Hockey still a major topic during vacation in Maine

I remember nearly every school year, within the first couple weeks, we’d always have to do a paper on what we did during our summer vscation.
I’m just coming off a lengthy one and enjoyed it immensely – except for getting sick.
In keeping with the spirit, and with school approaching, here’s some things I did on this past vacation.
1) Continued to monitor the hockey news, obviously, and wasn’t entirely surprised Rick Nash was traded from Columbus to the New York Rangers.
The Rangers seemed to be hot on Nash from the moment he declared he wanted out. But I wonder how effective Nash will be in the Rangers’ structured style, I wonder how he’ll play under the New York microscope, but I also question the relatively meager return the Blue Jackets got in return for an established, star player.
2) Kept waiting for a Red Wings personnel move that never came. I’ve been gone since July 16 and the Wings didn’t make a huge move for their roster the whole time. Not surprising, really. The players available aren’t anything to get excited about. And there’s time before training camp (whenver that’ll begin).
But for all those folks who still want to add a scoring forward, isn’t defense the more critical need right now? Have you looked at that defense lately?
The Wings need a warm, experienced body for the blue line.
3) I wasn’t encouraged by talks between the league and players for a new collective bargaining agreement. This may not end well, thereby delaying training camp. And the season.
4) Had a family vacation in Maine, near Camden, spent time in Bar Harbor, and was thoroughly impressed by the beauty of the state. I love the New England charm and history. And, of course, I had several lobster rolls, which were delicious.
5) Drove from Detroit to Maine, and let me say, it was a lengthy drive back. Going there didn’t seem all that bad. But returning, with home beckoning, it was a LONG drive back.
6) We stopped in Boston, on the way to Maine, and took a tour of Fenway Park. Seeing the expression in my 15-year-old’s eyes as we walked around the ballpark…he doesn’t get awed easily, but he looked a little bit this particular afternoon.
7) Attended the Tigers’ game on July 21 against Chicago, the evening Rick Porcello pitched such a gem. Sell-out crowd, great game, excitement everywhere around the park. Comerica Park has become quite a place to see a game these last five to seven years.
8) I got sick during vacation. Right after the Tigers’ game, incidentally. Caught a fever that wouldn’t go away for about four days. Here it was 90 degrees outside and I was the one wearing a thick hoodie to the doctor’s office because of the chills. Terrible feeling getting the flu in the summer. And especially during vacation.
9)Watched plenty of the Olympics and have been captivated by the drama each and every day. It’s easily the best reality television there is, night in and night out.
10) Now, I’m just glad to be back. And counting the days until training camp begins – whenever that’ll be.