And to think we almost missed it.

Keeping an eye on the weather, I determined Friday night that there was no way we were going to risk a drive all the way to Lincoln, sit in rainy Memorial Stadium, and then risk life and limb again to return home on icy roads.

So I put my foot down.

We left for Lincoln about noon Saturday.

Looking back, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Long johns, coffee and hot chocolate in thermoses, warm weather coats and bright lights, along with little or no precipitation, made the stadium seem almost comfortable.

Besides, that touchdown on a fake fieldgoal just before half made everybody toasty warm.

We were able to stay in Lincoln until 10 a.m. Saturday, and by then, the highways were virtually dry.

I'm thankful we didn't try to drive back that night; I heard of one family who found themselves facing the eastbound fast lane after encountering black ice.

I really don't feel bad about being cautious. I have good reason to want to avoid dangerous roads.

My first major encounter with black ice left me in the Interstate 80 median, with two dismounted right tires. My college professor was sympathetic when I explained the reason I missed the final exam.

Another Thanksgiving-time adventure found my wife and me helping push cars around another vehicle stuck on an icy Dismal Hill on U.S. 83. Those Sandhills are beautiful in the right conditions, but they look a lot like the Arctic when a blizzard rolls through. They also take a long time to cross when your heater doesn't work all that great.

A spring blizzard once saw us trapped on Interstate 80 in a convoy several counties long. The drive back from Omaha, which should have taken five hours, tops, took all day -- to reach Grand Island. The next day, we made it to Kearney.

Finally, on day three, roads were open enough to make it to McCook.

"That storm wasn't predicted," my wife reminded me during our pre-game travel debate.

I hate it when people have a good memory.

But things really have changed over the last few years. During that three-day Nebraska traverse in the late 1980s, a CB radio was the best technology at our disposal.

Today, we have live weather radar on our computers -- or even on in-car laptop computers or cellular phones, if we want them.

Broadcasters compete to provide the best weather information around, and drivers can use even the most basic cell phone to call 511, and receive the latest conditions on any road they may use to plan their route.

This Thanksgiving doesn't seem like it will present any serious travel problems, but there will be plenty of opportunities for dangerous travel before this winter is done.

Next time we have to travel, I'll know what I'm talking about before I put my foot down -- on the gas pedal.