FanPost

Dedicated Husky?


Some years ago I read in Sports Illustrated an article regarding the Husker faithful. The stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska sold out each and every home game in a state with a low population. Some farmers traveled from the far western section of Nebraska, hundreds of miles away, every week in their RVs. One family was featured as never missing a game.

So, as y'all travel from Queen Anne or Mercer Island to attend, hear this.

When I lived on San Juan Island (like "Howling") I drove to the ferry landing on Friday night to place my car in the ferry line. September through November (nice weather season) brought tourists to the island who wanted off. The lines were long. I lived in Roche Harbor, 12 miles away. I'd get the family up and drive my 'beater' truck to Friday Harbor and have breakfast while waiting for the ferry. We'd catch the first ferry to Anacortes and then to the parking lot (where the track is now) for a stimulating lecture by one of the UDub professors in a classroom. Then off to hear the Husky alum band in front of Hec-Ed, Tailgate with friends, and..."Hello Dawg Fans!"

After the 12:30pm game we ate in the U-district as traffic cleared and we reversed our trip home. Late games meant no ferry home. Hotel rooms and meals added hundreds to the game ticket!

I moved to Salem, Oregon after eight great years on "the Rock." I kept my season tickets. Heck, it took three years to get them. My first reserved seats were in the portable benches on the south end, uncovered! I got wet and cold those first few years.

Independence, Oregon to Husky Stadium took less time than from San Juan Island and was cheaper. I omit from the money equation the speeding tickets I received heading home.

Then after heading here to Costa Rica after eight years in the Oregon Capital...great people (except the U of O folks).

And now. Don't own a television, so travel to San José (25 miles) to sports bars.

Mac's Great American Sports Bar (slogan: Home of the wanted and the un-wanted) is a low-class bar frequented by many "Expats" from all over the U.S. There are many workers in "Sports Book," also great tips on who will win each game. Shirts are all from universities. Mine is about the only Washington shirt. Lots of PAC-12 colors.

Chub's Sports Bar is in Escazu, a suburb of San José, It's run by two guys from New Jersey. I go there if my friend Lee drives. (#1 O-line recruit out of North Carolina 'back in the day.') His claim to fame is "I dissed the Bear" and went to Tennessee where they beat Alabama four straight years. Chub's obviously discriminates in hiring and I told the owners so. The wait staff is beautiful and packs much into the skimpy clothes he has them wear. The owners responded,"Oh yeah...this isn't politically correct land!"

They have great real pub food and it reminds me of the "Ram" pubs in Washington.

Seems I've come home even though I'm in the land of "Pura vida"

dawgincostarica