Our 2014 Trip to Auburn

I've probably mentioned before that Jillian has a goal of going to an Auburn football game every year. This year we decided to go to the last home game of the year; between Georgia and Alabama. The game was Nov 22nd against a Samford team coached by (once Auburn Heisman Trophy winner) Pat Sullivan.
We got on campus pretty early and were able to park in the parking deck at Toomer's Corner; a feat that is not often possible on a game day. It was an evening game so we spent a few hours shopping for new Auburn gear (attempting to find Philip Lutzenkirchen Jerseys) and then had lunch at the Mellow Mushroom. It was a slightly awkward lunch b/c the wait was roughly an hour unless we wanted to sit at the only table outside; so we took that option. It was awkward because that's were everyone waiting on a table was standing and also the only walking path for other fans just walking around. So basically, we just had people watching us eat the entire time.
Not much else to talk about before the game. We wandered around and talked about the buildings we used to have classes in; some of which were no longer there. We took a restroom break inside the old basketball arena and I took a picture because who knows how long it will be before they tear it down for something new. The lights were off in the arena so I just snapped one of the concourse.

Before watching "Tiger Walk", we came across some special alumni association tailgate that had some birds from the raptor center. We couldn't get in because, of course, we don't pay to be in the alumni association, but we had a great view from the barricade so I took a few more pictures and just as we were leaving, Aubie showed up on the back of a utility cart. Unfortunately, I had my phone's camera on some indoor light setting so it turned everything blue.

The game itself started out a little closer that we would have liked. Both teams were scoreless through the first quarter, and when Samford scored first in the second, we thought that we might be in for a long night. Thankfully, Auburn decided to wake up and followed up with 31 unanswered points.

Jillian just reminded me about the rain. The reason the stadium looks so empty in the background is because about midway through the 2nd quarter it started ... misting? Misting is probably the best word. It wasn't normal rain, and if it wasn't for the stadium lighting and wet clothes, you probably wouldn't have known there was precipitation. I think it's important noting the cold air and rain because Jillian and I are both pretty convinced that this played a big part in both of us getting sick the next week and her ensuing bronchitis.
That night we stayed in the Auburn/Opelika Hilton by the interstate to rack up a few Hilton HHonors points. Our dinner had been stadium Chic-Fil-a sandwiches and cookies but needed something warm in our bellies before bed so we grabbed some Wendy's Chili for a pre-sleep snack.
Seeing as most of her kids were going to be out of town for Thanksgiving, my mom wanted to have the McKelroy thanksgiving dinner a weekend early. This meant we had to hit the road early to make it there at noon, so it was an early morning. We did make it there on time, so all is well.