We all woke with the realization that this was pretty much it and most were ready for it to be over. There have been bumps in the road for sure but what a blast we have had. Kudo's to Don!
Today, we played another one of those strong skating German teams. The boys all bileted the night before (all but Kugs, who had the crud that has gone around) and we met them at the rink. In the end, our boys came up short again but they played their best game of the trip.
After the game, it was off to the rink restaurant for more German food. By now, the guys and parents were ready for something other than snitzel. Thankfully our wishes were granted.
Then we got on the bus with Timmy (the bus driver's flat coat retriever) and went to catch our train in Munchen. By now, we were old pro's at getting 46 players, siblings and parents and their 120ish bags onto and off of the train.
Three hours later we were in Frankfurt where we caught the shuttle to the Inter City hotel. We had dinner in the hotel bar (we could get pizza there) and then it was off to bed.
We are ready to come home. See you soon!
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Day 9: Munchen
Today, we got to be tourists again. Our bus driver, Joseph, did a great job driving us through the city and giving us the lowdown on Munchen.
After the bus tour, we were dropped off to go it on our own. There was shopping, beautiful churches, food and the Haufbrau House.
From there, we went on to Landsberg and straight to the rink where we ate with the team we will be playing tomorrow. Then the boys were all paired up with their bilet families and off they went.
The adults were given another tour by Joseph. This time of Landsberg. The day ended at our hotel where a weary group went to bed.
The crud continues to effect the group as we now have many of us hacking and caughing.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
After the bus tour, we were dropped off to go it on our own. There was shopping, beautiful churches, food and the Haufbrau House.
From there, we went on to Landsberg and straight to the rink where we ate with the team we will be playing tomorrow. Then the boys were all paired up with their bilet families and off they went.
The adults were given another tour by Joseph. This time of Landsberg. The day ended at our hotel where a weary group went to bed.
The crud continues to effect the group as we now have many of us hacking and caughing.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Day 8: Back to the Ice
The day started with an early wake up call and a bus trip to the rink and, with its wooden rafters, what a beatiful rink it was. It was the home of another German League professional team.
The boys enjoyed a hard skating practice with the Bad Tolz team who are ranked 5th in Germany. Lots of puck handling and shooting drills. The boys did well.
After lunch at the rink, some went back to the hotel to rest while the rest of the group went to the village of Bad Tolz for shopping and site seeing. Many purchases were made and everyone had a great time.
Then it was back to the rink for a game with the Bad Tolz team. The boys reluctantly agreed to mix up the teams and play. It was a high paced affair with scoring, defense and goaltending on display by both teams. Our boys played hard and represented themselves very well.
After the game the boys on both sides did some bonding at the rink restaurant. Then it was back on the bus to go to dinner.
Dinner was a loud and raucus affair. We went to a monistary for dinner and it was not like anyone would've imagined. No stereotypes here. There was food, drink, cigars and lots of lively conversation. Lots of interesting photos were taken, which will be on the web site at some point.
Finally, we walked the 500 meters to the hotel in the dark and everyone hit the sack after another great day.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
The boys enjoyed a hard skating practice with the Bad Tolz team who are ranked 5th in Germany. Lots of puck handling and shooting drills. The boys did well.
After lunch at the rink, some went back to the hotel to rest while the rest of the group went to the village of Bad Tolz for shopping and site seeing. Many purchases were made and everyone had a great time.
Then it was back to the rink for a game with the Bad Tolz team. The boys reluctantly agreed to mix up the teams and play. It was a high paced affair with scoring, defense and goaltending on display by both teams. Our boys played hard and represented themselves very well.
After the game the boys on both sides did some bonding at the rink restaurant. Then it was back on the bus to go to dinner.
Dinner was a loud and raucus affair. We went to a monistary for dinner and it was not like anyone would've imagined. No stereotypes here. There was food, drink, cigars and lots of lively conversation. Lots of interesting photos were taken, which will be on the web site at some point.
Finally, we walked the 500 meters to the hotel in the dark and everyone hit the sack after another great day.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Day 7: Lightning Strikes the Alps
A beautiful morning greeted the Lightning as we all headed for the Alps for a full day of skiing. And not did we ski. Many of the Lightning Parents rang in New Years day by skiing on some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Those who went to the top were greeted by the most incredible views into Austria, Germany and Italy. Literally unbelievable. Additionally, the skiing was very difficult.
In the end, everyone walked away healthy and with a smile on their face. It was an incredible day.
Back at the inn, we had another great dinner before we all sacked out early. We were sore and exhausted.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Those who went to the top were greeted by the most incredible views into Austria, Germany and Italy. Literally unbelievable. Additionally, the skiing was very difficult.
In the end, everyone walked away healthy and with a smile on their face. It was an incredible day.
Back at the inn, we had another great dinner before we all sacked out early. We were sore and exhausted.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Day 6: Off to Bavaria
Today, was another long train ride. We woke up early hopped a bus and took a 5 hour train ride to Munich. From there it was another bus ride to the bed and breakfast just outside of Bad Tolz.
None of this happened without a little drama as the team was split into 2 on the train with some folks in the front and others in the back. After much phone communication, evertying was fine and we all made it fine.
Once everyone was at the B&B, we were delighted to discover that we could get beer and wine from the vending machine. The parents needed that. Then, the B&B made a fabulous dinner and it was off to bed.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
None of this happened without a little drama as the team was split into 2 on the train with some folks in the front and others in the back. After much phone communication, evertying was fine and we all made it fine.
Once everyone was at the B&B, we were delighted to discover that we could get beer and wine from the vending machine. The parents needed that. Then, the B&B made a fabulous dinner and it was off to bed.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Day 5: Time to See the Sites
While the boys were recouperating from their late night at the club with their bilet families, the adults got to see the sites of Berlin. Jeff Tomlinson (coach of the Ice Barons) and his family played the role of your guides perfectly.
We visited the Berlin Wall, the Sony Center, the Brandenburg Gate, some Christmas Villages, a Church that was bombed in WWII that stands as was, and a few othe churches and buildings of interest.
Meanwhile, after the kids woke (1 to 2pm in most cases), the went to a haunted house with their bilet families before breaking and spending the evening with their groups.
It was good to move on after the theatrics of yesterday.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
We visited the Berlin Wall, the Sony Center, the Brandenburg Gate, some Christmas Villages, a Church that was bombed in WWII that stands as was, and a few othe churches and buildings of interest.
Meanwhile, after the kids woke (1 to 2pm in most cases), the went to a haunted house with their bilet families before breaking and spending the evening with their groups.
It was good to move on after the theatrics of yesterday.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Sunday, December 30, 2007
DAY 4: Lightning Get Struck
We arose and ate at the hotel before heading to the rink for our 8am game against the Czech team without any events. Little did we know of the drama ahead.
Against the Czesch team, the boys played much better but spent too much time in the penalty box as the questionable refing continued. It seemed Alex Rivers couldn't look at anyone without being sent to the box. After a similar result a very unhappy hockey team met in the locker room and vented a bit.
Next was a team lunch at a restaurant near the rink. Everyone devoured their pasta and put the morning game behind them.
Now, on to game 3 against an Austrian team that had 6 professional players on it from the Red Bill team in the Austrian league. This game was not a contest as our boys saw a level of play that they haven't seen. They couldn't even get mad about it so they made the best of it.
But the real problem was in the locker room. Some time during the 2nd period, someone broke into the locker room and stole things from several of the players. They got wallets, ID's, cash, credit cards, iPods, camera's and an iPhone stolen. It was a tough pill to swallow for everyone. Even our German hosts.
Police reports were taken and interviews were given and emotions were running high. Then after things settled down and people started to relax a bit, everyone decided to start enjoying the trip. Let's make the best of it became our montra.
After the hockey was over, the kids went with their bilet familes again and most of the adults returned to the hotel for a quiet night. Though some went to the Christmas village to shop for some local crafts before calling it a night.
Everone is looking forward to a much less stressful day of just being a tourist tomorrow.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Against the Czesch team, the boys played much better but spent too much time in the penalty box as the questionable refing continued. It seemed Alex Rivers couldn't look at anyone without being sent to the box. After a similar result a very unhappy hockey team met in the locker room and vented a bit.
Next was a team lunch at a restaurant near the rink. Everyone devoured their pasta and put the morning game behind them.
Now, on to game 3 against an Austrian team that had 6 professional players on it from the Red Bill team in the Austrian league. This game was not a contest as our boys saw a level of play that they haven't seen. They couldn't even get mad about it so they made the best of it.
But the real problem was in the locker room. Some time during the 2nd period, someone broke into the locker room and stole things from several of the players. They got wallets, ID's, cash, credit cards, iPods, camera's and an iPhone stolen. It was a tough pill to swallow for everyone. Even our German hosts.
Police reports were taken and interviews were given and emotions were running high. Then after things settled down and people started to relax a bit, everyone decided to start enjoying the trip. Let's make the best of it became our montra.
After the hockey was over, the kids went with their bilet familes again and most of the adults returned to the hotel for a quiet night. Though some went to the Christmas village to shop for some local crafts before calling it a night.
Everone is looking forward to a much less stressful day of just being a tourist tomorrow.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
DAY 3: Let the hockey begin
We arose to be welcomed by 2 buses (we are quick learners). We ate and piled onto the buses and headed for the train to Berlin. Being experts by now, we had no problems loading the gear and finding our own seats.
We arrived in Berlin, found our bus and once again crammed in for the trip across the city to the rink. We arrived 30 minutes before game time. dropped the coaches and players at the rink and the adults went on to the hotel.
After dropping the luggage at the hotel, it was back to the rink. At the rink, the game was just gettin started and the boys looked like you would expect after 2 days of international travel. They had travel legs as the Ice Bears defeated our boys.
After the game, we checked into our hotel rooms and the boys met their bilet families before eveyone ate and went to see a German league professional hockey game.
Then it was off to the hotel for another nights sleep for the adults and to the bilet homes for the kids.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
We arrived in Berlin, found our bus and once again crammed in for the trip across the city to the rink. We arrived 30 minutes before game time. dropped the coaches and players at the rink and the adults went on to the hotel.
After dropping the luggage at the hotel, it was back to the rink. At the rink, the game was just gettin started and the boys looked like you would expect after 2 days of international travel. They had travel legs as the Ice Bears defeated our boys.
After the game, we checked into our hotel rooms and the boys met their bilet families before eveyone ate and went to see a German league professional hockey game.
Then it was off to the hotel for another nights sleep for the adults and to the bilet homes for the kids.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
DAYS 1 and 2: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
DAYS 1 and 2: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Well, buses! After many months of waiting and anticipation, the team arrived at RDU all ready for the long trip. Everyone arrived on time and boarded without incident.
It was a long flight filled with books, movies and iPods. Nobody was allowed to sleep thanks to a certain Mr. Rivers (Sr.), who's gift for gab was on display.
Upon arrival, the guys were all happy to see that their gear had made it safely. After collecting their gear everyone gathered at the train station for the trip to the castle. This is when the parents all realized exacly how difficult piling over 60 people and 130 bags onto a train in 2 minutes can be. Thankfully, everything and everyone made it much to the delight of many German travelers. ;-). Walter White was nearly assaulted for sitting in someones seat but we eventually figured out the ICE train's seating arrangements .
After two train rides, it was time for the bus ride. Yes, one bus. This is when the Lightning family really go close. After almost 24 hours of travel, evey bag and person was jammed into the bus and off we went. Oh, that poor bus driver.
At last, we arrived at the castle and all was good. That is until we tried to eat. After everyone freshened up a bit, we all met in the 2 dining rooms for dinner. THREE hours later, we got our food. Nobody was happy about that but we made the best of it. They did serve wine and beers and we enjoyed that.
When the food arrived, we were delighted to find that it was delicious. Finally, after around 30 hours, 2 planes, 2 trains and 1 bus, we found what we were all looking for. Our beds.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Well, buses! After many months of waiting and anticipation, the team arrived at RDU all ready for the long trip. Everyone arrived on time and boarded without incident.
It was a long flight filled with books, movies and iPods. Nobody was allowed to sleep thanks to a certain Mr. Rivers (Sr.), who's gift for gab was on display.
Upon arrival, the guys were all happy to see that their gear had made it safely. After collecting their gear everyone gathered at the train station for the trip to the castle. This is when the parents all realized exacly how difficult piling over 60 people and 130 bags onto a train in 2 minutes can be. Thankfully, everything and everyone made it much to the delight of many German travelers. ;-). Walter White was nearly assaulted for sitting in someones seat but we eventually figured out the ICE train's seating arrangements .
After two train rides, it was time for the bus ride. Yes, one bus. This is when the Lightning family really go close. After almost 24 hours of travel, evey bag and person was jammed into the bus and off we went. Oh, that poor bus driver.
At last, we arrived at the castle and all was good. That is until we tried to eat. After everyone freshened up a bit, we all met in the 2 dining rooms for dinner. THREE hours later, we got our food. Nobody was happy about that but we made the best of it. They did serve wine and beers and we enjoyed that.
When the food arrived, we were delighted to find that it was delicious. Finally, after around 30 hours, 2 planes, 2 trains and 1 bus, we found what we were all looking for. Our beds.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
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