More Fall fun

Yesterday Tam and I were fortunate to witness one of the great fall traditions here in Michigan. Thanks to the generosity of my partner Joe, we found ourselves in East Lansing, Michigan to witness the annual University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University football game.

It's a long day starting with the 30-some mile drive to East Lansing followed by lining up in miles of traffic to find a spot to park; then traversing a campus populated by students who seem to have no problem initiating beer management well before noon.  (Who needs a Bloody Mary when you've got a cold Miller Lite?) All that to arrive bright and early at that black-top social institution, the tailgate.

The tailgate is well known to most football enthusiasts. I suspect it is not well known to the rest of the country that finds itself doing anything but watching sports on Saturdays. If you don't know tailgating you need to know this: The tailgate is the Thanksgiving of picnics. The tailgate is the family reunion open to all members of the extended family that loves college football. The tailgate, for many, is college football. Like any great reunion, this event is filled with friends and faces you're happy to see. Bundled up on a blustery fall day to enjoy food, drink, and an ocean of friends, old and new. What's not to like?

The star of yesterday's performance was my partner, Joe. To look into the fully loaded cargo space of his mid-size SUV is a wonder-- packed from stem to stern, floor to ceiling with a full bar, food, fold-up tables and every utensil, cup or plate one might need-- including the MSU canopy to pull out and cover it all. Think gypsy wagon here. Thirty minutes later he's set up and ready for the business of feeding and watering a steady stream of family and friends. All of that but you won't see is the biggest item he has to serve: Hospitality. In a parking lot filled with hundreds of tailgates and thousands of fans, you won't find a bigger more generous soul than Joe. I always joke and say the most enduring non-blood relationship in my life has been my partnership with Joe. On a day like yesterday it's easy for anyone to understand why.

My daughter's Wolverines suffered a long and painful loss. By the end of the day we were tired enough that the drive home would have been better in a bus or limousine. But it was all worth it and couldn't have been a better day. It's just one more thing to love about October in Michigan.