Cheeseheads, EVERYWHERE!!!

When S and I drove from West to East mainly to get from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore over to Door County, we spent one night in Green Bay. We decided, once we were checked into our hotel for the night, to mosey over to Lambeau Field for a look-see. What we didn't realize was Packers Training Camp was underway.

S, self-portrait.

I should say that S knew training camp was going on, but didn't think there would be a nighttime practice. We really were just going over to see the stadium since we were in town and it's such a hallowed place for football fans, no matter who your team is. And, just as we arrived, we drove right into traffic being stopped for the players to cross to practice.



They have this very nice, new practice facility - indoor and outdoor, right across from the stadium. And, there is this long standing tradition - from when Vince Lombardi was coach, that the players ride across to practice during training camp on the bikes of local kids. This is a really cool thing. I caught some photos, through the car window, of this, since we were stopped by the traffic for this to occur.







This tradition speaks to the overall feel and atmosphere around this place - the Packers organization is a fan centered enterprise. Everything they do, they do it with the fans in mind. It is the only NFL team to be owned by the fans, and maybe this is why. I don't know, but I have to say they could all learn something from the Green Bay Packers when it comes to fan interaction.





So, we waited as all the players came across on all sorts of bicycles, carrying kids on their backs or kids running next to them, holding their helmets.

Then, we parked and walked on across to the practice area.









The bleachers hold 1500 people - I think they crammed at least 1800 in there. Then, there were hundreds hanging on the sides, watching their every move as well.



Outside the practice area, the kid bikes were lined up for the trip back across at the end of practice, there were Packers vendors, food vendors, the local paper and a visitor's bureau, tracking where everyone was from.

Visitors to Packers camp from all over.

S put a pin in Dallas for us.

S wore his DSO t-shirt, so they knew we were from Dallas. S told them, though, that on that day, we were Packers fans! And we were - we really were. It was a really fun place to be.

We have this photo because one of the employees walked up to US,
unprovoked, and asked if he could take our photo.
Fan centered. Definitely fan centered.


There were dads and little guys, taking it in together.

And cheeseheads...there were cheeseheads.

We went over to the stadium to see if we could get a glimpse of the field. Nope. The only way to do that is to pay $11 and take a tour. Tours had concluded for that day, and we were headed to Door County the next morning, so we didn't see the field. We did walk through the Pro Shop. There is also a restaurant, open year round, on the premises.



S ran into one of the guys working at the stadium and talked him up for a while. He told him lots of fun facts about working there and about the team. S told him he thought it would be great to see a game in that stadium. The guy suggested he come sometime when one of Dallas' big rivals were playing the Packers so you could be there rooting for the home team. Yeah, uh, probably really good advice. I'm not sure what that place would feel like as a supporter of the other team. A very lonely place, I think. Ahem.



By doing right by their fans and creating this all inclusive atmosphere, they have some of the most loyal fans in the world - no matter if they win or lose, no matter how cold or hot it is - no matter what, this town and this state support their team. So, in turn, the team makes plenty of money.

S, the temporary Cheesehead.

This is the opposite of Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys - from the first step you take anywhere near that team, you know Jerry and his friends are out to take every dollar they can from you in the name of "America's Team". Don't get me wrong, they are my "hometown" team, and I root for them. But, after experiencing time in Green Bay, I'd say they know more what it's about to be a team for the people. It was a lot of fun, and I'm not even a fan. It was seriously great.

Pattison State Park and Big Manitou Falls

So, we headed out of Door County mid-afternoon yesterday, which put us into "civilization" early enough for me to look through and download some more photos. I decided to post some photos today from Pattison State Park, and Big Manitou Falls. We stopped at this park on our very first day, and the beginning is a very good place to start. (name that tune)

I mentioned this stop in Monday's post - the first set of S-man photos were at this location. Here's the rest of what I shot there. The weather was off/on rain/sun, so the light is sort of unusual in this group - and different from shot to shot at times, even though these photos were all taken within the same hour!

The parking area was only 1/2 mile from the first falls overlook.

This was my view of S throughout the stop.
He was ready to move on down the road instead of stopping here.
Thank you S for stopping here with me.

But I'm glad we stopped.
The falls were beautiful.

We then headed on over to the other side of the river to see the falls closer-up.

The walk itself was so nice.
It was a little on the cool side, and like I said, it rained off and on.

On the way to the other side, I snapped one more look at the falls.

And I started to fixate on the flora...S-man kept a-moving.

How can you not fixate on these pretty flowers?

I mean, LOOK at THAT!

The closer side of the falls was also pretty.
Right after this, I took those photos of S.

But then I went right back to my fixation.
Check out these proud ladies.

There were just so many options for my lens to focus on!

New kinds of wildflowers that I don't see in Texas...

...and some berries not in Texas either.

Gorgeous.

Then I looked up from my trance, looked around for S. He was nowhere to be found. So, I started back down the trail. I found him.

Here.

Ahem. That signaled I had been in the flower trance long enough and it was time to head on down the road. Don't worry - never fear - I've entered the flower trance several times over the past few days. I'll subject you to more floral beauties later on. You know I will.

Today we're going to check out Kohler and Harley-Davidson, two American icons. And, check out some of Milwaukee, and perhaps some of the local microbreweries, if time. The weather continues to be amazing. That's just what we ordered!

Hope your Wednesday goes swimmingly. See you tomorrow.

Houston, We Have A Problem

Actually, not a problem, per se...only a problem if Internet connection is important to you doing the task. I am sitting in the parking lot of the Sister Bay, Wisconsin Library, feeding off - stealing - their Internet connection, to post this short note to you. Door County is not known for its Internet access or cell phone coverage. Which, of course, I love, but it also makes it difficult to communicate with you, my blog reading friends, here on Ate Up Amateur.

So, in the interest of not being run off by the librarian before I am done, this is all I am going to post today - we're in Door County, we're having a nice time, we've seen two of the five Great Lakes at this point (actually all the Great Lakes slated for this trip...) and we've had some seriously delicious cherry strudel. There are lots of quaint little towns here, lots of state parks and lighthouses, nature trails and scenic walkways, lots of beautiful shoreline, and of course, a library. Thank goodness for up to date technology at the library!!!

I hope to have time to download photos so I can actually show you what we've seen, but at this time, this is all folks! Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We are headed down the coast, closer to "civilization," either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. The timing of that jaunt will have a lot to do with what you may or may not see here tomorrow. So, if nothing new is posted, you'll know why. I'll catch up with you when I can. Later, dear blog reading friends. Happy Tuesday!

S-man, Unplugged

We're having a great start to our certainly too-short vacation, and S is definitely having a really nice time. You know, low stress, time away, no emails, etc. It's done him good, I'd say...

Today, two photo shoots of my man on vacation. First, I asked him to stand in front of this stairway back up from a waterfall at Pattison State Park - Big Manitou Falls to be exact. I thought the steps were picturesque. (It had been raining off and on so we had our umbrellas with us.) He started performing when I started taking photos. Who knew? I loved it. In fact, the last photo of this group has to be one of my favorite photos I've EVER taken of him.

Contemplative.

Not sure...

You done with this yet?

Very Gene Kelly, no?

Great smile - but not sure what's going on with that umbrella.

And, my FAVORITE! Isn't that a good photo!

The second set - we walked out to the edge of Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior, behind our hotel for a look-see. It was beautiful, of course. I was snapping away at the birds and the flowers, the boats and the sun on the water. Then, I look to my right and S is climbing a short pier log and pretending to be Karate Kid. You know - this one:



Yeah, that one. So, here is S's take on it:

This is where he was when I noticed his antics.

C-R-A-Z-Y

He got down from that pier and said, "OK, your turn!" Yeah, right mister. I try that, I'm in that bay water. No freakin' way. Then he laughed. He laughed and laughed. I love to hear him laugh and having a good time. It's great.

So, there you go. My man S for you on a Monday. Unplugged. I have some more photos from the weekend to share when I get a chance, including some taken at the Green Bay Packers training camp! Imagine! Something without flowers! I'll work on sharing those soon. We're off to Door County today. See you tomorrow.