HMS Bounty Is Back

Just some bits of travel news.

WISCONSIN

Good News!  The HMS Bounty will be making an appearance at the Tall Ships festival in Green Bay August 5-8.  The last I knew of it was that it was sunk during Super Storm Sandy.  The one that sank was the the one that was made and used in the 1960 movie "Mutiny On the Bounty."  Evidently the one in Green Bay is the one built in New Zealand in 1979.

--RoadDog

Mar's Cheese Castle

We've driven by the "new" Mar's Cheese Castle several times since its remodel (and had been once to the old place) and had remarked that we should stop by, but hadn't.

It is located by Kenosha, about 40 miles south of Milwaukee (not too far north of the Brat Stop). Of course, its biggest draw is that huge and striking Mar's Cheese Castle sign, harkening back to the golden age of signs. No doubt the sign alone draws many folks to the place.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like changes to anything. And, they sure did change the Cheese Castle building. AND, THEY CHANGED IT FOR THE BETTER. Before, the building was essentially nondescript, large, but nothing to write home about.

Now, that structure indeed looks like a castle, complete with turrets. All that is missing is a drawbridge and dragons.

Now, They Have An Impressive Building to Go With That Impressive Sign. --RoadDog

On the Road for the Super Bowl

Maybe I have found the perfect way to watch the Super Bowl. And that would be outside on a Lanai (?) by a pool. Obviously, something we can't do in northern Illinois, but something easily done here in South Florida in Cape Coral.

I ran into quite a few Packer fans as well, along with some of those AFC folk.

We were looking for a bar to watch it at, but were too late to get seats at several. Then friend Dave called to say we come over to his place, which we did. I was the only big-time Green Bay fan, but everyone else, except Dave's wife, were pulling for the Pack because they were from the Midwest (everyone either lives there or used to live there). I had my green shirt and hat to show my allegiance.

There was some talk of going in the swimming pool to watch it, but it wasn't heated, so everyone chickened out.

Thank goodness for all those turnovers or Pittsburgh would be doing the celebrating.

Way to Go, Pack!! --RoadDog

What's This Thing Called Lambeau Field-- Part 2

People were all over the place, many standing in a particularly long line that I later found out was where some company was giving out Packer flags.

The meeting started right at 10 AM as they had announced. I'd say the stadium was maybe a quarter full. Green Bay had allowed fans to buy as little as one share, which is what Kip had done. Kip is what you'd have to call a rabid fan. He probably has enough Packer stuff to open his own store, but he could never part with anything. He even has a Packer Christmas tree!!!

Unfortunately, it had been raining and continued to drizzle off and on for the whole meeting. The bigwigs had a covered stage, but us fans had to sit in the rain. Fortunately, Kip had pieces of plastic which we were able to put down on the seats to avoid unsightly water marks.


WHAT THEY SAID

Some interesting stuff between the 2008 and 2009 years (end March 31st)

First number 2009, second 2008

Television Revenue: $94,484,631-- $87,584,700
Home Game Revenue: 31,097,266-- 30,889,618
Private Box Income: $12,827,613-- $12,059,952
Concessions and Parking (net): 5,241,984-- $5,495,548
Player Costs: $138,697,272-- $124,651,348

Profits from Operations: $20,109,631-- $21,420,197
Other Income (expense): ($11,187,691)-- $14,369,619-- I don't remember what the 2008 expense was.

More to Come. --RoadDog

What's This Thing Called Lambeau Field?-- Part 1

July 30th, I missed a day of boating (well, it was actually a rainy, threatening day so I really didn't miss it) and got up at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. (I had to figure out how to set the alarm clock, something I'd forgotten in the three years I've been retired. Just one of those little obstacles you have to overcome when you're retired, but I can learn to live with it.)

Went with Kip and Susie and picked up Paul in Kenosha, and drove to Green Bay, arriving at Lambeau Field, Home of the Green Bay Packers, in the rain about 9 AM for their annual Shareholders and Guests Meeting, done at this date to coincide with the beginning of preseason camp at nearby St. Norbert College in case anyone wants to get in on that action as well.

Kip had to get tickets before we were allowed to go in. The Packers have done a great job in building what they call the Atrium onto the outside of Lambeau. Inside there are bars (especially Curly's Pub, named after Curly Lambeau) and several souvenir places. One other time I was there, they were setting up for a private party. This way, they are able to get year-long use out of the field.

Someone really had a good idea for this one.

Next, the Meeting. --RoadDog