5 weeks until kickoff...

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

Part two of the running series is here. I've been so busy this weekend golfing, working on the new RV for tailgating, and going to a family reunion that I almost forgot about the next installment. Last week the topic of discussion was bloody mary recipes. So let's go another direction this week.

What is the best part of gameday? Or better yet, what is that thing or event that happens that lets you know today is gameday?

For me it's pretty easy. It's that moment in the morning when you arrive in the tailgate lot and you see car after car with Hawk flags flying, grills, chairs, and canopies out, and everybody standing around having a good time. It's stepping out of the car into the crisp morning air, barely able to see your breath. It's the smell of sausages cooking and the sound of beers being cracked open. That's when I know, gameday has arrived.

 

[VintageHawkeye]

All of that.
And the roar of the crowd.

 

[FalseMirage]

The best part is when the band plays ' In Heaven There Is No Beer'

 

[DesertHawk2010]

Today is gameday when the first beer is cracked before 8 AM. Best part is when its go time, and Back in Black starts blaring through the stadium. It's torture to hear that song out of season. It automatically makes my adrenaline go up. It is also great to hear the band droning the last 10 seconds of the game preparing for "In Heaven There Is No Beer"

 

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

Today is gameday when the first beer is cracked before 8 AM. Best part is when its go time, and Back in Black starts blaring through the stadium. It's torture to hear that song out of season. It automatically makes my adrenaline go up. It is also great to hear the band droning the last 10 seconds of the game preparing for "In Heaven There Is No Beer"

I agree. AC/DC is a good band but just because it's been played so much on the radio when they do play their songs I don't really care that much. However when BnB comes on I immediately crank it up and the first thing that comes to my mind is the video of the guys walking down the hall from the locker room. It almost causes me to tear up...just a little...

 

[SDK46]

Vintage's snoring will always remind me of the Hawkeye/Badger game last year.

 

[SDK46]

I really get revved up when I see and hear the "thud" when the kicker boots the opening kickoff....seen every home opener since 2003. Game/season on!

 

[Drakebulldog93]

For me it's the race to Kinnick...leaving DSM at 4am with my 44oz cup of Gatorade (to hydrate myself) from QuikTrip, seeing the Hawkeye car flags waving as I blow past them. One stop at the Tiffin rest area to pour the first Bloody of a Hawkeye gameday...let's get it on.

 

[Herkyalert]

I love the smells from the grills everywhere you walk.

 

[VintageHawkeye]

For me it's the race to Kinnick...leaving DSM at 4am with my 44oz cup of Gatorade (to hydrate myself) from QuikTrip, seeing the Hawkeye car flags waving as I blow past them. One stop at the Tiffin rest area to pour the first Bloody of a Hawkeye gameday...let's get it on.

I love the aroma of burned beans.

 

[VintageHawkeye]

Vintage's snoring will always remind me of the Hawkeye/Badger game last year.

LMAO
sorry, Seff

 

[hawkcub42]

How I know it's game day is I will pull out of my driveway just North of Waterloo with my car decked out in my hawkeye car flags and car magnets. Then I will get to Waterloo and see a few other vehicles decked out like mine on there way to I.C. Get on 380 and little by little more Iowa cars,SUV's and RV's will join me. Then as I hit Cedar Rapids there is a huge influx of the Iowa vehicles. By the time I get to I.C. the Iowa vehicles are everywhere and I know it is going to be a great football Saturday in Iowa city.

 

[thejumper5]

I don't attend many games, so my favorite thing about game day is waking up a couple hours (or a few, depending upon kickoff time) before the game, doing a little work around the house on 4 hours of sleep while listening to pregame, then putting on my favorite Iowa shirt while I put the finishing touches on my 1st quarter meal.

 

[bud2380]

It's all about the anticipation of that first tailgate. Many times I park on Friday night so the anxiety of waiting in line to get my favorite spot at Myrtle will always make me know it's gameday. That and getting to our tailgate spot before the sun comes up and having that first beer. By 8 or 8:30 or so the first game of flippy cup starts and that's when things really start getting fun.

 

[FreddyHawk]

Notalgia and anticipation....

Remembering when my dad would drive me from our Mississippi River town to IC and all the conversations to and from.

Stopping in Solon for pork tenderloins bigger than God ever intended....

...and looking forward to the day that I get to start bringing my own son to IC from Minnesota.

On Iowa!

 

[TylerSash]

Seeing all of my friends from all over the state in our tailgating yard.

The only time all of us are together in the same place.

 

[Caven]

The best part is when the band plays ' In Heaven There Is No Beer'

+1 to this. By far the best part of my game day. Let's hope we hear it all 7 times this year.

 

[HawkeyeMcNutt]

I agree. AC/DC is a good band but just because it's been played so much on the radio when they do play their songs I don't really care that much. However when BnB comes on I immediately crank it up and the first thing that comes to my mind is the video of the guys walking down the hall from the locker room. It almost causes me to tear up...just a little...

Often times it literally gives me the chills.

 

[Igothawked]

There are several things that signify gameday or pump me up on gameday. One that I'm sure my wife hates, is me waking up at 5, running around the house gathering the goods, loading the cooler and the car and waking everyone up, and going to the gas station for ice and essentials at 5:30.
Second is when you actually get onto Melrose and see the people and Hawkeye gear rolling down the street.
Third, is getting to the tailgate spot, corner of Melrose Ave and Melrose Place and cracking the first beer.
Fourth, is walking into the stadium and through the tunnel to our seats, gives me goosebumps every single time (Never fails). Love hearing the music blasting over the loud speakers as we fill the stadium.
Finally, what seals the deal for me is Back in Black. This song fires me up so much every single time, its sick.
I CANT WAIT!!! GO HAWKS!!!

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

Wow, where to start ... I guess for me I start to get anxious when I see that first Hawkeye car flag when I hit I-80 heading out of Des Moines. Then, of course, pulling into our tailgate spot and unloading the car and setting up the tent, etc. Also, nothing like walking along Melrose. Seeing the ant farm of black and gold still gives me goosebumps ... Nothing like spending a Fall Saturday in Iowa City ... Truly one of the things I look most forward to in life!