Gettin’ Carried Away

This past weekend, I attended the 2009 Chicago Blackhawks Convention at the Hilton on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I met a lot of players, participated in Q&A sessions and was just… in awe… listening to these professional athletes give advice, talk about their personal lives and pick on their teammates.

However, with travel always on the brain, I began to think, “These guys are some of the most well-traveled people in this room!”

~*Chicago Blackhawks Andrew Ladd, Duncan Keith & Craig Adams in Nashville*~

Professional athletes, especially in the NHL, end up traveling all over the world. On the Blackhawks, for example, we’ve got a Swede, some Slovakians and tons of Canadians. And… these guys are traveling to Switzerland and Finland this fall to open the hockey season! Afterwards, they’ll come back to Chicago for a bit, play a game or two, and then embark on a seven-month journey all over the United States (and parts of Canada).

~*Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould and my bf Randy in Boston*~

I took my love of sports to another level by combining it with my passion for travel. Sometimes, I start looking for trips based on where my favorite teams are playing. I flew to Nashville earlier this year to see the Hawks ice the Predators (but they lost; sad day), and I’ve seen the White Sox play in New York and Boston. Even if my Chicago boys are not playing on the road, I’ll gladly take in a game just so I can see a given stadium (check back in August for my recap of a Pittsburgh trip to see the riates vs. the Diamonbacks at PNC Park).

~*Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook in Nashville*~

Aside from the game, the fans and the girls, I’d like to think that if I asked a Hawks player, “What’s the best part of being a professional athlete?” he might say, “I get to see so many amazing places.”

I mean, I’m sure these guys don’t have A LOT of down time, but they do get to go out occasionally. Two of the above photos show you that some of the Hawks were ready for a little night on the town, the night before the game! Perhaps that’s why they lost… hah! Either way, traveling has to be one of the best perks of being a professional athlete.