Tailgate Time?

Leaving North Iowa at 6am, pulling into the Finkbine Commute lot at 8:30. For the Iowa St. game, we pulled in the lot at 7am, and I couldn't believe how full the lot was.
 




For the 2006 OSU game which was back in my "younger, more foolish days", I was completely hammered by 10AM. We had started at 7. I don't remember much about that day.

For the Michigan game last year, we were tailgating by 9AM. It was snowing and cold. Beer pong, flippy cup....wasn't really drunk until about 2PM (vast improvement, imo).

This year we are leaving at 8AM to head toward IC. Travel time: 1 1/2 hours. We were originally going to leave at 6, but decided there is no rush.

Meskwaki Casino for breakfast is a solid possibility. Hopefully tailgating by 11AM. Dental lot. My friend has the parking pass and is going to be parked in our spot on Friday night.

This year I'm hoping to sustain a delightfully enjoyable, yet manageable 80% coherent buzz the entire day. I'm getting too old to deal with the hangovers that subsequently follow.

Oh, and my friend who tailgates in a private lot near the dental building is going to let us "drive" his gas-powered blender. He said we have to wear a helmet. I'm intrigued and nervous all at the same time.
 


Our lot doesn't open until 2 PM unfortunately. They opened our lot at 9 AM for the ISU game, and the guy was literally standing out in front looking at his watch and waited until the very second it turned 9 before he let anyone in. About 5-6 cars (myself included) were just sitting on Melrose lined up waiting for the lot to open blocking traffic for a few minutes. I see their point, but slightly irritating at the same time.
 


For the 2006 OSU game which was back in my "younger, more foolish days", I was completely hammered by 10AM. We had started at 7. I don't remember much about that day.

For the Michigan game last year, we were tailgating by 9AM. It was snowing and cold. Beer pong, flippy cup....wasn't really drunk until about 2PM (vast improvement, imo).

This year we are leaving at 8AM to head toward IC. Travel time: 1 1/2 hours. We were originally going to leave at 6, but decided there is no rush.

Meskwaki Casino for breakfast is a solid possibility. Hopefully tailgating by 11AM. Dental lot. My friend has the parking pass and is going to be parked in our spot on Friday night.

This year I'm hoping to sustain a delightfully enjoyable, yet manageable 80% coherent buzz the entire day. I'm getting too old to deal with the hangovers that subsequently follow.

Oh, and my friend who tailgates in a private lot near the dental building is going to let us "drive" his gas-powered blender. He said we have to wear a helmet. I'm intrigued and nervous all at the same time.

I tailgate at the lot you speak of with the gas powered blender. Who is your friend, initals are fine.
 







I think I know who you are talking about as I've met him a few times. My cousin parks there and is friend with the guy that owns the house. Does your friend live in North Liberty? Was he running the blender during the Iowa St. game wearing a Troy Davis jersey?
 




We will be tailgating at 7pm Friday night right up unil the game Saturday. We rented an RV and are going to Finkbine. I've got my Directv ready to go, and a set of bunny ears for the local channels in hi-def. Should be an awesome 2 day tailgate. Gotta take advantage of the late starts. Waiting until 3pm to tailgate is absurd!
 


What is the best way to set up a Bose Sound Dock w/ iPod without killing your car battery? I have heard of the ways to plug it in through your cigarette lighter via an adapter? Is that the best way to do it?
 


What is the best way to set up a Bose Sound Dock w/ iPod without killing your car battery? I have heard of the ways to plug it in through your cigarette lighter via an adapter? Is that the best way to do it?

We use a separate battery that we charge with a battery charger the night before, and hook the invertor up directly to that battery. Otherwise just run your car every now and again. Or better yet, buy one of these (linked below). You plug it in to a wall outlet to charge it. Works pretty well. My friend had one we used for tailgating, but it died on him.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-PP-2200-Portable-Outdoor-Power/dp/B002CG001E]Amazon.com: Schumacher PP-2200 Portable Outdoor Power Unit: Automotive[/ame]
 




We use a separate battery that we charge with a battery charger the night before, and hook the invertor up directly to that battery. Otherwise just run your car every now and again. Or better yet, buy one of these (linked below). You plug it in to a wall outlet to charge it. Works pretty well. My friend had one we used for tailgating, but it died on him.

Amazon.com: Schumacher PP-2200 Portable Outdoor Power Unit: Automotive

Perfect. Thanks! Does it just have a regular plug-in on it so we could plug in the sound dock and a TV? How cheap can I get a decent one? I wouldn't use it besides tailgating 7-10 times a year. I saw the one in the link was $85. I assume I can pick one up at Home Depot?
 




Used to. For last few years we've been at the free lot behind the Kum n Go off Dubuque. Well, it used to be free- until this year. Now it's $15...:mad:

Damn. Just looking for somebody to hang with. I live in Parklawn, which is just up the street from Hancher. Got a few brats for an entrance fee lol.
 


Perfect. Thanks! Does it just have a regular plug-in on it so we could plug in the sound dock and a TV? How cheap can I get a decent one? I wouldn't use it besides tailgating 7-10 times a year. I saw the one in the link was $85. I assume I can pick one up at Home Depot?

My friend bought his at Walmart a couple of years ago (don't know if they still carry them or not). Not sure where else you can buy them or pricing. Yes, it has 2 plug ins as illustrated in the picture.
 


We'll be parked and going by 7am in the Library Lot. With night games I take a nap around noon for about 45 minutes...then it's "Hell's Bells."

Night games, we stay over. Driving back to Des Moines after a full day of tailgating would be a death sentence. You've got to be careful, and know what you can handle.
 


My friend bought his at Walmart a couple of years ago (don't know if they still carry them or not). Not sure where else you can buy them or pricing. Yes, it has 2 plug ins as illustrated in the picture.

Thanks man. I'm looking at this from my phone so the picture wasn't very big or very great quality. Appreciate the help though!
 


We need to figure out a way to hook up a TV to watch these at the tailgate. Any advice guys? Rabbit ears work? Or do we need a lot more than that? I have never done this before, but sure would like to with all the great 2:30 games on. Isn't MSU-Wisc on ABC?

Rabbit ears may be all you need depending on the type of TV you have and how new it is. If it's a newer LCD or something like it, you may be able to get by with just rabbit ears. Chances are pretty high though that you'll need a DTV converter box since they changed to all digital broadcasts a year and a half ago or so.
 




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