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
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