I flew in from Las Vegas on the red eye a day ago. after taking a chance on a few new experiences – a handful of firsts. I took a chance on rearranging my flight home from my annual business trip to Vegas to experience my first Super Bowl – live. I didn’t have a ticket and took a chance that I could find one that I didn’t have to pay more than face value for. The chance for a new experience, and motivated in my quests for firsts, I took the leap of faith. It paid off with a few once-in-a-lifetime moments I will always cherish, despite the loss of my Eagles in the Super Bowl.
First, I took in the PGA’s Waste Management Phoenix Open on the Saturday before the Super Bowl at the TPC Scottsdale. What an experience as I walked the course in an Eagles jersey to the chants of “GO BIRDS.” It was more like a frat party than a golf tournament. I followed the last group of leaders onto the infamous 16th hole. The 16th hole is completely surrounded by a stadium filled with alcohol fulled crazies. When Scottie Scheffler hit his tee shot on the par 3 to within a foot the place erupted. Bottles and various objects came flying out of the stands filling the green. First time I have ever witnessed a stoppage of play at a golf tournament due to the fans. I was on the lower level when the mayhem broke. I ended up being drenched in beer from the rowdies from above. An experience I will never forget.
The next day I had my first Super Bowl experience. I started early in the morning. I went to people watch and take in the surroundings. I took selfies with a Ben Franklin impersonator and a Jason Kelce look-a-like dressed in his Mummers garb from his last Super bowl winning speech. Who knew that Ben Franklin is an Eagles fan??? It felt like a home game in Philly with all the Eagles jerseys and constant E-A-G-L-E-S chants. I got to my seat in the end zone a few hours early and just took it in. I took in Chris Stapleton’s moving rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and Rhianna’s halftime show. The game was a great game, with back-and-forth excitement, except for the very end. We lost in the dying seconds on a field goal. I stayed and took in the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy to Andy Reid, with all the Chief fans cheering.
I woke up early the next morning, after the Super Bowl, to take my four hour plus drive back to Las Vegas to drop off my rental car and catch my red eye flight. With some time to spare and firsts ever on my mind I saw a sign for the Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk over the canyon. Hmmm, never been there. I pulled to the side of the road. I Googled how far off course this detour would take me. With only an hour and a half out of my way, I was off for another new experience – walking on the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon. I’m grateful that I did. I spent a crystal blue skied day hiking the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon and stepped out on the skywalk to look down at my feet to see the bottom of the canyon. WOW! I took a chance on a new experience, and I’m grateful I did. Life is about experiences. Would you have taken a chance on a first? Will you?