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Hockey Road Trip, Fall 2004

Week One - Southwest - Sat, 10/16 - Fri, 10/22
Week Two - Texas - Sat.,10/23 - Fri, 10/29
Week Three - Southeast - Sat, 10/30 - Fri, 11/5
Week Four - Southeast - Sat, 11/6 - Fri, 11/12
Week Five - Mid Atlantic - Sat, 11/13 - Fri, 11/19
Week Six - Long Island - Sat, 11/20 - Fri, 11/26
Week Seven - Midwest - Sat, 11/27 - Fri, 12/3
Week Eight - Midwest - Sat, 12/4 - Fri, 12/10
Week Nine - Las Vegas - Sat, 12/11 - Fri, 12/17
Week Ten - California - Sat, 12/18 - Fri, 12/24
About Me

Tuesday, 11/9

Today, I traveled from Auburn, AL to Duluth, GA, stopping at LaGrange, GA on the way. Saw the Hills & Dales Estate (a mansion and gardens) in LaGrange and a Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Texas Wildcatters hockey game in Duluth.

The visit to the Hills & Dales Estate was a spur of the moment thing for me. (I always like to state these 'spur of the moments' because I don't do those often.) I had a few hours to kill before heading through Atlanta traffic to get to Duluth. I stopped at the GA visitor center and saw a brochure on the Estate. Decided to give it a go.

Hills & Dales is a southern treasure with 35 acres of rolling hills and shady dales. One is inspired by the beauty of historic Ferrell Gardens, the craftmanship of the Fuller E. Gallaway family home, and the vision of its creators. (Taken from brochure.)

Lots of family history, beautiful gardens, and a gorgeous mansion at this place. It had only been open to the public for a month. I was adult visitor number 390 (not counting groups). There was a short film on the family history and some displays in the visitors center for viewing. Then a tram up to the mansion for a guided tour of the first floor. Then I took a self guided tour through the gardens and walked back to the visitors center.



Well worth the visit. I imagine spring time is the best time to go to view the gardens. Many of the flowers will be in bloom then.


I spent a bit more time at Hills & Dales than expected. Did hit some traffic on my way to the Gwinnett Civic Center. I watched the Gwinnett Gladiators play the Texas Wildcatters.

Notes:





The outside of the Gwinnett Civic Center, taken at dusk.


Game Fourteen - Gwinnett Civic Center
Gladiators vs. Wildcatters
Score: Gladiators 5 - Wildcatters 4

After the game, I headed north on I-85 to Greenville. Got stuck in traffic. Five hours! Turns out a tractor trailer had driven into Lake Hartwell on the bridge over the lake on the GA/SC border. When I did finally get to cross the bridge (4 am in the morning), I noticed a crane was trying to pull something out of the water and a truck that said 'Dive Team.' I figured something bad had happened.

Wednesday, 11/10

I made it to Greenville at 5 am. I was one tired puppy. Spent the day taking naps. In the evening, went to Sparky's in downtown Greenville. Met some of John's work friends.

Thursday, 11/11

Will head up to Knoxville, TN to see a hockey game this evening.


Saw the Knoxville Ice Bears play the Huntsville Havoc at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. The league they play in is the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League).

Notes:





Knoxville has been home to a team in many different minor leagues. Here, banners are displayed from just a few they have been a part of.




There were many penalties in this game. This photo shows the remains of a fight. Gloves and sticks all over the ice.

You can also see the Ice Bears are wearing special Veterans Day jerseys: stars on the shoulders, red stripes on the bottom and red, white, and blue stripes on the socks.




And the score was Knoxville 6 - Huntsville 2. Wooden chairs throughout the arena.


Game Fifteen - Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Ice Bears vs. Havoc
Score: Ice Bears 6 - Huntsville 2

Friday, 11/12

Today, I headed down to Columbia, SC to watch the Inferno play the Wildcatters. Picked Jason up at the seafood restaurant around 4 pm, then on to the Carolina Coliseum.

Notes:





Here's me being an Inferno player. It's as close as I'm ever going to get to being a player.




This photo gives you an idea of how steep the steps were. I could not always see the play against the glass on this side of the rink.


Game Sixteen - Carolina Coliseum
Inferno vs. Wildcatters
Score: Wildcatters 3 - Inferno 2

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