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1) I can get a couple days off (22nd and 23rd...I have the 24th off as a paid holiday). If not, I'll take 2 days unpaid, write me up or suspend me...I don't care. The boys start Christmas break on 12/20.
According to the co. I have no vacation days left and no sick time. I will find a way to get around that.

2) We drive to Mobile and back.

That pretty much sums it up. Flying is out of the question because we are supposed to fly to Tampa in the spring for a vacation. I figured the best way to go from Akron is I 71 to I 65 in Louisville, KY. Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to my atlas, I 65 runs directly into Mobile. What I have proposed to Mrs Freak is this....using my Dad's Chrysler van....

We leave 12/21 at 7:30 PM, drive straight thru to Mobile and get into town sometime that morning. If possible, meet up with someone who has a room already there and see if we can freshen up. If not, we can hang out and go to the game. After the game, we start driving back up I 65 and just pull off the highway and check into some Super 8 or the likes for the night. Get up the next day and drive back to Akron.

I know it sounds like a ton of driving but this IS important. If we can drive to NW in 2001, an 8-9 hour trip, we can certainly drive to Mobile. We are looking at a 12-13 hour drive. Mrs Freak doesn't want to spend all that time in the car with the Freaklings...I totally understand where she is coming from. She feels to drive all that way just to turn around and drive back 36 hours later isn't worth it. I said "It will be an adventure!!!!!"
I even used my saddest puppy eyes trying to win her over. Hey, you can have a couple days to yourself if ya want.

MajorFalcon92,
If you plan on going solo, I'm sure we'll be able to swing by your crib and pick you up....Going thru Columbus on 71 anyway. That way we could rotate drivers even more.

'87,
Keep our family in your prayers. the Freaklings know there is a bowl game but don't know what I'm desperately trying to pull off. If we could possibly use the facilities in your room to shower and freshen up, I would greatly appreciate it!

So that's where it stands at this time....definitely a more positive outlook than a few hours ago, but at the same time, very possible a no go.

All I want for Christmas......that's it.

GO FALCONS!!! BEAT MEMPHIS!!

Freak:

For me, it's a done deal. My temporary casa is your casa, my man. Noah would love to see the Freaklings again.

Noah & I will add this to our evening prayers, for sure!

Thanks so much '87!! I am desperate to pull this off...we MUST be there!

So...

C ya in Mobile on the 22nd! *Power of positive thinking*!

Freak:

We're pulling for you!

BTW, we have an efficiency and will probably be doing breakfast in the room. You all are welcome to join us for coffee and cereal, too!

Freak,
I was trying to put together a timeline for driving to the game as well. I think what you laid out is the most likely scenario. Unfortunately, I have concerns about on good it would be for my back to ride in the car for 14 hours. Probably not the best idea. But my kids are off school all that week and I still have plenty of vacation left. Plus, students can but tickets for $15 (limit 2) and my wife is a graduate student. Dang, this will be a tough decision.

Warthog wrote:Freak,
I was trying to put together a timeline for driving to the game as well. I think what you laid out is the most likely scenario. Unfortunately, I have concerns about on good it would be for my back to ride in the car for 14 hours. Probably not the best idea. But my kids are off school all that week and I still have plenty of vacation left. Plus, students can but tickets for $15 (limit 2) and my wife is a graduate student. Dang, this will be a tough decision.

WH,
I hear ya. IF I cannot get those 2 days off, no way are we going. And now I'm starting to think twice about the drive itself. That is a looooooong time to be driving for a football game. I am dying to be there but common sense is taking over. Mrs Freak sat me down, removed my orange and brown glasses and helped me realize some things in life just ain't possible. Thank God this woman has sense cuz I don't.

No telling what the weather might be like and taking the boys all that way could wreck our sanity.

IF I must watch the game on TV, so be it. It isn't that big a deal. It's not like I'm sacrificing everything like those serving our country.

memphis fan here....

c'mon, freak...you can do it....
i took the family to see mickey mouse this past summer...a 14 hour trip from memphis. a lifesaver (and well worth the investment if you don't already have one) is to get a portable dvd player. i think they're about $200 now. the kids watched movies all the way there and back, and we never heard a peep out of them.

don't miss out on a great bowl game!

Xanax is waaay cheaper and it doesn't need batteries

2 words:

ANIMAL TRANQUILIZER.

They'll wake up just in time to hit Mobile.

Ok, still not exactly sure what we are doing yet. I think the wife wants to go which is a plus, but nothing is final yet.

I think if we go we are driving. Gives us a little flexibility with local travel etc, not to mention if we have to cancel for some reason.

The best fares from Columbus & Dayton are to New Orleans. IMO, by time you get to the airport early, fly down, get a rental car, drive to Mobile, then reverse it, probably more than half the time it takes to drive down, not to mention the cost.

We did Norman with the kids, should be a piece of cake without them. We also have to make arrangements for our dogs X 3 (in BG, goats- in Columbus, Cows) X 8 days in a kennel. Ouch.

Or we could rent out our house for a watch party (with big screen), we go to the game, partygoers watch our kids & dogs. Nothing bad could happen.

Hey Mitch. If you have never driven that way before, just a reminder. Don't get excited when you hit the Alabama border. It is a LOOOOONNNGGG way to Mobile. It takes forever to drive from the northern to southern portions of Alabama, and does no good to be feeling like you're almost there. LOL

From C-bus to Mobile I would imagine that the TN-AL border is about halfway there

Triple-T wrote:memphis fan here....

c'mon, freak...you can do it....
i took the family to see mickey mouse this past summer...a 14 hour trip from memphis. a lifesaver (and well worth the investment if you don't already have one) is to get a portable dvd player. i think they're about $200 now. the kids watched movies all the way there and back, and we never heard a peep out of them.

don't miss out on a great bowl game!

Dude,
I am doing the best I can....IF I don't get the two days off, No way will I be able to go. It all hinges on that cuz if those days come thru I will make it with the boys.