Oh Atlanta!
- michael832652
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Nov 14-17, 2025 Atlanta and Athens, GA
I can't help to think about one of my favorite bands singing "Oh Atlanta" when I hear the city's name. This was the decided upon destination for the annual college football trip. Athens, in fact, home of the Georgia Bulldogs - woof woof - or as our group came to shout out - bow wow. As always, looking to combine the weekend with some sort of outing, music, other sports or just plain old fun. Unfortunately, didn't have much time this year and only had 3 nights - In Friday morn and out Monday morn, but still managed to pack it in. After a beautiful lunch with some associates downtown and a 2 hour trek to Athens, we settled in to our Air BnB. It was a lovely home sort of in the middle of nowhere USA, about 7 miles from Athens proper. Huge property and quite lovely, although we soon found out the Ubers were a pain in the ass - took a while and not cheap, especially on game day weekends. After an over salted home cooked supper at the main house, 4 of us caught the second half of the Georgia/GTech basketball game and then off to the bars. Not so exciting, being old and married in a college town, but certainly kept us young for the night. For Saturday morn, my main "partner in crime" had the brilliant insight to book a tee off time at the University of Georgia golf course, knowing kick off wasn't until 7PM. Loads of time to mess around and we had a lot of fun, good little track, but also realize why their golf team is not the best. Afternoon lunch at a recommended local called "Chops & Hops", then we slowly make our way over to the tailgate and obviously did not disappoint. Oh, p.s, on the way, stopped in for some gear at the shop and who's there signing autographs - the Human Highlight Reel! Honestly, so cool, snapped a pic and thanked him for the memories! Game night, post game night in Athens, hoping John Bell and the Panic would show up at the theatre for a post anthem show - no dice. After a non eventful post game leave Sunday morn at 8 am to make kickoff for Panthers/Falcons - great overtime win for Carolina. Killer stadium, post game beverages across the way, then off to The Local for the best wings in Atlanta, so we are told, until we get there and they are sold out. "Sold out!" "What does that mean? You are a wing restaurant, how do you sell out?" The lovely woman at the bar responded that they sell out every day and you have to be there by 5 pm to get in on the action. To which I responded, "buy more wings". Pppppppfffff. Off to the Clermont for a drink, luckily that was closed so off to the Ponce City Market - nice food market that you should check out. Off to the live music venue everyone was talking about and had some late night fun, finally back to the hotel which we checked into before the game at 11 am but they didn't have the room ready, so first time seeing it at 2 am. 4 hours of sleep and then off to the airport. All in all, a great 3 nights, not sure I needed more except for more sleep.
SET UP
Lovely air bnb in Athens which 4 of us shared and had our separate rooms - I got the master or as it is called now, the main bedroom or the primary I think. I don't want to offend anyone of course. The Georgian Terrace was a 2 room suite, hence the booking of it and at a very reasonable price. No need to Ernie and Bert this one - each room with a queen bed.
MATTRESS
Half decent no name foam mattress from somewhere at the rental house. The Terrace had a Sealy Posturepedic which was enjoyable for the 4 hours, but can't tell you much honestly. Didn't even have time to snap any pics. I know, I dropped the ball here, but the Terrace in a great spot and across the road from the Fox Theatre if there is a show to catch while you're there.
SLEEP
Sleep on this trip was very deep and honestly not for very long. This was NOT a result of either mattress, rather due to shenanigans and wanting to pack it all in as much as possible. I am not sure I even paid much attention to the mattress on this one - no time to think about it.
OVERALL
I think I am getting spoiled with these trips - it's not that I don't have a continuing appreciation for them or the guys I go with. It's not getting tired as there are always new people and places along the way, it's just that my expectations have been set so high from the first few. I would like to go back to ATL, not so rushed. All in all, a fabulous time and really looking forward to next year which has been set for Gainesville, FL. Gator country. That will be a hoot. 🏈🧑🎤🏀🍻
John Bell singing the Star Spangled Dominique
GREAT REALTED LINKS
The great Billy Payne on vocal on keys here - one of the few remining members
If you have 9 minutes - watch this. If you don't have 9 minutes - scroll through - I promise this is intense. For the kids out there, please remember that these moves and dunks were never being done before so to see it for the first time was mind blowing!
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