Waco, TX - Joy, Lady, Bruiser and Judge

(We were going to go in order but since the nice folks from Waco were good enough host us for a long weekend and were the first to list us as a favorite blog, we'll let them cut in line a bit.)

02/28/09 - Baylor Bears - Ferrell Center

OK, I know what you're thinking... Waco, huh? Isn't that... Yeah, that's the place. And you would never know it when you're there. We were greeted by a really nice college town that more than entertained us for the weekend. Our trip coincided with the annual Sing performance, which is essentially all the fraternities and sororities putting on one extravagant performance after another (highly recommended). Saturday was game day (basketball), but not before a little pregame meal. We headed into town to get some local fare and landed at Tony DeMaria's Bar-B-Que. Words of wisdom (most of my wisdom is food wisdom): If you go to a BBQ joint and the back of the building where they slow roast the meat looks like this...

you're at the right place. You order your meat by weight and there are loaves of white bread on the table waiting for you. My left arm is tingling just thinking about it. After lunch we swung by the live bear habitat to see their two live mascots, Joy and Lady. Thanks to some inside info from our hosts, we even got to see Joy out on campus for her daily stroll.

A quick walk across campus to the Ferrell Center and (once again) some help from the hosts got us into the student section for the game against Colorado. At the game, we snuck down courtside (if you act like you belong there and smile at everyone, you'd be amazed where you can get) and managed to get some good shots with Bruiser and the "inflatascot" Judge. Ah, the triple crown of mascot hunting - live, stuffed and inflated - all in one day. The atmosphere for the game was a bit lacking but, to be fair, it was the end of the season and with Sing taking place again that night, the Greek Life was a bit too busy to get to the game. Either way, Baylor pulled away late and rolled to a 75-57 victory. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, Sic 'em Bears!

Must sees: Tony DeMaria's Bar-b-que, Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat