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If you've somehow been living under a rock, just as an FYI, the ESPN GameDay crew is coming to Charlottesville (or more accurately, is already in Charlottesville) for Saturday's big showdown between undefeated No. 2 Virginia and No. 4 Duke. What you may not know, however, is that traveling alongside GameDay is the Travelocity Gnome, and he's been documenting his adventure.
Preparing for the Trip and Counting Down:
I’LL BE AT @UVA FOR GAMEDAY THIS WEEKEND. Just as its founder Thomas Jefferson would have wanted. #gohoos pic.twitter.com/Tds7I1HiHI
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 25, 2015
T-minus ONE DAY until I’m at @UVA. Someone warn the lawn that I plan to go streaking on it. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/eLByrUPO8x
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 28, 2015
Developing an Agenda:
I’LL BE AT @UVA THURS, @ESPN_ReceDavis . But my itinerary looks a bit, uhh, naked. Any more ideas? #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/JqAKgp42FT
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 27, 2015
Exploring the Grounds:
BEHOLD THE ROTUNDA: UVA centerpiece. Architectural marvel. Delightfully fun word to say. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/KDjxQLH21J
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 29, 2015
Turns out the #UVA Whispering Wall makes noise LOUDER. Unrelated... Where might I buy this bloke some fresh knickers? pic.twitter.com/ltvPB6iRIM
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 29, 2015
Made it to @UVA & told Mr. Jefferson I'm here for a basketball game. Then had to explain what basketball is. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/dQTlV0f25f
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 29, 2015
This was Edgar Allan Poe's room at @UVA. It's crazy how people survived back then without in-room hot tubs. #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/fA4XJopAfh
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 30, 2015
...and Beyond:
Beat the line & got the 1st bagel at Bodos. Got bagels 2 thru 11 on my victory laps past the counter. #wahoowa pic.twitter.com/MnIy41oZD7
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 30, 2015
FEAST YOUR EYES ON THOMAS JEFFERSON'S MONTICELLO. But not too much. There's no cure for fat eyes. #gohoos pic.twitter.com/7ZJBGA1HQa
— Travelocity Gnome (@RoamingGnome) January 30, 2015
We're thrilled to see that the Gnome is having so much fun exploring our history-filled home, but I think it's time for the Gnome to really start exploring some UVA traditions!
Gnome, you're going to need to go to The Virginian on the corner and sing Proud to be an American while standing on the tabletops. You're definitely going to need to go eat a Gusburger late at night. Have you eaten the ice cream at Chaps downtown yet? Have you crossed the train tracks behind Maarten's ye? SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME!
What else does the Gnome need to do?