Saturday was a long day and it started early.
It was 3AM by the time we got to bed after picking Keith up at the airport and gabbing during the Hawaii/Nevada game on TV. It seemed like the 8AM alarm went off just as my head hit the pillow. But we had to prepare for the big tailgate party at 10.
We had taken a couple cars and stuff to squat out our spot near the stadium. Then - George -Joel - Wayne - Shirley - Steve - Keith - Lulu - and I all piled into our van and drove to the stadium. Our little tailgate party has grown to 20 people. Some folks even just come for the party for the food and good time - then go home for the game. I think one homeless fellow just attends because we are in his spot. The folks around us are paying $20 a spot to park - but we somehow have 6 slots for free - even our own "job johnny" and electrical outlet.
The party ended around 11:30 with Shirley doing tequila shots. Then we walked to the our favorite ticket scalping spot - no real Seminole would attend the game paying for a $45 face value ticket. The Noles are 7-4 this year - and good tickets can be had for a few verses of the warchant. All 8 of us got tickets for $10 and under. I landed 3 great tickets on the 50 yard line - row 34 for $10 each. I gave the tickets to Lulu - Keith - Steve - and waited for a free one for myself. By the time they got to their seats in the stadium - I was sitting there waiting for them with my free ticket - which was even better than theirs - but I ended up sitting with there in an empty seat right next to their blanket.
At kickoff - we were in the sunlight - and enjoyed the Coast Guard helicopter flyover. I do not know why they flew over with 3 giant "gator orange" choppers - but at least the crew was doing the Seminole Chop.
FSU jumped out to an early lead - and the game was never in doubt. Even though most fans stayed until the end - traffic was extremely mild after the game - we were home in 10 minutes by 4:00 PM. We all proceeded to pass out and snore to the other college games on TV.
So FSU is 7-4 now. Next week Keith - Lulu - and I will drive to Gainesville for the FSU/UF game. Nancy somehow scores a hotel room for Friday night - so we will attend the FSU/UF basketball game on Friday night - then stick around for the Noles/Gators football game on Saturday. We have never been to a game in the Gainesville Swamp. Let's hope the Seminoles can drain the swamp before we are up to our eyes in Gators.
Just another typical fall day for the Trailing Spouse.
1 comment:
Hello sir. I was one of the Coast Guard pilots who flew over at kickoff. FSU sure has a great bunch of students and fans. It was an honor to be part of the day. I never thought about the fact that our helicopters were Gator-orange - the chop was the least we could do to make up for it! Glad you enjoyed it,
LT John Bettencourt
USCG
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