Trevor misses 17-Day Awesome Adventure, but starts 17-Week Picks Adventure

He missed the bison jam when the Toyota "Rav5" crawled at a snail's pace behind a pair of the biggest butts around. He missed seeing a live grizzly bear and the ensuing panic of a roadside crowd when people were instructed to flee back to their cars. He missed the chance to devour several heaping helpings of tasty biscuits and gravy.

He missed the thrill of freefalling at 80 mph from nearly 200 feet in the air. He missed the flying kettle corn in the sky, singing taco makers at a Taco Bell, and the warmth of a real boiling river. He missed going face-to-face with the four presidents at Mount Rushmore.

He missed riding on horseback through the deep woods, driving a speed boat on Yellowstone Lake, and hiking down a canyon to a spectacular 308-foot waterfall. He missed the 17-Day Awesome Adventure that was enjoyed by most of the Picks clan in late June.

But Trevor didn't miss the start of the 17-Week Picks Adventure on Sunday as he kicked things off with an unbeatable 9-4 record. He grabbed a share of first place with his Uncle Blaine and buckled up for a great ride in the 28th season of the Sunday Football Picks. Trevor is armed and dangerous with a deep knowledge of NFL teams and players.

Week 1 of the 2007 season didn't feel like the beginning of a great adventure for the other members of the Picks. Ali, Mark and QT Pie were only 7-6, Nicki finished 6-7, and D.J. was 5-8. But that doesn't mean terrific seasons can't still become a reality for any of them.

"My slow start resembles the way our 17-Day Awesome Adventure began, when the fools at Alamo in Naperville didn't have an SUV with a luggage rack like they promised us," QT said. "The situation looked bleak, but hours later we had a cozy Rav4 from Midway Airport and strategically packed it completely full, cargo carrier and all. The adventure took off from there."

Trevor's fast start came on the heels of being listed as a longshot to win the 2007 Picks title, given 25-1 odds in Las Vegas. His combined opening week record the past two years was 14-13, but that dramatically improved already. And a Picks title at age 11 would make him the youngest champion ever.