1. We don't experience all four seasons. We experience two.
Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring—four beautiful seasons we don’t really experience. Half of the year it's blazing hot in the 90’s, and half the year it's cooler in the 60's and 70's. If we’re lucky, we have a few days in the winter where it reaches the 30’s. It can still be December and 90 degrees, it can be March and 30 degrees in the morning. The fall isn’t even fall, it’s just a slightly cooler version of summer. Who knows what four seasons even are anymore?
2. Winnersville feels like a holiday.
Friday night lights are a pretty big deal during the fall season, especially the biggest rival game ever: Winnersville. The week of the Winnersville game is typically spent by predicting who will win and listening to arguments from each opposing side—the Valdosta Wildcats and Lowndes Vikings. The day of the game feels like a holiday, festivities start right after school and it’s never too early to tailgate. The stadium is always full, tickets are always sold out and everyone is dressed head to toe in either crimson and silver or black and yellow. It’s pretty intense.
3. Driving drives you crazy.
It’s 7:50 a.m. and you’re on the interstate; all you’re trying to do is get off exit 18 so you won’t be late for first block—yet, there’s a car in front of you going slower than a turtle stuck in molasses. Sometimes, people just forget how to drive. Is that even legal?
SEE ALSO: Small Town, But Not Small Minded
4. It's a small world.
Small town, small world. Your best friend Sally introduces you to her friends Evan and Sue on a Friday night; but get this—Sue knows your cousin, Phoebe, who used to date one of Evan’s best friends, who also happens to know Dave, your coworker. Shocker.
5. We don't get snow days. We get rain days...
Forget snow. We’ve been waiting on it for more than 20 years, and it’ll probably be another 20 years before it ever gets here. But Rain-rain (the right amount) can be crippling. At least once or twice in your grade school years school been canceled because buckets and buckets of rain were busy destroying the dirt roads for the school buses to make it to school. You might even find a trampoline on the roof of someone's house.
6. Waffle Houses are EVERYWHERE.
Waffle House in five points, the Waffle House right off of Exit 22, the Waffle House near Lowndes High School...there’s probably another one that I’m missing. There’s a Waffle House on every corner of the town—but hey, I’m not complaining. Their chocolate chip waffles and hash browns are to die for.
7. Chick-Fil-A or Zaxby's?
Waffle fries… or Cajun styled season fries? Do you really want that cookies and cream milkshake? Ugh, but those delicious wings.. AND there’s two located on both sides of town, if that makes your decision any easier.
8. You've been to our tiny mall a thousand times in your lifetime but...
Which side is JCPenny on? Is Sears next to Hallmark.. or is that Belk's? I can’t remember. I’ll just go to a side and see.
9. You just might need two outfits in one day.
In the fall, winter, or maybe even spring time, It can be pretty chilly in the morning—about 40 degrees. You’ll leave your house in a cute sweater, your favorite vest, and your tall riding boots and warmest leggings! Yet, you step outside afterschool at 3:00, take that vest off, throw your boots in the back, and blast the AC because it’s probably 80 something degrees and you’re sweating buckets. All you want at this point is your big comfy T-shirt, Nike shorts, and Chacos.
10. It will always be home.
No matter how many times you get out, go on vacation, or leave for an extended period of time, Valdosta will always be home.
