Hot Chocolate and Huskies

Yesterday the Washington Huskies played the Arizona Wildcats in a game so tormented by Mother Nature that there were moments when no one believed it could get any worse (spoiler alert: it did). It was the type of game that made me realize how unusual football in the pacific northwest could be. There are no such things a fair weather fans simply because there is no fair weather to be had. Sure the beginning of the season is beautiful with the leaves turning and the crisp autumn air whipping through the trees, but those moments are short lived. Rather, we have cheerleaders who know better than to curl their hair because they spend the day bundled in down jackets, long pants, and ear warmers, smiling through storms of Shakespearean intensity. While the south has game day dresses and cowboy boots we have parkas designed for Antarctic explorers and rain boots in school colors. They have sweet iced tea to cool themselves off and we cling to our coffees and hot chocolates for warmth. I even hid behind my brother to block the winds at one point.

Husky stadium was remodeled and looks better than ever but the best part is, and always will be, the magnificent view of Lake Washington. The tradition of tailgaiting by boat is one special to the school and will forever be my favorite part of football season. Boaters are my favorite people simply for how happy they always seem to be.

Another moment that reminded me how special football in the northwest is was when my brother went to concessions and came back with not only the traditional hotdog but also a tanker of clam chowder and a plate of fresh fish and chips. For those of you wondering, yes, a tanker of chowder is an obscene amount of food and while he meant well he could have gotten away with bringing me a simple cup of the stuff instead.

                             

Meanwhile the wind and rain had picked up to such intensities that the stadium felt to be in the eye of the storm (it was). Fortunately the worst of the storm passed in time for the home team to bring home a victory and the soaked-to-the-bone fans could go home to warm themselves by the fire. So, despite the waging wind and rain we will live to see another day. And I, for one, am delighted to be in the midst of fall, once more.