Cameron Indoor Stadium, Take Two

We finally arrived in Durham, North Carolina on Thursday afternoon on December 29th. Soon after, we made our way to the Duke campus to see if we could get into the gym again. If you remember last year when we arrived at Cameron we found a door propped open and we snuck in......or so we thought. We figured if it worked once, it might work again. But here's the funny little secret about Cameron, it's open for public viewing many days a week. So last year, what we thought was a special treat finding a propped open door, was in fact just a door opened for people to come and go as they like. It's pretty nice of them. But it's shocking that a place as famous as Duke's basketball gym is open and available to the people. At least I think so. There are no guards or campus police posted nearby. I just find it fascinating because the people we travel with to North Carolina, our Duke faithful girls, never just pause and enjoy the view from above. Oh no. They begin at the top, find their way to the gym floor and eventually begin searching for any and all access possible.....until they find the really good stuff. Just scroll down and you'll see what I mean. I saw no other people attempting this.

See, Caitlin's up in the stands, enjoying the aura of the place. She even has her Duke blue fingernail polish on sparing no support to her favorite team.


Maggie however had already made herself at home atop the scoring table.


While the Herrocks were still up in the rafters.


While Maggie had moved on to Coach K's seat.


Then Olivia and Caitlin decided to join.


Then everybody joined in to sit in the coaches' seats. These girls could probably coach the team. At least three of them could. Emma's contribution would be more in the area of making sure their outfits coordinated.


She would agree with me.


Although during the game, Emma's by far the most cheery of all the girls, participating in the foul shot gesturing (no obscene gestures....just making a woosh sound and dunking motion as the ball drops in) as well as yelling and supporting.


Other people saw us on the court and gave them the idea. We're leaders when it comes to barging in and taking over Duke's basketball court.


One more look.


Then the girls made their way up to the announcer's perch way up in the rafters of the gym. Dick Vitale was there the week after we were. I LOVE him!


If these two were calling a game, I don't think they'd be so much as, "Plumlee misses a free throw" as much as they would be all like, "IDIOT! Why'd you do that!?!?" I know because I've watched games with them. They're brutal.


Then they all went back to the scorer's table. Olivia looks pumped.


Then Emma needed another pic in the Duke bench area.


That's Maggie in the distance giving a blurry thumbs up.


Here comes Melanie and Maggie. It looks as if Caitlin just smacked Olivia. I don't think she did.


Nah, Olivia seems too happy to have just been smacked by Caitlin.


Olivia on the court.


Emma on the court.


One more court picture before exploring the rest of the place.


That's what we came for.


OK. After taking all the previous photos, the girls began to "go off the reservation" if you will. (I'm unsure if that phrase is racist or not.) Anyway, here's what they did....began pulling on door after door until they found an opening. And again surprisingly, there were many open/unlocked doors in this place. They found a hallway and took off for parts unknown and found the men's locker room. The only thing keeping them out was a numbered key pad needing an access code, otherwise they'd have infiltrated it as well.


Then they found the press room where reporters ask Coach K and peeps questions after games. They were thrilled beyond words to have the chance to sit here and take pretend questions.


My question would be, "Do you ladies have permission to be here?" As if I care, since I'm the one taking the photo. I was just as illegal as they were and we did a lot of whispering in here as if to make it less obvious that we were trespassers.


They had a very nonvolatile presser.


Caitlin wanted a solo shot.


She's in Coach K's seat. While Caitlin was doing this, Maggie found a soda fountain and helped herself to some Duke cola. She said it tasted deevine.


Then they were off again and found this, a tiny little basketball court! It's so cute! I looked and looked online for the exact explanation of this room, then I got tired and bored. Plus, I don't care that much.


But this is what exploring will get you in a building with unlocked doors.


Still in the same room.


One more shot inside before we're off to another adventure.


That's Caitlin giving the thumbs up for the football stadium.


And the close up.


And there you have it, the Duke gym exploration 2012. Once again it was lots of fun, but when we went back for the game on Friday night, the venue was clearly not as "user friendly" for us. I mean, they acted like we had to follow rules!

Whatevs.

Next up: Duke Chapel and then adventures on Friday!

Stay tuned!