Day 15 -- Wildcat, Bruin, Husky Fever

Did I mention that Gail lives right next to the Northwestern University football stadium? With a view of the practice field from the bedroom? We were awakened at 7 AM by about 15 area high school bands practicing loudly for the half-time show. It really was fun for a while. Apparently they had all practiced separately for a medley of Michael Jackson songs, and now it was time for them to put it all together. It took a while until they were all able to start & finish at the same time.

Later, we went to “Wildcat Alley” on the practice field which is a pre-game party, complete with Beer Garden, and open to the public. In spite of the Beer Garden, there were lots of young families, and I was told that Northwestern Games are a family affair. This seems to be quite a departure from UW Games. Also surprising was the lack of traffic as we were driving away right before game time. I was trying to imagine what the roads near Husky Stadium would be like on a Game-Day!

We went to Brian & Amy’s for the rest of the day. Carl went with everyone else (including Lucy) to the German Fest down the street from their condo, and I had some time to myself for the first time since we left. As part of the Fest, there was a parade down Lincoln Avenue with yet more bands.

We had a very quiet Saturday night, having dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and then watching college football. We were delighted that our alma mater, UCLA managed to hold off Tennessee, but then watched the USC-Ohio State game, and were sick at the outcome. We saw that the good old UW finally won a game for the first time since 2007. Go, Huskies.

• Days till we see Toby & Beruria: 5
• Days till we see Paige and Ashley: 21