The College World Series

As soon as Arkansas beat Missouri State in the Super Regionals in Fayetteville to earn a spot in the College World Series in Omaha, my son Will called me and we quickly decided to go. I've lived in McCook for over 20 years now but have never been to the CWS and since my first alma mater was playing, it was time.

Will and I both set out to reserve rooms and buy tickets online and, because he's young, he was more successful than I. He booked us into Embassy Suites in La Vista and got us tickets down the right field line. He booked them but I paid for them because that's what dad's do. Since the Razorbacks were playing the very first game of the Series at 2pm on Saturday, we reserved the room for Friday and Saturday night.

It was the first road trip for my new Mustang and what a ride it was. The interior is like an airplane cockpit and it literally has everything you could possibly want; from a back-up camera, to Sirius radio, to a voice-activated navigation system that gives turn-by-turn directions all the way to your destination. I, like most guys, refuse to stop and ask for directions so no more getting lost for me!

We thought we had timed our departures from McCook and Fayetteville so we would get to Omaha at about the same time but I beat Will there by an hour so I checked into the room and was waiting for him in the lounge when he got there because happy hour had already started. When happy hour was over, we ate in the hotel restaurant and then went to bed, eagerly anticipating the game on Saturday between Arkansas and Virginia.

We took advantage of the free full-service breakfast the next morning and then headed for downtown. We parked in covered parking about a mile from the stadium and on our way there, we found the Mattress Factory Bar and Grill. We went inside for a cocktail since alcohol is not served on the premises of the CWS. I was going to get a Bloody Mary but Will likes mimosas better so I asked the waitress if they served them and she said, with a straight face, that they only served Pepsi products. I don't know what she thought a mimosa was (champagne and orange juice) but she certainly didn't recognize it as an alcoholic beverage. And yes, she was blonde. We ended up ordering beers and enjoyed the next couple of hours as we watched the place fill up.

One of the first friends I made when I moved to Nebraska was originally from Iowa, although he's lived here for over 30 years now. He told me one day that whenever he went to an Iowa football game and saw all the Iowa people there rooting for the home team, it always gave him chills. I think most native born sons and daughters are like that, regardless of where they're from, and I certainly am too. As Arkansas fans continued to pour into the bar, people were met with the greeting, Woo-pig-sooiee, and I felt at home once again.

The new stadium is magnificent in every way. Located downtown, it's certainly one of the premiere showplaces in Omaha and I heard fans from all over the country praising it. Our seats were good, we were surrounded by Razorback fans and we had a great time. The only downside was that the Hogs lost. It's always good to do things with either or both of my boys and this was no different. We always have a good time no matter what we're doing and I just wish Michael could have been there too! We followed the same routine Saturday night that we did on Friday night and left for home after breakfast on Sunday morning.

I'm taking another road trip tomorrow, traveling down to Arkansas to spend Father's Day with Will and Michael.