Tailgate revisited

Yesterday's weather was perfect for a football game and tailgating, college style!
For the first time in 5, maybe 6 years, I enjoyed the comfort of Metra trains and took the 3 hour rail trip to Galesburg, Illinois to watch the football team from Knox College ( a son's former school and team) to play ball. Not unexpected, they lost ( oops! sorry fans!) But seeing the tailgate friends again, well, makes you forget about the loss.






Several team players have parents that 'sleep over' vans. ( that's what my boys called them when they were younger. )There were 4 and they formed a box that shielded us from the chilly winds that became very cold once the sun left.


The morning started with delicious Bloody Mary's made with pickle juice and we had all sorts of snacks to munch on till game time. The picture staging isn't as good as it could be, I know.


We made our way to Knosher Bowl just in time to see the team run through the chute. During the game we would take off our coats and soon put them back on during the game that had scattered BIG clouds overhead. In the background, during the game, trains pass by and sometimes the calls on the field are halted due to the loud train whistles. Why do they always do it just as they come up on the Bowl???


After the game, we made our way to back to our 'box' and while the grills and battery operated grills heated up, we continued to snack on whatever was around and the boys from the team made their way to the group. Other parents are also tailgating and are encouraged to come inside the box and some of us usually end up walking around to see them.









By 6:00, the sun was gone and we had some delicious food- marinated chicken kebobs, marinated brats, pasta salads, potato salads, upside down pineapple cake. Two of the boys drove me back to the train ( which was such a nice gesture- earlier I made the 10 minutes walk to the field but it was chilly and fun to get a ride from them.
No more tailgating for me this season as I work on Saturdays. But yesterday, was just wonderful! Thanks to all my Knox friends- the Juarezes, Kiziors, Dohmes, Ricketts - miss you all!