I started off 1998 with one of the most exciting vacations imaginable. My brother Bob and I traveled to sunny Pasadena, California to witness the Rose Bowl and watch our Michigan Wolverines capture their first national championship since 1948. The Wolverines completed their perfect 12-0 season on a beautiful January 1st.

We started our trip by flying out of Chicago to Las Vegas, staying one night at the Orleans hotel. The next day, December 31, we drove across the desert in our rental car to Pasadena, about a four-hour drive. The drive is very scenic. We arrived in Pasadena around noon on New Year's Eve and then attended the Michigan team pep rally at a local community college, along with about 10,000 other fans.

New Year's Day we awoke VERY early to get a good spot to watch the Rose Parade, a true spectacle to see. After the parade we walked to the famous Rose Bowl for the biggest game in the history of Michigan football.

The Washington State Cougars were worthy opponents, with their wide-open passing attack. But in the end, Michigan's defense came up big when it needed to, as they had all season, and the Wolverines posted a 21-16 win.

Bob and I celebrated that night and I sent a dozen roses to Karen back in Michigan to commemorate the moment. (Also to remind her I loved her.) The next day we drove back to Las Vegas, where we stayed for two days at the Flamingo Hilton.

One of the highlights of the time in Vegas was climbing a 75-foot indoor climbing rock at M & M's World / Game Works. (Near the MGM Grand hotel) It took about 45 minutes to complete the climb and I was thoroughly exhausted, but also very gratified at the effort I put into it.