My last post was in April.  It's been a nice break.  But now its back to business.  With the season a mere 11 weeks out, its time to get the wheels in motion, excuse the pun.

 

One of the priorities coming off of last year was to upgrade the parking situation.  Last year we were desperate.  All of our energy was in getting the bus itself done, so we took the first spot that looked alright.  Sure, it was a nice reserved spot in a big lot close to the action.  That wasn't the issue.  The issue was a whiney attendant who would ask us to turn the volume down on the TV!  Um, this is a tailgate lot, right?  That, coupled with the very high price tag, led us to look elsewhere. 

 

So we made up a flier (see pic at the bottom of this entry).  It laid out what we needed, and what we'd offer in return.  In short, we needed a great space across from the stadium.  We offered money, fun, and even some beer, to the poor college students that live in those coveted homes.  Well, the bait worked, and fast!  I got an email from an interested party.  Well, after some back and forth, it turned out he was more than just any interested party.  Our new friend, Cam Brewer, with a great house right across from the president's pad, is also the owner of a ring.  A national championship ring.  Yes, that's right.  He was a member of the storied 2006 Gator football team.

 

So, after a few years in the military and a few more playing God's game, he decided to take it easy.  So he wanted the fan experience, and I think we can help there! We worked with him to reserve two spots at the southeast (closest to the stadium) side of his property.  As you can see from the photos on the left, that spot nestles up against a creek and a large deck.  The street is on the third site, and the TV side of the bus will have plenty of room on a level, gravel surface.  The picnic table in the pics will be moved back, and will offer even more sitting area.  Our host is really going above and beyond, offering use of his restroom and power outlets. 

 

We conducted a dress rehearsal to make sure the spot would work.  It needs to be much more than just a parking spot.  It needs a clear view to the Southwest for the dish signal.  It needs good shade for prime TV viewing.  It needs room to manuver in to, and room to congregate around it.  This spot has all that (and the creek). 

 

So after a great practice run with full dish signal, we headed back to base camp.  On the way we stopped by the Hoggetown Ale Works shop, our kegerator superstore, to get a cleaning kit for the beer lines.  The beer currently in the lines has called them home since Superbowl Sunday.  That extra fermentation time has made it pretty nasty.  Anyhow, we ran in to our second Gator football player there!  He and his family toured and signed the Bus.  James Smith, number 43, is our teams long snapper and a fullback. 

 

 

I digress.  Anyhow, James knows Cam, our parking buddy, and said he and a few teammates would come by after a game to check out the goings on.  Wow.  Good stuff!

 

Well its late and I have an early flight, so I'd better sign off.  I just wanted you to feel the relief I felt knowing the bus will be in a great spot for the year!  Go Gators!  The season can't come soon enough!