Valley Girls (and Guys)

 

Was a fantastic weekend in New England. More specifically, in Lehigh Valley. It's the hilly area just east of Allentown, Pennsylvania, right before you cross the Delaware River into Jersey. Definitely didn't go there. 

We did spend time in Bethlehem (there's a Nazareth out here too) and Easton, where the beautiful campus of Lafayette College sits. 

Blogging enroute home from Appleton airport as we speak.

Had a long flight out there Friday. Sat on tarmac in Chicago waiting for some weather to clear. Once we got to PA, though, we quickly commenced to weekending.

Six of us Wisconsin folks were there for yummy dinner Friday night. Then the other 5 joined us Saturday morning for tailgating. Along with a ton of other Lafayette player parents and families.

Here's our motley crew in pregame mode. You know, around 930 am start. 

Here's our star Big Joe in pregame mode. He was pumped up for what turned out to be a great game. I had my good camera and took some decent pictures but I'll look at them tomorrow! But here's a few of our favorite #74. He's the center so was in a lot of plays in their 27-0 win over Bucknell. 

After the game, we managed to get out on the field. Top secret how we pulled that off.  

So here's the hubbies: John. Greg, Jim, and Mark.

And the wives: Becky, Kay, me (the short one), and Lisa.  It was the Pink Out game, in case you noticed Joe's pink socks in the pictures above.

And Big Joe with his Big Fan Club!

After the game, we did a little more tailgating, headed to Joe's college house, walked half a block to the nearest saloon and had a tasty dinner. Then back to Joe's to be entertained by college kids. Can't keep pace with them so might as well sit around a fire and watch.

Ohmigosh such a fun day! Got back to hotel at 10-ish so we really did have a solid 12 hours of Lafayette Leopard enjoyment!

Slept in today and despite drizzling weather, saw some sights (some old steel town stuff) and ended up watching the Vikings game at a casino in Bethlehem. Now that's one you've never heard before.

Had to leave for airport when the games were almost done. So we'll have to watch replays on how the Vikes and Packers managed to pull over their wins.

I certainly didn't pull off any wins at the casino!

Had trouble-free travel. Even had a pretty sunset flying into Chicago. 

Pretty ending to a pretty amazing weekend in the valley!