It's done and over.  I went, I saw, I conquered...to some degree.  I won a few bets...lost a few more...and learned a lot about life at Churchill Downs.

First thing is first guys and gals.  Go to the Kentucky Derby...or the Indy 500...or whatever sporting event you've been thinking of going to.  Stop talking about it, book the hotel, buy the tickets and make it happen.  That's how it came to be that I attended the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby.  One night while out with some friends I said, "Enough of this, I'm booking the hotel when I get home!"  I did...and at that point we HAD to go.

The Derby is truly special.  It's one of the few sporting events I know of that doesn't ask you to do ANYTHING.  If you want to go...you just show up.  There are no visits to Stubhub...there are no applications to fill out (unless you want to sit in the grandstand, but again, you don't HAVE to).  At Churchill Downs, you show up on Derby Day, hand over $40 and walk in for the experience.

It starts with a walk through the tunnel.  You walk under the track to get into the infield.  Upon entering you'll see that you have entered a state fair for adults only.  Instead of booths with stuffed animals, there are alcohol stands.  Instead of a superslide, there's an alcohol stand.  Instead of...well, you get the idea.  There is PLENTY to drink.

Once we got inside it was straight to the bathroom (emptying out) and then to the Julep stand (to fill up).  Sorry...but it's the truth.  From there it's a blur.  Bet on some early races (the windows open at 10:20 am).  My friends and I may or may not have tried to place bets at 9 am.  Hey, we were ready.

You'll win.  
You'll lose.  
You'll meet people from Kentucky, New Mexico, Nebraska, and New Zealand...yes...all real.
You'll feel like everyone that you know, wishes they could trade places with you, even if it's only for an hour.
You'll feel the warm Kentucky sun.
You'll get a sore neck craning around to see the lovely women and the sun dresses.
You'll get a sun burn.
You'll have a fantastic time.

You'll see and feel things that can't be described:
The call to the post.
My Old Kentucky home.
The SPEED of the horses which you never truly understand until you see them in your field of vision
The Twin Spires
That feeling of the home stretch
A parade to the exit, while everyone sings songs in the tunnels

I've done a lot in my sports fan career.  I've been to 15 baseball stadiums.  I've done all the Bills and Sabres you could do, including a trip to Carolina in the ECF of 06.  I\\\'ve been to the PGA Championship.  I saw a hurling match at Dublin Stadium in Ireland.  I've forgotten more sporting events than some people have been to....and I'd put the Derby at the top of the list.

It's too much fun...and it's too easy.

Looking back, I'd say I have a few rules:

1.  Go to the Derby at some point in your life
2.  Drink at least ONE Mint Julep.  My buddy Aaron kept referring to them as "rocket fuel".
3.  Bet EARLY.  Before you get to the 6th race, have your bets for ALL the races placed.
4.  Socialize.  Ask EVERYONE where they're from and how many times they've been to the Derby.
5.  Don't bet on the favorite - I know, Big Brown one.  But it's still cool to say to people, even AT the Derby, "Dude....you NEVER bet the favorite!!!!"

It was my first Derby, and it WON'T be my last.  Happy travels to you and yours.

But perhaps the biggest thing that I learned.  The most important point of it all.  Take your trip...to places you love...with the people that you want to go with.  I went with my friends Paul, Grant, and Aaron.  Truth be told, the trip is about where you go...but perhaps moreso, who you go with.  Take a "boys trip".  Take your wife.  Take your kids.  Go.  Buy the tickets now.  Whatever you\\\'ve been hemming and hawing over.  Do it.

Life is short.
Take YOUR trip.