Anna Across America - Syracuse, New York

The predominantly fall color of orange is ablaze on the campus of Syracuse University these days- an appropriate salute to the school whose nickname and school color is Orange.   At left, the Hall of Languages is the original building of Syracuse University.  It housed the entire university when it opened in the early 1870s.

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The Anna Across America tour enters the homestretch of its one -year run.  Here's the lineup of the final days....

October 31 - Syracuse, New York
November 2 - New York City finale
November 5 - AAA By the Numbers
November 9 -  Blog Finale

 The Carrier Dome is the home of the Syracuse Orange football and basketball teams.  The domed edifice on the Syracuse University campus opened in 1980.  It seats 49,000 for football and 33,000 for basketball.

The Carrier Dome is named for the Carrier Corporation, which made a sizable contribution toward the facility's construction.  Despite being named for an HVAC manufacturer, the Carrier Dome does not have air conditioning.

One ot the most dramatic wins in the University of Tennessee's magical 1998 season occured in the Carrier Dome.  The Volunteers won the season opener on a Jeff Hall field goal in the final seconds.   Let's revisit that first win of UT's national championship season.

http://youtu.be/ItC00WEDxzo

Anna Across America - Plano, Texas (Home of Dr Pepper!)

We pay tribute today to Dr Pepper as we visit the corporate headquarters in Plano, Texas.  Look closely for the Anna Can...it's there! Fittingly, the headquarters of Dr Pepper is only a couple of hours away from  Waco where Charles Alderton concocted the most original soft drink ever.

We salute Dr Pepper and its commitment to the educational endeavors of Anna and so many other deserving students nationwide.

Time for more shameless plugs for the greatest soft drink ever.  Dr Pepper - a presenting sponsor of the College Football Playoff - is putting together a nice run of winning commercials featuring Larry Culpepper, the self -proclaimed architect of the playoff.

Let's check in with Larry on a few of his recent commercials from the college football season.

http://youtu.be/fu2rmeZhj0k

http://youtu.be/ZI5_dpUVwgk

http://youtu.be/2UkQueQWnxw

The actor who brings the Dr Pepper concessions guy to life is James M. Connor, whose movie credits include Watchmen (2009),  Blades of Glory (2007), and About Schmidt (2002).

Anna Across America - Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

 Overlooking Chattanooga, Tennessee, the aptly named Lookout Mountain offers beautiful views of seven surrounding states.  It also played a significant role in the Civil War.  The National Park Service- run Point Park (at left) commemorates "The Battle Above The Clouds," one of the turning points in the War Between the States.

Nearby, the incline railway which was featured in a March 23rd blog post for Chattanooga, runs its mile-long journey up the mountain.  And nearby on the mountain are the caves featuring Ruby Falls and the unique rock formations of Rock City, a tourist attraction advertised on barns nationwide, and opened by the man who invented miniature golf.

This posting marks the final visit to Tennessee in the 12-month long run of Anna Across America (barring a last-minute invite to Capitol Hill in Nashville if the governor issues a proclamation for "Anna Across America Day".)

Anna Across America - Daytona Beach, Florida

It is with great excitement that the Anna Across America tour  descends upon Daytona Beach, Florida.    This beach town is steeped in historical significance and has been a destination for Anna and her family throughout the years.  We've been trying to get to this locale since our blog began last November...and it is a pleasure to bring Anna & Dr Pepper here in the final weeks of the nationwide tour.

So lather up with some SPF 30 and enjoy the sights of this Sunshine State gem.

The hard-packed sand of Daytona Beach along the Atlantic Ocean has featured beach driving since the early 1900s.  This has earned the 23 miles of shoreline the distinction of being "The World's Most Famous Beach".

Daytona International Speedway is the most prestigious race track on the NASCAR circuit.  Stock car racing traces much of its roots to Daytona Beach with stock car races taking place on the beach as early as 1936.

It is fitting that NASCAR's biggest race - the Daytona 500 - kicks off each racing season here in February.  The track, which hosted its first race in 1959, features high banks in the 2.5 mile oval.   The speedway has a current seating capacity of 147,000.

An iconic symbol of Daytona Beach is the clock tower, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.   The clock tower is built with coquina rock (meaning tiny shell in Spanish) which is a native rock od the Atlantic shoreline.  The clock tower was a part of the WPA project and was completed in 1938.

 In the background stands the 744-room Hilton Hotel.   The Hilton chain is the official hotel of Anna and her family.

Four jets from the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron appear to be racing toward the Anna / Dr Pepper Can during an airshow at Daytona Beach.

Below is a video of the Thunderbirds in action over Daytona Beach.

http://youtu.be/q2NwmIaAXPc

Anna Across America - Blacksburg, Virginia (Home of Virginia Tech)

We travel today to Blacksburg, Virginia, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Blacksburg is home to Virginia Tech.  At left, Anna & Dr Pepper visit the Virginia Tech sports complex, the centerpiece of which is 63,000-seat Lane Stadium.  It has been rated as one of the top stadiums for home field advantage in the country.

The Southwest Virginia area is a part of the rich history of Dr Pepper.    Wade Morrison, a native of nearby Christiansburg, Va, owned the Waco Texas drug store where our favorite soft drink was created in 1885 by our favorite pharmacist Charles Alderton.  Dr Pepper lore has it that Morrison named  the drink after a nearby doctor of the same name...ans the rest is history for this one-of-a-kind soft drink.

Anna Across America - Alexandria, Virginia

 Alexandria, Virginia - the home of many of our country's forefathers - welcomed the AAA tour to the city on the banks of the Potomac River just downstream from the District of Columbia.   At left,  Alexandria City Hall is a prominent fixture in Old Town Alexandria It was a site of a public market beginning in 1749.  The current City Hall was built in 1871.

The Old Town section of the city is known for its historic buildings and is teeming with art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants.

The 333-foot  George Washington Masonic National Memorial has been an Alexandria landmark  since its completion in 1932.

Alexandria was a natural choice for the memorial to Washington - a Mason himself - because of his ties to the area.

 From 1792 until 1933, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary served the residents of Alexandria.  Notable patrons include President James Monroe, Robert E. Lee, and Martha Washington.

The Great Depression put the apothecary out of business.  But the American Pharmaceutical Association assembled private buyers to help preserve the pharmacy's historic collections and contents.   A museum has operated on the site since the mid 1930s.

Anna Across America - Legoland Florida

The fun-loving Anna / Dr Pepper Can completes the tour of America's  Legoland theme parks as she visiits Legoland Florida (Legoland California was featured back in February).

Legoland Florida, located in Winter Haven, is the second largest of the  five Legoland theme parks behind the Windsor UK location.   The 150-acre park features rides, shows, a waterpark, and the Legoland miniland attraction which is the centerpiece of all its parks.  Legoland Florida is built on the site of the state's first theme park Cypress Gardens, a venerable tourist attraction long before a certain mouse and his sidekicks put down roots an hour away in Orlando.   The botanical gardens have been preserved and a ski show has been incorporated into Legoland's entertainment in a respectful nod to its predecessor which occupied the site from 1936-2009.

Anna Across America - Starkville, Mississippi (Home of the Number One Bulldogs)

Anna continues to bring good fortune to the sports teams she visits.  Her visit to Kansas City coincided with the resurgence of the Royals baseball team, which is one win away from its first World Series appearance in 29 years.

But nothing can compare to the MoJo she has brought her alma-mater Mississippi State University football team.  The newly-minted alumnus has watched the Bulldogs ascend to a number one ranking in the Associated Press Poll.  Unranked at the beginning of the season, MSU became the first team in the 78-year history of the NCAA to grab the top spot in five weeks after being unranked to start the season (the previous best was six weeks by Ohio State in 1954).

The rise to the top of the football world became possible after MSU, ranked number three, convincingly whipped number two ranked Auburn on Saturday.  It was the Bulldogs third win of the season over a top-ten team.  And of course Anna and the good luck Anna / Dr Pepper Can was there to bring us the Game Day experience and to celebrate the historic victory.

With just a few hours sleep after a Friday night drive from East Tennessee, Anna and her namesake Dr Pepper Can joined a throng of cowbell-ringing Bulldog fans to provide the backdrop for Saturday morning's ESPN College Game  Day Broadcast.

Let's check in with Larry Culpepper, the self -proclaimed inventor of the college football playoff, in his latest spot for Dr Pepper.

http://youtu.be/aCM4V2umUXQ

The Anna / Dr Pepper Can poses with a larger than life Chris Fowler sign that Anna held aloft at the Game Day set.   Fowler - the longtime Game Day host - was joined by former Mississipp State pitcher  Jonathan Papelbon decked out in MSU maroon and puffing on a precelebration victory cigar as seen in the video linked below.  And then we turn our attention to Game Day analyst Lee Corso to find out who he picked to win the clash of SEC powers.

http://youtu.be/F7l_RNRHdZ8

Mississippi State raced to a 21-0 lead in the first nine minutes of the game and held off a stubborn Auburn rally  to beat the defending SEC champions 38-23 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

Below are the highlights...

http://youtu.be/7bdx68-RHz4

 As day turned into dusk the celebration erupted at Mississippi State University.  The crowd of 63,000 danced victoriously and rang cowbells long after the final whistle.


http://youtu.be/V4JsepfveSw

Anna Across America - On National TV!!!

Anna's star continues to rise.  During Saturday's FoxSports1 broadcast of UCLA and Oregon, Anna appeared in a taped segment describing her experience in the Dr Pepper Tuition Challenge.

Copy and paste the link below to enjoy our favorite Dr Pepper scholar's interview at halftime of the nationally-televised game.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/video?vid=340253764002

Anna Across America - Bell Buckle, Tennessee

 We travel today to the most uniquely named destination in our 11-month tour of America with the Anna/Dr Pepper Can.  Bell Buckle, Tennessee sits 20 minutes off a busy interstate and yet it is a throwback to a simpler time.

This little hamlet (pop. 500) nestled in the rolling hills and horse farms of Middle Tennessee beckons those who know of its hidden secrets.  Antique shops, restored Victorian homes, and one of the best "meat and three" diners in the country await those who want to experience a slice of Southern Living.  The origin of the town's name is not fully known but believed to be related to cow bells and buckles used by early settlers.

By no means is this town a backwoods outpost.  Bell Buckle is home to The Webb School, a world renowned boarding school for boys and girls with a $49,000 a year tuition.

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The curtain will soon fall on the AAA Tour.   On November 1st, we will be closing out this fun-filled travel and tribute blog to Anna and the world's most original soft drink Dr Pepper.  It will mark the 365th day of the blog.

Anna Across America - Tennessee/Florida (The Checkerboard Comes To Life)

Tennessee came up on the short end of a 10-9 nail-biter with

Florida on Saturday.   But the Volunteer faithful proved their

support to the young team by filling Neyland Stadium in an

orange and white checkerboard pattern.  Attendance for the 

game was 102,455 and one well-travelled Anna/Dr Pepper Can.

Anna Across America - "It's Football Time In Tennessee"

It's game day in Knoxville!  A lot will happen before today's 12 noon kickoff between Tennessee and Florida.  Whether you you are a diehard Tennessee Volunteer football fan or one of our loyal blog viewers from France or Germany you will enjoy a look at the pregame pageantry that takes place in and around Neyland Stadium.

A little more than two hours before kickoff, the Tennessee football team arrives on campus and is greeted by a cheering gauntlet of Volunteer fans as they walk to the stadium.   The Vol Walk signals the start of the pregame festivities in Big Orange Country.

http://youtu.be/r6gnaagJjxc

A half hour later, The Pride of the Southland Marching Band makes its way to the stadium playing Rocky Top as the throngs in orange continue to grow.

http://youtu.be/WaTbniMUr8k

Now let's head inside the stadium as the UT band takes us through one of the most beloved pregame rituals in collegie football. As the excitement crescendos in Neyland Stadium, the band forms a T and the Tennessee Volunteers burst onto the playing field before a crowd of more than 100,000.

http://youtu.be/zXWtRPKjhrE

...and then ladies and gentlemen....well, let us have legendary Tennessee broadcaster John Ward do the honors.... http://youtu.be/Lj7UfmKw_wM

Anna Across America - Tennessee/Florida Week (Part III)

 In less than 24 hours, the seats and field below will be covered in orange and white of the Tennessee Volunteers and their fans... with a smattering of the most rancid blue you will ever see worn by the Florida Gators.  We are only serious of course as the two SEC foes hit the gridiron for the 44th renewal of their colorful rivalry (Florida leads the series 24-19).

Expect a sellout Neyland Stadium crowd north of 100,000 on a beautiful autumn day.

The 43 previous meetings between Tennessee and Florida have often been hard-hitting, exciting affairs with SEC supremacy on the line during much of the 1990s and 2000s.  Shields-Watkins Field which the Anna Can overlooks has played host to a number of those classics.  Let's take a look at a few of those during the past quarter century

The rivalry hit full stride in 1990 when a brash young coach named Steve Spurrier, a Tennessee native son no less, brought his highly-hyped Gators into Neyland Stadium.  And they were promptly handed a 45-3 defeat.  Who will ever forget Dale Carter's 90-yard kickoff return to begin the second half (see at the 1:40 mark in the video) or the 47-yard touchdown pass from tight end Von Reeves to Carl Pickens (see at 20:50) which put a dagger into the Gators.

http://youtu.be/gjUiPp7nGEw

In 1992 when our favorite Dr Pepper scholar was only four months old, the Volunteers won 31-14 in a rain-soaked Neyland Stadium.  Below is a video recap of that day.

http://youtu.be/LLF8nZjSikE

Perhaps the most momentous of Tennesse victories over the Gators occurred in 1998.  The Vols won an overtime thriller 20-17 and the march to a national championship in that magical season began.  Let's return to those memorable moments in 1998 when the  Vols stunned the Gators and the goalposts came down.

http://youtu.be/vkWjoBZXmJw

Tennessee's last victory over Florida was ten long years ago.  It was a classic battle which saw UT kicker James Wilhoit miss a late fourth quarter extra point (the first of his career) that would have tied the game.  Wilhoit found redemption just minutes later with a 50-yard field goal in the waning seconds.  Tennessee 30, Florida 28.  Bob Kesling, the Voice of the Vols, brings back the memories of that unbelievable finish with his call in the video below.

http://youtu.be/2uIPgNsMzWk

Anna Across America - Tennessee/Florida Week (Part II)

Inside Neyland Stadium, the Anna/Dr Pepper Can visits the locker of quarterback Justin Worley, who will be a key part of the outcome in Saturday's clash between Tennessee and Florida.  The mojo generated by the Anna Can may figure prominently in Worley's performance.

A win will put Tennessee another step closer to restoring the prominence it held for decades in the Southeastern Conference.

The video below brings back memories of past glories and also points to the opportunity of a brighter future under Coach Butch Jones.

http://youtu.be/keUnCHfnKfM


Editor's Note:  Next Tennessee/Florida update is high noon on Friday.

Anna Across America - Tennessee/Florida Week

     It's Tennessee/Florida Week and time to Beat the Gators.  Not an easy task - it's been 10 hauntingly-long years since the Volunteers have prevailed.  We're betting the power of the Anna/Dr Pepper Can will end the losing skid this Saturday.
     The namesake Anna Can, which this time last year was sold in stores nationwide, visited the Tennessee locker room in Neyland Stadium recently.    A Tennessee football tradition is for the Vols to slap the sign at the locker room door before running through the "T" on the gridiron.  And so it is that the Anna / Dr Pepper Can taps the sign as so many other Vols For Life have done through the years.  Need more inspiration?
     Check out this video of Inky Johnson - a true Vol For Life.

http://youtu.be/MOWgQ7x63Vs