2013 - Real Man Travels Year In Review

2013 was a roller coaster ride of a year, Its was a successful year and I have my friends to thank for it. I look forward to 2014 and I hope the year treats you well. I leave you with an Irish Cheers Sláinte!!

Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This Photo was taken on our way to the St. Mary's rapids to try our luck and new found skills at Fly Fishing. This was a great adventure that introduced me to some great people. Thanks Again to Soo North Fly Shop.

Bushplane Museum- Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This is my top mate Dylan in a small coin operated space shuttle. For those of you who do not know him, Dylan is 6'3. So you can Imagine how funny this would be in real life. 

Elmavale Zoo, Ontario Canada: This was at a school trip with my daughter's class and I will tell you that Giraffe tongues gross me out. However my daughter was not so squeamish as the Giraffe licked the food clean off her palm.

Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario Canada: I was lucky enough to be hosted by Parks Canada for a couple of days. We stayed in a Yurt which is an excellent way to camp. This photo was taken at Indian Head Cove right next to the grotto. 

Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario Canada: The final shot of our homemade "Man Of The Year" competition where we compete in various outdoor events such as Fishing, Washer Toss and the Xtreme Challenge! 

 Brampton, Ontario Canada: This year we experienced Tree Top Trekking. It turned out to be quite the test of the mind and body. I remember feeling so proud of our group not one of us lost our balance and fell off during the whole course. This is not easy by any means.

Canadian Space and Aviation Museum - Ottawa, Ontario Canada: This past summer the kids and I took a road trip to Ottawa. When I look at this picture, it scares me a little. It actually looks like they know what they are doing...

Bon Echo Provincial Park Ontario, Canada: After hiking to the top of the cliffs, My hetero life mate Mike and I boarded the Mugwump Ferry and I captured this photo on our way back to the mainland. It was one of the best weather days of the year.

Dublin, Ireland: I went for a few walks in Dublin one was to the Temple Bar to drink beer and the other was an early morning stroll to St.Patrick's Cathedral.

Strandhill Beach, Sligo Ireland:  We were on our way for dinner and when we arrived this was the scene as 20 Travel Bloggers unloaded out of the bus and started taking pictures. The weather gods were smiling down on us the entire trip.

Streedagh Strand Sligo, Ireland: This photo was taken along a guided hike with SEATRAILS our guide was Auriel Robinson who is a Marine Archaeologist, While showing us amazing fossils along the shores, She told us many interesting stories of the unforgiving coastline.

Glenevin Waterfall, Ballyliffin Co. Donegal Ireland: This small but very picturesque waterfall can be found along a small pathway with sheep wandering free a few tiny bridges cross the stream along the way. We followed up this brisk fall walk with a stop at Nancy's Barn which we were served hot soup and coffee and delicious home-made treats.

Malin Head Donegal, Ireland: This was on a small hike at the most northern coastline of Ireland. Besides the swimming seals and breathtaking views of coastline, the wind also tried to take our breath away on many occasions.

Farren's Bar- Donegal, Ireland: This personalized pint was served up to us just after our hike at Malin Head at the end of our Ireland press trip. The location was Farren's Bar it is Ireland's most northerly pub I enjoyed unwinding with 20 new friends at the end of an amazing journey as we all posted our beer photos on instagram.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: This photo was taken as a gag to re create an old Three Stooges photo. The representative of the Gophers stood there shaking his head like "you have got to be kidding me, are these guys for real?" But he took the picture and we love him for that.

Target Field - Minneapolis, Minnesota: The host of the 2014 MLB All Star game, The Twins have it all in this stadium. The tour of the stadium is one of the top rated tours in sports on ESPN.com. We were allowed to take a "special" tour and this is the view from the home dugout. Minneapolis is a great sports city.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: Gopher Game Day, we were given 3 media passes to a Big Ten College football game so we showed up early to watch the players warm up and we were awarded with this photo. Yes I was laying on my stomach for this one.

Algonquin Provincial Park - Ontario, Canada: The girls and I took a fun little road trip to this picturesque little spot along the way we seen our very first Moose! When we reached this campground the sun was just setting over the lake as I started getting our supper ready on a camping stove on the tailgate of my truck.

Drysdale's Tree Farm - Utopia, Ontario: This was my last adventure of 2013, and one of my favorite because, it really shows off how happy I am making memories with my family.

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Real Man Travels University: Minnesota Golden Gophers

I’ve always struggled to understand the incredible allure that drives amateur sport that pro sport just doesn’t seem to replicate. The blind loyalty of a fan base that’s unquestioned as they cheer on their own. Their allegiance is predestined by geography, passed on through generations, and built into the fabric of their school’s campus. As an observer it’s been hard to comprehend. That all changed when the Golden Gophers of Minnesota invited us to experience what college football is all about.

left to right: Sam, Chris, and Mike enjoying the game from the sidelines

Driving to TCF Bank Stadium through the heart of the University of Minnesota campus, there’s no mistaking where you are. Rows of fraternity houses adorned with Greek letters blend into the towering school buildings. Campus buildings that have stood for over a century blend with modern facilities that you would expect from a state school. Students move to and from buildings showing their school pride in simple ways as the area buzzes over tomorrow’s Big10 match up against the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers.

“The Bank,” as it is known, is an oddity in college football. A state-of-the-art, brand spanking new on-campus stadium is something the Big10 conference hasn’t seen since 1960. The home locker room, the biggest in college and professional sports, is visually stunning and boasts 120 cherry-wood lockers. As Jeff, the senior director of TCF Bank Stadium & Outdoor Facilities, toured us through the $300 million stadium, we marveled at every turn.

Tossing the ball around during a tour of TCF Bank Stadium

When Saturday morning arrived we were giddy with anticipation. The buzz on campus and around the stadium was infectious. We watched Nebraska and Minnesota fans mix together in the stands as we navigated our way to the sidelines to take in the game. What would follow would be one of the most enjoyable football experiences of my life. I’ve watched a lot of football, but nothing the NFL has offered me could compare to what the Golden Gophers of Minnesota delivered that autumn day. A nail-biter of a game that was still very much up for grabs in the final five minutes until a Gophers rushing touchdown with 48 seconds remaining gave them the lead. An interception would serve as an exclamation point as Minnesota ended a 53 year losing streak against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The place went absolutely nuts, and I was hooked on NCAA football.

4th & Goal - 4 Reasons you should experience a Minnesota Golden Gophers home game:

1. Minnesota is a team on the rise. After back-to-back 3-9 seasons the Gophers are rebuilding their program “brick by brick” under coach Jerry Kill and have earned bowl appearances in each of the last two seasons. They will face Syracuse December 27 in the Texas Bowl on ESPN. 
2. Pure football experience. Don’t worry about your fantasy football line-up; just enjoy some of the best football on the planet.
3. Players leave it all out on the field. These are real student-athletes with classes and exams to deal with all week long; but come Saturday they play for their school and their future, not for a pay check.
4. The Fans. This fan base is one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to mingle with. They know their stuff and they keep the stadium rocking for the full 60 minutes.

some fans dressed up for the pre-Halloween game

Think your school can outdo the Gophers experience? The Real Man Travels team is currently looking for our next college football experience and would love to hear from you.

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