Oh yeah! Off to Chicago we go. My husband Don and I are avid Panthers fans. (Don't laugh, it was not planned with the names) We are not your bandwagon fans but true fans. We started supporting the team since the inception. We attended every game played in Clemson and also their first true game at the hall of fame in Canton against the Jaguars, which we of course won. My husband has NEVER missed a home game. Unfortunately I have, but only three due to work. And yes we stay until - sometimes the bitter - end at all games regardless. No fair weather fans here.

Our decision to go to Chicago was easy. We have always made at least one away game each year and when they make it to the playoffs we make at least one of those games too. We were in Green Bay for the 1996 season and St. Louis in 2003. And yes we ventured to Houston for the Super Bowl. We do and always will support the Panthers. They are our team.

We leave for Chicago Saturday morning via the big bird in the sky. Originally we used frequent flyer miles and were flying direct to Chicago but that changed at the last minute because E-savers were available to Milwaukee for a very reasonable price. When we arrive in Wisconsin it's a short drive to Chicago so why not? We will stay in downtown and our hotel is about 1 1/2 miles from the stadium.

Our plan is not to have anything set in stone other than to be at the stadium early on game day. On the way we will definitely wander into the tailgate areas to see what the local fare is. I know we will get harassed but it's all part of it.

Look for us in section 211, lucky, behind the Panthers bench on the 30. We have several friends and business acquaintances making the trip so more than likely it will off to the sports bar on Saturday to watch the other games. By the time all the cell phone coordination occurs we will probably end up a sea of blue jerseys taking over some bar. Oh lucky Bear's Fans! ! ! ! ! !

You’re in Chicago so I am sure that later Saturday night might involve some authentic Italian food and jazz. Sunday morning will be awesome. We will do some wandering around the city and then early into the stadium. We would like to see the warm up and pre game action.

After the game I am certain it will be celebration time and we will hook up with other fans and go celebrate. Monday we’ll be up early and off to Milwaukee to fly back home.

We are very fortunate to be able to make these trips and have an advantage to use points/miles since I travel frequently with work. Our game tickets for the ventures are obtained several ways. We purchase many through various sources and have been fortunate to get some through business acquaintances.

I had one very dear client, from Chicago and a big Bears fan, call because he knew we were avid fans. He wanted to see if we were coming and had tickets. He had great seats on the 50 yard line in the Cadillac Club but they were a little out of our price range.

We have four season tickets in Charlotte which enabled us to go to Houston. We got very lucky and were one of the fortunate to get our seats from the Panthers. When we make it to Detroit we will purchase tickets however need be to make the trip.

Now when games are in Charlotte our "tailgates" rock. We have the best group of friends, and our tailgate neighbors, who make it and are always in support of the team. We always welcome the opposing fans and encourage them to join us. Yes we may give them some grief but nothing is better than to join in with the locals.

Some of the best opposing fans we have met while wandering in tailgate areas have been Green Bay and St. Louis. We want opposing fans to feel welcome and go back home with good memories of their trip. They may have sorrows of their loss on game day but they will remember the Panthers Fans! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The Panthers, and Richardson's, diligently try to provide us with a class act team and a winning record. Why would we ever want to be anything other than true Panther fans! ! ! ! ! !