Favorite RMAC Road Trips

[MinnequaFats]

So the stadiums thread got me thinking, what are your favorite places to visit in the conference? Here's my list. (I am a CSU Pueblo fan so Pueblo will not be on my list.)

1. Black Hills State - Spearfish, SD. Man do I like Spearfish. The Black Hills are a great place to visit and Spearfish is a neat town. It's also close to Deadwood which is fun. If you happen to be visiting during the Deadweird Halloween party, go. It is awesome
2. CO Mines - Golden, CO. So much for me to like about this trip. Shortest drive for me, best away seating, Golden is nice and I have to go trough Denver Metro so all the things one can do in Denver are on the table.
3. Fort Lewis - Durango, CO. Durango is a beautiful city with some great restaurants and bars and the scenery is top notch. 5 hour or so drive for me each way, but some stunning views over Wolf Creek. Now if the Pack could just figure out how to win convincingly over there.
4. Western Colorado - Gunnison, CO. Not as pretty as Durango, but still nice. Shorter drive for me and only one pass. And a trip to Mario's for pizza and focaccia bread is a must.
5. SD Mines - Rapid City, SD. More Black Hills and Deadwood. I do like Spearfish better. Maybe with some exploration I can find some good local spots.
6. NM Highlands - Las Vegas, NM. I never was down there in the bad old days I have heard about where people felt unsafe. I like this trip because it is only 3 hours (3rd shortest drive for me) and because Charlie's Spic and Span Bakery and Cafe is AWESOME! When my buddy and I make the trip we hit it for breakfast before and lunch after. Several tortillas come home with us.
7. Adams State - Alamosa, CO. 2nd shortest drive for me, though it does involve going over La Veta Pass. Usually not too bad but weather can get you at times. I've never been during one of those inversion layer cold snaps they get in the SLV. (For college anyway. State championship game between Pueblo County and Alamosa might have been the coldest I've ever been in my life.) We would always hit the Mexican buffet at Calvillo's, but buffets are probably going the way of the dodo thanks to Covid. Hopefully we can someplace cool to take its place.
8. CO Mesa - Grand Junction, CO. It's this far down my list just due to distance (5+ hours each way.) GJ is a nice town and the Grand Mesa is amazing. Still feeling out the food scene.
9. Chadron State - Chadron, NE. Up to this point in the list, I enjoy visiting, but that ends here. First trip we googled "Best Restaurants in Chadron" and everything on the list was closed on Saturdays. Ended up at a Chinese buffet, which while OK, was nothing to right home about. Chadron people, help me out. What the hell is there to do in Chadron, Nebraska? Other than drive to Scottsbluff?

Some non RMAC Places I've been for Pack games are:

West Texas A&M - Canyon, TX. Fat Boy BBQ was great and a great atmosphere, they love them some WTAMU in Canyon.
Dixie State - St George, UT. I'm sort of sad they left the conference. St George is great town (other than the heat) and I had some fun in Mesquite, NV.
Nebraska-Kearney - Kearney, NE. Only made that trip once and the game was epic. Town seemed pretty cool and we discovered Runza thanks to a buy one get one offer on the back of our tickets.
Sporting Park- Kansas City, KS. Great memories. NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY!!! The Legends out by the stadium in KCK is sweet. Not that I've been to a ton of Cabela's, but that locations is amazing. And the BBQ, oh my. USDA Prime short rib at Jack Stack Freighthouse across from Union Station in KCMO might be the greatest thing I've ever eaten. The ZMan sandwich at Joe's Kansas City was killer also. Q39 was pretty good too. (I was not that taken with Arthur Bryant's.) Went and took my picture at the old 12th St and Vine sign post, and visited the National WW! Memorial and Museum. Negro League Hall of Fame was on my to do list but I never did make it. I will never forgive Sporting KC for ruining my annual Kansas City trip.

I was planning to go to Kingsville this year, but alas it was not to be. If the damn plague ends, I'm looking forward to visiting Allendale, MI for the Grand Valley game in 2021.

[ccmoney8]

So the stadiums thread got me thinking, what are your favorite places to visit in the conference? Here's my list. (I am a CSU Pueblo fan so Pueblo will not be on my list.)

1. Black Hills State - Spearfish, SD. Man do I like Spearfish. The Black Hills are a great place to visit and Spearfish is a neat town. It's also close to Deadwood which is fun. If you happen to be visiting during the Deadweird Halloween party, go. It is awesome
2. CO Mines - Golden, CO. So much for me to like about this trip. Shortest drive for me, best away seating, Golden is nice and I have to go trough Denver Metro so all the things one can do in Denver are on the table.
3. Fort Lewis - Durango, CO. Durango is a beautiful city with some great restaurants and bars and the scenery is top notch. 5 hour or so drive for me each way, but some stunning views over Wolf Creek. Now if the Pack could just figure out how to win convincingly over there.
4. Western Colorado - Gunnison, CO. Not as pretty as Durango, but still nice. Shorter drive for me and only one pass. And a trip to Mario's for pizza and focaccia bread is a must.
5. SD Mines - Rapid City, SD. More Black Hills and Deadwood. I do like Spearfish better. Maybe with some exploration I can find some good local spots.
6. NM Highlands - Las Vegas, NM. I never was down there in the bad old days I have heard about where people felt unsafe. I like this trip because it is only 3 hours (3rd shortest drive for me) and because Charlie's Spic and Span Bakery and Cafe is AWESOME! When my buddy and I make the trip we hit it for breakfast before and lunch after. Several tortillas come home with us.
7. Adams State - Alamosa, CO. 2nd shortest drive for me, though it does involve going over La Veta Pass. Usually not too bad but weather can get you at times. I've never been during one of those inversion layer cold snaps they get in the SLV. (For college anyway. State championship game between Pueblo County and Alamosa might have been the coldest I've ever been in my life.) We would always hit the Mexican buffet at Calvillo's, but buffets are probably going the way of the dodo thanks to Covid. Hopefully we can someplace cool to take its place.
8. CO Mesa - Grand Junction, CO. It's this far down my list just due to distance (5+ hours each way.) GJ is a nice town and the Grand Mesa is amazing. Still feeling out the food scene.
9. Chadron State - Chadron, NE. Up to this point in the list, I enjoy visiting, but that ends here. First trip we googled "Best Restaurants in Chadron" and everything on the list was closed on Saturdays. Ended up at a Chinese buffet, which while OK, was nothing to right home about. Chadron people, help me out. What the hell is there to do in Chadron, Nebraska? Other than drive to Scottsbluff?

Some non RMAC Places I've been for Pack games are:

West Texas A&M - Canyon, TX. Fat Boy BBQ was great and a great atmosphere, they love them some WTAMU in Canyon.
Dixie State - St George, UT. I'm sort of sad they left the conference. St George is great town (other than the heat) and I had some fun in Mesquite, NV.
Nebraska-Kearney - Kearney, NE. Only made that trip once and the game was epic. Town seemed pretty cool and we discovered Runza thanks to a buy one get one offer on the back of our tickets.
Sporting Park- Kansas City, KS. Great memories. NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY!!! The Legends out by the stadium in KCK is sweet. Not that I've been to a ton of Cabela's, but that locations is amazing. And the BBQ, oh my. USDA Prime short rib at Jack Stack Freighthouse across from Union Station in KCMO might be the greatest thing I've ever eaten. The ZMan sandwich at Joe's Kansas City was killer also. Q39 was pretty good too. (I was not that taken with Arthur Bryant's.) Went and took my picture at the old 12th St and Vine sign post, and visited the National WW! Memorial and Museum. Negro League Hall of Fame was on my to do list but I never did make it. I will never forgive Sporting KC for ruining my annual Kansas City trip.

I was planning to go to Kingsville this year, but alas it was not to be. If the damn plague ends, I'm looking forward to visiting Allendale, MI for the Grand Valley game in 2021.

My best two trips would definitely be Spearfish and Alamosa. I honestly don't know what people do in cities lol but any of the drives into Western Colorado is worth it and take you near amazing sights. Spearfish puts you in striking distance of Devils Tower, Rushmore, and all the quirky little Black Hills towns, plus Deadwood.

[Turbonium]

9. Chadron State - Chadron, NE. Up to this point in the list, I enjoy visiting, but that ends here. First trip we googled "Best Restaurants in Chadron" and everything on the list was closed on Saturdays. Ended up at a Chinese buffet, which while OK, was nothing to right home about. Chadron people, help me out. What the hell is there to do in Chadron, Nebraska? Other than drive to Scottsbluff?

Win football games and drive home.

[MinnequaFats]

My best two trips would definitely be Spearfish and Alamosa. I honestly don't know what people do in cities lol but any of the drives into Western Colorado is worth it and take you near amazing sights. Spearfish puts you in striking distance of Devils Tower, Rushmore, and all the quirky little Black Hills towns, plus Deadwood.

Hit both Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower on my trips up there. Even drove through Sturgis just because. I recommend taking the scenic route through Spearfish Canyon from Spearfish to Deadwood. Takes quite a but longer, but it's some killer scenery.

[Turbonium]

I live in Colorado Springs so I'll include Pueblo in my list. I never made the trip to Dixie or SD Mines so will omit those locations

1. CSU-Pueblo - always had a routine for this trip, would arrive early and hangout in the weight room before the game. Memories at the Thunderbowl are aplenty and the drive was obviously the shortest for me.
2. Black Hills State - a long drive that is ugly for a bit but great views after that and stopping at Rushmore was cool. Crazy Horse even cooler. Games were never competitive unfortunately so that always put a damper on the trip as you waited for the second half to just be over with.
3. CO Mines - short drive and you know you're going to see a competitive opponent, the Pack playoff win up there will always be one of my favorite games.
4. Chadron - the drive and town are rather boring but this was also a highlight trip of the season just for the game itself, respect the Chadron program and way they play even ifthe series has been pretty one sided. Short enough trip to drive home after
5. Colorado Mesa - Some different scenery than other locations provide, some great memories from Grand Junction. We typically combine this trip with a couple of days in Moab.
6. Fort Lewis - Never ran into any weather issues on the drive which is lucky, beautiful views minus the performance of Pueblo on the field a couple of years. Durango is a cool little town.
7. NM Highlands - Nice short trip to an interesting town. My favorite trip here was actually back when things were rather sketchy at Highlands, JB Mathews broke out against them as a freshman to turn a close game into a whooping. https://www.denverpost.com/2011/10/2...n-m-highlands/
7. Adams State - Avoided any brutal cold that can hit this region which helps, and it's always good to watch the Grizzlies get pounded. Favorite trip would be 2011 when Jesse Lewis had a fantastic game running the ball to break in the new stadium, even got a fireworks show after.
8. Western State - Simply dislike the stadium and the drive, won't miss not making this trip.

Notable non-conference games:

1. Sam Houston State - flew for this one, Sam Whoston?
2. West Texas - the 2011 game put the Pack on the map, always a great atmosphere in Canyon.
3. Western New Mexico - a long trip to Silver City back when WNM was in the RMAC but parts of it are beautiful.
4. Mankato - boy can it get cold there, boring drive, spent zero time in Mankato beyond the game so not sure how it is.
5. Kearney - only made it out for the 2011 game but what a game it was! Again, didn't spend any time in the town so can't comment on it or the food there.
6. OPSU, Goodwell, OK - awful trip, most I have ever paid for a D2 game and parking, stared straight into the sun for much of the game.
100. Sporting Park, KC - Duh.

[Packfootball]

Black Hills State - Spearfish and the surrounding areas are wonderful!
Ft. Lewis - Durango has a lot of night life!
Co Mines - Just hate driving thru Denver area. Nice day trip.
NM Highlands - Las Vegas area is nice. Charlies is great for breakfast and the RMAC officials are having breakfast also!
Mesa - Usually stay in Delta. Lots of MOM and POP places in that town!
A ams St. = Alamosa, Good food at local steakhouse. Usually have breakfast in Blanco across from the gas station. Not to bad of a drive.
Chadron - Usually take the back roads like 71 76 and 385. Sure beats the concrete slab and Denver. Stops in Limon for breakfast, Cabela's for lunch and then the game.
Western St. Gunnison, if you blink you will miss it! Stop at this waffle place in Canon City for breakfast. Have nothing to write about Gunnison. Steak House in Salida on the way home!

I miss going to West Texas - Canyon, Amarillo and all the small towns.
Mankato - Cold but fun!
OPSU - Goodwell, OK. Guymon is just down the road thank god!
Dixie St. St. Geogre, UT. Long Drive! Need to spend more time in the area. Virgin River, Zion National Park, Mesquite, NV.
Kansas City Kansas, Sporting Park. Got a brother in law that lives close by. Good BBQ! Johnnies was fun!
Commerce, TX. - T A&M Commerce. Avoided the metroplex and took the roads east from Witchta Falls! Then South to Commerce. Lots of Good Mom and POP places along the way!

Always a nice drive back to Pueblo after a win! Thats been a long drive from Mankato.

[mountaineermagic]

Next time Pueblo plays in Gunnison bring your hiking shoes and hike to the top of the "W". It's not very difficult but the views are cool and you can touch the largest college letter in the world. I'd sherpa for beer!

[ccmoney8]

9. Chadron State - Chadron, NE. Up to this point in the list, I enjoy visiting, but that ends here. First trip we googled "Best Restaurants in Chadron" and everything on the list was closed on Saturdays. Ended up at a Chinese buffet, which while OK, was nothing to right home about. Chadron people, help me out. What the hell is there to do in Chadron, Nebraska? Other than drive to Scottsbluff?

Chadron restaurants are what they are. A lot of them you're gonna get something out of the freezer, cause that's the only way they can stay in business. The only decent place I've been up there was EJs BBQ. I'm told there's a new coffee place near the center of town that's alright, and since I've last been there, a new little brewpub. There's a Runza now which helps with the fast food variety.

What to do there is all relative, I reckon. There's a 9-hole golf course. A small bowling alley with cheap beer & snacks. A movie theater with 2 or 3 screens.

If you're coming up from Colorado, there's a lot of Oregon Trail history near Scottsbluff. There's native history up in Pine Ridge, with a casino up there if that's your thing. I think it's a dry county though. A frontier fort over in Crawford. There's a very high-quality community theater on the fort that brings in talent from all over the country.

If you're in it for a whole weekend, there are two national parks within reach. Badlands isn't as far as you'd think, if you're willing to take the backroads, and Wind Cave is one of the lesser known national parks. I could get lost in the hills for a week, easy.

A couple events to watch for in September are the college rodeo in Chadron and the PRCA rodeo in Gordon. I think they're both the 2nd weekend in Sept. Later in the month there's a buffalo run up in Hot Springs. Not a whole lot of events get scheduled between October and April.

In the panhandle you have to be willing to get in the car for an hour or so and keep an eye out for wildlife.

[MinnequaFats]

Chadron restaurants are what they are. A lot of them you're gonna get something out of the freezer, cause that's the only way they can stay in business. The only decent place I've been up there was EJs BBQ. I'm told there's a new coffee place near the center of town that's alright, and since I've last been there, a new little brewpub. There's a Runza now which helps with the fast food variety.

What to do there is all relative, I reckon. There's a 9-hole golf course. A small bowling alley with cheap beer & snacks. A movie theater with 2 or 3 screens.

If you're coming up from Colorado, there's a lot of Oregon Trail history near Scottsbluff. There's native history up in Pine Ridge, with a casino up there if that's your thing. I think it's a dry county though. A frontier fort over in Crawford. There's a very high-quality community theater on the fort that brings in talent from all over the country.

If you're in it for a whole weekend, there are two national parks within reach. Badlands isn't as far as you'd think, if you're willing to take the backroads, and Wind Cave is one of the lesser known national parks. I could get lost in the hills for a week, easy.

A couple events to watch for in September are the college rodeo in Chadron and the PRCA rodeo in Gordon. I think they're both the 2nd weekend in Sept. Later in the month there's a buffalo run up in Hot Springs. Not a whole lot of events get scheduled between October and April.

In the panhandle you have to be willing to get in the car for an hour or so and keep an eye out for wildlife.

The fact they have a Runza now makes up for a whole lot. I had to stop in Sidney before.

[MinnequaFats]

I live in Colorado Springs so I'll include Pueblo in my list. I never made the trip to Dixie or SD Mines so will omit those locations

1. CSU-Pueblo - always had a routine for this trip, would arrive early and hangout in the weight room before the game. Memories at the Thunderbowl are aplenty and the drive was obviously the shortest for me.
2. Black Hills State - a long drive that is ugly for a bit but great views after that and stopping at Rushmore was cool. Crazy Horse even cooler. Games were never competitive unfortunately so that always put a damper on the trip as you waited for the second half to just be over with.
3. CO Mines - short drive and you know you're going to see a competitive opponent, the Pack playoff win up there will always be one of my favorite games.
4. Chadron - the drive and town are rather boring but this was also a highlight trip of the season just for the game itself, respect the Chadron program and way they play even ifthe series has been pretty one sided. Short enough trip to drive home after
5. Colorado Mesa - Some different scenery than other locations provide, some great memories from Grand Junction. We typically combine this trip with a couple of days in Moab.
6. Fort Lewis - Never ran into any weather issues on the drive which is lucky, beautiful views minus the performance of Pueblo on the field a couple of years. Durango is a cool little town.
7. NM Highlands - Nice short trip to an interesting town. My favorite trip here was actually back when things were rather sketchy at Highlands, JB Mathews broke out against them as a freshman to turn a close game into a whooping. https://www.denverpost.com/2011/10/2...n-m-highlands/
7. Adams State - Avoided any brutal cold that can hit this region which helps, and it's always good to watch the Grizzlies get pounded. Favorite trip would be 2011 when Jesse Lewis had a fantastic game running the ball to break in the new stadium, even got a fireworks show after.
8. Western State - Simply dislike the stadium and the drive, won't miss not making this trip.

Notable non-conference games:

1. Sam Houston State - flew for this one, Sam Whoston?
2. West Texas - the 2011 game put the Pack on the map, always a great atmosphere in Canyon.
3. Western New Mexico - a long trip to Silver City back when WNM was in the RMAC but parts of it are beautiful.
4. Mankato - boy can it get cold there, boring drive, spent zero time in Mankato beyond the game so not sure how it is.
5. Kearney - only made it out for the 2011 game but what a game it was! Again, didn't spend any time in the town so can't comment on it or the food there.
6. OPSU, Goodwell, OK - awful trip, most I have ever paid for a D2 game and parking, stared straight into the sun for much of the game.
6. Sporting Park, KC - Duh.

I still regret not making the Sam Houston trip. The only saving grace was listening to the Sam Houston announcers losing their minds during media timeouts on the internet video feed. They couldn't believe a D2 team was manhandling them. They were beside themselves.

[Turbonium]

I still regret not making the Sam Houston trip. The only saving grace was listening to the Sam Houston announcers losing their minds during media timeouts on the internet video feed. They couldn't believe a D2 team was manhandling them. They were beside themselves.

I wish I could find that game to watch on replay.