Summer RVing is such a wonderful time of the year. With kids out of school, there are tons of families getting out and enjoying the open roads. As the seasons change, our RV trips take a different tone. Fall happens to be one of our favorite times to RV, you get to see the leaves change, temperatures are more pleasant, and who doesn’t like less bugs. One of our favorite things about RVing in the fall is it just happens to coincide with football season!
Who would have guessed as a former football player I would love to combine two of my passions, RVing and football. If you haven’ taken your RV with you to football games you are missing out.
It really doesn’t matter whether it’s a youth football game, college rivalry game or professional football clash of titans. Having your RV with you provides you with so many benefits.
On my recent trip out to Iowa to visit my school, Iowa State University, I decided to check out and enjoy the benefits of RVing at a football tailgate.
Iowa State is a member of the Big 12 football conference, and I chose to visit during the most intense football week of the year, Iowa Week.
All college football fans know how intense the week your team faces it’s archrival. In This case it’s the Iowa Hawkeyes. At stake was in state bragging rights for the year, and the CY- Hawk trophy. Hours before one tackle could be made, the tailgate parties were in full swing.
Football tailgating may be old hat for most of you football fans. As a player I never got a chance to experience and enjoy pregame tailgating.
Well, at least not until I retired from the NFL, and I never was able to enjoy it in my college years. Therefore, I’ve got lots of tailgating to make up for!
College tailgating might just be my favorite because there is never a lack of school pride. Check out some of these cool RV’s showing off Cyclone pride.
One of the coolest things was seeing so many vehicles that have been converted into tailgating masterpieces. I visited old campus buses, reclaimed ambulances, converted school buses, right down to your standard RV’s.
The creativity in these conversions was stunning.
Being back on campus I had a chance to catch up with some former teammates. Some of these guys I have not seen in 20 years.
Breaking bread over a pregame tailgating was the perfect place for all of us to reconnect. It’s amazing how all these years have turned us all into much better players than I remember…
It’s funny how that happens, isn’t it? Tailgating tails are a lot like a scary campfire story; they get bigger and less truthful as the years go by.
Many schools may have better football teams; I’ll concede that fact. But Iowa State has a top-notch stadium and surrounding facilities that are perfect for fan tailgating.
Tailgating is about good food, team pride, and friendships. Iowa State scores an A+ in tailgating!
Former ISU Cyclone & NFLer
Soulful RV Family
I have enjoyed reading your blog. My husband and I have traded our life in suburbia for an RV. I have been reading everything I can on full time RV living and started a little blog myself. Our kids are grown, but we are still “young” 49 and 52. We look forward to hitting the open road, but for now are stationary in a fabulous RV park. Please continue to blog about your adventures!!! Such great experiences for your kids to have!
Thx. We are right with you in ages, 49,43. You know we have young kids, so full timing isn’t in the cards for us just yet. What RV park are you in? We love to know about great RV parks. Stay in touch and hope to see you out on the road sometime soon…
We live in Katy, Tx at Katy Lake RV Resort. Great place for over-nighters and long term. We have an awesome group of neighbors and we all get together for “park tailgating” for football and most recently, baseball. GO STROS! Our hometown team finally did it!
Anyway – one day when we make it on the road maybe we’ll cross paths. Until then, wishing you safe travels and wonderful adventures with your family!