Fall Ball 2014, That's a Wrap!

Well, except for conference champions and bowl games, the 2014 season has come to an end. Its been quite a year, with both teams exceeding initial expectations.  Both will be receiving their rewards for a job well done with a New Years holiday trip to some place warm, whether its outside or in a cozy dome.  For that, all fans should be excited and grateful.

For my household, its been a tiring but exciting journey.  Trips together to Starkville and Oxford and a couple of "divorced" weekends where we went our separate ways to support our respective teams.

The atmosphere on both campuses has been electric.  Tailgating at its best, with all the colors, smells and sounds that just pull you end.  Visits by both ESPN Game Day, and SEC Nation to both campuses just added to the excitement.

Seeing both stadiums full to capacity and the noise levels deafening just sends tingles up and down your spine.  The roars of "Hotty Toddy" and "HailState" have never been louder!  The sounds of clanging cowbells are still ringing in my ears!

The Spousal unit and I shared extended weekends on both campuses this year.  We both took in our first "Cowbell Yell” where we learned to " ring responsibly" and how to do the school cheers.  My birthday weekend was spent on the Square in Oxford on a Friday night, taking in some awesome meals and visiting with friends who spotted us from a balcony.  Old times come back like it was yesterday when you are with the right people.

Game days are like no other.  Tents are set up in school colors.  TVs are setup with satellite hookups to the latest game on the air and neighbors are openly invited to join the viewing.  Every imaginable thing to eat is there, all you need is the appetite, "come on in and have a plate"!

You meet up with friends, old and new.  You share stories of games past, brag on your kids, and say " boy, things sure have changed since I was here!". Soon, its game time, and its off to the stadium you go.

The games are now over and the clock is at zero for the last time.  Its time to put away all the tailgating gear.  Tents, tables, chairs and decor off to storage. Table linens, Chafing dishes are put away, and recipes are sorted and filed away, some are always a favorite, some never to return.

Its funny to see the evolution of tailgating.  First, it was out of the trunk of the car, with a blanket and card table or two.  Then the portable affordable tent arrived, along with the bag chair.  Suddenly ice chests had wheels.  Then, small quiet generators found their way, with satellite dishes and flat screen TVs not far behind.  With the arrival of restricted parking, now its the foldable collapsable little red and blue wagons in tow, loaded down with all the supplies and goodies for the day!  Its got me wondering, OK, what's going to be the next big thing in tailgating.

Me, I'm glad its over, time to recharge.  Now we've got eight month of planning to do it all over again.  Hotty Toddy and #hailstate!  See you next fall!