That morning I woke up with an adrenaline rush as if it were Christmas! I left work a bit before 11am. We had heard from many different sources that getting to the stadium would be very difficult. We drove to light rail, and I was happy that we found parking. Of course, it was still relatively early (about noon). There were DC Sheriffs at the station and we were certainly not the only ones headed to Invesco. Of course, our station is the furthest out from downtown so we were the first to get on and able to sit. By the last two or three stops, the trains were full and no one else would fit. It took about 45 minutes or so.
We got off at the Invesco stop and then walked BACK to Auraria to find "the end of the line." It snaked back and forth in a dorm parking lot. At one point, a man asked, "Why are all of you walking that way." I told him we were looking for the back of the line. That was the tone of the day...very respectful, no one wanting to 'cut' in front of others. The line was daunting, but we ate our Subway sandwich and chips and shopped for t-shirts and buttons as the real entrepreneurs came to us. Again, after about an hour, the line really started to pick up as we got closer to the stadium. Volunteers were handing out water, but we had heard we couldn't take outside food or drink into Invesco, so we didn't accept. Then we had our credentials scanned and walked into the security tent. It was very similar to the airport, but we left our shoes on. We didn't even have bags for our change and pocket contents. Wade forgot his watch so he was wanded, but it was all relatively quick. I would say we were in our section before about 2:15 or so, with a very good choice of seats.
The speakers and entertainment started around 3pm. Except for the sun, the time went by quickly. Of course we were all there to see Obama, but Governor Ritter, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden were great too.
Before we knew it, the sun was down and the stage was set for one of the most remarkable speeches I'd ever heard. No matter your political affiliation, it was an awe-inspiring event. Sinics call him a 'celebrity.' But, I have NEVER felt as connected to government as I did sitting very high up in the stadium that day!
Leaving the stadium grounds was the worst part of the day. All of the barricades to control the flow of people into Invesco made it difficult to leave. We walked over a mile to a different Light Rail stop on Auraria campus and actually got on one of the first trains that came. We were home safe and sound by midnight.
Friday was a very long day at work with a scratchy voice and lots of questions about McCain's choice of Gov. Palin.
"Uh, where's the end of the line?"
The freaks came out....
Important people got to ride in golf carts past the peons. How I wished Wade had brought the Starrs cart from Az last weekend.
"Hey, I can see the stadium entrance and it's not even dark yet! Success!"
AM and the Denver skyline with the Pepsi Center in the background. Most of the Convention took place here.
View from our seats around 2:15, when we arrived.
Sheryl Crow rocked the house.
Al Gore reminded us of the peril of the environment. Notice the sharp shooters next to the Bronco statue.... They made an anti-gun person like me VERY nervous.
The entire stadium waved flags! Notice how much it had filled!
Joe Biden, a Catholic who is pro-choice!
Really, is the sun down yet? And, why aren't they serving beer?
I have never seen so much confetti, fireworks, and cheering in my life! (BTW, fireworks aren't as fun when you're already sitting way up high. I was clinging so hard to Wade's shorts, he was afraid he might lose them.)
