STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Since Erica and I had a christening to attend on Sunday along the US 322 corridor, we spent Saturday afternoon in Happy Valley. It was our first trip back since the Wisconsin game last November. It was great to be back — State College on a 72 ° day is pretty hard to beat. Of course, it was overcast and rainy on the way up, with the skies only parting once we reached the borough. I got a haircut at Fetterolf’s Barber Shop because they do a really good job, unlike the cloven hoofed stylist in my office building’s salon. I always try to get my haircuts up there, because in addition to doing a good job, they actually use a straight razor on the back of my neck. I don’t know of anywhere around here where you can still get that done.

As usual, we had lunch at Cafe 210 West. Here is one text message exchange:

WFY: @ cafe 210 right now

LCGSIII: You suck.

WFY: Just saw mrob

LCGSIII: You really suck.

Following a delightful meal (we skipped the L.I. Iced Teas this time though) at Cafe, we walked up and down College Ave. and poked into the many stores that sell PSU merch. I was pretty disciplined this time, only buying a HAPPY VALLEY sweatshirt and a couple little things. We did see Mike Robinson on College Ave. and I thought about thanking him for his efforts at State and wishing him luck. I decided to leave him alone and let him enjoy what he was doing.

Following the customary stroll, we headed up to Old Main and relaxed in front of the building and took photos. You can see the best ones in my flickr stream.

Other observations

I have been known to comment on the proliferation of redheads in Pentagon City now and again. After Saturday in State College, I think you would have to go to the English Isles to see so much red. Wow.

Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Penn State’s new ballpark, is coming together. After seeing it up close, I have to say that I am unimpressed by the exterior. It has the same design style as the indoor track facility, which does not work for a ballpark. It looks too much like the HUB and the new Smeal College of Business building. The interior though is supposed to be great and the Mt. Nittany backdrop will be wonderful.

We stopped at the Creamery, but forgot to take a photograph. Sooooooo good though. One point of contention though — they switched to plastic spoons instead of the wooden spoons. Have they lost their way?

A spectacular elm at the intersection of Pugh and College fell during a rainstorm over a year ago, taking out the traffic signals at that intersection. In haste, the borough put up new 12 inch signals with backplates, which was a contrast to the 8 inch signal heads used throughout the rest of downtown. The good news is they corrected this and replaced the 12 inch signals with 8 inches signals sans backplates. Chalk one up for consistent aesthetics. I would still like to see blue signals instead of the safety yellow variety, perhaps in the next go round.

We did not see anyone we knew, which is unusual. We usually run into someone while we are up there.

The Blue White Game is only 6 days away! We will be tailgating in lots
11-13 with specifics on the day of the game. For pre-game we will be having pancakes, sausage, and cheggs and post-game will be burgers and beer dogs.