Everyone knows the outcome, but we are so proud of their accomplishments and how they played and almost beat the favored team. Vegas doesn't like us right now. 60% of the bets won since the point spread was -7. They lost big...serves them right and makes up for all of the years that they won big on crazy spreads only to see the Cards get blown out by double the spread.
We originally thought some friends would join us, but the economy situation did not allow them to make the trip, so we went on our own and had a blast. We spent Saturday at Universal Studios (pretty fun but very expensive in my opinion). We got up and headed to Tampa Sunday morning, arriving about 11:30 a.m. We spent the afternoon at the NFL Experience. It was included in the price of the ticket...actually only ticket holders could attend the NFL Experience on Sunday, so of course all of the fans were decked in their Pittsburgh and Arizona colors. I would say it was 5 to 1 Pittsburgh to Arizona. But one Pittsburgh fan pointed out to me the obvious...it is -10 degrees and snowing there so everyone is looking for a reason to get away. Arizona is warmer than Tampa so there wasn't the need. Besides, Pittsburgh is a storied franchise and has very loyal fans all around the country.
We went into the stadium about 3:30 p.m. and watched warm-ups and pregame ceremonies leading up to the kickoff. Jennifer Hudson was awesome and the Thunderbird's fly-by surprised us and scared many of us. We weren't expecting it, but it was surreal. Bruce Springsteen's show was excellent as well. But my favorite part of the day was watching my Cardinals almost beat the Steelers...oh so close. I was bummed, but not disappointed or embarrassed. They played great and gained the respect of the world. We are not the same 'ol Cardinals any longer.
It was a long drive back to Orlando, but the hotel we stayed at was gorgeous and the room was luxurious for 1/3 of the price they were charging in Tampa for a Days Inn or Super 8 Motel. It was a smart move and we found that a lot of people did the same thing we did 'cause the highway was packed all the way back.
Carrie and I went to Walt Disney World on Monday (shhh...don't tell Nathan - he would be mad at us). We went to Epcot and Hollywood Studios only. It was a wet, soggy day. We brought our ponchos and expected it to rain, but not as much as it did. Our dinner was the highlight of the day. We ate in Japan at Teppan Edo at Epcot. It was a teppanyaki (sp?) style meal...they fix it on the grille at your table. It was delicious and a first for Carrie and I as a couple. She had never had it, but loved it and we will eat at another soon.
We traveled home on Tuesday with more than half of the plane being Cardinals fans. We are back home and back to reality. As a sidenote, I read an article in the paper today about a United Airlines flight from Denver that hit a large bird yesterday and had to turn around safely to Denver shortly after takeoff. Thank goodness that wasn't us even though we landed and departed on United Airlines in Denver.
As requested, attached are some pictures...
We have arrived...stadium is in the background
Punt, Pass and Kick (first time kicking a ball from a tee and it went 30 yards)
Photo is taken from out seats... posing for picture 6 rows down
