The end of an era?

Last Sunday when we were up at the trailer it was semi-finals for the Grey Cup.  We watched the games and Hamilton, much to my dismay, lost to Toronto.  What was even more disappointing was the Lions loss to Saskatchewan.  Bummed me out so much I took off the unlucky Lions t-shirt I was wearing and threw it in the fire (and no, I wasn't wandering around topless, I had a thermal shirt on underneath).

So, why the end of an era?  Well, we had been humming and hawing about going to Grey Cup this year and finally decided (even before the loss) that we weren't going.  We have been to eleven in a row and had a lot of good times so not going this year is going to be different. 

We even declined a nice invitation from one of my family members to come and visit them after the game - and the clear statement that we were welcome to stay, just not for long ie nothing more than a day or two.  That was a tough one to pass up but we still have a nice driveway they can park and sleep in!

But, like I said, we had some really good times at those we have been too.  My pictures from most of our trips are all over the place; only available in hard copy or on another computer.  I do have the ones from  2007 forward handy though.

2007 took us to Toronto.  Dan and I went out ahead of our group so we could hook up with a friend who lives there. 

Then two more of our entourage showed up:

Welcome.

Notice the large whiskey, small diet coke and plastic bag?  Yeah, that's pretty much what N travels with - the plastic bag contains salt & vinegar chips - worth their weight in gold to him.

Par for the course, we hit the Lions Den with a bunch of others.

That's our group in the back and a stranger in the front.

2008 took us to Montreal.  That was our second time to Montreal for Grey Cup.  Both times it was a blast.  I really like Montreal.  More the of usual suspects this time.

Get down!

THE CUP:

"I could mix a serious whiskey in this puppy."

We did some chillin and eating in old montreal:

Oh, it looks like we had a few beer too.

And hung out with Cam W who is now off playing in the NFL:

He's a softie inside.

And as always, Leo was hanging around causing trouble with these two:

See that smile on N's face?  Where's Leo's paws?

Apologies go out again to I & R who got a prank message from me at their hotel that we'd been kicked out of our room and had no where to stay.  They were very kindly making arrangements, and room, for us in their room, until they found out I was BS'ing them.  They eventually forgave me.

2009 took us to Calgary.  We ran into one of the best known former Lions:

Self portrait and Luuuuu wanted a retake after he got off the phone.

Game day, hanging out deciding when to get ready and how many layers of clothes to put on.  These guys don't look too energetic do they:

We on the other hand were raring to go:

Another self portrait, and no retakes because where are Ian's hands!

So, no Grey Cup trip this year but for all of you considering it - go for it.  You won't regret it. We'll take a few (two) years off and then we are on a list for priority tix and room for TO in 2012.

The only CFL city we haven't been to is Hamilton.  When/if they get their stadium and host the grey cup, we will go.

Now I have to go find the rest of my pictures.  I have some doozies!  N having a nap on the floor, Chris Schultz' face when I ask him to stand outside in the rain with me to wait for my friends so I can get a group shot, he's expecting a bunch of women to appear and N, G and Dan come lumbering around the corner!  Lots of good memories and even more pictures that will not be posted for public viewing.