OT: Favorite Autumn Michigan Traditions?
It's July, so we're only one month away from the month we start the season, and I can already smell the tailgates. There is so much to the fall semester in Ann Arbor, in addition to the gridiron. Besides on-field action and results...
What is your favorite autumn tradition / memory in Ann Arbor?
For me, practicing in an empty Big House in brisk fall weather, hearing the band practice at Elbel almost every day, and leaves EVERYWHERE are some that stick out. I'm sure the rest of you have others...
waking up at 7am on a football saturday morning and leaving my dads house by 9am to get to ann arbor and to our parking spot on pauline... eating some breakfest and having a few bloody marys...
It's called...tailgating. Followed by football at the Big House, followed by more football on the TV while plopped on the couch with a beer in one hand and pizza in the other. Then a party at night. Doesn't get any better than senior year.
Franklin cider mill donuts + cider. At least, non-alcoholic best part.
I miss living in East Quad, with my psycho hall mates blasting hail to the victors, serving as the 7am wake up call.
While I love summer, I miss the brisk Autumn mornings, walking down Hill St., State St. watching everyone slowly stream out, gathering on tight lawns and drinking beers, blasting music.
I miss that random drummer who would rhyme as people rolled down E. Hoover St. Ahhh, the good old days...
The drummer is still going strong! Definitely more talented than the majority of mainstream artists imo.
You must be referring to Bongo Guy, an Ann Arbor legend.
Walking to the stadium as a little kid (or even now), and there was/is always a guy tailgating who would stand on a wall and toss a football back and forth with people walking past into the crowd
As alcoholic at this sounds, I love beer on autumn mornings. Especially Bell's Oktoberfest.
Good call, although I'm partial to Two Hearted
Love Two Hearted as well but for me that's a December-April beer.
My favorite tradition was tailgating at my friend's apartment across from the IM building on Hoover. We would stand on the second floor balcony and watch the sea of Maize flood the street as all the people walked to the Big House. It's an amazing sight to see.
For me it is waking up at 5:30a on Football Saturdays to get ready for tailgating even though I live on the other side of the golf course from the stadium. A group of about 8 leave from my place around 6:30a and we walk down to the Crisler Lot to meet the other part of our group who brings the Uhaul to drop off all the tailgating gear and we are up and running by 7:30a for every home game!
There is nothing like that walk in the early morning to the Stadium!
Edit: I forgot to add drinking some Apple Pie! (Apple Cider, Apple Juice & Everclear!)
Waking up at about 7, downing a little OJ, throwing some beefeater in it, playing beer pong, grilling out at about 9am, heading to state street for free beer...
But my absolute favorite thing was the absolute SEA of people heading down state street and down Hoover. I was always amazed at the mass of humanity outfitted in Maize and Blue... I miss it all the time
Fresh apple cider. Maybe with rum, but definitely apple cider.
= a problem. It really tasted like candy... It was absolutely delicious.
Only reason it's a problem is because you'd have a ton of it... Also the Private Stock comes in a fancy piratey bottle
Beating Ohio State.....we haven't done a good job of keeping up with that tradition lately, but I'm looking forward to it being resumed soon.
There is something about that first late summer/ early fall day when you wake up and the air is a little crisp, the leaves start turning...especially on a game day...
Michigan Football and Tailgating.
Watching the highlights on sportscenter after Michigan wins.
And since I'll be living on oakland right behind the law school, a new autumn favorite might become going to Dominics pretty regularly.