Adventures in Hockey

Ok- I attempted to write this blog a couple of days ago but somehow ended up deleting all my written work. AHHH. I decided to write a new post since I now have a chance to breath without worrying about school work, hockey, or work. It is spring break time so here it goes-

My friends think that I am crazy, or at least they think my elevator doesn't go all the way to the top. For the past seven weekends I have been on the road trekking all over this great state putting in more than 2500 miles on the tread of my car. Most of these trips have been with the family and hockey related. My friends don't understand why I go on all these trips to support my brother, the great hockey player. They question why I would want to spend every free moment on the road with my family. I go on these trips to spend quality time with my family, eat out (its all about the food), and to support Pat. I also go on these jaunts to experience what I call the "Van Dyke Adventure".

There are many hockey adventures that I can recall from the past few years. Steve's blog about Applebees reminded me of the time that I played doorman while waiting for a table with a bunch of hockey fans/parents. I opened the door for exiting patrons, offering a mint, and thanked them for coming in. It passed the time and amused the other people waiting. I think the hostess even laughed.

There was also the time that I attempted to play navigator with a small state road map. We were returning from Cody, WY after another weekend of hockey. I noticed that there was a shortcut that would save us about an hour and a half worth of driving time. Mom wasn't convinced and was certain that this short cut wouldn't work. The road quickly went from a two lane paved road to a nice wide gravel road leading us through the mountains. Houses quickly changed into small cabins scattered about the hills and the road became narrower. We finally ended up in a small town called Fishtail just as the sun was setting behind the mountains. We had journeyed about fifty miles and had spent an hour to make a large circle ending up where we had began. The whole conversation on the interstate back home had dialogue peppered with phrases of "I told you so". Short cuts are a whole other blog subject.

During some of these hockey adventures one of Pats team mates has hitched a ride with us to the various games. You haven't lived until you have traveled hundreds of miles crammed in the back seat of a rental car between two kids watching "Black Hawk Down" for the hundredth time or listening to the boys recite the entire "Simpsons Movie" verbatim four times in a row. I dreamt about Springfield for weeks after that trip.

Pats hockey team is another source of adventure, spurring many laughs from me. This year has seen two kids ejected from the ice, two concussions, bad refereeing, a fight, and of course pool antics. In Havre I got pissed off at three, as I called them "Ol Bats", that were hanging out in the hot tub critiquing the activity in the pool. These bats were pissed off that the kids were doing canon balls into the pool, screaming with delight, and overall just having fun. I listened to them yap their jowls for thirty minutes before one the hockey players decided to do a cannon ball into the hot tub. I knew that it was coming, the way he started to approach the bubbling water. I saw the delight in his eyes as he jumped into the air, pulling his legs up to his chest in an effort to make a bigger splash. I also heard the high pitched squeal from the bats as they unitedly screamed NOOOOOOOOOOOO!, but it was too late. The resulting tidal wave splashed out over the sides of the container leaving a white froth along the walkway. The shocked looks from the trio was priceless. For a moment they were quiet, still shocked from their cannonball showering, but they quickly recovered chewing out the poor kid for his childish ways. My broad smile and choked back laughter probably didn't make them very happy and they soon left.

After many adventures and many miles, this hockey season has ended. I am moderately saddened that there will be no more road trips to distant towns, weekends spent in a freezing cold ice rinks, and time spent with new found friends. I am however happy to be home and reaquant myself with my house.

By the way- the mighty Ice Dogs earned second place at state.