My Epic (and Slightly Chaotic) St. Mary's Road Trip to the Siena Game
Okay, so, picture this: It's the fall, leaves are kinda changing (depending on where you are, obvi), and my college buddies and I are hyped. We're doing a classic college road trip – St. Mary's vs. Siena basketball game! The kind where you cram five guys into a car that's probably seen better days, sing terrible karaoke (mostly off-key renditions of 90s hits), and live off gas station coffee and questionable snacks. Sounds fun, right? It was...mostly.
The Planning Phase: A Disaster Waiting to Happen
I swear, planning this trip was like herding cats. We started with good intentions: Map out the route, book the hotel (a real budget-friendly one, let me tell you!), and secure those precious game tickets. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, right? Wrong.
First mistake: We underestimated the travel time. Seriously, I thought we could make the drive in, like, six hours. Turns out, it was closer to eight, with a couple of unscheduled pit stops thrown in for good measure. One involved a questionable bathroom break at a rest area that shall remain nameless. I'm still recovering emotionally.
Second mistake: We didn't pack enough snacks. I mean, we had chips and soda, but after hour four, the hunger pangs were intense. Next time, it’s a cooler full of sandwiches, fruit, and maybe even some energy bars – you know, fuel for the road warriors. It's super crucial for long road trips to pack your own food and water to avoid expensive or unhealthy gas station fare.
Game Day Glory (and a Few Hiccups)
We finally made it to the game, albeit a little later than planned and slightly frazzled. But the energy in the arena? Electric. The atmosphere was amazing; a real college basketball experience. St. Mary's was playing incredibly well. The crowd was going wild.
Unfortunately, my camera battery died just as the team was making a comeback from being down at halftime. I still can't believe it. So much for capturing that epic moment. Lesson learned: Always pack extra batteries! Or, heck, even a portable charger. That’s seriously a game-changer for those long events with a ton of great photography and videography opportunities.
But, hey, even with the battery dying, we witnessed a killer game. We were screaming our lungs out, cheering every three-pointer, and high-fiving strangers. The energy was contagious! The whole experience felt truly authentic and spontaneous and a bit crazy, like something straight out of a movie.
The Post-Game Aftermath: A Triumphant Return
The drive home was surprisingly less chaotic. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the game, or maybe we were all just exhausted. Either way, we made it back in one piece, with a few more funny stories to add to our repertoire.
Here’s my advice for planning your own epic college road trip:
- Plan well in advance: Book tickets early, secure your accommodations, and check the route properly! Use Google Maps or a similar app to estimate the drive time. Don't underestimate it.
- Pack Smart: Snacks, drinks, entertainment (books, podcasts, downloaded movies), and extra batteries are your friends.
- Be Flexible: Things rarely go exactly as planned on a road trip. Embrace the unexpected detours and spontaneous adventures!
- Most important: Enjoy the journey! These experiences, even with their hiccups, create memories that last a lifetime. Just remember the essentials: Good company, a spirited attitude and sufficient funds for gas and unplanned expenses are crucial for the success of your college road trip.
So there you have it – my St. Mary's road trip tale. It wasn't perfect, but it was unforgettable. And that's what really matters, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plan my next adventure...