Remembering Payton

The newspapers today all had stories about Walter Payton. I have one too.
When the Bears had their spring training in Platville we took a camping trip up there with the kids. It was Bryan's birthday and we camped in Galena a short trip by car to training camp.

The camp was wide open and we had the run of the place. This was before they put up chained link fences and the only thing that kept us off the fields was just a rope and your own judgment.

We spent the morning watching Walter Payton doing tires and then the ropes. We had taken our new camcorder (it was one of those huge ones that you rested on your shoulder till your arm fell asleep). It was really hot out and I had this great idea that at one point everyone would be thirsty so after taping some of Walter do his stuff on the tires and ropes and some scrimmage plays that the defense was running we settled ourselves near the drinking fountain (which was in the shade too).

Walter and Jim McMahon came over to get a drink and I shouted to them. They were maybe 15 ft away, but I wanted to get their attention for the camera. McMahon took a big drink and spit it out right at the camera and Walter gave a wave and a big wink.
They finished their drink and then Walter ran by us and high fived the kids. Yes, Bryan stood there with his mouth open and I'm sure that made his birthday.
We went back to the camper, had some cake, and spent the rest of the day by the swimming pool talking about the Bears.