The Rose Bowl

I haven't written much about the Rose Bowl but I feel I am finally ready. Let's start with the simple fact that it was great to win the PAC 10! And it was great to go to the Rose Bowl. And I really enjoyed the yellow and green spirit that filled southern California over the New Year's weekend.

Of course, the other simple fact is that it would have probably been really great to win the Rose Bowl. I'm not exactly devestated, but I felt oddly numb about the whole "we lost" thing. It was this long climb of building enthusiasm only to end in a crappy loss. It's not that I don't still love my ducks (I DO! I love my Ducks!). But we didn't walk out of the stadium feeling like it was a good fight and an exciting game. Instead it was just anti-climatic. We went from on top of the world to "where do you want to go for dinner" in four short quarters.

The loss aside, it was a great trip and I'd go again in a heartbeat. My top 5 moments ranked in order of the joy they brought me:

5. Some Ohio State fans told us we were the most gracious fans they'd ever played against. We thanked them and asked if they would consider voting in the fan poll for the PAC 10 next year.

4. The supwichugirl kids sang "I Love My Ducks" at the alumni tailgater. I danced. With a cold Coors Light in my hand. I could have been 18!

3. On the plane ride down after getting up at the ungodly hour of 4:00am our flight attendant played the fight song on take off. The whole plane clapped.

2. I asked my son what his favorite part of the game was - his answer? The Churro he ate. Best churro ever. A little perspective my friends.

1. Two players were on the plane home with us. They wore Oregon gear like the rest of us, but bag tags with their numbers on them gave them away. Leaving the airport their families greeted them with huge yellow and green signs that read "I Still Love My Duck" & "Way to Go #59." We watched them hug their families, who were so proud of them.

And I felt just the same - so proud of them. That's what I love about college sports. They're just kids with a Mom somewhere who is feeling really proud - win or lose.