On this day, it was supposed to be the first day of cool temperatures. Lots dressed for the drop in temp, including me. What we ended up with was a beautiful, cloudless, hot sunny day. It was funny to see the same people that sat in the swelter of September, to then run for shade cover throughout the day. As the sun made its journey west, the tailgate chair chain began its migration east, almost like the African wildibeast crossing the Seringetti plains!
The anticipated cooler weather also brought out the fall food offerings. My buddy Keith brought his famous Louisiana gumbo. To heat it, I brought my handy dandy Coleman gas fired crockpot. A bragged so much on this fine tailgating necessity, that earlier in the week I tried to find them on the internet, so I could share in yet another "cool item" with the others. But, sadly, Coleman has discontinued making them, and the two I located on Ebay were way over priced.
The gas fired crockpot tends to burn a wee bit too hot, so to compensate, I insert a small crock that is just the right size. Ole Keith was concerned that I wouldn't get to temperature fast enough. His gumbo was a bit on the cool side, so I reassured him that it was just a matter of time. He wanted to pour his gumbo into the bigger pot, but knowing it was going to be me doing the cleanup, we stayed with my original plan. In about an hour, ole Keith hollers "Bill, we got boil!" Yes, success! Time to bowl up!
I had brought a ladle for the spooning. To our surprise, one of our tailgating newbies had used the ladle to scoop up rotel dip out of the chafing dish. What! No!! Wait! That's breaking tailgating rule number 162, if you don't know, ask!!! Velvet cheese in your gumbo, who ever heard!
This being the last weekend of October, we naturally had representation with a few crazies. With our tailgating location at the corner of University Avenue and Grove Loop, we have the best location to watch the "you're busted" by the University Police taking care of business with the passerbys:
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| Here we have "Richard Simmons", busted for beer not matching his outfit |
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| The local fan whose cooler "hit the bump in the road", cans everywhere, and not a drop to drink, all down the gutter |
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| You gotta love gals walking from one party to another, with open container in hand |
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| The gal with the pink funnel. The funnel made it thru, but sadly, the beer was history |
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| Yes, it's Octoberfest! But unfortunately, without this load of beer! |
Chef Kyle had his Kansas crew in tow for their requested return visit. Their is something about those Kansas women. I can't resist hugging them because they just smell so good!
There were quite a few Auburn Tigers among us, and we even had a "retirement ceremony" for one of their chairs that bit the dust. And our crew member Margaret was celebrating birthday number 51 with lots of her family in attendance!
Here are a few more pics from the day:
Margaret the birthday girl
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| Chef Kyle in action |
The Band began its pep rally, then lined up for its parade March to the Vaught. As they made their turn for the stadium, that was our cue to pack up and follow the pied piper band on to victory land.
No win on this day in TSUN land. The crowd quickly disbursed. After two trips to the car and a stop to pick up my passengers, we too were on our way, back to our condo in "that town up north". To our surprise, Taco Hell had closed its dining room before 11:30, ugh!, drive thru only. To heck with that. Waffles and beer at the home place it will be!
The best thing yet, in a few short days we get to do it all over again!
