decorated, the place may have been converted from an earlier use, Cap concluded, as he examined the large "Pharmacy" sign over the bar. The lasagna was great, and he left feeling quite proud of his first day’s dining choices.

Cap drove back to the Hampton, and headed next door to Wings to watch the Thursday night game. The parking lot was packed. Once inside, he understood why. The Mike Shula Show was in full swing, with a long line of Tide fans waiting for autographs from the head coach.

Cap found a table in the bar, munched on chips and watched Virginia Tech lay the wood to Maryland on the big screen. As the Hokies put it out of reach, he headed across the parking lot to the Hampton. People were checking in, the place was filling up - looking more Crimson all the time.

TC woke Friday morning, stiff and tired. He needed some exercise to work out the kinks. The Hampton has a connection with a nearby facility for use by guests. Cap picked up a coupon at the front desk and drove over to Gold’s Gym, on McFarland. Some work with weights and the treadmill, and he was rejuvenated - and hungry.

He sought out the famous Waysider at Greensboro and 15th for breakfast. An old red house, the Waysider serves breakfast all day long.

Like Dreamland, the Waysider is seat-yourself. Cap found a table along the wall. He ordered eggs, pork chops, and biscuits, and as he ate, studied the paintings of artist Daniel A. Moore, covering the walls. Hung alongside newspaper articles and photos, Moore’s art depicts scenes and plays from famous Crimson Tide victories - including, of course - several of Bear Bryant.

Finishing up, Cap was beginning to feel like a member of the Tide family. The Bear used to eat here, you know. Was that Don Shula across the room?

Countdown to kickoff
Back on the streets, he drove down Campus Dr. to the Ferguson Student Center, parked across the street and headed to the gift shop on the ground level. Then he checked out the food court and lounge area upstairs. Nice - the place is student and visitor friendly, Cap thought.

He left the student center and walked south, past rows of campus buildings and on to the Quad, where tailgaters were claiming their prime spots.

Signs were posted across the Quad proclaiming, "No Tailgating Setup before 3:00 p.m. Friday." Tailgaters had claimed and occupied their spots, and were counting the minutes until they could set up camp.

Cap found a bench in the middle of it all and settled in. As the afternoon passed, the population on the Quad grew steadily with tables, chairs, grills and canopies. The lampposts on the Quad have plug-ins at the base, and before long, television sets were blinking.

At the same time, the entire area was undergoing a transformation to Pre-game Party Central. RVers were claiming spots along Campus Dr., and Campus Dr., itself, was being closed north of University Dr. for tonight’s Block Party.

On the east side of the Quad, preparations were underway for gameday. A large canopy was going up where past Bama players would meet with fans and sign autographs. A big tent where Crimson Tide clothing, books, and memorabilia would be available for sale, and interactive games for kids, were being set up outside.

Cap spent the afternoon lounging and roaming among tailgaters on the Quad, and then as the sun began to sink in the west, he heard it again - that Friday evening steak calling his name.

He asked around about a good steakhouse. The tailgaters he talked to weren’t much help really and he headed back down University to the strip. A new steak eatery - Doe’s - was not yet open for business. He could settle for something else, but that steak kept on calling. He stopped in at Buffalo Phil’s at Campus and University, and struck it rich.

The manager recommended the Yazoo, off Bryant Ave., with directions. Cap told him that he had just won the Heisman Award of the Weekend, for meritorious service in aiding a starving Tide fan.

TC headed back to his car and rolled carefully south, through the traffic. University was bumper to bumper for blocks, now, as the area filled up. Cap didn’t want to get caught in grid-lock, and he worked south past University on the side streets until he found it - the Yazoo Courtyard Grille, on 7th, just south of Paul Bryant Ave.

Cap was early for dinner, and there were plenty of tables available, as he was seated. He tanked up, with salad, soup, a large rib eye, and dessert. Great food.

The place was filling up as Cap paid his check and headed out, but it was obvious to him that the Yazoo is a well-kept secret.

Continue to Part 2

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