Being a BYU fan on the East Coast is not easy. Most games start at 10:00 at night and finish in the wee hours of the morning. So when we found out BYU would be playing in Tennessee, we knew we wanted to go. We have missed being able to watch them play in person. Plus, Tennessee is in the SEC and plays in the fourth largest stadium in the country - fifth largest in the world. We couldn't wait to go!
Originally it was just gong to be me and the kids, but at the last minute David was able to join us. We met Tiffani and her family in Sevierville and shared and Air B&B. There is nothing Jalen and Baylie love more than spending time with their cousins. And I love spending time with my sister. We probably should have skipped school on Friday, but we didn't and ended up getting to the house at about 9:0 Friday night. Tiff and her kids had spent the day in Nashville.
Saturday morning, we stopped at Walmart where we quickly realized we were in Tennessee country. I picked up a couple small things for my nephew Parker who has always been a Tennessee fan and was having his missionary farewell the next way - which is why he missed the game.
The game wasn't until 7:00, but we headed to the stadium at noon. We wanted the full tailgate experience. We got lucky and scored a parking spot in a small lot next to the river just a short way down from the stadium - FREE.
We were just across the street from the entrance to the university and just down from the basketball arena.
The tailgaters were set up all around this parking garage. Apparently there were others like it in other areas around the stadium.
Dave's nephew had purchased a tailgate spot on the top level, right next to the stadium. How perfect!
We had an amazing view of the stadium and the surrounding area.
We could even see the "Volunteer Navy." We decided next time we wanted to tailgate from one of the yachts.
It wasn't hard to find our group.
We stuck out just a bit. Most of the Tennessee fans were really kind and so hospitable. They came over and spoke with us and wished us luck. There were some young punks that were foul mouthed and stupid, but they were the exception.
Neyland stadium did not disappoint. Wow! It holds over 100,000 people. As the daughter of a coach, I often judge a school based on their stadium.
Can you see the blue??
We were on the top two rows - waaay high up.
Some of us were more into the game than others. (Lauryn reads no matter where she is. She finished her book and then started it over.)
Even though we were high up, the stadium is very steep so the view was still good.
We tied the game with one second left and then beat Tennessee in double overtime. It was EPOCH!
We were few, but we were mighty!
Celebrating the win.
After the game, we went and waited for the team to come out and load onto the buses. I think they were surprised and happy with so much support so far from home.
Jalen and Baylie got interviewed for the
Sunshine Mafia blog (at 20:17).
It was an amazing night and I'm so glad we got to be a part of it. It was so much more special because we shared it with family.
The next day, we wanted to stay with the Jennings as long as possible so we followed them to Kentucky and Daniel Boone National Forest. It was a little farther out of our way than we had planned, but still worth it to let the kids have more time together.
Clara and Baylie made me nervous, hanging out the windows.
I realized I didn't have any pictures with me and Tiff so we took some in front of this lovely backdrop. I love my sister. We didn't always get along as children, but we have never had an argument as adults.
We sadly parted ways with the Jennings as they headed back to Nashville to fly home to Vegas and we headed back to South Carolina. We went back the exact way we had come. Baylie spent quite a bit of time crying and demanding to know why we lived in South Carolina when all our family was in the west.
Fortunately, it was a beautiful drive.
We loved the tunnels.
It was good to get back home, but we sure missed cousins. We didn't get home until 11 p.m., so school was a bit rough on Sunday.
I love my little family and I love BYU football.
