Ya'll have guessed that we love sports by now. Well, we also enjoy incorporating sports into our vacations (when possible). I've often said that if I ever hit the Lotto all I'd want to do is travel to different cities and watch live games. I'd like to be able to say that I'd been in every ball park, stadium, field, you name it. That would be amazing.
Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium has to be one of the most spectacular sports venues I've ever seen. The architecture is beautiful. Tributes to the men and women of our military, memorials of battles long gone and plaques and tablets to honor heroes of bygone eras.
Back in July when we to Annapolis for Mike's wedding, I took the first 3 photos below. I never posted them so here they are now.
View of stadium from the street.
Entrance to the stadium. The campus was closed back in July so we couldn't go inside, but Ed got to stand in front of the gates!
On the Naval Academy campus stands the Navy Midshipmen team mascot, Bill the Narly Goat. If you click on the photo you'll Bill's "golden balls", rubbed for luck when Navy students are on their way to midterms and finals, or when on their way to a Navy game. Rubbed so often that the poor goat's testicles are shiny and gold!
Flash forward to our recent trip. We attended the Navy homecoming game vs. the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The entire town and campus was buzzing with excitement. We stopped to take a pic with the Navy Federal Credit Union mascot. Why not!? :-)
Praying to Bill's golden balls that Navy will win! Ed had his lucky "Hands Off Our Johnson" t-shirt. Johnson being the highly touted and talented Paul Johnson, coach of the Mishipmen football team. Other teams have been trying to steal him away from Navy. Hence, hands off our Johnson!!! What did YOU think the t-shirt meant? Hee hee.
I've never seen a tailgate of this massive magnitude. I am guessing there were about 250,000 people all around the stadium. Each graduating class has its tent or blimp set up so you can find them. Ed was pissed off because he couldn't find the class of '90.
My first time inside the stadium. I'm sportin' my brand new USNA long sleeved tee complete with shiny Navy beaded necklace. Stylin' and profilin'!
Perfect day for football. Partly sunny and breezy. Of course, I forgot to bring my sunblock. First time my face had been sunburned since the early 90s. I was not happy. I'm so afraid of cancer!
Go Navy, Beat Wake Forest! USNA campus excitement.
Before the game, all the Midshipmen line up in formation with their respective companies. I could not believe how precise these boys and girls were. Very impressive!!!
Precision goes out the window when they make their mad dash for the seats. You couldn't imagine the frenzy!
Navy Midshipmen football players run out on field. 
Not the score we had hoped for at the end of the game, but we had a great time anyway. Next time though we'll make sure not to get seats by the annoying student section of the opposite team. It was awful!
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