Some Ups, some Downs, and some off to the sides

This weekend was a big weekend for a few reasons, some my own and some the teams. First of all the team is going in undefeated, facing the 2 other top teams for an Ivy League Rugby battle royale. Second because we have 2 games in 2 days. This is a daunting task for a sport that's the cardiovascular equivalent to soccer, with the collisions like football. Thirdly for me personally,  we will be staying in Rhode Island Saturday night for our game against Brown on Sunday. Who gets excited for Rhode Island?? Well I do, because it just so happens that a few of my favorite people live there. You're going to have to wait for the surprise until later in the post..... Ok so here we go,  Its all one post, so better get comfy

DAY 1.
The weekend adventure begins waiting in the rain for the bus that's 30 minutes late. Its OK though, because so is half of the team. Once our chariot arrives, we settle in for an awesome 6 hour bus ride. In a matter of moments, a bus full of burly rugby guys turns into a bunch of 13 year old boys, as they argue the cinematic merits of "Hook" vs the Disney Cartoon "Robin Hood" while trying to decide what movie to put in first. 10 minutes later "Major League" is playing. As the only Clevelander on the bus, I felt the need to defend her honor as a few comments about burning rivers were thrown about. Hadn't seen that movie start to finish in a long time, forgot how funny it is. Anyways, the next movie up was some English one only the 3 Brit's on the bus had ever heard of. It was weird so i started reading my book. Momentary pause "The Tender Bar" is a fantastic book. A friend recommended it to me like 5 years ago and I'm just now getting to it, fantastic. Anyways, back to the bus, an hour in the back of the bus stages a coup and goes up stops the movie halfway, words exchanged, grumble grumble grumble, and now were watching "Dodgeball". Boys are strange. We eventually reach our destination, somewhere in Vermont around 11pm. As I'm settling into my awesome Holiday Inn Express bed, it hits me that this is the first overnight roadtrip I've had without Linnea as my roommate. Very strange. Its also very reminiscent of my trips last year, I used to look forward to hotel beds since I was sleeping on a broken futon, I have yet to aquire a real bed in my apartment and per its usual, the air mattress popped again, so I'm quite comfy in a next of blankets on the floor. This bed is heaven, and reminds me that I should really get on getting a real bed. Ahhhh real bed, goodnight all

DAY 2
I walk into the breakfast area and am half expecting to see the softball team. Nope, bunch of rugby boys half awake, asking me if sausage and bacon with extra gravy is a good pre-game meal. I grab some coffee and walk outside, and am hit with the most beautiful New England fall morning. Leaves are changing, crisp in the air and the sun is shining. It really hits me that I miss New England. Its been warm in New Jersey, theres too much traffic and, its NEW JERSEY. As we're loading the bus, all the guys are saying how cold it is. Nancies.... This is what fall is SUPPOSED to feel like! We had a beautiful 30 minute drive through Vermont to get to the field. Dartmouth is unique in the Ivy League in the fact that they treat Rugby like  Varsity sport (Guess winning a National Championship does that for you). So we pulled up to this picturesque facility

This is the field below the clubhouse

Verrrrry nice. Also awesome that they have an Athletic Trainer AND a Physician Assistant!! Good thing, because 5 minutes into the game one of the guys decided to go and break his nose. This isnt him, but this is what he looked like:

His face an indication of how the rest of the day would go, aside from his broken nose, 2 concussions,  and an elbow injury,  ending in the first loss of the season. So dejected, bloody and significantly more rugged looking we packed up and headed to Rhode Island. Quick pool "recovery workout" AKA a bunch of grown men splashing around in the pool like little kids, and then the best part of the weekend for me, look who I found!!!

Ellie and Brandon!!! Both of thier lovely spouses Adam and Jordan accompanied them as well. It was AWESOME being able to see these guys, one of the best parts of travelling is being able to meet up with people I've met all over the country. Past all of our bedtimes we said goodbye and it was off to another awesome hotel bed.

DAY 3
Day started with another splash in the pool and we were off to Brown University. Sadly, they didnt have a sweet clubhouse like Dartmouth, but a muddy field in the middle of campus. Hopes were high for game 2 of the weekend, but unfortunately loss #2 of the year bookended our trip. No significant injuries though, so that was good. Time to pack up the bus, say goodbye to beautiful New England, and head back south..... The 3.5 hour drive was highlighted by their choices of movies, "Jumanji" and the Disney cartoon "Robin Hood", hitting both Connecticut and NYC traffic and making it home ahead of schedule.

All in all, a bad athletic weekend, but a chance to see some great friends. Now were home for our last 15's game against Columbia this weekend, and then start practicing for a 7's tournament in Boston November 4-5th. Until then, Happy Halloween!!