Learn to Tailgate From the Pros

How did you spend last weekend watching football?

At your local sports bar in front of the 52-inch LCD television? Did you set up shop outside your favorite team's place of business, the back of your truck packed with ample supplies of beer, brats and charcoal?

It is prime tailgating season, that time of year when both the NFL and NCAA are getting into full swing, the weather is perfect and your alma mater is scheduling its homecoming activities. But how unique is your own tailgating tradition? Check out the scene at these big football schools, as fans party the way they know how -- in planes, trains and automobiles (and boats) around the country.

University of Washington: In Garbage Bay

On Lake Washington, many of the Husky faithful arrive to the stadium in boat, or even seaplane, creating one of the most unique tailgating scenes in all of college football. Husky Stadium is just 150 yards from the water, and since around 1930 or so, when football fans began stashing their boats on the weeds on the banks closest to the field, tailgaters have taken advantage of the stadium's proximity to Union, which is better known as Garbage Bay.

Today the setting is more refined and considerably more extensive. According to boat moorage operations supervisor Brandie Hassing, as many as 8,000 fans come to each Washington home game via the water. One-hundred eighty private permits are issued to boaters, while nine charter boats from local restaurants make the trip from nearby Seattle or Kirkland and then dock by the stadium for more pre-game festivities. Two hundred additional boats are anchored 1,000 yards off in the bay, where water taxis pick up ticketholders and bring them to and from the game. A large variety of boats holds permits this year, ranging in length from 18 feet to 98 feet.