Florida Georgia time was here again!

For all the college football fans who follow my post, you know I have already posted 2 stories on the traditional Florida Georgia game in Jacksonville.  Here is the 3rd story.  I remind you this game is unique because it is played every year in a neutral site and the tickets are divided evenly between Florida fans and Georgia fans.  I will also say, I would love to see a Florida game played in Athens!

Jacksonville loves hosting this annual game because thousands of fans travel to the area and spend lots of dollars on hotels, restaurants and in stores.

Friday is a great day for area merchants catering to the Florida Georgia fans.  The Plantation Shop on Amelia Island does a magnificent job of garnering excitement around this annual rivalry.  With special appearances by featured authors, artists, and specialty jewelry reps they create a game day atmosphere.  This year included Loran Smith signing copies of his book, 50 GREAT MEMORIES IN GEORGIA FOOTBALL HISTORY.

Loran and his wife Myrna have also written Let The Big Dawg Eat…Again!  A Tailgating Cookbook with wonderful recipes and even better stories.

I enjoyed meeting fans and signing prints from all the 14 SEC schools.  These make great gifts for all your collegiate fans.

Kathy and Lynn Tennille at The Plantation Shop

Dickie Anderson signed copies of “Meet Me On Amelia Island,”  The Amelia Island Museum of History’s new book featuring historic Amelia Island with recipes from local residents and restaurants.

SATURDAY MORNING.  GAME DAY.

Our tailgating crew left early with all our allegiances proudly displayed.  Florida Gators, Tennessee Vols, Duke Blue Devils and NC State Wolfpack.  Destination: the Florida Georgia game.

Other than arriving at the stadium, the most important chore is to get the Porta-Potty delivered to our parking spot.

Aunt Vern is in charge.

This is the 4th year we have hired a Porta-Potty for the tailgate.  Believe me, we are popular, we keep a lock on the door and also turn away lots of fans looking for a quick line.

MILLER GATOR POTTY IV

Mike, along with Rachel and James,  were our keepers of the Potty.

After signing prints at The Plantation Shops at Palmetto Walk on Amelia Island on Friday, I did the best I could to have an interesting tailgating table set up for the game.

No way I compete with Ole Miss!

We ran into an UGA lookalike very early.  His name was Herschel.

Aunt Vern wanted to show Mike, our NC State fan and first time Florida Georgia game attendee the famous RV City.

We ran into the CBS crew.

Next up, members of the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band.  I love the tuba players.

The Georgia parking lot was full with grilling tailgating fans.

RV City is an experience.  These fans arrive early on Wednesday morning to grab their spot.

Met a unique fan, Johnny Knight, coming to this game since 1951.

Pictures capture the moment.

Loved this Tiki Hut in the middle of RV City.

UGA the Mascot

This guy looks like his orange is more on the Tennessee side, but love him.

We finally made it back to our tailgate.

Hannah and her buddies, Marisa and Allison

Kelly Hawkins taping a tailgating series.

She interviewed her Aunt Kathy.  Cuban Sliders!

Florida Cuban Sliders

Serving Size: 12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 12-pack of dinner rolls or Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 1/2 pound ham, sliced
• 1/2 pound fresh pork tenderloin, roasted and sliced
• 1/2 pound Genoa salami, sliced
• 8 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced
• 1 small jar sliced dill pickles (chips)
• Yellow mustard

Instructions

1. Slice the rolls in half lengthwise.
2. Layer ham, pork, salami, swiss cheese on bottom half of rolls.
3. Top with 1 or 2 sliced pickles.
4. Spread mustard on top half of rolls and place on top.
5. Wrap in foil.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
7. Slice, then serve!

Notes

You could try the Tasty method...Place rolls in a pyrex dish instead of foil. Baste with butter and bake. Slice and then wrap in foil to transport to a tailgate. Take to tailgate in a carryall with hot packs to keep warm.

James Miller via KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

We met neighbors and made friends on all sides.

Josh & Kara from Augusta, Georgia.

Rob & Kelley Lesperance with Barb Hale.  The Lesperances are hosting their Auburn daughter’s tailgating engagement party  during this year’s Iron Bowl, the rivalry game between Auburn and Alabama.  Their daughter is marrying an Alabama alum.   Another house divided.  Stay tuned for pictures from this event.  Love at a Tailgate.

Speaking of Love at a Tailgate,

Our new neighbor, Robbie, a Gator fan chose this moment to propose to Evan, a Georgia fan.  I caught it all with my camera.

The ring behind Evan’s back.

Robbie slides the ring on Evan’s finger.

Happiness

Congratulations!

So much fun being with family and friends.

Rachel, Katie and Georgia buddies.

Meanwhile back at the Gator Potty IV, the line kept forming.

We added $25 to the sign.  Didn’t stop people from trying to use our Potty.

 Tyler finally gathered $5 to help defray the cost.

Game time.  Our seats were right behind the Gator bench.

The Gator Band

The Camera Man

The Side Lines with Tracy Wolfson.

Another Florida Georgia Game

  Georgia wins this one.

Christmas time will soon be here.  Looking for the perfect, unique gift for your Gator fan?   Prints of Tailgating In The Swamp, by Kathy Miller, make wonderful gifts.  Available in 11×14 prints, $50.   5×7 set of 5 cards for $20 make perfect stocking stuffers.  Other options include 20 x24 fine art giclee print on canvas.  Click on above link to see options or email me for the card sets.

 A great gift for that hard to buy for Georgia fan, Tailgating Under The Arch, painting by Kathy Miller.  Details the same as above.  Visit KathyMillerTime.com or email me at kathy@kathymillertime.com for more information.

Prints and cards are available for all 14 SEC schools.

Watch for upcoming stories from my tailgating travels.  I welcome your comments, recipes and any inside information on your favorite tailgating spots.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.