Our first Super Bowl game experience was a good one. Melanie and I got up early Sunday morning to get ready for our trip to the big game. While she was getting ready I was on the computer re-checking all the details again. We didn’t have a parking pass to park close to the stadium, (you can’t park close to the stadium on game day without a pretty expensive parking pass) so we decided it might be best to park in downtown Glendale and take the shuttle bus to the game. I got busy printing out directions and getting my camera and binoculars all set to go. What a good idea taking the shuttle was. We left the motorhome about 10 and drove to Glendale. There was very little traffic going to downtown Glendale. We drove right in and got parked in the ramp. Jumped on the bus and we were at the drop off point by 10:45. We walked around outside through all the activities and partying going on.

We made our way to the gates and went through the security checkpoints. It felt like we were going through the airport with having to empty all of our pockets and go through the metal detectors. Right next to the security check point was one of the NHRA big screens that is at all of our races, complete with NHRA POWERade logos on the trucks. We had passes to the NFL Tailgate Party so we headed there first. It was great, all the food and drinks you could take in along with live entertainment. Sara Evans and Willie Nelson played, there a chili cook-off, and more. We tried all the chilis and voted for our favorites. Melanie even went through the spa they had set up and got a hand scrub while I stayed and watched some of the Fox pre-game show at the studio they had set up inside the tailgate area.

About 2:45 we started to head for the stadium. Once we finally got inside we got to our seats just in time to watch Alicia Keys sing a few songs. I was taking a lot of pictures since it might be my only Super Bowl. There are so many things going on before the game I didn’t think it was ever going to get started. A lot more than any Colts game we go to. Finally the coin toss and the kick off happened. We had great seats right at the goal line in the Pats' end zone. We were surrounded by a bunch of Patriots fans but it didn’t matter because we didn’t really care who won. I was surprised because it was about 50/50 Pats to Giants fans. Their colors are so similar it was hard at times to tell who was rooting for whom.

The first quarter flew by and the second took a little longer. I was surprised at halftime that it was only 7-3. The halftime show was good and we even did our part by holding up the little flashlights that were in everyone’s seat cushion they gave you. The big screen told everyone when to turn on your flashlight and what our part was in the show. Hope it looked good on TV. It was pretty cool in person. Midway through the third quarter it was getting kind of slow. Neither team was an offensive powerhouse that day and we talked about maybe leaving a little early to beat some of the traffic. Then the fourth quarter started and things started to heat up. The Giants took the lead and then the Pats came right back and scored, leaving the Giants just over two minutes to try and come back. That’s when it really got good and the crowd started to get crazy. I told Melanie no way are we leaving early now. The Giants did an incredible job marching down the field with some awesome plays and catches. I had my camera ready when they got close to our end zone and was lucky enough to snap the shutter just as the winning touchdown was caught. I was watching the game while holding my camera above my head and pushed the button just as the ball was getting there.

After the Pats turned over the ball on downs and the game was realistically over everyone rushed the field only to have the refs get everyone back off because there was one second left on the clock. The Giants fans started chanting "18 and 1" and all of the Pats fans were in disbelief. I tried to take a picture of the final kneeldown but it came out blurry because of all the people jumping up and down bumping into everyone. I did get a few of the confetti falling after it was over. We bolted for the door and started our couple of mile walk back to the shuttle bus. We got right on and headed back to the car. Once we got to the car we drove right out and were back at the track in no time. Parking away from the stadium and taking the shuttle was one of my smarter moves in a long time. It was a great game and an experience I won’t soon forget.

Melanie got up early Monday and caught a flight over to Pomona so she could go and get some things done. I got everything wrapped up in the morning and me and the dogs headed to Pomona. It was really windy yesterday so the drive over was very interesting. I felt like I wrestled the motorhome all the way here. I stopped and topped off the fuel and pulled into the track about 3:30 p.m. We went out to La Paloma, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, last night for dinner and watched a little TV. I’m heading out soon to play in a Monster golf tournament and Melanie is getting her hair done. We’ve got a busy schedule this week with a lot of press things.

If you have XM Radio, I’ll be on Powershift tonight with Joe Costello. I can’t wait to get the year kicked off with the Monster team. Hopefully Melanie and I have a successful start to the season and can meet each other in the finals Sunday. Look forward to seeing everyone again and if you are in Pomona stop by and say hi.