gators basketball get-away

Being the huge Gators fan that he is, when Bart found out that their basketball team was going to play in the same state that we live in, he knew that for his birthday, all he wanted was tickets to the game.  So, a few weeks ago, we drove the 2 1/2 hours to Madison to go cheer on our team!  Bart's mom was kind enough to watch all three kids for us so that we could go.  This was the first time that we had left Krew overnight, which means that we haven't had a night away in over 2 years.  It was way overdue.

Once we got to our hotel, we got all dressed up in orange and blue, including blue hair streaks, tattoos, etc.  

P.S. Bart is participating in Movember, or No Shave November.  Can you tell?

Anyway, we first headed to our favorite burger place for dinner before the game.  It became apparent quickly that this is where everyone goes before the game, because it was crowded!  There were a lot of Badger fans in there, and since it was easy to see that we were there to cheer for the opposing team, we did get a lot of stares, and a few cheeky comments.  

 After our yummy meal, we headed to the game.  It was so exciting to see the Gators in person.  We went to a lot of Gator athletic events when we lived in Gainesville, but it has been a long time.  We never were able to go to a basketball game while we were there though, because tickets were impossible to get.  I guess that's what happens when the season ends with the second national championship in a row!

 We didn't have great seats, but it didn't matter.

 It was a weird experience cheering for the visiting team. I was a cheerleader in high school, so I guess it's in my nature to enjoy all the hype as the team comes out, and as they introduce the players, and all the fanfare that goes with that.  Well, they don't do anything like that for the visiting team, so it felt a bit odd.  But it was fun once the game started because, while I didn't cheer with the entire crowd when the Badgers scored, when the Gators gave us something to cheer about, you could hear all the individual pockets of Gator fans all over the arena.  And, at the beginning of the game, there was lots for us to cheer for!

 We didn't win, but we kept it close the entire time.  With three of our starters suspended and not there, we didn't expect much, so we were pleased that it was at least an exciting game.  And next time we will win!

 After the game, we found a frozen yogurt place that was still open at 10:30 (that seems so late.  I don't remember the last time we were out at 10:30.  Our 8:00 "curfew" puts such a damper on our social life :)).  It was such a great date, and I had so much fun with my best friend, doing something fun that we don't get to do very often.  Oh yeah, and Go Gators!