Who nose the places you’ll go?
Tailgating is a party for the senses: the sights of crowds sharing drinks and a good time, the sounds of music blaring from PA speakers and bean bags hitting corn hole boards, and the smells of outdoor cooking wafting through the air.
On a campus with limited tailgating in a relatively concentrated area, I allowed my sense of smell to take the lead.
As I walked down Wanamaker Drive away from the DevilsGate tailgating area, the aroma hit my nostrils. Somewhere nearby, I detected Cajun seasoning and frying oil — two smells that are probably part of my DNA at this point, like hearing your mother’s voice calling your name. As I scanned the area, I spotted the culprit across the street and headed directly for the source.
That’s when I met Durham’s Tailgaters of the Week: Anthony, Willie, & co. They treated me with everything from the fried chicken wings I smelled across the street to Cam’ron jams (Oh Boy!) and Fireball shots topped with vodka. College football traveling is not for the weak and weary.
Most importantly, they treated me to the kind of hospitality and socializing that makes tailgating such a crucial part of the total college football experience.
I also want to give a shoutout to Beau (Bo? Didn’t really ask how he spelled it) & Mike, who plied me with crisp cold-snacks, and the Duke Hard Hat Guys, loyal Lot B3 short-bus tailgaters who prove that diehard Duke fandom extends beyond the 94 feet of a basketball floor.
Let’s Go, Duke!
CFB Travel Guy 