Bowled Over

Peter E.

January 2, 2010 - 11:56 AM

Hmmm... No real way to sugar coat it: we got beat. I was one of many yellow clad fans making the quiet procession away from the Rose Bowl yesterday evening. However, minus the final score, the week in Southern California has been unforgettable.

My mom and I drove over from Phoenix Tuesday, and my roommate Jeff flew in to join me on Wednesday. Aside from a rainy Wednesday, Los Angeles treated us to 70 degree sunny days. It was great to visit my family while in eager anticipation of the Rose Bowl.

Friday morning arrived quickly, and Jeff and I hurriedly dressed in our Ducks attire before making the 20 minute drive to Pasadena. We honked and threw up the "O" to fellow Ducks fans we passed on the 210 Freeway. After making our way passed Rose Parade traffic we managed to park and took a bus to the stadium. We gawked at the large Pasadena homes as we descended into the valley towards the stadium. The bus let us off in a parking lot surrounded by game day festivities: College GameDay stage, corporate tents, tailgates, and a swarm of fans. We met up with friends and meandered the Rose Bowl grounds checking out the free attractions which ranged from a Cheap Trick concert to Taco Bell tacos (I'm not sure if one was more satisfying than the other). It was not long before we opted to make our way to our friend Ross' tailgate.

The Rose Bowl grounds are pretty incredible because there are two 18 hole golf courses which double as parking and tailgates on game days. I felt like I walked a full 18 walking to and from Ross' tailgate, but it was well worth the walk for the brats and hospitality.

Finally, game time neared. Jeff and I hurried to the stadium and found our seats on the green and yellow side of the stadium. It was really cool to enter the bowl with one half distinctly red and the other distinctly yellow. The game was frustrating, to say the least, but it was a beautiful setting and a memorable experience as the Ducks fell short as the sunset shone red over the San Gabriel mountains. Though disappointing, there's always next year. The Ducks return 18 starters and should be hungrier to win a BCS bowl. And, hey, the Ducks basketball team is undefeated in Pac-10 play!