Dan travels Mansfield, meets Julian Edelman

Wow, what a busy day for Dan the Banner. To start out the morning, Dan the Banner the tour of towns began in Mansfield. Considering it is the hometown and where we grew up, I found it only fitting to start here in the travels of the banner. We visited all kinds of places, and Danny had a ball. Unfortunately, it was a little early in the morning and a Saturday, so we didn't get to meet anybody around town, but got some great pics. Being the hometown and all, there may be a Day 2 of travels and pics, still a couple of places around town I need to hit up and get a picture. But it was off a great day in the good ol town of Mansfield.

Dan down at the Little League Complex, where many a nights were spent growing up.

Dan at the Old Country Store

Dan on the Town Common

Dan outside of Jordan/Jackson

Dan in front of QMS

As if that wasn't enough, later in the day I hit up Training Camp for the first time in 2011. It was a little slow, not too many people signing autographs in my section (and to be honest, it usually takes me a couple days to get warmed up and start calling people over), but fortunately Day 1 was not a shutout. Dan met Pats WR/Returner Julian Edelman. He seemed really nice, was very talkative with the fans, which was cool. Not the greatest of pictures, Dan's slouching pretty significantly, but Edelman is still rocking the caveman look so that made the picture look great.


Dan with Patriots WR Julian Edelman

 Probably won't be able to get back to a camp for a couple of days, but definitely excited to be back in this time of year. The Ocho-watch is officially on, as he has become my #1 Dan the Banner goal for this year.

Dan visits The Hall at Patriot Place!

After a long time basically hibernating over the last couple of months, Dan the Banner is back and better than ever. A thought dawned on me recently, as I realized that having Dan the Banner just hanging around doing nothing is really an injustice. I mean, he wants to get out and about. So I am onto a new endeavor - Dan the Banner is busting out, and busting out in a big way. While Danny is on deployment in Afghanistan, I feel it is my duty to make sure Dan the Banner hits the town and has some fun. And that's just what we are going to do over the next few months - go anywhere and everywhere.



Dan at The Hall with AFC Championship trophies.

Kicking off this new endeavor, Dan the Banner made an appearance a few days ago by visiting The Hall at Patriot Place. And man, did Dan have a good time. There is quite a lot to see compacted into this building over in Foxboro, but it certainly is a must-see for Patriots fans of all ages. Dan was able to check out the Patriots Hall of Fame plaques, see a number of AFC Championship trophies, he got into a huddle with Tom Brady and co., sat on a real NFL bench, got to kick a field goal just like Adam Vinatieri (it was good, of course. Dan the Banner has quite the kicker's leg.) and of course, got a picture with all 3 Lombardi Trophies. What a day, what a day! Look at how much fun he had:


Dan on the bench, ready to hit the field



Dan with Pats HOFers





Dan hanging out with his biggest fan, Devin McCourty



Dan after he kicked a field goal, in the snow. It was good, of course.



Dan stepping into the huddle



Dan with the Super Bowl trophies

Dan hanging out with his favorite Patriot, Tedy Bruschi

Dan chilling with big Vince Wilfork

As I said, Dan the Banner is going to be hitting the town over the next few months and hitting the town hard. So be on the lookout because it's going to be fun and something to see. And more importantly, if you have any places he should visit, be sure to share, always up for new adventures!

-The Banner Keeper