Rose Bowl/L.A.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Rose Bowl, or any bowl for that matter, go!  Please go!  I was fortunate enough to go this past new year and it was amazing.  First and foremost, we were there for the game.  It was a tough loss, but it was a great game.  The Rose Bowl Stadium is enormous, close to 100,000 (biggest stadium I've been in).  It was probably 3/4 Badger fans.  Very cool stadium in a valley in Pasadena.  The Badger tailgate was actually just a half mile away on a golf course.  Can you imagine golfing in the shadow of the 'grand daddy'? 

Although we were there for the game, we also got to see a few sights and was there for New Year's.  Thanks to my in-laws we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey where we saw a few players from the Atlanta Hawks.  We saw the Badgers' marching band twice.  The first time was at the official pep rally next to the Santa Monica Pier.  Thousands of fans lined the parking lot, the pier itself, and the sidewalk to hear the band play, see the Wisconsin governor, the team, and ex-Badger legends (Ron Dayne).  We saw them the next night, new year's eve, down at L.A. Live.  Its the area down by the Staples Center which is somewhat similar to Times Square.  Open air, lots of restaurants and bars, and big jumbotrons.  We also spent some time by Venice Beach and saw the famous Muscle Beach, interesting street performers, and multiple medicinal marijuana centers.  I even got to spend some time w/my cousin Jason, who was kind enough to drive (you really do need a car down in L.A.)  A one way cab ride from Marina del Rey to the Staples Center was around $70.  The weather wasn't amazing, mid 50's, but better than back home.  Just getting away from the cold and being surrounded so many fans in a great city made the trip.  Next time, whether it be Iowa or Wisconsin, we better win!

                                                                Santa Monica Pier

                                                                       Venice Pier