Bama - v - Ole Miss October 15 - Octber 17, 2010

Tim, Tany, Jonathan, Dottee and Mollee left Anniston around 5 PM. Traffic was not bad.  We picked up Allie and went to the RV lot.  We began the set up process.  Nicolette and Ivan met us there.  We leveled the RV, began taking stuff out of the RV and unloading the car.  We started the generator and it stopped.  We started the generator and it stopped.  We started the generator and it stopped.  Uh O!  Tim investigated and it seemed to be leaking oil.  Uh O!  Tim and Jay kept working with it. They added oil.  It finally started.  YEA!  Then it was off for our first trip of the year to Mugshots.  Jeff Hogg met us there.  We saw Breeze Wilson and family.   Mugshots was great.  Then to Publix's for our weekly trip.  I'm still disappointed that we have not been named Publix's tailgater of the week.  Back to the RV to complete the unpacking and set up.  Ivan took his car to Mary Catherines for the evening since his parking lot doesn't open until 7 AM on Saturday.    

Saturday morning we slept to 8 AM.  Yea!  Only 12 hrs until kickoff.  Ivan and Tim went to pick up Ivan's truck, to get breakfast, medicine for Tim and coffee for tonight.   Tanya took the girls for a long walk to the Quad.   Nephie pick up Nicolette.  She is leaving her car at  Catherine and Alex's apartment. Janis and Randy dropped on their stuff and went walking with Brianna and Hunter.  James and Leah were able to drive in the lot and drop of their stuff.  Tanya took a bike ride to Rite Aid for some Advil and Propane.   It's a long time to kick off.  Mollee it bored!  

Nan and Ellen arrived.  Anne Peavey's mother, dad, sister and Taylor arrived.  Anne dropped them and the stuff off and then went to park.  Amy Steve, Isabele and friends are parking at the mall and will need to be picked up.  Unc is in charge. 

It is hot dog making time.  Tanya was in charge of hot dogz since Unc has to leave to go get the Duncans. 

Mary Catherine and Clay arrived.   Catherine arrived.   We watched ball games all day while we were waiting for the 8:15 kickoff.

Everyone took a turn on the grill because hamburgers were the dinner menu. Anne Peavey's dad made Belgium Waffles.  The Waffles were a HIT!

27 people at the tailgate!

October 1 - 3, 2010 Bama - v - Florida

Allie is ready to return to T Town.  The trip to TTown was uneventful except for all the BAD drivers that kept trying to kill us.  We stopped and filled the RV with fuel and water.  Then onto Lot 8.  Nan and Ellen are in town so they will be joining us for dinner.  The set up went well.  Nan, Ellen, Nathan, and Ivan all arrived.  We went to Wings for dinner.  Back at the RV, there was a SMELL.  We turned on  the vent fan and opened the doors and windows.  We also added more chemicals to the tanks.  Whew..... much better.

Again we were up until midnight.  Saturday morning the weather was terrific.  It is a beautiful fall day in T Town.  Ivan and Tim went for breakfast and to run some errands.  Tanya took the pups for a walk to the Quad.  People began to arrive at the RV.   Marc, Kathy, Zeke, Rick and Trish arrive.   James, Leah, Nan, Ellen and Nathan arrive.  Tim began the hot dog process.  Amy and Isabelle arrived. Taylor brought Ann's tent. 

We had 3 tents set up.  The sun was hot but under the tent it was nice.  Ann arrive and her friends.   The menu this week is barbecue and of course Timz Dogz.  Tim also has a new popcorn popper.  He popped the corn on the grill.  

Candi, Derek, Dalton and Dejuan joined us.  Derek received a ticket to the ballgame for his birthday.

The day was terrific.  Finally it was game time.  Bama wins 31-6.  Allie is 45-8.  The game was over at 10:30. 

Back at the RV, we had a celebration dinner.   We were partying until 1 am.  It was a GREAT day.   Everyone helped take down the tents and chairs and put away all the food before leaving. 

The Sunday morning cleanup went well. 

We filled with fuel, dumped, and filled with water. We were not in a hurry so it was a great morning. 

 

 

Bama - v- Penn State Sept 10 - 12, 2010

BAMA - V- PENN STATE: Tim, Tanya, Ivan, Jonathan, Dottee, and Mollee. 

Ivan resumed the tradition of riding to Ttown with us on Friday night.  We left after  Jonathan returned from Atlanta and Tim returned from a trip back to the hospital.  The caddie had championship flags on it and they made noise all the way to T town.  Upon arriving at the RV storage, the flags had bent poles and the seams were gone.  Bye Bye Flags.  The RV pickup and setup went very smoothly.  Well at least for us. The RV next to us began to lose water.  Tim to the rescue.  Tim worked on Larry and Wendy's  RV while  we got everything ready.  By the way.. it was HOT in Ttown.  While Tim was being the good Samaritan, Ivan, Jonathan and Tanya went to Publix.  After the shopping trip, Nicolette met us at Publix.  We took her car to Wings to since she can't park in our lot.  Then we returned to the RV lot to collect Tim.  Wings was not crowded but it was after 9 PM. Food was GREAT!  Nicolette made a friend.  They both speak German.  Back at the RV, it was after midnight before we turned out the lights.  Football weekends.. you got to love um.

Saturday morning we completed the  set up process.  Tim and Ivan went for breakfast.  Tanya and Jonathan prepared the RV and the outside.  Jonathan picked up Nicolette.  Tanya took the dogs for a walk.  Amy, Steve, Isabelle, Leah and James arrived.  Tanya went for a bike ride.  Ivan made the sausage bread.  Nan and Ellen arrive. Tim mad Timz Dogz.  YUM!  Jonathan picked up Alex, Catherine and Jenny.  Janis, Randy and Brenna arrived.  It was HOT in Tuscaloosa.  People would sit outside and then move inside  to cool off.  Anne and her nephew Ryan joined the tailgate.  It was SO HOT that the food sitting on the table was warmed to the point of tasting as if it had just come out of the over.  The cheese dip was as warm as if it had been in the microwave.  It was HOT in Tuscaloosa.  The pizza rolls were oven fresh!

Around 3:30 the sky opened up and it poured.  We were able to get the chairs folded and that is all.    Everyone moved inside.  Finally the rain stopped and it was game time.  Or at least time to go to the game.  It was a little cooler but gosh the humidity was BAD.   Tim and Tanya rode bikes to the game.  Bama wins 24-3.  Allie is  44-8.  Coach Joe Pa, Coach Bobby Bowden and Coach Saban, were all on the field before kickoff.  What a   game! 

Anne's nephew, Ryan, had an allergic reaction and spent the whole ballgame at the hospital.  DCH! After the game, everyone returned to the RV for dinner. 

We stayed up once again until past midnight. 

Sunday morning cleanup was a pain because of the rain.  The awning was soaked and so were the rugs.  YUCK.  Jonathan went for breakfast and papers.  No Bham news to be found.  The RV is coming home to have the generator serviced. 

Bama - San Jose State September 4th, 2010

Whooooo It is finally football season! 

We began preparing for football season on August 14th. 

That is officially RV Wash and Wax Day. Ivan, Pattie, Jonathan, Amy, Isabella, Leah, James, Nan, Ellen, and Anne all came to Anniston to help Tim and Tanya wash and wax the RV. 

 

It rained on and off all day.  We washed and wax as a group and were able to get most of it done.  Tim had to go back to work. 

Meredith, Anderson, Marc, Kathy and Zeke joined us for dinner at Fuji.

We had a great evening. The food was terrific and we enjoyed the terrific company. Tim, Tanya and Jonathan continued to work on the RV.  Jonathan packed  the RV, Tim cleaned the awning and washed the RV before the first game. Tanya cleaned the carpet.                                     

September 3  - 5, 2010

Bama - v - San Jose State - The 2010 Season: Tim, Tanya, Jonathan, Dottee and Mollee....

Finally, the 2010 football season is here.  We left about 4 PM.  Our trip to T Town was uneventful.   There was a lot of traffic.  Ivan met us at the RV dump/fill spot and then were were off to the new lot.  No problems getting into the lot or finding our spot.  Setting up was no problem except for the new flag pole.  We struggled getting the flags straight.

We went to Wings for dinner.  It was once again wonderful   Then to resume our weekly Publix trip.  Ivan went for the ice.  He purchases 76 lbs of ice for the Saturday.  First game excitement kept us up most of the night. 

Saturday morning, Tim took Ivan to get his car which was parked at Mary Catherine's since he couldn't park in his lot until 7 AM.  Tim went for breakfast and for hotdog supplies.  Brunos no longer carries Bryan hotdogs so a substitute of Ball Park hotdogs was made. 

The new grill and hotdog roller were a hit.   Tanya and Jonathan took the girls for a walk.  The Nalu family came for a visit.  Nicolette's mom, dad, brother, sister in law, and nephie visit.  They are enjoyed a Tim'z Dogz.   James, Leah, Steve, Amy and Isabelle arrive.  Amy's friends arrived. 

Nan and Ellen arrive and then Anne, her dad, and Taylor.  Janis, Randy, Brianna and Hunter.   Tanya and Jonathan went for a bike ride and found a path to the stadium.  Alex and Cathryn also joined the tailgate.  Edrick, another friend of Amy, came for a short visit.  A total of 31 tailgater.  A new record. Everyone was not there at one time. Consistently, 24 were there.  It was a great tailgating day.  The game began at 6 pm.  It was a beautiful day for football.  Bama won  48-3.  Allie is 43 and 8.  WHOOOOOO!  Sunday clean up was significant.  Tim wen for breakfast and papers.    The floor was a mess.  More rungs are needed.  The new RV lot is very nice and our new neighbors, Jay and Tonya,  are very nice.   Ivan spend both nights.  Dottee  found a new bed.  It was great to have him back for the whole weekend.  The trip home was uneventful.    

BCS National Championship BAMA V TEXAS Janurary 2010

January 5, 2010 - January 9, 2010 Pasadena, California - Tim, Tanya, Ivan, Pattie, and Jonathan

The Road to the Championship began in ATL.

January 5, 2010

Tuesday night Tim and Tanya met Ivan, Pattie and Jonathan at the Comfort Inn on Camp Creek Parkway. It is COLD. We checked in and went to Lornhorn for dinner. Back to the room. We have a long day on Wednesday.

January 6, 2010 - aka, Jonathan's birthday. Trip to Pasadena, nice present.

Wednesday morning we were up before dawn and on the way to the airport. The hotel provided us with a shuttle. We helped some fellow BAMA fans load their luggage into the shuttle. They didn't know that you can leave your car at the hotel and take the shuttle. We arrived at the airport, used curb side check in. I swear we were the first people to check in. :) Good news: We were through security in about 15 minutes and they even had to pad down Tim, aka, hip replacement man. WHOOOOOOO! Bad news: We have 3 hours before the plane leaves. Oh well, better to be early than stuck in security lines.

It really is a small world. Waiting for the plane was an AMSTI teacher from CA Donehoo and the principal from Litchfield Middle which is an AMSTI school.

Finally, it is time to board the plan to Chicago. No problems. For some of us it was our first trip to the Chicago airport. We ate lunch and then camped out to wait for our flight. We had a LONG layover but finally it is time to go to LAX. The flight from Chicago to LAX was VERY LONG. We all became very bored. Once we landed, we picked up our luggage and then onto car rental. No problems at ALMO either. We used the self serve kiosk and it was a breeze. Thank the Lord for the GPS, aka Karen.

On to the freeway with 7 or 8 lanes on each side. WOW but surprisingly it is not too bad. There were cars everywhere but the driving was not too difficult. "Karen" directed us to our hotel. We checked in, unloaded and proceeded to find dinner. We were starving. Dinner was at Cafe140. The bread was fabulous. Next, onto World Market and Ralph’s for supplies. WHEW! Traveling is over and we are here. Back at the room, Tim detects smoky smell in the room. Upon further investigation, the smoke detector is hanging from the wall with a towel over it. Tim calls the front desk and long story........ we move rooms. Now in the new room, we discover that the air conditioner doesn't work. Yes, in LA in January you need air. In Alabama it is 15 degrees but in LA it is 60 and need some air circulating in the room. Another call to the front desk and they come to check it out but it is an electrical problem and no other rooms are available so they bring us a fan. It's been a long day. Finally, time to sleep.

Thursday, January 7, 2010. GAME DAY!

Ivan, Pattie, Jonathan, James and Leah went to IHOP while Tanya and Tim went to Ralph's for coffee, and game day supplies. We join forces back at the hotel and onto to Old Pasadena.

We finally find a place to park and we hit the streets. Before we had made it to one shop, we ran into Phil and Lynda who were on their way to wait for Michael and Amanda. We shopped and purchased programs and ticket lanyards. More shopping and we ran into Michael and Amanda. The atmosphere is terrific. There are Bama fans and Texas fans everywhere. It is so much fun. Small world, Jonathan ran into Vicky Brown.

We have tickets for the Alumni tailgate package which begins at 1 PM. Finally it is time to go to the Rose Bowl. We still can't believe we are here and going to the historic Rose Bowl. What a privilege for a college football fan. What a blessing!

Pasadena is an easy town to navigate and James, AKA Rand McNally, is great with directions and is currently serving as navigator. Tanya is driving and James is the navigator.

We make our way to tour pre-purchased parking area. We are parking on a golf course, yes, a golf course. Now to find the Alumni Tailgating Tent. We walk toward red and white balloons but no that is not the correct tenWe show a map to some game official on a golf cart and he sends us in the wrong direction. We circled the WHOLE Rose Bowl.

We walked and walked and walked. We saw great sights and many fans. It is amazing just to be here out side the stadium. Finally, on the opposite side of the stadium from our parking area, we finally find the tailgate party. We have to get in line for the actual tickets. Tim stands in line forever for beverages, while the rest of us collect the plates of food. The choices were hamburger or hotdogs and chips.

Note to self.... do not buy the tailgate package again. $35 is a lot for a hamburger, chips, drink and a place to sit down. We must walk the mile or two back to the car for our jackets. The weather is beautiful. It is at least 75 degrees but when the sun goes down, it will be chili. On the way back to the car we ran into Sharon Tucker and Allan Rutherford and their families. Small world!

We found our gate and our seats. WOW! We are in the Rose Bowl. We are at the National Championship Game! Incredible. The Rose Bowl is old and shows it age but WOW the football history in this place.

Evidently when it was built, it was only built as a football field. The exterior walls and gates had to have been built much later. The concourse was dirt and vendors are set up along the walls. There are only 15 tunnels leading in to the Rose Bowl. There is security posted at each end of the tunnel and when it is full, they stop people from entering the tunnel until it clears.

We arrived early to soak up the atmosphere. Watching it fill up was so cool! Cheers from fans would begin periodically. The band arrive and Cheers of Roll Tide became more numerous. Every time the band played the fight song, all Bama fans would sing, very loudly, the fight song.

The pregame included paratroopers with an Alabama flag, a Texas flag, a BCS flag, an American flag and one with a red streamer. Josh Groban sang the National Anthem and there was fly over by 4 fighter jets. Well, it is the National Championship game.

The first quarter was a mix of blunders by Bama and after holding Texas 2 field goals Bama finally scored. Colt McCoy, Texas QB, went out with an injury. Bama proceeded to score three TD's and a field goal to lead at the half 24-6. Third quarter was extremely frustrating. BAMA couldn't move the ball and Texas was getting its act togher and out gaining Bama in yards.

Tim went to the restroom and outside the restroom was a FIGHT between a Texas fan and a Bama fan. One went to the hospital and one to jail. The Texas guy lost his shirt during the fight. The police were taking statements.

Texas pulled to within 3 points 24-21 before the AL defense stepped up and caused a 4th quarter fumble. BAMA recovered and a few plays later, scored to make it 30-21. The noise was so loud all game that you could barely hear the radio. We stood the whole game. The people in front of us stood on the seats so we were basically watching the game as we looked between their shoulders.

They were also VERY DRUNK! The fact they didn't fall had to be luck. The bleachers were wobbly and they stood on them and they couldn't stand on firm ground without swaying so they are lucky the didn't fall and roll onto the field. We are glad there was a video screen because that is how we watched a lot of the game. Bama scored again to seal the deal.

The final score was 37-21. Bama wins its 13th National Championship. WOW!! And we were there! WOW WOW WOW! We sang Rammer Jammer and the fight song.

The crystal football was presented to the team and Coach Saban. Unbelievable.

Now for the hike to the car. One the way out of the gate, there were people grilling and selling food on top of grocery store carts. YUCK. We are starving but not that hungry. :) The Rose Bowl vendors ran out of food by half time.

We find the car and it is Champagne time! We are the Champions! WHOOOOOOOOO The parking lot, aka golf course, clears a little and we decide to leave. Its a slow process but we have been in worse traffic leaving a game. We drop James and Leah off at their hotel and being our search for food. At this time of the night, nothing is open except McDonalds. Yes, our celebration dinner was McD's.

Back at the hotel we fall asleep watching the replay of the game. Still can't believe it.

Friday, January 8, 2019

Friday morning we have a tour of LA scheduled so our morning began early and with the help of "Karen" we are off to Hollywood LA Tours. GPS "Karen" is a wonderful invention and with her help we arrive early.

We check in and then walk around and see the stars on the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. The tour begins and our driver is Donny Dangerfield. He's quite a character. Born and raised in LA and loves his hometown. He has lots of comments about the city and the sights. The tour took us through LA and to Venice beach. Venice beach was our first picture stop. It is beautiful.

Waves are amazing. Then onto downtown tour of LA both new and revived. Downtown LA, aka, concrete jungle. LA High School is a new multi million dollar building and it takes up an entire block. It's impressive. Second stop and we bought popcorn from a street vendor.

Tim had his picture made with a donkey. Jonathan and Pattie bought souvenirs. Donny was terrific. Lots of facts, current and past events as he described the area. Back to Hollywood for lunch. Lunch was at Mel's diner on Hollywood Blvd. It's the diner in American Graffiti. Across the road is Hollywood High school where John Ritter was student council president. After lunch we toured Hollywood.

Our next picture stop was on the side of a mountain where we could takes pictures of the Hollywood sign and have it in the background of pictures.

Then onto Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hiss, and Bel Air. We saw the homes of the STARS. Our final stop was on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Yes, Bama fans galore on Rodeo Drive.

The trip back to Hollywood took up on Sunset Blvd, which is part of historic Route 66. Part of the tour took us by Malibu breach where Baywatch was filmed. It was a great tour and we saw lots of sights and learned a lot about LA.

Even though it was rush house when we finished the tour and headed back to the hotel, with help from "Karen" we didn't have any trouble. Back at the hotel we got ready for dinner at Smitty's.

Before dinner, there was a quick shopping excursion to Old Pasadena. Parking was nonexistent so Tim, yes Tim, Pattie and Ivan shopped while Tanya and Jonathan drove around town looking for a parking place. None found so we picked them up with the souvenirs and we were off to dinner. Smitty's is an upscale restaurant but this is the only nice sit down dinner we have had since arriving in LA. The food was fantastic. Back to Old Pasadena for more shopping. Luckily, we found a place to park and everyone can shop one last time. Now time to refuel the van, one more trip to Ralph’s, and time to repack.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Saturday morning and its time to go to the airport. "Karen" gets to there and leads us to the rental car return, once Tanya enters LA rental car return and not just LAX. DUH! "Karen" is only as accurate as her operator. Signs were not plentiful so thanks to "Karen" no problem. Note to self, when traveling in a strange city ALWAYS rent a GPS. A quick return and we hop on the shuttle to the airport.

Good news, we are early but the check in process at LAX is not as efficient as the one in ATL. Shock! Check the big bag and whew, it is 48 lbs, just shy of the 50 lb limit. Souvenirs are packed in the carryon bags so clothes had to go somewhere. Security check in was no problem even though Tim was once again thoroughly searched.

Bad news, now time to WAIT for our plane. We have about 3 hours. Oh well, better to be early than be stuck in traffic (in an unknown city) or in the security line forever.

We camped out at gate 47 but then our gate was moved and so the Ray Barnes campsite picked up and moved. Finally it's time to board the plane. The plane is going to be PACKED so the stewardess offers to check peoples carry on.

We all allow her to check our carryon luggage. We will pick them up in ALT with our other bags. Our plane is suppose to land at 6:20 in Chicago and our plane to ATL boards at 6:50.

The flight from LAX to Chicago was smooth. We literally walked off the plane in Chicago and got in line to board the plane to ATL. That's close! The flight to ATL was smooth. We collected our luggage, called the hotel for pickup. Of course Tim and Tanya had to refuel the caddie.

Once again we were all starving since the only time we had eaten was breakfast in LAX and that was a LONG time ago. We picked up coffee and some chicken. We arrived home at 12:30. WHEW its been a long day.

What a wonderful trip! BAMA National Champions and we were there. WHOOOOOO!