I knew I had to be quick on my feet this morning when Bob instructed me last night to wear my clothes to bed. Lol. A 4 am wake up call is not my idea of first day of vacation, but hey, when I woke up for breakfast in Florida, I quickly appreciated the "genes" my husband inherited from his Dad. I even woke up just long enough before getting into the car, to give a shout out to my sweet Father-in-law in heaven saying, "Grandaddy, I know we are making you proud this morning."
We are heading south on 95, just Bob and me, making our way down to South Beach, where we will meet up with the rest of our Paulling Entourage a little later today. Roll call for this trip consists of Lisa, Freddie, Tori, ( who I affectionately call Vicki), JT, and Mike. I guess Mike made the leave time, he usually runs a little tardy, I hear. I will also take a double glance in the car because you never know when my brother Gene will decide he'd like to go. "Gene, are you rolling?" hahahahaha
Weather forecast says warm today, but cooling off the rest of our stay. I immediately tried to speculate who that would give an edge to in the game, Clemson or West Virginia. I suddenly realized, we are not talking flurries or anything, so I gave that thought process a rest.
I can't help though, thinking back 30 years ago, when Clemson's 1981 team prepared for the Orange Bowl against Nebraska. I was making my way about this time on a plane out of Greenville, with lots and lots of Tiger fans on board. I struck up a conversation with my seat mates, as they admired my oversized " My husband is #6" button that I wore to every game that year. Bob was having a nice year on the football field and the baseball diamond, so they asked lots of questions and I answered them with lots of lies. Caught you didn't, I? Jk, we had a nice open, honest conversation and became fast friends during the few hours it took to land in Miami's Airport.
Upon arrival, I knew Bob would be there to greet me, but what I didn't realize is that he was with 2 police officers. As soon as I exited the ramp, both officers escorted me away from the plane very brusquely with no explanation for several minutes until I saw my hero's ruddy sunburned complexion smiling at me from afar. Bob had befriended those officers and they volunteered to come pick me up, because "Miami Airport is not the place for a young lady to be on her own".
Soooo, you know those friends I met on the plane? Never once heard from them again, I bet they thought I was a convict on the loose with that greeting I recieved on the Tarmac. I can just see the headlines for present day time, Clemson Player's Wife Imposter Arrested in Miami.
However, in Bob's defense, we heard lots of crimes being committed on the police scanner on our ride back to the Team Hotel, so I was grateful to everyone for looking out for my safety.
So, that my friends was my first of many "tales" that I have about Miami. By the way, a 4 am wake up call doesn't sound too bad now, does it?
To be continued....Coming next, Orange Bowl Parade details....
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