SANFORD STADIUM AT GEORGIA U–10/13-14/17

Unlike my other two previous 2017 College Football Pilgrimage that were written on the road, my third story about Sanford Stadium is being constructed inside the Dream Home in Henderson, NV. I am thankful that my ASS has returned intact, after experiencing a safe and healthy Pilgrimage. In my thoughts, God was thanked. QVV & QVS were thanked in text messages for their contributions, as my Pen is Pals.

When my vehicle pulled into my campsite less than 10 miles from Sanford Stadium on Monday, October 9, 2017, my lower back was barking. Being away from the comforts of one’s writing chair and bed was producing not so welcomed results. The situation with my lower back actually began with a blowout of my front driver side tire on my Dodge 07, 2500 Diesel Truck on September 20. It was my birthday as I was traveling along the freeway at 75 mph to my haircut.

In my IMAGINATION, Queen Vampyre Sonata and Queen Voodoo Vixen were entertaining me. Warning signs about my tire were checked as my drive started after pulling over about one mile from the Dream Home. With no physical evidence to support a tire issue, my journey continued. After a few miles on the freeway and with a ‘Grin’ on my face, Imagining about the two Queens, the rumbling started. My first reaction was it must be a road problem. Those of you reading this, has your vehicle ever experienced a ‘Blowout’ at 75 mph? (Actual pics of tire)

My ‘Gut & Radar’ started to kick in and the Fantasies of the ‘3 of US’ took a back seat. In an instant, a very loud minor explosion then occurred. Instead of Fantasizing about the ‘3 of Us’, natural instincts now took command of my truck. With my truck in the far left passing lane, an extra wide emergency landing area was on my left. The truck violently rocked back and forth during the initial explosion causing my lower back to jerk violently. My right foot following the lead of my instincts pumped the brakes slowly.Read More »»»

10/5/17

My fingers type from Anderson, South Carolina about 10 miles from Memorial Stadium on the campus of Clemson U. Currently my position is in place for the second leg of my 2017 College Football Pilgrimage. If you have not done so and if your time permits, the previous story ‘Jordan-Hale Stadium & Pat Dye Field’ describes the ‘Celebration of Pigskin’ on the campus of Auburn University. With another ‘Child’ added to my list, Memorial Stadium is next.

Free time today permitted me to visit the Anderson County Museum. Recently, I have become a fan of ‘Mysteries at the Museum’ on the Travel Channel. Since my College Football Pilgrimage plays out like a mystery for the Unknown awaits me, a visit to a Museum might unlock a few mysteries of its own. Learning something new daily is vital to one’s progress. The day one stops making progress will be the day the ‘Dirt Throwin’ will begin.

I learned many things on my tour. Three things will be shared.

Anderson County has a Hot Air Balloon Tradition

The very first electrical transmission line was constructed in Anderson, SC.

Many Human Hand Hours were involved in the ‘Work of Love’ for this QUILT.

HISTORY OF MEMORIAL STADIUM & FRANK HOWARD FIELD Read More »»»

9/29/17

I write from my campsite in Opelika, Alabama, about 15 miles away from Jordan-Hare Stadium on the campus of Auburn University. This is the final leg of my College Football Pilgrimage Odyssey that actually began in 1970. Little did I KNOW then, that my days with the Pitt Panthers football team would be the start of my Odyssey. My high school Gladiator Football Skills permitted me to earn a 9 term Grant in Aid Scholarship with Pitt University. During my travels of 3 years, we played in majestic College Football Stadiums throughout our country.

As most alumni, I too was loyal to my university until the destruction of Pitt Stadium in 2000 to make room for a basketball arena, student housing, student fitness center, plus many offices, training rooms, and workout rooms for athletes only. My two part story covering ‘Pitt Football’-The Pederson Penalty at Pitt and Nebraska is archived in the College Sports Football section on our homepage.

After 15 plus years of witnessing the ‘Downfall of Pitt Football’ in Pitt Stadium, Three River Stadium, and Heinz Field, my yearly ‘Football Weekend’ from Henderson, NV with the Boys of Quiptown in Aliquippa, Pa changed. With my friend Greg in from Houston to watch a Thursday night game between Miami and Pitt at ‘Dismal Heinz Field’, Greg surprised me with a ‘Gift’. He had two tickets for the Temple vs Penn State Game at Beaver Stadium that Saturday in September of 2010.

 

Though I played in Beaver Stadium, the current structure had increased from around 60,000 seats to about 106,000 seats. The memories of driving and walking in the parking lot are still fresh. Fans were everywhere. The chatter and the noise added to the Tail Gating experience. However, it is always the most primitive sense that is staggered by the competing aromas of food being cooked. With such a large gathering surrounding Beaver Stadium, it dwarfed the crowd and atmosphere at Heinz Field for a Pitt Game.Read More »»»