The Sea of Red

         Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln greets folks as they head south into downtown.  The large cement walls on the west side of the Stadium stand triumphantly over the bridges and streets which wind confoundingly around the northern reaches of downtown Lincoln.  The tall cement walls are segmented by large square pillars.  In between the two central pillars the internal organs of the stadium are revealed through three tall, narrow, cathedral like windows.  Across the rest of the stone grey exterior walls of the prominent west side of the stadium other smaller windows brighten the grey demeanor of the stadium.  

As one approaches this monolithic structure on a Saturday in fall the grey, cold of the stadium bursts to life with tens of thousands of loyal fans.  The grey exterior of the building gets lost behind the bright red jerseys and T-shirts that can be seen in all directions.  The smoke from the many grills at surrounding tailgates floats in the air and causes immediate hunger.  When game-time approaches the thud of drums and call of brass instruments can be heard roaring down stadium drive.  This is the band’s way of reminding fans that it is time to head into the stadium to cheer for the Huskers as they make their way onto the field.

Once you have fought your way through the crowd and enter the gates of the stadium it’s as if you can feel the whole behemoth moving under the weight of some eighty-five thousand fans.  The lobby on the west stadium is bright and open because of the huge windows.  The setup is rather simple with bathrooms and concessions stands strewn across the lobby.  As you grab a five dollar stadium chair and head to your section the anticipation peaks as one pokes their head out of the tunnel and sees the sea of red in all its glory.  The stadium is huge and it is always packed, it has been sold out every game for fifty years.  The field is immaculate and the “Jumbotrons” are visible in all directions.  The railings are lined with names of players who have achieved greatness at Nebraska and with the numbers from years when the Huskers won titles of some kind.  As the game commences you lose track of the glory that is Memorial stadium and become engulfed in the game, cheering, and analyzing every play.  The game may be bigger than any stadium but this place is special and is part of why the Nebraska Cornhuskers regardless of their record or players have a mythical status for the small population of Nebraska. 

Dinner table away from Dinner Table.

Mazatlan II             

   Heading south on 27^th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska near the intersection with Superior Street sits one of my all-time favorite Mexican restaurants.  The restaurant located on the east side of the road is called Mazatlan II, and it has a sister restaurant named Mazatlan in south Lincoln.  The restaurant is located in a newly built strip mall whose architectural theme is reminiscent of Tetris.  There are large different colored square patterns dispersed along the street facing side of the strip-mall.  Mazatlan II is located in between a tanning salon and a bank, which should bring in a lot of customers but the four other food/beverage establishments here no doubt affect business.

       It seems like the business here is steady but never very busy, I cannot remember ever having to wait, whether for lunch or dinner.  The bar greets patrons on the right as they walk into a tidy and colorful little restaurant which smells of tortillas and a multitude of spicy sauces.  There is a small waiting area to the left with the bathrooms sitting behind the bar and host station.  Usually you will be greeted by one or two extremely friendly waiters, Ramon is the younger stout one and Enrique is the older man with a raspy voice.  To the left of the bathrooms and behind the host area sits the dining room.  There are four long tables for larger groups located in the middle and booths surrounding the perimeter of the dining area.  Kitchen doors break up the booths near the host station and a playfully constructed wooden roof sits over each booth.  No matter where you sit the smells, sounds, and tastes are incredible.  Delicious chips and salsa are handed to you as fast as you can eat them before your entrée selection requires full attention. 

        Yet for me the reason this place is so special is because it has become somewhat of a family gathering place.  My family lives spread out across the state of Nebraska, some close others hours away.  It started probably five years ago when we happened upon Mazatlan II after a Husker game and we were promptly seated and well fed.  Now every time my stepdad comes to Lincoln there is no question where everyone is meeting for dinner.  My brother-in-law is even quite good friends with a few of the waiters.  I love this place not because of their food, though it is good, I love it because it synonymous with good times and people I love.  Mazatlan with is quick service and friendly staff has become an extension of our home kitchen table, a place where we can all still unite over a good meal. 

Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona

  If you head south out of the scenic mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Interstate 17 and connect with state highway eighty-nine you will be on your way to one of the most spectacular sights in a state full of beauty.  When you first start your journey there is little indication of the massive drop in elevation that will occur before you reach the city of Sedona, which lies thirty-one breathtaking miles from Flagstaff.  About twelve minutes outside of Flagstaff the Ponderosa Pines start allowing for a first glimpse of Oak Creek Canyon.  The road then begins to sidewinder radically through switch-backs as you drop down to the canyon floor.

    As your slowly making you way through the hairpin turns the vegetation begins to become more and more diverse.  Douglas Firs, Blue Spruces, Walnut, Cottonwoods, and Oaks all blend together on the steep cliff walls.  For anyone not comfortable with heights the journey down the gorge can be harrowing.  I for one found this place to be another of the amazing islands of forest, water, and rock which are dispersed throughout this desert state.  The rock face itself shines brilliantly with buff colored veins running through the rusty sandstone make up the north end of the canyon.  If you’re lucky enough to be making this drive around sunset the cliff face lights up brilliantly showing the diversity present in the rock formations.

     Nearing the bottom of this snakelike road you gain control of your equilibrium again, as the vegetation changes once more. Now instead of tall pines there is many different examples of shrubby deciduous trees, flower filled meadows, and might Oak stands.  The rock is also different, less intensely craggy and more lumped with large boulders.  The Sandstone takes over at this lower elevation as well providing a stark contrast to the colorful foliage.  As you begin to slowly ungulate toward Sedona the name sake of the makes its appearance—Oak Creek.  This stream flows year round through the canyon floor boring out multiple swimming holes in the soft stone.  Slide Rock State Park takes advantage of these pools and offers access to many hiking trails and scenic overlooks.  I recommend that anyone travelling her stops for a dip in the chilly water before finally heading out of the canyon into the dazzling escarpments of Sedona.