We have been busy! Saturday we went to Beau's "Promised Land" -- The Swamp for the Florida Gators - South Carolina Gamecocks SEC game. It was a BIG game, to decide which team would win the SEC East championship.
Beau was SO excited. And what a happening it was. Kids everywhere, partying at off-campus houses, one with a DJ atop a bus! And it wasn't just kids partying, either- it was LOADED with thousands of alums whooping it up!! They take this VERY seriously!!
The walk to the stadium was one long parade of these parties. Then, there it was -- the stadium!
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| Beau crosses one off his bucket list! The Promised Land, before the crowd arrives. |
We had super seats -- eighth row, around the 40 yard line. Everything was up-close and dynamic. We were barely 20 ft. behind the Gator's bench. The stadium's 90,000-plus people surrounded us like one roaring, screaming animal. The noise was astounding. And we were shoulder to shoulder in the midst of it! They say our hearing ought to come back in about a week...it was absolutely the loudest place either of us has ever been.
For some reason, the camera was off that night, and everything is a bit blurry, but below is a video of the band playing the National Anthem. Very stirring start to the night.
The only empty seats were the band's when they were on the field!
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| Florida has a GREAT band! And they play while forming outlines of eagles, the U.S., Florida, etc. |
The Gators started strong, with a great opening kick runback for a touchdown right off the bat. Hopes were high.
But alas, that was the last and only time the Gators produced some excitement for us. They lost -- and badly. They couldn't stop South Carolina on defense and couldn't get anything going on offense. Still, it was an experience! Loved the halftime show, too.
We left Gainesville with a heavy heart, but Beau can now say he has seen an SEC football game.
On to the Magic Kingdom. Beau is cheering up quickly! Below is Har-V the Mar-V R-V nestled into our site in the Fort Wilderness campground -- just beautiful.
Our first night here we went to Epcot for the last evening of the Food & Wine Festival. Like a "Taste of..." event, with 26 international kiosks of food and wine samples. Great! And Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was performing. We heard them from the Parisian pavillion (too many people) while enjoying our escargot en brioche and creme brulee!
Of course, we had forgotten the camera....new photos TK.
Have a Magical Day, everyone!
Tanks, Panky
The two of you look just like kids on a honeymoon. That spot where you are staying is very pretty. I think you need to rate the parks for the rest of us because we are going to start following you. Take care
ReplyDeleteBarbara
That was so cool to see the stadium. One of Phil's students was in the Gators Band in college, although he has graduated now. Please say hi to Mickey for me!
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