My Trip to Miami thread

so i got back late last night from my trip to miami and my first dolphins home game (woot). I figured I'd share my thoughts on the experience and show some pictures I took while I'm at it.

The Flights:
Eh, I've done the cross-coast trip plenty of times, so I'm used to the length. I couldn't sleep on the way out because I was in the middle, and they were showing Journey to the Center of the Suck featuring Brenden Fraser in all his non-amazingness.



Friday Arrival:
Anyway, we get there, and I gotta admit this is the first time i've ever flown anywhere and been disappointed with the weather. (i was always flying out of the northeast and going south or west)- now i went from warm non-humid LA weather to hot sticky miami weather. I won't really complain, because it was still beautiful, but thought I'd point it out.


Saturday (Miami Beach, Key Biscayne):
I thought Miami beach was pretty nice, and even had a couple of topless sunbathers (thought that was illegal?) sorry, no pictures of that.. figured that would be just a taaad shady.



After the beach, we went down to Key Biscayne to walk around in the parks there. We were hoping to see some gators but had no luck, so we decided on monday we'd go to the everglades. However, did get a couple of scenic shots so it was nice. We even found this huuuuge spider, probably at least 5-6 inches long. I took some pictures, but it was starting to get dark and they didn't turn out well. Take my word for it, you didn't want to mess with this guy.



Sunday (the game!)

Got to the game around 1030ish. we saw the seahawks team buses flying by us on the road there with police escorts (maybe them being late helped our team out there). The stadium was awesome. I've only been to Gilette, Meadowlands, and Candlestick Park (forget the new name) but our stadium was really nice. I loved all the room we had to move around inside the stadium. The prices were really reasonable too. Unfortunately my camera died before the game even started, but my brother got a ton of pictures, so i'll add them when I get the chance.



Thoughts on the game itself:
Simply amazing. Can't say i've ever been to a game with more ups and downs as this one. Started off with that run back by Ginn. All I can say is even after he ran by all I could do was stare at midfield and wait for the flag. I didn't even watch him go into the endzone. I must say, I think that flag was flown pretty late but I suppose in the end it didn't matter that much. It got the crowd into the game instantly and the stadium got really loud.

Overall thoughts of the game were that our offense took it easy after the first 2 drives, and almost paid for it. Our defense played an amazing game, especially with our ST being absolutely horrendous. It was so frustrating to see them start nearly every drive at midfield. Considering that, our defense was superb. Special Teams was abysmal, something we really need to work on this offseason. When Chad fumbled the ball at the end, it was amazing how quiet the stadium got. It was like a dagger through the heart. The whole last 5 minutes though, were so stressful that when we took that last kneel, I actually had to sit down because my legs were wobbling amazing, amazing game.


Couple other thoughts on the game. our cheerleaders are quite attractive. We got to see them do a dance before the game at the one radio stations' area. It was very.. entertaining.


Also, the pre-game ceremonies for Veterans Day were very touching. Having members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force there along with recruits was awe-inspiring. Was great to hear the crowd roar for them.

And Lisette Gonzalez, the CBS4 meteorologist who sang God Bless America and the Nat'l Anthem was both very good and very attractive. Can't find a good picture of her online though.

more below..

 

Monday (The Everglades):
Since we hadn't gotten to see any gators during our trip, we decided to visit the everglades monday. On the way there, we tried to take a more scenic route through the city (i.e. through little havana and coral gables, etc.) but quickly realized how long that would take so we just took the turnpike. Anyway, we opted for just tramping through the national park as opposed to taking a air boat tour. I think it was a good decision. Less than a hundred yards from the entrance to the park we found this guy:


Just chillin there on the path sunning. We were convinced he was dead or tranquilized and placed there by the park service, but on our way back we walked by him again, and there was a 'wildlife photographer' sitting next to him, and he had this reaction:


Clearly alive. After a couple more pics and a park ranger berating the photographer for sitting 2 feet from the gator, we moved on. Got some other good wildlife pictures while we walked through the park, including a baby gator in the shrubs next to the path.









So thats about it. Nothing too amazing or exciting, but thought it might be a good way for some of you to kill some time at work or whatnot. It was an amazing experience, and if any of you have never been to miami to see our guys, I strongly suggest to try to check it out someday. It can be expensive but we found ways to keep costs pretty low, so its definitely doable. I give this weekend an A++.

 

you'll get there in time, bro

 

yeah i wish i had gotten a better shot but they were walking away from that photo op as i walked up, so i only got a shot of their backsides... still not too bad though

 

haha i was gonna say something but i thought maybe you were into that