Has a lot to do with where I was at in life then as opposed to now I think. I certainly will try again, taking some of the things
@2speedy1 and putting them into practice.
I'll try to make a long story short, but we were running late, far too late to tailgate and find decent or even half decent parking. Walked the aforementioned thirty minutes after driving around for probably that long looking for parking. Had the toddler old with us. Just not ideal conditions. Will be more prepared next time, and maybe older and wiser
Yeah, preparing really helps.
The grass lots being closed unless you had a prepaid parking ticket really hurt things. With a young child I am sure it would get stressful, and to be fair we have not taken my 2 youngest to the games yet, but have to basketball. Been planning on getting them JrCy memberships but just keep putting it off each year.
The weather Saturday was strange, it was cool/rainy, then was Sunny Hot and muggy in the stands for a while, then cool cloudy, it made it hard to regulate.
The game was definitely slower paced than some.
My oldest is in college now, transferring to ISU next year, and loves going.
I have been in your shoes, not planning parking well, having to walk farther than expected being short on time etc. And I will say I do enjoy the away games that I get to relax in my recliner and TV. But I have found even some games when I dont do an all out tailgate, I take some chairs, get a box of subs from Jimmy Johns or similar, and cooler of drinks, head in early and enjoy the pregame activities.
Some tips:
If you go to Cyclones.com and click on Football tix, you can click the single day tix and see a link to parking tix. This has tix for single day parking, both resale and from the University. Some you will see from Donors for prices they set, and some you will see for the gen admission spots for the amount the University sets.
You can buy these and have a spot when you arrive, it will be on your phone just like your game tix. Gen admission is $25.
Come early and stay late, really helps with the traffic. If you pack some food, drinks, chairs etc, this makes relaxing before and after much more enjoyable, even if you dont go all out for a tailgate.
Seek out other friends you know that are there. If you arent able to set up a tailgate, maybe you can join someone else's just make sure to pitch in, Having a group always makes it more fun. Talk to them ahead of time ask where they are tailgating, if you can join, what you can bring, food, drinks etc. offer to pitch in $.
If you are hot, tired, cold, whatever, take a break, head to the concourse, or just call it a day. Dont let it ruin your experience and therefore not want to try again. Sometimes it is what it is, bad weather, bad day, whatever, its ok to call it a day if it would make you or someone with you feel better, and not so miserable they never want to come back.
Hopefully someday your kid(s) and you will have some lasting memories of game days at Iowa State.