Although my beloved Penn State Nittany Lions lost to the mighty USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day (that's, um, football for the sports-challenged among you), it was nevertheless thrilling to attend a fabulous Pasadena double-header - the Rose Bowl Parade, followed by the nearby "Grandaddy of 'em all" bowl game. I tailgated with some new friends - Penn State fans from San Diego - and the weather was fabulous, sunny with a high of 74. My three-day jaunt was actually the brainchild of my wife Donna, who, after a recent Hawaii trip with girlfriends, encouraged me to try to score a ticket and go. Photos by Alan Sheckter / NorCalEdit@sbcglobal.net. Permission must be granted for re-publication.