We drive TRUCKS.
by pchamlis
Trucks are an automotive status symbol in Tallahassee and the south in general. If you go to an auto dealership, it's not uncommon for over half of his/her stock to be in trucks.
All kinds of trucks are sold and loved in Tallahassee, from little-bitty Japanese models all the way up to GREAT big diesel hogs, Dodge Ram/Ford 350 monsters. Sure, these beasts gulp gasoline, and these days that's painful. But, this is Tallahassee and trucks are king...and queen. Yep, ladies love 'em too.
BTW, trucks are also considered "in" among high school kids, or at least a lot of them. Whereas snooty schoolkids in NY may gauge their click popularity by the model of BMW that daddy buys for them, in the south it's who gets the biggest truck. And again, it's not just the guys playing cowboy. And, you'll note I say PLAYING cowboy. Most of these kids driving in big old trucks are no more a cowboy than George Bush. Not picking on George, I actually like him. But, he's no cowboy.
BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOR DETAIL, AND THEN READ ON....
I hope you like the accompanying picture. It was taken in the parking lot of a local high school. (Lincoln High School) This truck, which I call the "Cowgirl Up" truck belongs to a cute little missy. (I've seen her parking this monster F-250. I notice she always backs into her space, to make it easier to get out in the afternoon) Anyway, check out the rear window decal and the horse/cowgirl paint job. yee ha! Yessireee, no little cute Mazda Miata for this Tallahassee lassie. : )
Attend the pre-football game "Skull" sessions
by pchamlis
As mentioned in one of my sporting tips, college football is HUGE in Tallahassee. This community loves its Seminoles!
As many of you may know, my son plays in Florida State University's marching band (The Marching Chiefs). The "World Renowned Marching Chiefs" (as they are known) always put on a bang-up halftime show, entertaining the crowd with a variety of musical styles and marching techniques. (There is a picture of the entire Marching Chiefs band on the field in my FSU football sports tip)
However, IF you come to an FSU game, try to come a few hours early. The Chiefs hold what they call their "pregame skull session" over at the FSU baseball stadium. This is an opportunity for the band to make final preparations for the show of the day. And, it gives the crowd a chance to sit down and enjoy some musical fun and hijinks to boot.
In addition to playing through most of the day's halftime music AND the school fight and spirit songs, the individual instrument sections work up their own little "cheers", which are actually student-arranged songs. For the most part, the subject matter borders on the silly and humorous. (For example, something like "The Jetsons Theme Song" and such) One particularly weird and funny cheer involved the 18 members of the tuba section (aka the "Royal Flush") playing "The Hokey Pokey song".
So, if you ever find yourself attending an FSU football game, arrive at least two hours prior to kickoff. Go to the baseball stadium (just next door) and enjoy the skull sessions. It's completely free and comfortable, thanks to the outstanding seating at the baseball facility. You'll have a blast.
SPECIAL NOTE. IN THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT (AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE), MY SON IS THE 9TH SAXOPHONE FROM THE LEFT IN THE LONG LINE. HE'S WEARING A GARNET COLORED BASEBALL CAP, AND HIS SUNGLASSES ARE ON THE BILL. And although he won't share such private information, he seems to have more than a casual interest in the lovely young lady who is 10th in line. : )
T H E best chain-store hamburgers in town
by pchamlis about WHAT a burger at Whataburger !
Whataburger is a relatively unknown (outside the south...they're primarily located in Texas and Florida) chain of hamburger stores. But for my money, they're the best.
They don't pretend to be making health food at Whataburger. Their hamburgers are cooked WHEN you order them and fixed to your specifics. And, they're BIG.
Hungry??? Try that doublemeat with cheese and add some bacon. You'd hate to miss an opportunity to harden your arteries. : ) BTW, this is an old fashioned place, y'all. They wrap their burgers up in wax paper.....not a lot of silly printed styrofoam containers and such.
One of the neat things about Whataburger that is different from any other chain..... each location has its group of locals who routinely visit each morning and at lunchtime. It's kind of like on that show "Cheers".... at Whataburger, you'll find yourself meeting and greeting the same people day in and out. "Everybody knows your name" is overstating it, but my point is this. There are more "regulars" at a Whataburger than at Burger King (aka BK Steakhouse) or McDonald's (aka Mickey D's). Whataburger also has a true breakfast menu and is open early each day. LOTS of people visit Whataburger every morning for a cup of coffee and some breakfast. The place is full of regulars reading their newspaper.
I only wish we had a better paper to read than the loathsome Tallahassee Democrat. (aka the Democrap or the Demagogue) Doublemeat burgers. Add cheese and bacon. Wanna heat them up? Ask to have a jalapeno pepper chopped up onto your burger.
The grilled chilken sandwiches are very very good, too. Speaking of chicken, if you like chicken tenders, Whataburger only sells REAL strips of chicken breast. None of that processed and formed stuff that you find at Mickey D's.
The french fries are the best here. They actually SALT them. It really annoys me when places leave off most of the salt with the notion that it's healthy. If fries aren't salted when they're hot and greasy, it is NOT the same. Whataburger also has GREAT onion rings.
For breakfast, they have hotcakes, biscuits, sausage, eggs, bacon, ham and even taquitos, a nifty version of a breakfast burrito that puts the one at McDonald's to shame.
Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science (MOAS)
by XanderDone
I interned here for a semester several years ago, and it is a great place for kids to go to, as the first two floors are loaded with hands-on activities for your children to play with and learn a little about how things work the way they do. The third floor has an art gallery of two hundred (max) paintings and sculptures whether created locally or somewhere close by (unless otherwise noted or advretised). I've had things put on display here before, and being a kid myself when this first opened, I used to enjoy going to MOAS whenever my parents were up to take me there. Ticket prices $3.50 for students, children, seniors, $6 for adults, free for children under 2, so enjoy!
Beachdave's new Tallahassee Page
by Beachdave
On the way to Tampa to board the cruise ship we stopped in Tallahasse to take a picture of the state capital building. We did not take time to sightsee but this was on the day of the swearing of George Bush as President of the United States and they had a large NAACP rally inside the courtyard of the capital. I am sorry but I did not take any pictures of the people at the rally.
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The exterior of FSU's Dick Howser Stadium
My son Jeff and his girlfriend Meghan at BB
VT Members
Sara (MINE) with Nona and Colin (FLORIDA999's)
