The sky was somewhat overcast at times, but the weather was absolutely perfect as we watched folks come and go along the sidewalk in front of our spot on Creelman Street in the heart of Mississippi State University’s campus.
The temperature was comfortable — chilly at times according to wife Danny — and it even took some effort to break a sweat. It was a perfect day for college football — and tailgating.
Things have certainly changed on the MSU campus since Danny, and I attended school there — truth be known, we met there — in the late 70s and early 80s.
Most of the buildings are still in the same place they were then, but I swear they must have torn them down and put up entirely new ones with the same name. Nothing looks familiar.
And then there are all of the trees in places there were never trees. And there are no trees where there used to be trees. Honestly, I think if I were to take off walking from one side of campus to the other today, as we did so many times back in the day, I would get lost and be late for class.
My, how time flies and trees grow, and die, or get cut down for progress’ sake.
As for this past weekend, there was a great crowd on campus for our first home game of the season. Especially, I think, since we only won two games last year. Heck, we’ve already tied that record two games into this young season.
Hail State!
When it comes to tailgating, back when we were in school it seems most folks showed up on campus just in time for the games and headed to the stadium. Now people are swarming everywhere all day long. It is amazing how you can run into people you knew or know in a crowd that large. Amazing, too, that there are a few that you wish you hadn’t run into, but you did, in a crowd that large.
Amazing, number three? Well that’s got be what the young people wear to a ballgame in 2025. Or, perhaps, better put, the lack of what the young people wear to ballgames in 2025.
Some folks need to take a gander in the mirror before they head out the door, and for some of the girls...they need to get their momma or their roommate to snap a picture of their backside so they can see what that looks like when they are walking up and down those crowded sidewalks. Not much to the imagination, if you know what I mean.
One thing for sure, I’m not that 19-year-old hiking around campus anymore. Now as a nearly 65-year-old the hikes not so much the problem but when you combine early rising on Saturday to get the food ready, and then the drive to Starkville, and then getting a parking place, and then a Saturday night game, and finally the drive back home, it becomes a bit tiring as one matures.
Unfortunately, the road is closed in front of our particular tailgate spot from four hours before each game until well after the final whistle is blown. Since it was a night game Saturday, we were able to get to Starkville in plenty of time to drive up to our spot, unload, and then go park and walk back.
But, on the other hand, when we have an early game it is just about impossible to do that, so we park and pull a buggy full of everything I think we could possible need throughout the day. That can be a chore in itself, and I’m self-counseling in that department this year. I did cut out about half of the stuff in my picnic basket, but this coming weekend it may all have to go right back in.
I don’t want to be without.
In fact I need to add some wet wipes to my list for Saturday.
There is one other thing that can wear a fellow out. Our schedule, you might say, sucks this year. Four home games in a row. That is just too much for me and I think we will have to take a break next week. No I know we are going to take a break next week.We’ll go this Saturday, skip next Saturday, and return for the Tennessee game.
All of the complaining aside, though, it really couldn’t have been a better game day. We won over 12th ranked Arizona State in a nail-biter. The food was great. Everyone did a nice job, and when I say everyone that’s a lot of people. We have a very large tailgate family consisting of folks from all over the state.
Actually I shouldn’t even be complaining. Danny went and parked the truck for us while I unpacked the buggy. She drove home too. I suppose it is safe to say, I got off pretty easy.
Sit, eat, talk, repeat!
Sit, eat, talk, repeat!
And, Hail State one more time for the win!
