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Maine's First Trip to Charlotte (Pictures Included)

OnlyPantherFaninMaine

By OnlyPantherFaninMaine,
in Carolina Panthers

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OnlyPantherFaninMaine Community Regular

OnlyPantherFaninMaine

Posted
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First and foremost, I apologize for how late this thread is. I have been meaning to get around to it but between moving back home and the holidays I haven't gotten the chance until now. My 6 days in Charlotte, North Carolina were nothing short of amazing and were everything I hoped they would be. The people in Charlotte and surrounding areas were extremely pleasant and respectful...much more so than your average folks in New England where I grew up. The BBQ lived up to the hype and the city was a great place to hang out and explore.

 

On December 18th, I departed from San Diego en route to Charlotte. I had just finished my last final and finished graduate school so this would be the perfect mini-vacation prior to heading back home. The anticipation leading up to the game was at an all-time high now.

 

SanDiegoFlight_zps08cfeeab.png

 

After a few hour flight, I got to Chicago where I had a couple hour layover prior to my flight to Charlotte. 

 

ChicagoFlight_zps12bcbeb9.png

 

Unfortunately it was dark by the time I arrived in Charlotte and I didn't have a window seat and I wasn't able to get a shot of Charlotte from the plane. Needless to say I had arrived. A friend I graduated from college with picked me up at the airport and we drove to his sister's apartment about 15-20 minutes from downtown Charlotte. The first night in Charlotte we had dinner at Mac's Speed Shop with his entire family and followed it up by going to his aunt's nightclub: Label. Benny Benassi was the special guest DJ for the night and we had free drinks coming non-stop. The picture below was taken from inside the DJ booth where we hung out most of the night. 

 

LabelRaging_zpsb2fda487.png

 

After a fun night out, I woke up early Friday morning and drove to the stadium with my buddy. For $5 each we took a stadium tour of Bank of America which was one of the highlights of my trip. I was truly ecstatic walking into the gates for the first time after having been a fan since 95' and never seeing the stadium in person. We got the rundown about the stadium, the playing surface, and the locker rooms, etc. Our tour guide was top class and very knowledgeable. 

 

BOAonFieldPano_zps6c73bc40.png

view from the visitor's tunnel

 

BOAPanoTour_zps4fc7a08d.png

I believe I took this from the media press box or one of the suits.

 

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Never realized how massive these Panthers were in front of the stadium. Had to get a picture with one.

 

SamMillsChillin_zps994102aa.png

self-explanatory. Picked up these gloves at the team store. RIP to Sam Mills. Keep Pounding.

 

On Sunday my buddy and I got to dropped off at the stadium around 9:30am and promptly met up with bleys, another Huddler. We paid $10 at the doghouse for all you can drinks brews and got in a couple games of cornhole. Afterwards we decided to head towards another tailgating lot. On the way there, Cecil Newton and Cam's little brother walked right past us but I didn't stop and have and conversation with him. Once at the lot, we met up with Zcustom and his crew and got a little faded on the flipcup table while downing some beer and Fireball. Thanks Z! Just prior to kickoff my buddy and I headed towards the South Gate and entered the stadium ready for game day.

 

 

BankOfAmericaStadiumPano_zps09384351.png

 

The crowd was electric and this was easily the best sporting event I have ever attended. The rain made it even more fun once I stopped caring that I was soaked. My nachos didn't last long in that monsoon but it was pretty cool that my beer refilled itself second by second. 

 

PostGameCelly_zps20725d91.png

Victory!

 

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We stayed until the stadium basically cleared out so I could take it all in. 

 

After the game I shot RoaringRiot a text and met up with him and bleys again at Cans: Recycled. I seriously recommend this post-game party. There were thousands in attendance, great music, food, and beer was flowing like the tears of Saints fans in Charlotte that evening. Thanks Zack for the Fireball shot I didn't need! After spending a few hours there, I headed back to my friends sister's apartment to dry off for the evening. At night, I went back to Label on Sunday night where the club owner introduced her nephew and I to DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Armond Smith, and Byron Bell. They seemed to be enjoying themselves and I told DeAngelo that his run before the half was the momentum swinger and that I appreciated his efforts.  

 

That's all I really have for now. Overall I had a blast and cannot wait to get back to the Queen City. I was hoping to meet more of you during my stay there but I can promise you all that I will be back! I doubt I'll be able to get down to Charlotte for a playoff game but if we win the Superbowl I'm hoping to attend the parade in Charlotte! 

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PghPanther Mentor

PghPanther

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That is a very nice photo story................I love to see fan shots of their experience and enjoyed this very much.

 

I'm glad you saw a good game and had a good time. I'm from Pgh, Pa and enjoy it very much here after moving down in 98.

 

Maine huh?

 

Short track racing with pavement super late models and some Mods and Supers is big up your way...........I like it!

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5158Poundin Newbie

5158Poundin

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It was nice meeting you with the Huddlers for the brief 5 minutes I saw you!  I enjoyed the game as well and am thrilled your first experience "home" was all that you hoped for!  Come back soon!  I gotta move back home and get outta PA!!!!!  I will stay for the Super Bowl since Giants/Jets stadium is just a little over an hours drive.. #keeppounding!!!

 

 

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Anybodyhome Grand Master

Anybodyhome

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Appreciate the photos and glad you had a good time. glad all the Huddlers showed you a good time as well.

 

The top photo reminds me of all my years in Ocean Beach and the flight path right over my house. On the far side of the jetty is Mission Beach and further up is Pacific Beach headed towards La Jolla.

 

At the very bottom of the picture is my hometown of Ocean Beach, San Diego. The ball field also has a huge rugby complex and there's an international rugby tourney that takes place every year there. Just out of the picture on the bottom left is Dog Beach, an entire dog-friendly beach founded almost 40 years ago.

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SCMunnerlyn1 Proficient

SCMunnerlyn1

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Unfortunately it was dark by the time I arrived in Charlotte and I didn't have a window seat and I wasn't able to get a shot of Charlotte from the plane. Needless to say I had arrived. A friend I graduated from college with picked me up at the airport and we drove to his sister's apartment about 15-20 minutes from downtown Charlotte. The first night in Charlotte we had dinner at Mac's Speed Shop with his entire family and followed it up by going to his aunt's nightclub: Label. Benny Benassi was the special guest DJ for the night and we had free drinks coming non-stop. The picture below was taken from inside the DJ booth where we hung out most of the night. 

 

LabelRaging_zpsb2fda487.png

 

 

OK the real question here is did that legend play Change Style live? 

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