This past weekend I was in Jacksonville, FL, for the Georgia vs Florida game. I will tell you more about the game and what I found there later in the week, but today I am bringing you what I found on my way to the game.

 Last Friday, I drove from Charlotte down to Jacksonville. Along the way I made a stop at St Simons Island near the Georgia/Florida border. Why stop at St Simons? In doing my research for the game, all the UGA fans told me it was where they are went to tailgate and party in the days prior to the game. Yes that is correct. I said days before the game. The UGA vs UF game is known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. You will not see it called that anymore, because UGA and UF school officials have asked the media to quit using the term “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” to describe the annual contest. Regardless of what it is called, UGA and UF fans begin their partying and tailgating days before the Saturday game.

I arrived in St. Simon around lunch time and with St. Simon being at the beach, I naturally was in the mood for seafood. I was intrigued by the signage and name of the Salt Water Cowboy, so I figured why not give it a try.

When I saw they had Vidallia Onion Rings I had to order them. Vidalia Onions are an amazing sweet onion that are only grown in certain areas of Georgia.

The combination of soil and climate found in the counties of Emanuel, Candler, Treutlen, Bulloch, Wheeler, Montgomery, Evans, Tattnall, Toombs, Telfair, Jeff Davis, Appling, Bacon and parts of Jenkins, Screven, Laurens, Dodge, Pierce, Wayne, Long counties produce this delicious and sweet onion. When it is sliced, battered and fried, you are left with a delicious onion ring.

For lunch, I went with a Wild Georgia Shrimp Po Boy.

Po Boys originated in Louisiana, but this Georgia version was served on a fresh loaf of white bread with tomato, lettuce, mayo, and some of the most delicious shrimp I have ever had. These wild Georgia shrimp were caught locally and I could tell. They were tender with an almost buttery flavor and a perfect flaky and crispy coating

Delicious. While eating lunch, I kept seeing people walk past with folding chairs, towels and rolling coolers.

Kind of strange to see so many people headed to the beach at the end of October. After eating I headed to the beach to see where all of these people were going.

Well I think I found all of the UGA fans. On Wednesday, I will bring you more from St. Simons and what I found in Jacksonville at the UGA vs UF tailgate.