A visit to Atlanta (and a football game)

Donny and I went to Atlanta last weekend for the SEC Championship game. We had a good trip up on Friday, both of us still working most of the way up. We checked into the Inn at the Peachtrees, where we ran into a group of Gator fans from Monticello. They warned us that the rooms were very small. They were right. The hotel was well located, but lacked some conveniences. We unpacked, changed, and walked down to Centennial Park and over to Peasant Bistro for a very nice dinner. Then we went up to the Marriott to have a drink, then back to the Inn. Our room hadn't gotten any larger in our absence.

The next morning as I lay in bed I heard drums and thought, "is that a band?" Surely not. But when we went to breakfast we still heard band sounds and on television there was a parade that appeared to be local. Some people were looking out the glass doors and we realized that the parade on television was happening right outside our hotel. I ran up to get my camera (and some warmer clothes!) in time to photograph Kermit the Frog,


and President Obama.


Since we were out and about, we found a shop that sold game related items and bought some more layers of Gator clothing. It was really cold! Donny passed on this fetching hat. I think he thought it may have been a bit too "Bear Bryant" looking for the occasion.

We went back to the room and "suited up," then headed down to the World Congress Center for the FanFare. It was not too exciting, but we did see Danny Wuerffel, and Bobby Bowden and some guy from ESPN!

Finally, it was almost game time. We went to the Dome and found our seats. Here's our view.

Pretty nice, huh? And sitting right in front of us was a former student of mine, Michael Lynn. Quite a coincidence.

Here's the last happy picture from the evening.

We had dinner afterwards with Donny's friend Doug and his aunt Sue at Pittypat's Porch. I had always wanted to eat there but it was a disappointment. Perhaps it's better when you haven't just lost a football game.

It was a long ride home the next day, but all in all I had a great time. However, I don't think Donny will be taking me to any football games again. I am pretty sure he blames this one on me.