Going to The Big House for the first time since I was a kid on Saturday.

[*JD*]

If you don't mind a little walking, you can probably find free street-parking (up until about 2 hours before kickoff) in the neighborhood behind the Dairy Queen on Packard. It's a less scenic walk than parking near campus but maybe a little bit closer (still about a mile away from the stadium) and free. Plus, there's a liquor store (Packard/Stadium) and Lucky's Market (Stadium/Industrial) on the way, in case you want to do some mobile tailgating.

[Paul L]

We normally park around there as well, JD. There's a school (free parking, not sure if legal, though; heh) on the north side of Stadium Blvd, west of Packard I believe. About a mile away, like you mentioned.

[Niffla]

Damn, great stuff, fellas. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.

Yeah I think I'll pass on the shuttle now.

[Paul L]

Have a great time, Niff

[entropy]

Prepare to stand sideways during the game.. The numbers are too close together.

Golf course is fun. Actually, most of AA (heh) is fun. The recent expansion (not the one where they added seats but no additional bleachers) makes the stadium a little louder, so that might be a nice surprise to you.

enjoy

[Niffla]

Have a great time, Niff

Thanks, bud. I've been in Dallas for the majority of my life and have been a die hard from afar -- for two plus decades now. Friend of mine as well. We grew up together and have been talking about making a Big House trip together since like...freaking 1998 or something like that.

And now instead of talking about it we're finally doing it. Booked everything like 3 and a half months ago. We had high hopes for Michigan of course but little did we know that this was going to turn out to be a top ten national match up. And for this friend of mine it's his first ever trip to Ann Arbor.

Oh and we're dragging another friend from Portland with us (he's flying in to meet us). He's not a UM fan -- he's actually from out of country but just wants to experience the spectacle of 115 thousand people watching a football game.

Can't wait, man. Fly out Friday morning bright & early.

[Niffla]

Last time I saw UM football in person was when they came to Dallas and got rolled by Alabama. Also saw the basketball team lose to SMU last season (I live basically on SMU's campus here in Dallas), witnessed the Trey Burke game tying 3 in OT that sent them to the elite 8 against Kansas, and subsequently was there to see them stomp Florida.

But man, nothing compares to this upcoming Big House trip. I honestly feel like a little kid right now I'm so giddy.

[The Oracle]

You should. Nothing better than road trips to see Michigan play live. Jealous.

[WingsFan]

I have talked with OP a few times. I think and hope he will come back, but if he does - it will not be for a while.

[Paul L]

Was lucky enough to get to every home game in the '97 NC season (ex-girlfriend's fam had season tix). Have only been to 1 (sometimes 2) a year since.

NOTHING better than a Saturday afternoon in the Big House in the fall. That game-day giddiness is present within many of us, I'm sure, no matter how often we make it to Ann Arbor.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I have talked with OP a few times. I think and hope he will come back, but if he does - it will not be for a while.

WingsFAN .....sent you a PM. There's been some problems sending and receiving these. Let me know that you got it.

[hack]

Damn -- you were at that Kansas game?

Have a great time, dude. It's gonna be awesome.

[WingsFan]

Got it Jeff, sent you a reply

[Niffla]

Was lucky enough to get to every home game in the '97 NC season

Damn Paul are you serious, wow that's bad ass. I still remember that season pretty well. I'll never forget that Iowa game where we were behind and had to rally back to save the national title aspirations.

[Niffla]

Damn -- you were at that Kansas game?

Have a great time, dude. It's gonna be awesome.

Yep, I got lucky because their path to the Final Four came right through Dallas (well Arlington technically).

And thanks hack!