Jean and Earl Eidem - two of my former Panther Valley 7th grade students - now live in Crestview FL. All 9 of us went to the game in our camper - had a party - enjoyed the FSU victory - and now they are staying in our guest house.
The Bethune Cookman Wildcat Band from Daytona Beach FLORIDA - was a highlight of the night. They were very loud the whole game.
It was a night of firsts. It was a first Seminoles game for most of Earl and Jeannie's family. It was a first for us tailgating with Joe and Gary Wayne Shiver at their building on Jackson Bluff Road. And it was the first time the Bethune-Cookman Band graced Bobby Bowden Field.
We sat at the red dot - Earl and family sat at the blue dot. We parked at the green dot for free.
The Eidem's drove over from Crestview - arriving at around 3 PM. At about 4 PM - we all piled into our camper - 9 of us in all - and drive to the Shiver place. It is exactly one block south of the stadium. They had a chair holding our spot on their land. As we started to unload our food and tables - it started to pour. Joe insisted we party with them inside the building.
Lulu had a nice spread of food organized - we all ate and drank our fill. An added bonus was the pinball machines. Joe used to run a vending machine business there - and the building is still full of old games and vending machines.
As we ate inside - it poured outside - the street ran like a river. By about 5:30 it stopped and we walked to the stadium. Earl and Company had tickets Jeannie bought for Earl's birthday. They were sitting next to the band.
We paid $10 each for tickets - plenty to choose from. FSU has won all 3 games - still they can't sell out the 83,000 Doak Campbell Stadium. Sections 32 - 33 -34 are best. The sun is at your back and you are in the shade.
Lulu and I bought two nice tickets on the 35 yard line for $10 each. The security force took two bags of potato chips out of Lulu's purse.
The game was anti-climatic - FSU won by about 50 points. Jameis Winston through some spectacular passes. A lot of second teamers and third teamers got to play. It rained during the game put it was just a drizzle. We had raincoats and hats and did not get wet. The second half was dry - and cool.
We walked back to the van - everyone arrived safely. The drive home thru traffic took maybe a half hour.
Earl's family will be spending the night in the guest house. His kids were really good - it was their first FSU game. They want to swim in our pool in the morning. We really enjoy when they visit. Nothing feels like home but more Coal Crackers.
At kickoff the crowd looked low - maybe 30,000 - but later it looked like about 60,000. There were plenty of empty seats and also plenty of cheap tickets outside for sale. This is a picture from our seats on the 35 yard line.
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