For these early arrivers, Dome is optional

Larry Spooner had good reason for choosing ribs as the staple of his Vikings' tailgating marathons.

"A hamburger gets done too fast,'' he said. "We needed something that cooked slow and created a sense of anticipation.''

Larry and Lynn Poferl were married in 1995. They bought Vikings season tickets two years later and started tailgating.

"We've moved all over in the search for tailgating spots,'' Lynn said. "We were on the other side of Washington Ave. for a few years. This is by far the best location we've had.''

Several lots close to the Metrodome were leased on game days and opened to tailgaters in 2007. The Spooners pay the $400 fee to claim a spot for the season in a lot west of Gate H.

Two purple three-sided tents were in that lot Sunday at 9 a.m. -- more than 10 hours before kickoff for the Vikings and the Chicago Bears.

The most action was taking place in the tent manned by the Spooners of Plymouth and Dan Goudy, a friend from Minnetonka. Coals were ignited in 11 Weber grills -- nine for Larry's specialty ribs and two for sausage and other breakfast items.

"We pulled into the parking lot at 5:20 this morning,'' Spooner said. "The idea today was to get the ribs in the kettles and start smoking 'em by 6:15. We want them ready to eat by 2 this afternoon.''

This was a leisurely schedule compared with what takes place with the Spooners and Goudy when there's the usual noon kickoff on a Sunday. Then, the purple-painted van with the Vikings insignias arrives at 1:15 a.m.

"We get to see downtown going to sleep at night and we get to see it wake up again in the morning,'' Spooner said. "We've met some interesting characters as they stumble past after last call.''

The Spooners have a 48-inch HD television in the back of the van. It's hooked up to a portable satellite dish. They still have season tickets, but Larry and Lynn have not actually gone inside the Dome to watch a game in several years.

"We've developed a little community here, 70, 80 people that we've met through tailgating,'' Larry said. "The majority head in for the games, but a number of us stay out here and watch on television. That might cost the Vikings some concession money but nothing when it comes to loyalty.

"There are only proud Vikings fans welcome here. If you want to complain about Brad Childress, go somewhere else. We only support the Vikings here -- from ownership, to the coach, to all the players.''

Spooner's passion for the Vikings started when his mother took him to an exhibition game at Met Stadium in 1970. He showed up at the State Legislature four years ago to speak in favor of a Vikings' stadium. He made local television and the Twin Cities dailies for his remarks on what the Vikings meant to Minnesota.

The Vikings asked him to volunteer with Minnesota Momentum, the citizens group the team organized to help in a stadium effort.

"I'm just a shipping manager from Plymouth, and I'm a chairperson with Bud Grant,'' said Spooner. "How about that?''

Todd and Karla Tvetene from Bloomington pulled another purple-painted van in next to the Spooners' -- as always -- around noon. The Tvetenes bring the speakers and the music.

Todd claimed that he didn't follow his friend Larry's example. "We go inside for the games,'' he said.

Several hours later, the Bears were getting ready to kick off to the Vikings on the Spooners' wide-screen and Todd was standing there.

What happened? "We sold our tickets,'' he said. "A couple of Vikings fans came by wanting tickets, so we decided to watch on television.''

A group of a dozen was watching the Spooners' television. The ban on complaints about the Vikings was not being wholly followed when the Bears' Devin Hester turned a short pass into a 65-yard touchdown.

Spooner was undeterred. "Come on, Vikes,'' he said. "We're going to be OK.''

Fifty minutes later, Larry proved prophetic as Gus Frerotte and Bernard Berrian teamed for a 99-yard touchdown. Great ribs, cold beer and a 99-yarder ... for what more could a master tailgater ask?

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. preusse@startribune.com