Help Wanted: Virgin Seeks Guidance

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 11:29 AM CDT

Sicko.... Beat it pervert!

Ok, now that he's gone; I need some help! Me and my gf will be attending our FIRST Hawkeye game this year. I landed some cheap tickets to the tOSU game. Now, as the title indicates I could use some pointers in a few areas...

Arriving in IC: Does anyone recommend getting to town at a specific time? Any streets that I should avoid?

Parking: Are there any fan favorite lots that are within walking distance? (More than 2 miles is not going to sit well with my Chain of Command) Does anyone recommend the Hawkeye Express?

Lodging: How far in advance should I make reservations? (I'm thinking now.) Should I stay in a Hotel outside IC?

I realize that some of these are questions that will undoubtedly get answered as I experience it all for the first time. But I'd just as soon plan it out and see if I could get some REALLY good advice from some of my TERRIFIC Hawkeye brethren. For there are none as kind and generous as you on the planet... (see what I did there?)

Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.

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Are you planning on tailgating, or just showing up, wandering around a bit and then going to the game?

Brunettes not fighter jets

by rockyh on Sep 7, 2010 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

I think that really depends on when kickoff is.

But for now I’ll say… Yes.

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I believe its already been announced as a 2:30 game, So

if you plan on setting up your own tailgate, to get into a decently close lot, you will have to show up at 6 AM or earlier. I know the Finkbine commuter lot is usually full by 7:30. I have never used the Hawkeye Express, but I hear good things. As far as lodging, good luck, most hotels are already sold out (at least the one’s I’ve looked at) for all of the games, let alone the tOSU game.

Tigers love pepper... they hate cinnamon.

by White Lightning on Sep 7, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Having tailgated in Finkbine Commuter Lot for several years

Including the 2005 night game vs OSU…

For the OSU game it will be full by 7 at the latest. You better have been parked and set up before dawn if you want to tailgate there for the OSU game. Most places will be the same around town if you’re looking to set up and tailgate. Parking is at a premium, and it’s first come first serve unless you’ve dished out a grand for a season parking pass. Worst case scenario you end up parking on the other side of river and taking cambus or a taxi. In order to beat the last-minute traffic jam, it’s best to aim to arrive at your destination before 6:30.

For hotels… everything’s probably booked up solid in the immediate area. You might still be able to find one in CRapids.

Brunettes not fighter jets

by rockyh on Sep 7, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

There're hotels out the ass in the CR area

As long as you don’t mind going to the north part of town (from which it isn’t terribly hard to access the Interstate; just don’t speed through downtown CR, you will be caught, fined, ~~arrested, drawn and quartered, shot, hanged, and raped~~), you should be fine, especially if you book now. Three stars galore in the Rockwell Collins area.

You see what I did there? Yeeeaaaaaahhhh.

by hkobb7 on Sep 7, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Got any more of those tOSU tickets?

I could use some…..

No self-respecting man from Iowa goes anywhere without beer

by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Sep 7, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

Please take this sign with you.

"This is the last time we're going on the field tonight and we're going to bust our butts and stop them again and get this game over." - Mike Reid, 1970 Orange Bowl

by ReadingRambler on Sep 7, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Tempting as that is..

Since Err seems to be doing it as hard as he can, I should refrain. Because I’m a poor person who can’t afford tOSU. I’m what you call Uberpoor.

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I actually got them online..

From a “list”… If you can believe it.

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, that means they probably aren't legit and you should send them to HS for verification.

{I’m kidding. Breathe.}

by Eyeheartfreedumb on Sep 7, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

myrtle lot

This is the university preschool, right above that is the Myrtle lot. Sounds like for the game this weekend people were claiming spots the night before, so you might be SOL if you’re coming into town on Saturday.

I recommend coming in on Friday night if you can, follow the Beer Band around and get all sloppy downtown.

Keeping wildlife, an amphibious rodent, for uh, domestic, you know, within the city - that aint legal either, Dude.

by AcrimoniousAngerererer on Sep 7, 2010 12:20 PM CDT reply actions

Well, really Friday afternoon. But good luck with the hotel thing. Your best best will be Cedar Rapids at this point which makes the whole sloppy downtown + driving to your hotel in Cedar Rapids problematic. I’ve always had fun wandering tailgaters I don’t know, when not being at my own. So long as you dress the part, you’ll make many friends and be offered plenty o’ beers.

by txhawkeye on Sep 7, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Do you have any friends who live in the area?

Maybe they’d be willing to let you stay overnight with them, so you have a chance to see the pregame atmo the night before, then you can hop in your car first thing in the AM and find your way to a good tailgate spot closer to the stadium?

Brunettes not fighter jets

by rockyh on Sep 7, 2010 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Hawkeye Express

is great for some people but it’s 10x better to have a vehicle so that you can pack a cooler and leave it in the vehicle when you go in to the game.

If you’re just going to come in to town and go to the game…then by all means park at Coral Ridge Mall and hop the train it’s the quickest and easiest way.

by HawKCP on Sep 7, 2010 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

This may be the route we take

It’s our first time so I think really what we are looking for is a flawless transition from truck to stadium. We are coming from KC so is it possible to still make that happen if we come in Saturday?

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

The train is good if you plan on getting out of town right after the game.

It doesn’t sound like a very good option if you want to party down by the stadium. The loss of the magic bus REALLY put a damper on that.

Who's leg do I have to hump to get a drink around here?-Brian

by fliphawk4 on Sep 7, 2010 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I wish I could have have seen that.

We are basically just going to be in town for the game. But from what I’ve read on the Express website is that trips to the stadium start 4 hours before kickoff for 2:30 games. So maybe we can take a small trip through the lot.

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

4 hours should be plenty to get the experience.

And that’s still better than using the shuttles from the Hawkeye or Hancher lots which only run for 2 hours before kickoff. And with the convenient dropoff, you can come in, stroll Melrose for awhile and get out easily afterward.

An decent map of your various parking options.

by PackerHawk on Sep 7, 2010 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Okay . . . I'll tell you what my cousin told me on my wedding night:

If it’s too tight, you might be in the belly button, try lower down.

/Now I’ll read your post.

by The Final Gun on Sep 7, 2010 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

I'm sure the hotels in town and even around town are

sold out. But good luck…

"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.

by StoopsMyAss on Sep 7, 2010 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

Back in April my wife checked hotels in the area for the ISU-Iowa game, for my Birthday.

We’re sleeping in the van.
Unless you manage to find anything that isn’t hugely expensive, you best bring a tent.

Hawks for the win and falafels for the vagina

by DoYouLoveHawksorHate'Merica? on Sep 7, 2010 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

Reservations made for a hotel in CR.

I would like to thank you guys for the optimism though.

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 7, 2010 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

Ok... Here's my plan

I have the tickets and I’ve made reservations in CR. I’ve also gotten a hold of my cousin who lives in Iowa City. Turns out she is married to a former Hawkeye and they tailgate with all sorts of other former Hawkeyes and she insisted that we join them. Who am I to argue with that?

Belay my last.

by steaming_pile_of_awcrap on Sep 8, 2010 3:02 PM CDT reply actions

I hate you

by PackerHawk on Sep 10, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

My family is lucky

Whenever we wanna go to IC for an Iowa game (we live in KC), we have friends with 8 season tickets right on the 50. Were going to tOSU game and MSU game. Sorry. I wanted to brag

There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.

by iamalex13 on Sep 8, 2010 10:48 PM CDT reply actions