The Revenge Tour December, 1997

by Kim Sproul, et al.

I had no intention of writing a road trip story for Pensacola. I had my trusty notebook with me as always just in case I needed it. It was a good thing I did. We hadn't even made it onto 1-10 yet when the rest of the bus began yelling "Kim, did you write that down?" I can't take full credit for this story. The entire bus helped write it.

Sandy starts a food fight by bouncing pumpkin muffms off people's heads. At least she was thoughtful enough to individually wrap them.

Go through a hail storm.

Debate the need for seat belts on a bus.

Go through another hail storm.

Discover Ed is still on Daylight Savings Time.

Discover the bus leaks.

Try to listen to the FSU game on the bus.

Boo at the car that passes us flying Ice Pilots flags.

Pass Casa de Cosas. Wonder how much their business would drop off if they just started calling it House of Stuff.

Arrive at Seville Quarter for a get together with the Ice Pilots Booster Club.

Realize the car we were booing belongs to our hosts. Be a little remorseful.

Crash a wedding reception.

Watch the UF/ UGA game. Cheer loudly when Georgia gets an interception.

Shriek like a banshee when I realize one of my former students made it.

Laugh when Carol yells, "Hey Kim, it's that Smart boy."

Get REALLY defensive when people start cracking jokes about a smart football player.

Explain (politely of course) that Carol wasn't making a comment about his intellectual acuity. That really is his name and he really is quite intelligent.

Look at the weather and decide to wait for the trolley.

Wish a small group of Viscous Fishes bon voyage as they head out for the arena.

Ride to the arena in a downpour. Wonder if the Viscous Fishes are now Drowned Rats.

See Dan Lupo. Breathe a sigh of relief when we see him go into our locker room.

Listen to Wendy give remedial hockey lessons to an Ice Pilot fan. I think it boiled down to, "When I cheer, you don't."

Wonder if we can sneak silly string into the Civic Center to celebrate a goal.

Buy frozen lemonade. Buy a vodka shot. Use your imagination.

Ponder the "open up another can of goalies" sign. Decide the label should read Ice Pilots because ours is doing just fine.

Listen to the Ice Pilots fans sing. Realize they're singing "Old MacDonald." Decide they'll have to try harder than that.

See ANOTHER penalty shot in Pensacola. Win anyway.

Return to the bus and celebrate with pretzels and Kahlua. I don't recommend it, but it was all we had.

Get up close and personal with a semi.

Have a yarn ball fight...

Stop at a rest area that doesn't have water in the sinks. Rinse the soap off our hands in the water fountain.

Make it home in one piece.