miwafl

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BUMP

C’mon wafl, let’s hear it


How’d it go

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I promise I didn't need the bump to come back.

The short version:

It was literally unbelievable. When reviewing all the various options for our "Let's just pick a fun college football game and go" trip, there was a reason we picked LSU and Tiger Stadium. We knew it was considered one of, if not the, best atmospheres in sports.

But all of the reading and research in the world cannot represent what it truly is like for a game like that. I didn't know stadiums could get that loud.

Add in all the pageantry, and the hospitality of all the fans (including a couple here), and it's a trip we will never forget. I can't believe how lucky we are that of all the possible games, that was the one we picked.


The long version:

My research began months ago with many options: big games like Oregon vs Georgia or Notre Dame at Ohio State or Alabama at Texas, must see home atmospheres like LSU or Wisconsin or Texas A&M or Tennessee or Alabama or Georgia or Penn State or Notre Dame or Ole Miss or Colorado or Washington, or neutral site rivalry games like Florida vs Georgia or Texas vs Oklahoma or Army vs Navy, or the Rose Bowl. I think I had 28 options on my first list.

Based on availability, in July, we narrowed it down to Nov 5 Bama at LSU, Florida at Texas A&M, or Tennessee at Georgia, or the Nov 12 Alabama at Ole Miss. Let's be honest, even for us, LSU was the clear #1 there. Within a month or so, everything was booked.

The season started with tempered expectations, especially after FSU. "With a new coach, we'll see. This could be pretty one-sided, but you never know and I think an LSU vs. Bama game in Tiger Stadium will be fun regardless." And then TN beat Bama and it was clear we'd get a night game, and LSU kept winning and it was clear this would be a huge game. How lucky we were!

Then I came to this board and got a TON of great advice. Then I started checking the weather and checking the weather and checking the weather. See, I was ignorant. I didn't know it never rains in Tiger Stadium on Saturday nights.

We arrived on Friday, checked into our hotel, and went to Bengals and Bandits for some gear. We then popped over to the Chimes for a few beers before heading to Parrain's for dinner. Thank you for that suggestion. We all had alligator for the first time and everything was delicious.

For Saturday, we parked at Parker Coliseum and started walking around the RV lots about 11 as people were getting set up, still in the rain. There were SO MANY RVs. Now, every time I drive by an RV dealership, I'll say, "Must be an LSU game here tonight."

As the rain slowed, we went back to our car to drop our rain gear off. We asked someone to take our picture. That was "our in." Next time someone like me asks you how to tailgate with strangers, tell them, "Just ask them to take your picture." Upon hearing our story, we were in. We tailgated there for a bit and then thanked the group and made our way to the Parade Grounds and Indian Mounds to take in those scenes. My brother described the tailgating "Like Disney World - each themed land has it's own culture and feel." We then checked out PMAC and got a few pictures with Mike.

After that, we joined someone from this board (protecting privacy, but feel free to respond) and tailgated more there. This group was amazingly welcoming and we had a great time, met new friends, enjoyed some beverages and gumbo, and got game-ready. From there, we watched the band and team come down the hill, walked around a little more, and were inside the stadium in our section (211) about an hour before kickoff.

We were already huge Garth Brooks fans, so Callin' Baton Rouge was a highlight for us in the pre-game. Then the first drive was looking a little scary, but we got our first peak at how loud it can get with the interception. From there, the noise just built over the next three hours reaching unbelievable levels.

The fourth quarter and overtime we will never forgot. It took us a while to get down to the field, but we made it. We have an amazing group photo down in the madness that we've been sharing with everyone. I've been reading all your thoughts on where this game ranks in LSU history and it seems most are putting it in top 3-5 at worst. I mean, how lucky can we be that this was the game we picked?

Going in, of course we were going to root for LSU, the home team. But we didn't have any real affinity for the program. But given all the people we met, the welcome we received, and our sheer awe at what you all bring to your fandom, we now have that affinity. We are LSU fans for life.

Geaux Tigers!

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do y’all really not have any college teams that y’all root for?

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Nope. We're alums of Georgetown, Providence, and Bates. So, some college basketball, but we're your typical northeast sports lovers, which generally means pro only. We know what we're missing though, so that's why we are coming south.

Maybe I'll just wear a "Lost Bostonian" t-shirt. That could have the same effect. :lol:

Hello Tiger Community.

My family (4 adult sons and our father) will be coming from Boston to LSU for a bucket list trip for the Bama game. We arrive in Baton Rouge at 2pm on Friday and leave from Lafayette at 2pm on Sunday. We are staying in South Baton Rouge, about 7 miles down I-10 and will have a rental car. We have tickets in Section 211.

My question is: How, in as much detail as you'd like to provide, would you spend those 48 hours?

Some specific questions after a bit of research:

1. Where can we get some gear for the game? Our hotel is near Perkins Rowe and Alumni Hall. I'm thinking maybe we get get our rental car, check into our hotel, and then head there to get some shirts. Does that sound good, or would you suggest something else?

2. For dinner on Friday night, I've read that The Chimes may be a good option. Do you agree? Do they take reservations? Anywhere else?

3. Any other suggestions for Friday night? We're more of a brewery or pub group vs. a club. Any point in going to campus? Tailgates are being set up, but none happening, right?

4. For breakfast on Saturday, our hotel provides a free breakfast, so just thinking we'll do that unless there are suggestions otherwise.

5. We do not have a dedicated parking spot. I've heard that we don't need one, but let me know if you feel otherwise. Either way, where should we park and what time should we arrive?

6. Ideally, we'd love to just walk around and meet people. I've read that if I just bring some beers, everyone will open their "home" (tailgate) to us. That sounds great, but I'm not sure how this will work logistically. I'd think we would be out of what we can comfortably carry in short order and we'll be there all day. Are there places on/around campus to buy more? Are there any local favorite beers or would anything like Bud Light work? Maybe if we parked centrally, we could restock at the car. Any and all suggestions here are welcome as this is probably the biggest question mark for us.

7. Assuming we do need to find ourselves lunch, where should that be?

8. What are the "don't miss" things we'll want to see? Any tailgate areas? I'm assuming we should see Mike's Habitat, and the band and team walk down the hill. Agreed? Anything else?

9. What time should we head into the stadium (relative to game time as that is still TBD)?

10. Anything for after the game other than "Good luck getting down I-10"?

11. Any can't miss breakfast spots for Sunday before we leave town?

12. Anything else you'd suggest at all?

We absolutely can't wait for this trip. Thank you all so much for helping us make this memorable.