Bowl game season came upon us quickly, and it left just as swiftly. There were football games held in several unique locations across the country that fans traveled near and far to attend. These exciting post-season matchups provided all football fans with an unbelievable athletic experience. I just happened to be one of those crazy Cyclone fans (along with my family) that made the trip down to Memphis, Tennessee.

The drive calculated out to be around eight and a half hours, but it actually added up to be around nine hours total, including stops. Let's just say it as a very long time in the car! Nonetheless, my parents and I made the most of our car ride to Memphis, passing over the Mississippi River three times and stopping at some interesting fast food restaurants and rest stops along the way.

Upon arriving in the music city, we were greeted by the lovely "Tennessee Welcomes You" sign. We truly made the most of our four-day home in Memphis by visiting Beale Street that very evening.

Along with a few of our family friends, my parents and I decided to take a look at the acclaimed Beale Street. We also encountered a restaurant to eat at. Now, Memphis is known for its remarkable barbecue ribs. Needless to say, all the barbecue ribs I tasted in Memphis were incredible!

Our next day was filled with plenty of pep rallies, a parade, and of course cheering on our Iowa State Cyclones! Each event that we attended included plenty of fans decked out in cardinal and gold (it felt like we were in Ames, Iowa)! The first pep rally was packed with strictly Cyclone fans, and we were able to hear Coach Campbell speak, along with the football players! That evening, my family and I tried a local downtown pizzeria to watch our men's basketball team while also taking a break from the barbecue.

Finally, Saturday was filled with so much excitement, as we were able to watch our Cyclone football team beat Memphis! The football game started at 11:30 a.m., which meant an early morning for tailgating!

We headed out to the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and found some of our family and friends to tailgate with for a bit. Once the gates were open, we headed into the stadium and sat on the 30-yard line. The game was so intriguing and it kept everyone on their toes! After an impressive four quarters, Iowa State was able to knock off number nineteen Memphis and end its incredible football season with a bang!

As my family and I traveled back home the next day, we couldn't help but think of how lucky we are to experience events such as these with such wonderful people! This trip was so worth it—not only because of the win that the Cyclones earned but also because it was an opportunity to catch up with our other Cyclone comrades as well.

I would also like to mention that Memphis is a must-visit city if you are ever in the area! The live music, barbecue, and people were some of the best! Check out Memphis, Tennessee for your next bowl game trip, vacation, or even a weekend getaway!