First, my thanks to John for this photo. He put a link in his comment on one of my past entries, but I couldn’t get it to show, so I just image-shacked it here, hope that’s okay!
Now, as for remembering The Swamp, the only memory I have is that when I came for a visit a year and half ago, I took Mary and Sammie out to eat there, and afterwards we had ice cream at the Ben and Jerry’s right next door. But that location was not “The Swamp” when I was going to school at UF. I don’t exactly remember what it was, but I have a vague memory of a trendy boutique. Also an ice cream place.
But I’m glad to see the kiddos wearing their colors, the orange and blue of the Gator Nation! Especially love Gabriela’s cheerleading outfit!
When I went to school in Gainesville I never lived any more than five blocks from the campus, in the area known as the “Student Ghetto.” On a Saturday afternoon in the Fall, you could step outside the door and hear the roar of the crowd from the stadium. I never liked football when I was in college, and now to some degree I regret that. I was in such a prime location! I probably missed out on a lot of fun.
But I’m certainly enjoying it now. Of course now I’m not sure if I’m really a Gator anymore. I mean, I am, whenever Florida is playing any team…any OTHER team, that is, except Alabama! That matchup is going to happen December 5 in the SEC Championship, and I’ve got to admit, I’ll be rooting for the Crimson Tide.
But other than that, I guess I’m usually still a Gator. One thing I know for sure: as much as I’m enjoying living in Tuscaloosa, Gainesville will always have a very special place in my heart. I wouldn’t mind at all retiring in Gainesville (if I could possibly talk Russ into it!) There is something very magical and special about that town.
