Georgia Dome

[Hallry]

Having joined Team 1676 for the 2010 season, I was fortunate to experience the last year of the FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome. I can vividly remember staying in the Omni Hotel attached to the CNN Center food court, with news footage of the smoke from the erupting volcano in Iceland affecting European flights playing on the huge hanging TV. The short walk to the Dome was great, and I fondly miss the large outdoor courtyard between the dome and the pits. There were kids playing with RC cars and helicopters, and if I remember correctly the Dean's List presentation was out there was well. 2010 was the closest 1676 ever got to tasting Einstein, being picked by 1986 along with 888 and backup 1421 for the third seeded alliance on Curie before ultimately losing to the beastly 1114-469-2041 alliance in the finals. And I could never forget the "after party" in Centennial Olympic Park, complete with an awesome drum show and an amazing fireworks display. For a freshman, the entire experience was absolutely incredible and definitely left a lasting impact. I certainly hope that with the Mercedes-Benz Dome being finished soon, a FIRST Championship could return back to Atlanta one day.