Junction tailgate setup start time is 4:00. Off we go to get there by 3:00 to help the Man Cub with the tents. Plan two was to go downtown, eat early, enjoy the pep rally, then take in our first Cowbell Yell! Always, I mean always, have a backup plan.....
The Queen of our Condo does an end run. Man Cub obligated himself to a last minute trip to Columbus. No problem, the spousal unit and I can handle this, been doing it for years on the Select Soccer circuit, in Rebellion land, etc. We take up our spot, waiting for the Chapel chimes and the countdown guy to let us loose!
In three minutes flat, tents up, on a hill, under a tree, and near a parking lot. Notice the spousal unit, doing the Vanna White thing, a true Rebellion Fan in Dawg Country! Note, tent bags suspended to tent frame, covers inside the bag! With potential onset of heavy rain coming, cover frame in the morning. There was a lot of tent damage discovered the next morning from the rain.
Side trip to the MSU cheese stop. Notes on the door announce, big and bold, no valligret cheese, all sold out. Never fear, thankful for some cheddar and Edam. Benefits of this here cow college. And the ice cream, OMG!
Headed downtown for early dinner, with plans to take in the pep rally and other activities at the street party. The streets were blocked off, then the bottom fell out of the sky. Well poop! There is always a plan B!
Headed to the Veranda, with the first table seating at 5:00. Man Cub was able to join us on his return trip from Columbus. Condo Queen had other plans.... Dessert, OMG, the maroon and white cake (red velvet)!
Next stop, our first Cowbell Yell! Make it back to campus. Many thanks to the Man Cub for his driving skills. Lots of traffic, congestion from the ESPN Game Day setup, and we end up with an awesome parking spot. The line, it zigged and zagged for blocks.
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| Cowbells at the ready! |
Made our way into the stadium. Only two gates were open, side by side. Ironic, to be at an Ag college and feel like cattle being herded through the gates!
Into the student section we went. The crowd was so big, it began to overflow into other sections. Fans of all ages, quite a mix. Told the spousal unit I was ready to go back to school just for the student activities! All my Facebook friends were wanting updates on the announcement of the ESPN guest speaker, surely it would come tonight!
We entered the stadium at 9:00, thirty minutes early. The cowbell ringing began! The MSU Band marched in and took their spot. More cowbell ringing! Arms were getting heavy, with still twenty minutes to go!
Cowbells are now sagging to our waist. It's time! We practiced ringing our cowbells responsibly. Yes there are rules. Once the center is over the bell, stop. Once the quarterback has the ball, shake it like crazy! Learned to listen to the announce say "first down 'Bulldawgs"! We follow it with #HAILSTATE! Got a lesson on " Pyscho Defense" from the coach, wow! Learned the " Hey" song. Students love the "and we're gonna beat the hell outa you" part. All this Had to be a sign.... Oh, and no guest picker announcement, rats!
Man Cub spent time packing the car before we all crashed. Thank God, we overslept! Finished loading up, off we went. First stop, ice. Only 6 bags left in the cooler at 7:30 in the morning! Had to be another sign.....
We work our way through campus, roads starting to close. We beg to be let through, making it all the way to parking lot by our spot. Another sign......
Had our site up and running in no I time flat. That vacant space from the day before now was now overflowing. Pays to be early! Tents were up, tables were being set, satellite dishes were being tuned and charcoal was now ablaze. Time to take in some of the sights!
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| The Little Red Wagon that Did! |
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| Grill masters! With 18 slabs! |
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| Best seat in the house! |
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| OK, wires hooked up, dish pointed up, where's that damn signal???? |
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| Charging station in the Student Union, to be visited later!
Every thing is ready. ESPN Game Day in full swing. Cowbells are ringing loud and proud. Campus is abuzz with activity. Guests arriving. Early games are getting started. Time to eat. Man Cub wanted some red beans and rice. They had been simmering all night. They were still working their magic in the crock pot when I lifted the lid of the cooler! Bean time!
  
Visitors from the other school were everywhere, taking in game day in the Magnolia State. All are welcome in God's Country. One Auburn fan did indeed bring their version off a cowbell!
Stadium time! We get there an hour before kickoff. Student section has already been at it for an hour. I don't think they ever sat down. Nephew showed up with a sign, made especially for my rebellion spousal unit.
Sweet girl from Belzoni, sitting in front of us, two rows down, had on a special dress. The Holy Cross had our backsides covered. Yep! This had to be a sign!
Auburn turned the ball over on their first two possessions and the score was 21-0 in the first quarter! Can you believe this?!! #hailstate!
The stadium was the largest and loudest on record. Cowbell ringing, I think we got a passing grade on responsibility, I think.. Couple of mishaps a long the way. This fine Bulldawg fan soaked us a time or two with the contents of her cup, and I got hit on the head twice with her cowbell. Got myself a new friend.  
Right before halftime the bottom fell out of the sky! Missed the Band's halftime show, along with thousands of others taking shelter underneath! Rain cooled the temperature off, but not the bulldawgs! For luck, my cowbell was in hand the whole game. Even my underwear was on backwards, a carryover from the last game. As we get older, we get forgetful, and the tag ain't always in the right place, just saying! Dawgs win! Crowd stays put, in their seats! And the goal post guards breathed a sigh of relief, poles still standing.
Crowds lingered, munching on the leftovers and watching other games in progress on those flat screens, with satellite signal coming in strong. Folks were so worn out from the excitement, you could hear the hum of all the generators. While traffic began to clear, we headed back to the Student Union to hook up to that charging station, too many updates to post and only one bar left!
Students from both schools were sharing a meal. Nice visits with students while charging. Traffic took well over three hours to clear. Campsites were clearing, ands Man Cub had us all packed up. Traffic was moving at a snails pace. Decided to chain tables to our friendly tree and tote gear to the car. Its amazing what you can do with a little bitty wagon and a bunch of bungee cords. Everything but the tables were racked, stacked and packed or slung over the shoulder!
We made it to Man Cub's friend, Derek and his apartment at Campus trails just in time to catch the ESPN switchover to the Rebellion game vs Texas A&M. We were listening on radio as we worked our way thru the traffic maze. Helps to know your way around a college campus in the dark!
Derek had a wonderful pot of chili ready and the game on TV. Rebellion won in grand fashion. Two Mississippi teams 6-0 and moving up another notch in the top ten, both shooting for number one. WOW!
Derek has a new friend, Monica, from China, a Fullbright fellowship award winner. She and the spousal unit spent the day and night filling in each other with the different cultures. That gal is now from "Southern" China, and will be greeting folks with "hey y'all" and "how's your mommannem" for years to come!
We hit the road, and pulled in around 2:30, not bad for us old people.
So far it has been a magical season for both Dawg And Rebellion fans. Hoping it continues to the Egg Bowl. Hey, You never know what can happen if you believe hard enough! #hailstate and go Rebellion!
Time to reload. Our party moves back to Oxford! The joys of a split household!
Thanks for the readership! God Bless!
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