www.spencerchan.com: A Husky fan's trip to Notre Dame

This past weekend, a friend and I headed followed the UW Husky football team to South Bend, IN via Chicago. With the way the Dawgs have been playing the past couple weeks, my expectations were a mixed bag. Since beating USC, I know we have the skills and abilities to pull out a victory, but after our loss to Stanford last week, I did not have complete confidence that we would win. The outstanding question in my mind was which Husky football team was going to show up in Indiana. The only way to answer that question was to wait and see.

But first, a quick thought about Chi-town. Although I've been to the Windy City before, I've never really looked around. This time arounds we did get to spend a few hours on foot tromping around the downtown core Friday morning. In addition, we were able to catch a Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field as well. The city is great for photography. Perhaps it's because there seems to be so much around to see -- elevated trains, public art, old and new architecture freckle the cityscape. I would love to go back and spend a few dedicated days to exploring the city and surrounding areas. It's a fun city with vibrant energy.

I wonder what flavor this jelly bean is?

Next stop: Notre Dame

As for South Bend, we didn't really see a lot of it. We took an eastbound train from Chicago to the airport in South Bend. From there we proceeded to the Notre Dame campus.

Notre Dame Football. Love 'em, hate 'em, don't care... whatever your stance on the football program may be, you have to go. It is the embodiment of history and tradition. Everywhere you go on campus you are surrounded with the legacy and legend that is Notre Dame Football. From watching the players come out of Mass, to visiting the Grotto, to seeing Touchdown Jesus with his arms outstretched -- it is all part of the Notre Dame experience.

As for the game... well many Dawg fans' hearts were broken that day. But aside from the loss, WHAT A GAME. Duking it out through the wind and rain, thru four quarters and an overtime. Multiple lead changes and many defensive stops. And what of the question I had prior to the game? Well, the Huskies weren't perfect, but the team that defeated USC were the ones that showed up. They fought hard and with heart. It was all we could ask for.