Fun with friends in South Carolina

For several months, we've had plans with the Andersons to attend the FSU-Clemson game together.  Tom & Raquel live in Rock Hill and their son Kevin (a Clemson grad) and his girlfriend, AnnMarie, both live in Greenville. 

We were pretty excited when the game was announced as a 7:45 game.  That would give us a full day of tailgating!  Kevin made arrangements for a parking pass in a lot very close to the Clemson stadium.  During the week, we all compared notes, planned the menu, pulled together necessary tailgate equipment and then we headed north to spend the weekend with the Andersons.  Knowing Tom & Raquel hadn't been to too many games or done much tailgating, we wanted to make sure they were well-outfitted.  (It's amazing what you can find in the clearance section - some blankets, koozies and a bag to carry it all in!)  ;o)

Friday evening we met at Kevin's for Happy Hour and then downtown Greenville for dinner.  What a charming area! 

Saturday morning we rendezvoused again at Kevin's for mimosas and bloody Mary's while getting together all the provisions for tailgating. 

We packed everything and 7 people into The Beast and to Clemson we headed - 7 hours before kickoff!  (We did have about a 45 minute drive, but we all agreed we'd rather be there early and settled than stuck in traffic.)   Lots of people were confused why there were so many Clemson people in an FSU car!  :o)

It was awesome being the only FSU tent and car in a sea of orange!  The Andersons did a fantastic job with all the tailgate food (brats, burgers and shishkebobs, pasta salad, snacks, sweet tea jello shots, Corn-In-The-Hole, spiced apple cider, desserts)!  The tailgate spot was perfect - in the middle of the baseball practice field - green grass with open space for games.

While we all pitched in to set up the tailgate, it was nice to sit down, enjoy our drinks and the food, play a few games and even wander around the tailgates.  We enjoyed spending time with Tom and Raquel and meeting many of Kevin and AnnMarie's friends.

Everything was great, including the weather.  But as soon as the sun went down, it got pretty dark and started getting cooler.  (Good thing we had hot apple cider and a few different choices for spicing it up.)

Frank was in charge of the tickets and got some great seats!  While we were in the endzone, we were 26 rows from the field and right next to the FSU Marching Chiefs! 

The game was filled many ups and downs.  Unfortunately, it did not end in a win for the Seminoles.  And to cap off the evening, we were stuck in traffic, surrounded by vehicles with many orange spots/pawprints on them, for over 2 hours!  We didn't get back to our hotel until close 3AM! 

Other than the outcome of the game, we had a great weekend in South Carolina!  Thanks Tom, Raquel, Kevin and AnnMarie for all your hospitality.