Millers Champion

February 21, 2008

Steigs - Disney Feb 2008

No world tour would be complete without a trip to Disney World, and Miller's Champion was eagerly awaiting the opportunity.

Todd was also eagerly anticipating the trip - in fact, he made a b-line to Epcot and it took three round-the-world pub crawls before his children were able to pressure him into taking them to see Cinderella's castle.

Notice the mustard stain on the Champion from a dropped weisswurst while at the German Pavilion beer hall.

It is a little known fact that EPCOT stands for 'Experimental Prototype Champion of Tomorrow' .

The Champion found Nemo - right before Nemo took off an unsuspecting child's head.

Todd was apparently more excited about going to the Princess Party than his children. Todd claims to have revealing photos of said princess with the Champion but refuses to share them.

The Champion stayed at Port Orleans. The Disney marketing materials described it as a resort themed to look and feel as if guests are actually staying in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Plastic cups and beer cans litter the sidewalks, Disney employees stumble around looking drunks all night and guests are required to flash for their room keys.

Staying in the asbestos-filled FEMA trailer was a bit too much...

Miller's Champion took a ride with Dumbo and was used as a sweat-band for the exhausted pachyderm.

Arrrrggghhh!! The sweatshirt battles the mighty Captain Jack Sparrow!
Todd's son is holding a treasure map he created all by himself. The plan is to burry the Champion and Miller can follow clues to find the hidden treasure.

December 14, 2007

Sean - Costa Rica

The Champion spent 10 days in Natural Paradise of Costa Rica, trekking through rainforests, climbing volcanoes, and lounging on the beach.

The Champion’s first stop was a trek through the Jungles of Tortuguero where it encountered the infamous Strawberry Poison Dart Frog.

Each of these tiny, brightly colored red frogs contain enough neurotoxin to kill nearly 100 humans. In fact, traditionally, the native Indians who lived in Central and South America would wipe the tips of their blow-gun darts on the skin these frogs to create a leathal weapon. If hit, the victim would become paralyzed, stop breathing, and quickly die.

Apparently the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog is attracted to the color Blue.

Sean - Costa Rica

The frogs aren’t the only things in Costa Rica that can kill with a touch. The Mancinella tree (Hippomane mancinella) is one of the deadliest plants in the world and is known locally as manzanillo de la muerte or “Little Apple of Death.” One taste of the fruit from the Mancinella tree will cause immediate and certain death.

Historically, the local Carib Indians would, as a form of torture, tie victims to a Mancinella tree for a slow and extremely painful death.

Unfortunately, the Champion can't read and decided to kick back on a Mancinella.

Sean - Costa Rica

Although the Champion saw many exotic and lethal plants, animals, and insects in Costa Rica such as bullet ants, scorpions, the infamous fer-de-lance, boa constrictors, crocodile, and cayman, it also encountered some more familiar, but equally deadly creatures.

For example, while on a jungle trek, the Champion ignored the guide’s warning not to bring ANY food (especially bananas) and was attacked by a rabid raccoon.

Luckily, the Champion was covered in neurotoxin and the poor raccoon died on contact.

Sean - Costa Rica

After spending a few days in the rain forest, the Champion went on to climb a volcanoe, take a zip line canopy tour, relaxed in natural hot springs, and finally spent the last few days of the trip relaxing on the beach.

Coincidentally, one of the top Costa Rican fashion designers saw the Champion and was inspired to incorporate the look in her ‘Down with UV’ beachwear line.

The Champion can now be seen on Cost Rican billboards, fashion magazines, and splashed on the side of busses across the country.

Sean - Costa Rica

However, it didn’t take long for the local t-shirt vendors to begin selling counterfeit Champions for $5.

November 30, 2007

Block - Champion Air

The Champion was looking a little pale from the harsh Iowa Winter, so I decided to take him on the corporate jet 'Champion Air' down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a week in the sun.

I made a quick pit stop in the Minneapolis Airport, and while sitting on the toilet, some guy who was sitting next to me reached under and grabbed for the Champion. I wrestled it away from him, but it was a struggle, and the Champion will probably never be the same.

Block - Mexico

You've heard of Señor Frog's - this is Señor Bob's

The Champ and I started off the night in the lobby bar where the local senoritas couldn't keep their hands off of us.

Block - Mexico

A long day at the pool drinking margaritas and soaking up the sun seemed to put the starch back in the Champion's demeanor and he was ready for a night out with the ladies.

Block - The Wedding Crasher

After a long night of drinking on the town, the Champ and I stumbled across a wedding reception on the beach that was prime for crashing.

The Bride and Matron of honor welcomed their long lost cousins from Uncle Fred's side of the family with open arms.

Overall the Champ and I had a great time in Mexico. He took the express line to Denver to meet up with brother Kervin this week for a trip down to Costa Rica. I can't wait to see the pics.