I knew from living in Portland before how many Midwesterners have followed the modern day Oregon Trail to a new home in Pacifica. But yesterday afternoon, proof of this migration story was found in a deep sea of Husker red at the Refectory on NE 122nd in Portland—site of the weekly Oregonians for Nebraska watch party.

We walked in at quarter to five and found banquet room after banquet room filled to the brim with Husker supporters. There wasn’t a seat in the house. After looking high and low, we joined a party at their table (thanks Patty and Doug!) and got ready for the game (Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter on tap is certainly a helpful ready maker).

Patty told us how her parents went to Nebraska and were themselves at a watch party in the Bay Area. She grew up in California and attended Pacific University, but thanks to her parents, she has been a life-long Husker fan. Patty also let on that she reads Huskerpedia, and has maybe checked this site out, at one time or another.

We gave up our tickets to last night’s game due to the high volume of travel we’ve been doing this month and the fact that we’re still settling into our new city. So, it was really nice to share the game— disappointing as it was—with fellow fans and people with connections to The Corn.

When Nate Swift ran that kick back the place literally exploded and I wondered what it must have felt like in Memorial Stadium. It sure felt great to be swept up in the excitement at the Refectory, so I know it was a special moment in Lincoln.