Roller Coasters
Although I was born in Utah, now live in Washington...I am from Idaho. Can't explain why this is--it is simply true. Years ago (well not THAT many years ago) I had twenty acres, a house, great dog (named jake), a couple horses, a family, and a great summer garden. I was up against a mountain about 30 miles north of Coeur d'Alene and about six miles east of what was back then called Henley Aerodome.
Shortly after moving to Spokane, Henley was purchased by someone who had made millions in the silicon high tech revolution, and had dreams of building a theme park. Silverwood was born and many years later is now a world class theme park. What does this have to do with football? Nothing--but I continue--because I must.
The first year it was fun to have something like Silverwood as a novelty out in the no-where of North Idaho. Somewhere around the second or third year, however, they put up this (so they advertised) "The Worlds Largest All Wood Roller Coaster." Imagine that! Out in 'no-where' North Idaho. A couple years later they would put up a thing called, "Tremblers" (I think after the movie) because this even taller coaster went underground like three times. We, that lived in this area, had to learn a new courage--forcing your arms in the air the entire ride. Only, because my two daughters finally shamed me, did I learn this new-found courage. Now, I don't care what roller coaster I ride--I hold my arms and hands in the air and have fun. Is this about football? No, but I'm getting closer....in fact I'm there.
This is not a post for the, 'Hot Headed' or the, 'Stat Freak' fan. This is a post for the young and new fan. Techknology has given young fans, and many of us old fans, access to information that we shouldn't even care about--but do.
I've been a Bronco fan since 1962 and spent most of the early years hiding up in the coming hole with my hands and arms down. It was hidious! In the 60's and even the early 70's to be known as a Bronco fan was not right. Funny the world, despite my love for the Broncos, the world loved KC Oakland and the jets.
This year reminds me of something, not sure what it is--some of it good--some of it bad...and some of it dread. If we hold our arms up entering the tunnel will we lose our arms? No. Is the season over? No, we have a really good team.
To you young fans, on the roller coaster the NFL has created, this is a good team.
This is a funny year, we've lost all our starting HB's and LB's,...How often does that happen? We win in other's house, that have not lost in their house, and lose to the faiders in ours. We have a young, passionate defense that we know nothing about--except their passion. Let's hope their hands and arms are in the air as they enter the tunnel. We have an offense that can score on any team--and the stars are all baby's. Funny us!
All you young Bronco fans out there--love this team! All you young Bronco fans fans out there this may be a very rough roller coaster ride.
Remember, when you ride a roller coaster, keep your arms and hands high in the air the entire ride.
and have fun.
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Yep what a year of high highs and low lows...
There’s been times when I thought i was back in my pot smoking days I was soo high and then again there has been times when I was back in my Head banging hang-over days.
No middle of the road this year on the mountain or in the Valley
by Shiiver on
Nov 25, 2008 10:18 PM MST
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lol--funny year! This has been a fuuny year. I just can't give up on it!
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 25, 2008 10:21 PM MST
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Great post Mike!
Rec’d!
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by styg50 on
Nov 25, 2008 10:42 PM MST
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thanks styg
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 4:05 PM MST
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The editorial staff...
…reminds our readers to be responsible at theme parks, and to follow the safety rules that are posted. There is a reason that Mike Clark always gets the lead in “A Farewell to Arms” when it plays at his local civic theater. He was also a stunt double in one of the Jaws movies, when they needed an armless torso.
His post is meant to be figurative.
: )
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by hoosierteacher on
Nov 26, 2008 1:50 AM MST
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Thanks for the disclaimer HT--LOL--typing without arms has proved difficult.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 4:06 PM MST
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LoL Great post and rec!
There is no 'Ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
Chuck Norris destoryed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise.
by nickt84 on
Nov 26, 2008 6:21 AM MST
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Thanks nick
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 4:07 PM MST
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Good One Mike. Rec'd
I can’t get enough of this year’s team.
by ButteBronco on
Nov 26, 2008 10:15 AM MST
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With a good portion of our best players on IR next year looks great also!
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 4:08 PM MST
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I am most excited about Alridge
he is amazingly fast, and once he learns how to hit the hole and find the cutback, he could be the most devestating changeup back that is imaginable in our system, with his combination of speed and balance.
It is too bad this year wasn’t a year for him to get the kinks out. I would imagine he may be hit or miss next year, from a game to game perspective, but overall he is one of the bright young stars with legitimate TALENT that I am excited about on this team.
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by styg50 on
Nov 26, 2008 7:53 PM MST
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Alridge was my 'dark horse' to be great this year. Darn Shanny for making him the main HB that last pre-season game.
oh well…its been a funny year.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 7:58 PM MST
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Also
I meant to comment on your first sentence.
I was born in Colorado, and now live in Alaska, but I am also from Idaho. It is just the way it is. I was further south than you, just north of the high deserts between the Bitteroots and Idaho Falls, in a little town called Salmon.
It is a good place to grow up, scraping the sky in ways you can’t in a city.
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by styg50 on
Nov 26, 2008 8:06 PM MST
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King-B-Ranch.....years and years ago....
Cattle fed on so much sage brush that they had to do something to do with this funny taste beef. King B Jerky—my favorite!
Part of Salmon, Idaho
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 8:17 PM MST
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Salmon is beutiful country...
I used to love crossing the MT/ID border and exploring the Bitteroots while in school in Missoula. It doesn’t get much better than the wilderness along the border, especially the Lochsa and Salmon rivers. I also worked for a construction company where there was an entire crew from Salmon. They were great guys.
by ButteBronco on
Nov 27, 2008 9:00 AM MST
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Nice analogy Mike. Rec'd
There have been many roller coaster seasons as a fan of the Broncos. One game were unstoppable against the best of the best and the next we can’t beat the faders.
It’s been a tough lesson for my son as he gets extremely emotionally involved with every game (sometimes every play). I wasn’t here for the debacle against the faders, but my wife said that he was relatively calm throughout (apparently, during the chargers game he was biting his nails, turning off the TV, throwing the remote, etc., etc.) so maybe he’s starting to figure it out.
On a good roller coaster, you can’t have the highs without the lows (and like the original Mister Twister, a couple of spins)!
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano
by DesertBroncoFan on
Nov 26, 2008 3:39 PM MST
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Desert--I may have written this thing as much for myself as anyone--to regain my perspective.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 4:10 PM MST
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Nice post Mike Clark!
Rec’d!
Win or lose, it's always it a great day to be a Bronco fan!
by Steve O' on
Nov 26, 2008 5:17 PM MST
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Thanks Steve
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 6:46 PM MST
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All one has to do is sit at HT's knee, and listen for a couple of days, and then the roller coaster turns into a two lane free way across Nebraska!
by metalman5050 on
Nov 26, 2008 6:02 PM MST
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Is it a toll road--where I have to pay!
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 6:52 PM MST
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NOP it's FREE SAILIN!!!!!!!!!!!11
by metalman5050 on
Nov 26, 2008 6:55 PM MST
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lol-
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 26, 2008 7:02 PM MST
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Gotta stay calm...
…at least on the outside. When the postseason hits, then I get charged up. The season is a journey, and each game is just a big part of it. The playoffs are the destination, and that’s when the real war starts.
I look at the regular season as manouvering for position; setting up the battlefield. If we set ourselves up well, we go to the REAL tournament. That’s when all bets are off, and the real season begins.
I guess it’s like being a coach, or even a commander. The troops have to see that you are calm, don’t get rattled, and have even the worst situations under control. But when the real shooting starts, they need to see you at the front leading the charge; yelling for the charge and brandishing your sword.
Don’t let the losses get you too low, and don’t get too big headed with the wins. Look at the whole situation, and keep your wits. When the post season starts, there is everything to win and everything to lose. This is what we’ve been fighting, sweating, and bleeding for all season. I liked how the 6th seed Steelers came in a few years ago and started the season anew in the playoffs, and ran the table. They realized that the postseason isn’t an extension; it’s the “real season”.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by hoosierteacher on
Nov 27, 2008 3:03 AM MST
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Holy crap....my wife and I are moving to northern Idaho next year...spring of 2010 at the latest.
We are looking at the areas around Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint. Personally, I can’t wait to get out of California before they raise both income taxes and the sales tax. That is how they deal with budget problems…no cutting of spending, just tax increases. lol I am done with these idiots. :) It’s good to know there is a theme park up there…
giggity giggity! Great post Mike!
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
by Zappa on
Nov 28, 2008 9:43 AM MST
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Its a huge theme park and now includes a huge 'state-of -the-art' water park.
Both Coeur d’ Alene and Sanpoint have become extremeley crowded in the summer (not to mention expensive). You may want to check out Post Falls, Hayden Lake, and Rathdrum areas. They’re all around 15 miles from Cda. You’ll love it up here, 5 ski resorts, 4 major rivers, and about twentyfive lakes with-in a 100 mile radius.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 28, 2008 11:59 AM MST
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Sorry to be so long is reading your post MC...
great analogy.
One of my best friends is fromIdaho….near Idaho Falls I believe and they are great folk.
rec’d!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Nov 29, 2008 6:10 PM MST
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boydy--you write great posts--I write curiousities that occasionally strike a nerve--thanks for the 'rec'.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on
Nov 29, 2008 6:58 PM MST
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