The tour takes you through the Club seats and luxury boxes, and you get to sit out in the bowl area for a while. A crew was out painting hash marks on the field in preparation for the scrimmage, and the grass was looking good. Good enough to dive into and go swimming. Even when sitting in an empty stadium, corner end zone, you just had to appreciate the view. It's as they say; there are no bad seats in Lambeau Field.

You see a game here and you will forever curse having to watch a Packer game on TV.

In all our past Lambeau tours the guides were college kids, out-of-towners who were going to local institutions and found a good summer gig working the stadium. However, this time it was all old farts, retired locals who have lived here most of their lives and were season ticket holders. They were regular people who lived and breathed Packers and this made the tour just absolutely STUNNING. Their enthusiasm for the Packers was riveting. They weren't passing through like those college kids; this has been their life.

Just imagine being on the same tour you've taken a good threes times previous and being in awe the whole way through. It was a wonderful personal touch having these guys put us in their shoes, if only for a short time.

Here's something I found interesting: With the renovation, there is supposedly going to be an area or two of "dead space." The rumor is once the Packers see how things go, they may add ADDITIONAL SEATS. It's not known if they will do it or if it will be regular seats or more Club seats, whatever. The possibility of more seats sometime in the future AFTER current renovation plans is a big deal for those on the Waiting List, which is now at 57,400+ as reported by our tour guides.

After the tour our next stop was the Hall of Fame to catch the LEGENDS OF LOMBARDI tour. Everyone piles onto one of those trolley buses (they look quaint but those old-time seats are hard on the butt) and you're driven around town to see various points of Packer interest.

We drive by Curly Lambeau's boyhood home, the old City Stadium, Vince's old office downtown, etc. Yeah, well, that parking lot there was where the Packers were "born" back in 1919, but right now it's still a parking lot and you paid how much to be hauled off across town to look at a parking lot...?

On a different note, our tour guide, his name was JAY BENGSTON.

You know, Jay. Jay? Jay! Jay Bengston, son of PHIL BENGSTON. So, what? Ain't no retired Packer jerseys with the name Bengston on it, still no big deal. Well, hey, you old timers know...

Phil Bengston was an assistant coach under Vince Lombardi. When Vince became General Manager, Phil became the HEAD COACH for the Packers, his tenure running from 1968-1970.

And that was the REAL tour, Jay telling all kinds of personal stories from the Packers and Vince and the NFL, too many for me to have been able to write down and remember. Jay even had a Superbowl ring from 1967, and he took it off to let me look at.

Jay is 58 years old now and he's a walking Living History Museum of the Green Bay Packers. The real thrill was Jay's, he loving every minute of being able to relate Packer lore of past and present, Packer stories lived by him and stories only told to him by other Packers.

My god, what a treat... Best damn tour of parking lots and old bars that used to be some office or what-not I ever had the pleasure of taking.

The problem with text is you can't insert a dramatic pause, but one is needed at this point: "Dramatic Pause."

Thanks, Jay!

Back at the HALL OF FAME we run through it fairly quickly. We've done this before also and it doesn't change much. In fact, some segments need to be updated, but don't let my Done-That Been-There attitude deter you from this experience, for it is an experience in itself to be able to see Packer History on display. It can be a place to sit and reflect; the discipline and dedication it takes to be successful in the NFL are traits required for any aspect of life, and when you're surrounded by examples of Greatness, you can't but help to be inspired for your own personal challenges.

Next stop is PACKER CITY ANTIQUES, a small card and coin shop. It's a typical trading card shop but it's practically a Packer museum, chuck-full of memorabilia for sale and a few pieces just for display. Today they have a love letter Curly Lambeau had written to his future wife which was set out for viewing. All kinds of treasures and a Must-Stop for any Packer fan. We're really here to get some Mike Sherman cards to pair up with our autographs so we browse for a while, drop a couple bucks, and make our way south on ONEIDA and stop at McDonalds for lunch.

Across the street was PARTY PERFECT and an establishment called FRAMIN' PLACE & GALLERY. Party Perfect is probably what can be described as "Tailgater Heaven." This is the place to come if you want want the epitome of outfitting with Packer tailgate gear. All I can say is you have to see the place to understand. Even Packer music is on sale here, and as we leave we're blessed with the lyrics "Bears Still Suck..."

The Framin' Place is, of course, a framing shop. I'm here because I have aspirations to make it as an artist (on the side that is, gonna keep the day job) and just wanted to poke around a bit. Turns out they have a fairly impressive gallery in the back, some pieces done by local artists, one artist being AMY GRAFF. Also turns out Amy's running the store for the day so it was great getting to meet her and finding her acomodating with my questions in how to bust into something well beyond my "normal" life. Very interesting to just "explore" the town a bit and find a unique part of what makes up Green Bay.

We start to head back to my parents place, but we make a stop at APPLE VALLEY ORCHARD, which is south of Green Bay on highway 57. We know it's early, but this is our only chance to get fresh pick-your-own apples. Apples quite aren't in season yet, but we tried. If any of you are stompin' around here late August, make sure you stop in and taste what a real apple tastes like.

Back at the lake we relate our adventures and show off our autographs, and by then it's dinner time. Mom wants to try a restaurant called ROEDKE'S, located in CHARLESBURG, outside of CHILTON. Eating at these places are always fun, a nice change of place from the usual chain joints. The food here is OK, but the secret to this place, of all things, is the SALAD BAR. I don't know if the dressing was homemade, but it sure tasted like it, and you'll never taste anything like it again. The other sides in the bar like the cole slaw and bean salads and such, unbelievable eatin'. Rave review for a salad? Just one of life's little pleasures, y' know..?

Well, that's pretty much the day. Tomorrow we go back to Green Bay for the scrimmage and I hope to give y'all another report about that. As you can see I'm not so focused on who makes the team and who the starter is for position X, I tend to take in the crowd, the experience, sights, sounds, people. They're all a part of the game, the experience.

Thanks for coming along, it's always a pleasure doing these things with other Packer fans...

Part Two

BRILLION, WI Aug. 4, 2001 - Well, the long weekend continues, me and girlfriend (GF) staying at my parents home outside of Brillion. Today, of course, was the much anticipated PACKER FAMILY FAMILY NIGHT SCRIMMAGE. Many of you saw the "game" on TV and have started to analyze the plays, coaching, and players, but how about if I go beyond the X's and O's and describe what it was like to be in GREEN BAY and LAMBEAU FIELD? C'mon and join us, tickets are only 6 bucks!

There's three of us as we head for Green Bay late afternoon, me, GF, and MOM. Mom isn't what you would call a diehard fan but she roots for the home team and enjoys the excitement of a good Lambeau Field crowd, so she's tagging along. That's what's nice about this family night thing; even if you have season tickets, you usually can't go as a group. Three people isn't exactly a group, but there will be families and friends able to "do" Lambeau TOGETHER which is generally impossible to do for regular games.

We make good time running up the back roads into Green Bay, allowing for extra time so GF insists on a mall stop and we hit the SHOPKO south on ONEIDA street. It's apparent that many of the shoppers are en route to Lambeau for the evening activities and are also taking time out to contribute to the local economy.

Dinner reservations were made for BRETT FAVRE'S STEAKHOUSE; I've eaten there before but it's the first time for GF and Mom. It really doesn't mean much when a celebrity slaps his name on a restaurant, but the food here is first class. There's also several displays of Brett Favre memorabilia so it's a good stop for a Packer fan. Dinner was not a disappointment.

Traffic and parking are a major concern because of the construction, but no problem for us; I have a COUSIN (Mom's nephew) who lives two blocks south of Lambeau Field. He lives so close that he's one of those people who makes money by allowing Packer fans to park their cars on his front lawn. There's one lot up the street from Cousin where they can fit up to 400 cars in there. They charge $20 to park there on game days... I think you can do the math...

We haven't been in contact for a while so it was good to visit with Cousin and his wife, talking about family and personal stuff. We hang out a bit catching up on what's going on with each other and such.

LAMBEAU FIELD - It's time! We're here! The freebie du jour is an inflatable yellow tube. Blow it up and it's like a big, giant noodle. Bang two of 'em together and they go Boink! Boink! Boink! Lotsa Boinking all night long.

The crowd is charged! The crowd is pumped! What can I say? There's beach balls bouncing around the crowd. They get the wave going, the most INTENSE wave I've ever seen, it zips around and around with great speed and energy.

Some players come out to do some practice (this is about 6:30 PM at this point) and the crowd erupts. Doesn't matter who they are, they're Packers! A few groups of players came out at different intervals and it was the same cheering each time.

Oh, yeah... let me tell you about our seats: We're in the south end zone, section 38, down in the FIRST row. People always talk about "getting on the 50," but lemme tellya, you get a great view from the end zone. And then to be practically there on the field, it's even better. They started practicing field goals by us and when the balls hits the net, it kind of "crawls" down the net and plops out at the bottom. One ball landed in GF's lap. I put my hand on it, touching a real live Packer NFL ball. Cool! When one of the crew comes over to take the ball back, GF protests jokingly that you get to keep the ball in Arena Football, but the crew guy smiles and does his job.

We knew we couldn't keep the ball, but when it's in your hands...

Being in the front row means interacting with field personnel, specifically, the camera crews. They were coming up and down by us and everyone would do their best to animate themselves as much as possible to get on the jumbotron. There's two little ones sitting behind us and we let them down in front of us, but they miss their chance. The guy next to me has this big Packer tattoo on his arm and they project the tattoo on the 'tron. A little baby decked out in Packer clothes is hauled across the whole section, Daddy trying to get baby on camera, and I had to laugh because Daddy was being a bigger kid than the real kids. Baby was missed but eventually later in the evening they caught baby and the cutie got a cheer from the crowd.

Part of the pre-scrimmage ceremonies included traditional dancing by the MEXICAN FOLKLORIC DANCERS and members of the ONEIDA TRIBE. Very impressive but some of the tribe members were maybe 2-4 years old and they stole the show.

WHAT YOU DIDN'T SEE - Just some random scenes, in no particular order: #54 running out onto the field and putting his hand up to his helmet the way players did last season to mimic a shark. Schroeder running out and across the field, stopping in the end zone in front of us and everyone around us cheering for him and he waving to the crowd. Groups of people behind the players chanting GIL-BERT! GIL-BERT! People on their feet and dancing to the music on the sound system. The cop getting booed when a beach ball landed on the field and he took it away. When you go to commercial on TV they're playing music on the sound system and the crowd is into it.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS - Some random observations: Along the south side of the stadium on the outside, there's a walkway running east-west. It's all gravel. May be trouble for people who can't get along 100%, and may be a mess during rain/snow. The Port-A-Potties suck, but mainly because people make no effort to keep them clean. They're designated separately for men and women, so I can't comment on the sanitary habits of women. The men, it's obvious a few don't pee in the urinal, and they can't shoot straight. Either don't drink so you don't have to go or else get shitfaced so you don't care what you sit down on/in. Bleah. There was a medical emergency, a woman was being carted through the concourse on a vehicle that had a small platform that acted as a stretcher. She seemed to be OK/stable, but it sure was going no where fast through the crowd. If time was critical I don't think she would have made it. IF you have trouble with crowds, you may want to leave early or stay late at the end of a game; the construction limits exits and it's a tight squeeze if you leave with the main herd.

TRAFFIC/PARKING - Really hard to offer a true opinion; it was a smaller crowd than normal, and there were probably less vehicles than normal because on game day you probably only have two people going together in one car while a group could pile in together in one vehicle this evening. The demographics was much different; we had more traffic going home on the back roads than a usual game day, probably because more locals could get tickets. In other words, they spread out more on the streets and back roads more than the usual herd heading to the freeway(s). I will say parking is not going to be a problem; there will be plenty of lawns to park on. However, I will predict traffic will be worse because the construction will force everyone more or less on specific routes, at least after the game. Pre-game traffic is generally not too bad because the times people arrive vary.

But, back to the crowd. Every time a good play was made, everyone would be on their feet and cheering. Score a touchdown, YAHOO! Yet, it's only a practice! It's just like I said, everyone is excited and pumped. The season is upon us!

Towards the end the camera guy did a "sweep," he starting at the end of the section and then moving along our row. We got those two little kids down in there and I made a "Number One" with my finger so we all got to be on the jumbotron. Does that count toward my 15 minutes?

I don't know how else to describe it; being with other Packer fans makes it that much more fun and being at Lambeau Field, it is such a wonderful venue for experiencing a game. Everything is up close and personal, and you don't have to be in the first row to have that feeling.

I hope this gives a little feel of what it's like. Football is more than wins and losses and player stats. What happens on the field is only half the experience; the crowd, the stadium, they inspire the players as much as they inspire us. It is all tied together, and to be a part of it, it can be something special, and that is one word you can use for Lambeau Field: Special.

Thanks for coming along, I hope you had a good time. Best 6 bucks you'll ever spend!