Yea...out of Detroit! Very happy to escape...but first a well-deserved visit to IHOP and a delicious Belgian waffle! Sam complained a little bit, but boy needs to learn that I'M on this trip too :)
Off we went to Fort Wayne, and arrived at my friend Dawn's house just before dinner. Dawn and I have been friends for quite some time - she is the Greenways Director for the City of Fort Wayne...so we've crossed paths several times before. Like me she's single at my age. Never married though. Yes...we DID date when we first met, but no dice. She was my first rejection after my divorce, and put me on the road towards understanding that you can be friends with women without having to date them. Took me a while to learn however.
Okay, enough of that. We had some Chinese dinner, then off to a Tin Caps game downtown. We did this last year, but returned since we had a lot of fun. This year she invited her co-worker Amy, her partner Maureen, and Lori, who ditched us for a Zumba dancer. That's fine...would have been great to see her. Amy and Maureen were waiting for us at the park, and we all went to get tickets, only to find out that standing room was all that was left. We snapped up the cheapies and went in.
We made our way to the lawn seats, and proceeded to have a great time watching the game...even in the grass. I was also able to keep score of the game along the way...but it wasn't easy. The beer and conversation was great as well. During the game an opposing batter struck out, and everyone in the park got free bowling passes. After the game ended we watched a decent fireworks show and headed back.
It was at this point that Sam asked to use the bowling passes right away. Dawn was actually up for it too, so we headed to the lanes. The place was, as Sam put it, awesome. Not only bowling lanes, but laser tag, and arcade, food courts, and other crazy stuff. The place was called Crazy Pinz, and sure was. The bowling was also glow-in-the-dark as well. Nice! Dawn won the first game, and I won the second. Just missed 100 by one pin. Sam came in second in the 2nd game and left happy. We got back to Dawn's house about 1, and watched some TV, then hit the sack.
The next day started late...REAL late. I forgot to set the alarm on my phone, and sure enough slept late...REAL late. I mean nearly 2pm late. About 10 hours total. That's about the latest I have dozed in many a moon, and I felt it all day. Sam seemed OK with it...as you'd expect. Dawn joined us for lunch at Olive Garden, then we made our way home. We stopped at a local high school to play some catch, and then off to Crown Point.
Before we got home we did make a visit to my ailing mother at her nursing home. She was extremely happy to see us, and we wheeled her outside to take in the fresh air. It was a wonderful day and she enjoyed it very much. Off to home from there, with another zillion memories for us to enjoy :)
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Hittin' the Mitten - Days 4 & 5
As we awoke at the crack of noon, Sam and I had a nice lunch, the proceeded to the Bay City Recreation Area, directly on Saginaw Bay. Wow...what a difference from Traverse Bay. First, there were ZERO people on the beach...okay, maybe a few with their kiddies...but certainly nobody near the beach. This was for good reason - there was no water. The tide was quite a ways out, and on top of that it was drizzling rain. It looked like an apocalyptic scene. We saw buoys laying on the sandbars, as well as boats. Sam wondered if there was an oil spill. Anyways we made our way to the nicely done visitors center, where an even nicer park ranger told us the history of the bay. There is a very large marshy area around it, hence why it looks deserted. Also, the tides are affected by the wind. All made sense, but still creepy.
From there we headed down to Lansing for our next game. This would be the Lugnuts, and their downtown stadium was really nice. Quite sizable too. They dug it WAY into the ground, and there were high walls on both sides of the field. Felt like we were in a pit. The game went well, but about the 7th inning the skies opened up, and we left. First rainout we had experienced, so there's a first. From there we made it back to the hotel (a HoJo invaded by dozens of Chinese students...I guess), and eventually to bed.
The next morning was just as unproductive as the last...just the way we like it :) Sam had been asking to go to an Olive Garden for the entire trip...so that's where we ended up. A bit frustrating that it was located by a mall, but all was well. Afterwards we went back to Lansing to visit the Michigan Statehouse for spell, then off to a movie. We saw The Candidate, which was quite vulgar. Humorous too...but lots of rough language and cgi-enhanced humor (like a baby getting hit, etc.).
From Lansing we made our way to Detroit for the most challenging part of our trip. Always an adventure entering a big city. In our previous trips, this always proved the case. We visited Detroit to see Purdue play in the Pizza Bowl last December, and that was no fun getting to. At all. This was a little bit better, but GEEZ, they really stuck this park in a road maze!
We parked in an adjacent underground lot, and went into Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. I will admit this is a VERY nice park. It looks much more imposing on TV, but like any other park, gets a lot smaller in person. Same applies here. I was taken with the engaging scoreboard and wonderful view of downtown Detroit. NEVER thought I'd say that. Detroit is still a very rough city, but this part of it has done well with the Tigers and Lions playing next door. Of course I represented my White Sox proudly by wearing the appropriate shirt and hat. Only a couple of folks had an issue with it, although Sam almost picked a fight. Atta boy. The Tigers did end up winning the game, with Prince Fielder hitting not one but two, two-run homers. The last was an epic blast. Rats. That makes three Tigers games we caught this year counting spring training...and hopefully no more!
Can't say I'm impressed with the Motor City. At all. The streets are a mess, the people drive like they are all high on crack, and did I mention the streets? There is just something raw and rude about the whole area, which flies in the face of the whole "Michigan Nice" we had experienced up until today. Can't wait to get out of here.
From there we headed down to Lansing for our next game. This would be the Lugnuts, and their downtown stadium was really nice. Quite sizable too. They dug it WAY into the ground, and there were high walls on both sides of the field. Felt like we were in a pit. The game went well, but about the 7th inning the skies opened up, and we left. First rainout we had experienced, so there's a first. From there we made it back to the hotel (a HoJo invaded by dozens of Chinese students...I guess), and eventually to bed.
The next morning was just as unproductive as the last...just the way we like it :) Sam had been asking to go to an Olive Garden for the entire trip...so that's where we ended up. A bit frustrating that it was located by a mall, but all was well. Afterwards we went back to Lansing to visit the Michigan Statehouse for spell, then off to a movie. We saw The Candidate, which was quite vulgar. Humorous too...but lots of rough language and cgi-enhanced humor (like a baby getting hit, etc.).
From Lansing we made our way to Detroit for the most challenging part of our trip. Always an adventure entering a big city. In our previous trips, this always proved the case. We visited Detroit to see Purdue play in the Pizza Bowl last December, and that was no fun getting to. At all. This was a little bit better, but GEEZ, they really stuck this park in a road maze!
We parked in an adjacent underground lot, and went into Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. I will admit this is a VERY nice park. It looks much more imposing on TV, but like any other park, gets a lot smaller in person. Same applies here. I was taken with the engaging scoreboard and wonderful view of downtown Detroit. NEVER thought I'd say that. Detroit is still a very rough city, but this part of it has done well with the Tigers and Lions playing next door. Of course I represented my White Sox proudly by wearing the appropriate shirt and hat. Only a couple of folks had an issue with it, although Sam almost picked a fight. Atta boy. The Tigers did end up winning the game, with Prince Fielder hitting not one but two, two-run homers. The last was an epic blast. Rats. That makes three Tigers games we caught this year counting spring training...and hopefully no more!
Can't say I'm impressed with the Motor City. At all. The streets are a mess, the people drive like they are all high on crack, and did I mention the streets? There is just something raw and rude about the whole area, which flies in the face of the whole "Michigan Nice" we had experienced up until today. Can't wait to get out of here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Hittin' the Mitten - Day 3
Decided to skip the free breakfast this morning in lieu of sleep. Good choice. Both Sam and I snoozed nearly to 11...then hustled to get out of our hotel by noon. Had some yummie Pizza Hut for lunch. I really like Pizza Hut.
After we were done, Sam had mentioned swimming again in Traverse Bay - like yesterday. As I was watching him, I felt bad that I couldn't join him, but now I could with the new trunks. We went to Meijer (eventually...almost didn't...Sam couldn't make up his mind) for towels, and hit the beach again. Found a great parking space and there was a bathroom for changing...SCORE! We both waded in the water for a good two hours, then headed south to our next stop in Bay City.
We arrived to our hotel in time to shower, and then head back out to Midland for a Great Lakes Loons game. They are the single-A affiliate of the Dodgers. Great stadium, and a fantastic crowd...about 3,400 folks. We scored FREE tickets before the game, and Sam got a home run ball. Nice! While playing catch in the outfield berm, Sam missed a ground ball and it bounced into the field. NOT nice. Thankfully a nice groundskeeper retrieved it and threw it back to Sam. We shopped a little bit, and headed back to the hotel. I think we'll make tomorrow a movie day - not much to do out here.
After we were done, Sam had mentioned swimming again in Traverse Bay - like yesterday. As I was watching him, I felt bad that I couldn't join him, but now I could with the new trunks. We went to Meijer (eventually...almost didn't...Sam couldn't make up his mind) for towels, and hit the beach again. Found a great parking space and there was a bathroom for changing...SCORE! We both waded in the water for a good two hours, then headed south to our next stop in Bay City.
We arrived to our hotel in time to shower, and then head back out to Midland for a Great Lakes Loons game. They are the single-A affiliate of the Dodgers. Great stadium, and a fantastic crowd...about 3,400 folks. We scored FREE tickets before the game, and Sam got a home run ball. Nice! While playing catch in the outfield berm, Sam missed a ground ball and it bounced into the field. NOT nice. Thankfully a nice groundskeeper retrieved it and threw it back to Sam. We shopped a little bit, and headed back to the hotel. I think we'll make tomorrow a movie day - not much to do out here.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Hittin' the Mitten - Day 2
A MUCH better day - definitely helps that the sun came out! After grabbing some breakfast (Sam slept through it), we skedaddled out of GR towards our next stop - Traverse City. Along the way we stopped for lunch in Big Rapids...which is home to Ferris State. We saw them play back in the Frozen Four, and at least I was curious about the campus. Turns out to be quite the sizable facility - easily larger than Valpo, and probably as spread out as any campus gets. Who knew?
From there we made it to our next destination in Traverse City, and took a quick trip to the beach downtown. Sam really wanted to swim, and so he did. I realized that I forgot my swim trunks in GR...so I had to watch him from the shoreline - taking several pictures. It was quite the scene - the bay is beautiful, and thankfully not very populated. At all.
After I got Sam out of the water, we made it back to the hotel so he could shower up, then off to our first official baseball game of the trip - the Traverse City Beach Bums. Probably the best moniker for a team I've come across, and the stadium they play in does a great job in carrying forward that beach theme. The architecture has been designed like any you would find along a coastline - complete with blue and white stripped bar chairs. Kudos to their marketing team! The game was a rout - 18-1 Bums. They collected 20 hits which is a franchise record. Sam, as usual, made some friends...and also got yelled at from security. He was also called some names from the visiting ballclub...classy. Even so it didn't phase him, and afterwards I left with several souvenirs since I'm not sure if I'll ever visit this place again.
After the game Sam and I drove around for a night snack, and ice cream. We enjoyed it along the darkened lakeshore, and then a trip to Meijer to buy me some swim trunks (oy). Great day...and hope we can continue the good vibes tomorrow...
From there we made it to our next destination in Traverse City, and took a quick trip to the beach downtown. Sam really wanted to swim, and so he did. I realized that I forgot my swim trunks in GR...so I had to watch him from the shoreline - taking several pictures. It was quite the scene - the bay is beautiful, and thankfully not very populated. At all.
After I got Sam out of the water, we made it back to the hotel so he could shower up, then off to our first official baseball game of the trip - the Traverse City Beach Bums. Probably the best moniker for a team I've come across, and the stadium they play in does a great job in carrying forward that beach theme. The architecture has been designed like any you would find along a coastline - complete with blue and white stripped bar chairs. Kudos to their marketing team! The game was a rout - 18-1 Bums. They collected 20 hits which is a franchise record. Sam, as usual, made some friends...and also got yelled at from security. He was also called some names from the visiting ballclub...classy. Even so it didn't phase him, and afterwards I left with several souvenirs since I'm not sure if I'll ever visit this place again.
After the game Sam and I drove around for a night snack, and ice cream. We enjoyed it along the darkened lakeshore, and then a trip to Meijer to buy me some swim trunks (oy). Great day...and hope we can continue the good vibes tomorrow...
Monday, August 13, 2012
HIttin' the Mitten - Day 1
NOW we are back to the present!
Sam and I embarked on yet another big baseball trip - this time to Michigan. Our goal is to hit six games in six days, but we already goofed...
The day itself started off shaky since it took Sam and I a lot longer to leave home than I thought. As ususal I "never leave once" and certainly didn't this time. I think I returned to the house 3 or 4 times before I left. Even so we still had to go to my job and get my raincoat and then visit my mum who is in the nursing home. We get there and, or course, she's not in the room - but out at dialysis.
It gets better. As we are finally on our way up to our first stop in Grand Rapids for a West Michigan Whitecaps game, Sam noticed that the game started at NOON. It was about 2pm eastern when he told me. It was raining so I thought the game would be delayed, then the next big goof took place...I forgot my son's medications. ALL of them. I pulled over on the side of the expressway to verify, and yep, left them at home. Oh yeah, we were about a half hour out of Grand Rapids.
At this point I seriously thought of driving all the way back, but Sam's mom did give me the idea of going to Walgreens to take care of it. So we pulled over in South Haven, and sure enough they did. Sam and waited by taking a nice walk in downtown South Haven to the beach, and then we were off to GR. We got the hotel - an OK Travelodge - and then BW3's in downtown GR. I did get a nice dip in the pool as well. So...for such a bad start, all turns out well...sort of. Here's to a sunny day in Traverse City tomorrow...Lord willing.
Sam and I embarked on yet another big baseball trip - this time to Michigan. Our goal is to hit six games in six days, but we already goofed...
The day itself started off shaky since it took Sam and I a lot longer to leave home than I thought. As ususal I "never leave once" and certainly didn't this time. I think I returned to the house 3 or 4 times before I left. Even so we still had to go to my job and get my raincoat and then visit my mum who is in the nursing home. We get there and, or course, she's not in the room - but out at dialysis.
It gets better. As we are finally on our way up to our first stop in Grand Rapids for a West Michigan Whitecaps game, Sam noticed that the game started at NOON. It was about 2pm eastern when he told me. It was raining so I thought the game would be delayed, then the next big goof took place...I forgot my son's medications. ALL of them. I pulled over on the side of the expressway to verify, and yep, left them at home. Oh yeah, we were about a half hour out of Grand Rapids.
At this point I seriously thought of driving all the way back, but Sam's mom did give me the idea of going to Walgreens to take care of it. So we pulled over in South Haven, and sure enough they did. Sam and waited by taking a nice walk in downtown South Haven to the beach, and then we were off to GR. We got the hotel - an OK Travelodge - and then BW3's in downtown GR. I did get a nice dip in the pool as well. So...for such a bad start, all turns out well...sort of. Here's to a sunny day in Traverse City tomorrow...Lord willing.
Run to the Sun - Day 9
Okay, if you're looking at the date...you're right...I'm late. Just want to finish this up real quick. We left Chattanooga for home that Easter Sunday. Along the way we met up with my good friend Shaunna and her boyfriend Mark. We all went to a local eatery for our own Easter dinner, shared a few laughs, and hit the road. That was that.
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