Road Trip No. 8: VT vs. UVa

Gobbler Country Road Trip No. 8
Football: Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
Lane Stadium
Blacksburg, Va.

Miles Round Trip: 2,200
Total Dollars Spent: $340 ($150 gas, $50 food and drink, $40 ticket, $100 souvenirs)

The biggest disappointment was I didn't stop at Corky's on either leg of this trip. I'm ashamed of myself. The first time through I skipped the usual stop in Jackson, Tenn., because I wanted to get to Blacksburg by 10 p.m. to join the tailgating festivities. It was worth. If I told you what happened at the tailgate Friday night you wouldn't believe me. It was ... um ... educational. Thanks, Russian.

This was the first time I ever spent the night at the Clubhouse Tailgate. I have no idea why I never did it before. Tons of fun and especially clutch for a Noon game when you can just wake up and start drinking and not have to worry about driving and parking the day of the game. It's the only way to go.

It was good football weather. It was cold, but not bone-chilling like the Duke game was. It was nerve-racking, but in the end we got another win over the 'Hoos. It was a good day.

The drive home, however, was not. I left three hours after the game expected to stop just outside of Knoxville and drive the rest of the way in the morning. However, I didn't take into account that Tennessee had a home night game that Saturday. So not only were all the hotels near Knoxville sure to be sold out, but I hit Knoxville just as the game ended and had to deal with post-game traffic.

So I kept driving and eventually got to Nashville, where I didn't want to spend the night. I felt pretty good and kept driving. I got to Jackson just after 1 a.m. and stopped to fill up. I was tired and should have spent the night there. But I hubris got the best of me and I decided that since I've come that far, I might as well make it home. So I loaded up on 5 Hour Energy shots and Red Bull and kept trucking.

Here's where trouble starts. I hate Arkansas and refuse to give it any of my tax dollars. So I always fill up in Roland, Okla., just before the Arkansas border and again when I first get to Tennessee. However, I noticed I wasn't getting as good gas mileage out of the Hokie Mobile as I'm used to. So I stopped in Memphis at 2:30 a.m. to top off so I didn't have to stop in Arkansas.

That's when I locked my keys in my car. In downtown Memphis. At Balls-Thirty in the morning. On a Saturday. Fuck. Me. Running.

I stayed warm and safe (well, as safe as I could be near downtown Memphis inside the convenience store and waited for AAA. When you drive as many miles as I do, you recognize the value of being a AAA Gold member. AAA showed up at 4 a.m. to unlock my car.

Yes, at this point I should have found the nearest hotel and at least taken a nap. But I was pissed and soldiered on. I nearly fell asleep at the wheel and died at least a half dozen times. But at Noon central time I finally pulled into my driveway. Needless to say, next time I'm just going to spend the night in Jackson, get lunch at Corky's and then drive home.


My home Friday night.


Breakfast.


Cornhole in the morning.


Bobbi the dog stays cool.


Tailgating for the UVa game.


UVa Communion.


Kickoff of the battle for the Commonwealth Cup.


Tyrod directs the offense.


9 out of 10 against the 'Hoos.


Tailgating at the airport, South of the stadium.


Traffic three hours after the game.


Good morning, Oklahoma.


The usual stop at the casino in Roland.


The 4-Star Diner in Roland. I give it 3.5 stars.