Okay, a few days late on this...but before I forget...
Thursday, Aug. 8th:
Probably one of the most beautiful rides I have ever experienced. Before that however Sam and I went to the Thunder Bay lakefront, and back to revisit Kakabeka Falls because, well, it's awesome. No change from the day before. From there we headed south to Duluth...and man what a ride! Lake Superior was hugging the coastline practically the entire trip. At the US/Canada border there are the High Falls which we hiked to, and after staring at that in awe for a while, we took a sidepath down to the rivers edge and hung around there a while. Good times - and Sam was quite amazed that Canada lay just on the other side of the rushing river. After this we trekked south to Duluth and passed several lakeside resorts. We arrived in Duluth a bit late for the game (dang GPS!) but did manage to catch most of the game. We got our money's worth since it went to 12 innings. We finished the long day at a BW3's.
Friday, Aug. 9th:
The official last day of our trip started with a brief tour of the Duluth lakefront, and of the city proper. It's an amazing place - built entirely on a hillside. Would easily give San Fran a run for its money as the nation's steepest city. The lakefront was amazing with a beautiful walking path and beach. Well, not the type of beach we are used to - pretty much rocks of all sizes...not sand. We got back to our car right before the meter ran out and made our way to Illinois for a game in Elgin. Oops...wasn't Elgin, but south of there, and north of Wisconsin Dells it became apparent that we would be at least a half hour late. At that point I decided to hit a waterpark at the Dells - Kalahari - which Sam and I visited several years ago. We got an after 5pm pass and went nuts for 5 hours. Beat myself up pretty good but a great way to end the trip. Made for a long night - returned home just after 2am. However another wonderful trip in the books!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Great Green North Days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Yikes! Blame this on lack of computers at the hotels we stayed at after Madison. That said here's a recap to the best of my memory:
Saturday, Aug. 3:
From Madison we set out to Minneapolis for a Twins game. Got there in time, but parking was a bit of a hassle. Found out it was a sell-out and only SRO was available. Even so we did make it to some seats in the upper deck (moved once due to a late group). In our second attempt to sit Sam made friends (of course) with a 3-yr old sitting behind us...and up until then annoying me quite a bit. Yeah, karma IS a Mitch. By game's end we made it to the outfield seats, and safe to say this is one of the BEST MLB parks going. Amazing views and liberal use of limestone - pretty! Afterwards we walked around downtown a bit - but were eager to get to the hotel.
Sunday, Aug. 4:
After a night of sleep in a queen-sized bed (thank GOD!) we hit the road for a big day of traveling. Halfway thru we stopped in Fargo, ND for a Redhawks game. Nice place and decent crowd attendance. Afterwards we decided to ride around the nearby ND State campus - and visit the Fargodome. Well, on the outside - it was locked up tight. Then after getting some supplies...off to the border. I will admit being a bit nervous approaching the border but it really was no big deal. Made it into Canada with zero trouble - even if the guard made Sam nervous. We glided thru to Winnipeg in a rain, then settled into our hotel. The place, an EconLodge, used to be the worst hotel in the city (nice). However it had been wonderfully refurbished and we enjoyed all three nights there...even without a pool.
Monday, Aug. 5:
Okay, time to meet Sam's X-box buddy Danny and his dad at the nearby mall. To be honest, I could see how this might wig them out - here are two folks driving up to Winnipeg (which is NOT a destination) to visit a 13-yr old. Anyways we met them at a Starbucks (of course) and had a GREAT time. I got to meet Danny's father Russ, who turned out to be very conversational and we walked around the mall several times talking about everything. Sam and Danny wasted a good two hours in the arcade. After is was clear that we were NOT weirdos, they agreed to meet up with us the next day for a Goldeyes baseball game. From there Sam and I visited a national park called The Forks and even rented a tandem bike for an hour. Whoa...almost tipped over a couple of times, but it turned out to be a great time. Next was another visit to Tim Horton's (famous coffee and dount store in Canada), and then to the hotel.
Tuesday, Aug. 6:
Woke up, and off to Tim Horton's...again. Sam REALLY likes this place and I did agree that yes, while we are in Canada, let's do this. Afterwards we killed time in the hotel then met Russ, Danny and his little sister at The Forks to grab a bite to eat and then the game. Before dinner we took a half-hour cruise down the rivers that make up the forks. We enjoyed a great meal at the Old Spaghetti Factory, then off to the game. It was a Goldeyes game at Shaw Park, which is a beautiful park right on the Red River. The temperature began to fall, but the game itself was great - and topped off by post-game fireworks. From there we walked back to our cars, and bid adieu. Great times with great people!
Wednesday, Aug. 7:
Up early (for us) and out on the road to Thunder Bay - an 8 hour ride along the Trans-Canada Highway. Although the distance was long, the scenery was simply stunning - once we got out of Manitoba. There were lakes galore - and as blue as I have ever seen them. The highway wound through a seemingly endless series of picture-postcard views of tall pine trees, rock outcroppings, hills...and of course those magnificent lakes. Eventually we rode into Thunder Bay, but first stopped by Kakabeka Falls - which were beyond breathtaking. Couldn't believe how majestic these were - words do no justice. Sam and I just viewed them in total awe...and did our best to pull ourselves away and get into town. Once there we found out that the Border Cats were playing a doubleheader since they were rained out the night before. Yea! Good thing - we got into town an hour later since this place is on EASTERN time! (DOH!). At the game, as we pulled into the parking lot, an older chap named Gary told us to sit in a certain section for foul balls, and when we entered the stadium - there he was, and he invited us to sit with him. Sure enough Sam did shag two foul balls, and Gary even got our names announced at the game for all to hear. As for the game - ick. The Border Cats lost 12-3...which is typical for them. REALLY bad team. However GREAT fans and Gary had his wife and friends around - heckling and cheering all night. Good times. Afterwards Sam and I visited downtown TB to gaze at Lake Superior in the dark. We'll get better views in the morning...
Saturday, Aug. 3:
From Madison we set out to Minneapolis for a Twins game. Got there in time, but parking was a bit of a hassle. Found out it was a sell-out and only SRO was available. Even so we did make it to some seats in the upper deck (moved once due to a late group). In our second attempt to sit Sam made friends (of course) with a 3-yr old sitting behind us...and up until then annoying me quite a bit. Yeah, karma IS a Mitch. By game's end we made it to the outfield seats, and safe to say this is one of the BEST MLB parks going. Amazing views and liberal use of limestone - pretty! Afterwards we walked around downtown a bit - but were eager to get to the hotel.
Sunday, Aug. 4:
After a night of sleep in a queen-sized bed (thank GOD!) we hit the road for a big day of traveling. Halfway thru we stopped in Fargo, ND for a Redhawks game. Nice place and decent crowd attendance. Afterwards we decided to ride around the nearby ND State campus - and visit the Fargodome. Well, on the outside - it was locked up tight. Then after getting some supplies...off to the border. I will admit being a bit nervous approaching the border but it really was no big deal. Made it into Canada with zero trouble - even if the guard made Sam nervous. We glided thru to Winnipeg in a rain, then settled into our hotel. The place, an EconLodge, used to be the worst hotel in the city (nice). However it had been wonderfully refurbished and we enjoyed all three nights there...even without a pool.
Monday, Aug. 5:
Okay, time to meet Sam's X-box buddy Danny and his dad at the nearby mall. To be honest, I could see how this might wig them out - here are two folks driving up to Winnipeg (which is NOT a destination) to visit a 13-yr old. Anyways we met them at a Starbucks (of course) and had a GREAT time. I got to meet Danny's father Russ, who turned out to be very conversational and we walked around the mall several times talking about everything. Sam and Danny wasted a good two hours in the arcade. After is was clear that we were NOT weirdos, they agreed to meet up with us the next day for a Goldeyes baseball game. From there Sam and I visited a national park called The Forks and even rented a tandem bike for an hour. Whoa...almost tipped over a couple of times, but it turned out to be a great time. Next was another visit to Tim Horton's (famous coffee and dount store in Canada), and then to the hotel.
Tuesday, Aug. 6:
Woke up, and off to Tim Horton's...again. Sam REALLY likes this place and I did agree that yes, while we are in Canada, let's do this. Afterwards we killed time in the hotel then met Russ, Danny and his little sister at The Forks to grab a bite to eat and then the game. Before dinner we took a half-hour cruise down the rivers that make up the forks. We enjoyed a great meal at the Old Spaghetti Factory, then off to the game. It was a Goldeyes game at Shaw Park, which is a beautiful park right on the Red River. The temperature began to fall, but the game itself was great - and topped off by post-game fireworks. From there we walked back to our cars, and bid adieu. Great times with great people!
Wednesday, Aug. 7:
Up early (for us) and out on the road to Thunder Bay - an 8 hour ride along the Trans-Canada Highway. Although the distance was long, the scenery was simply stunning - once we got out of Manitoba. There were lakes galore - and as blue as I have ever seen them. The highway wound through a seemingly endless series of picture-postcard views of tall pine trees, rock outcroppings, hills...and of course those magnificent lakes. Eventually we rode into Thunder Bay, but first stopped by Kakabeka Falls - which were beyond breathtaking. Couldn't believe how majestic these were - words do no justice. Sam and I just viewed them in total awe...and did our best to pull ourselves away and get into town. Once there we found out that the Border Cats were playing a doubleheader since they were rained out the night before. Yea! Good thing - we got into town an hour later since this place is on EASTERN time! (DOH!). At the game, as we pulled into the parking lot, an older chap named Gary told us to sit in a certain section for foul balls, and when we entered the stadium - there he was, and he invited us to sit with him. Sure enough Sam did shag two foul balls, and Gary even got our names announced at the game for all to hear. As for the game - ick. The Border Cats lost 12-3...which is typical for them. REALLY bad team. However GREAT fans and Gary had his wife and friends around - heckling and cheering all night. Good times. Afterwards Sam and I visited downtown TB to gaze at Lake Superior in the dark. We'll get better views in the morning...
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Great Green North - Day 1
It's the summer of 2013...and boy and I are back on the road for seven more games. As with 2008 we are heading back to Canada to catch a couple this time...at least while Sam doesn't need a passport. This time on the western side of Lake Michigan. Best part of our tour this year is that all seven ballparks are new to us.
Day one was more hectic than I would have liked. After some pit stops for videos and gas, we finally hit the road at 3. In Chicago...you are asking for it by leaving at that time on a Friday. Sure enough, we did. A three hour ride to our first stop in Madison turned into over four due to numerous traffic jams. Dang I hate driving around Chi-town...so much easier just going downtown.
Anyhow we did make it up to Mad-City by just before gametime, and because my phone signal crapped out, we ran late to the game and caught the second inning on. Even so GREAT experience! The place was about packed and the atmosphere fantastic. In between innings they had a series of inflata-mascots come out such as Harry Canary, Mackerel Jordan and Whale Gretzky. Good times. The Canary mascot actually sang the 7th inning stretch too...classic! I also enjoyed the BEST steak quesedilla I may ever have again. Overall one of the best minor-league experiences I've been to.
Afterwards we decided to take a lake night walk around downtown Madison - right into college-night life hell. On top of that Sam was wearing all Purdue stuff - certainly got a few weird looks...and some unintelligible mumbling from the drunks (LOTS of drunks). Amazing downtown atmosphere to be sure...probably the best college experience anywhere in the county.
Day one was more hectic than I would have liked. After some pit stops for videos and gas, we finally hit the road at 3. In Chicago...you are asking for it by leaving at that time on a Friday. Sure enough, we did. A three hour ride to our first stop in Madison turned into over four due to numerous traffic jams. Dang I hate driving around Chi-town...so much easier just going downtown.
Anyhow we did make it up to Mad-City by just before gametime, and because my phone signal crapped out, we ran late to the game and caught the second inning on. Even so GREAT experience! The place was about packed and the atmosphere fantastic. In between innings they had a series of inflata-mascots come out such as Harry Canary, Mackerel Jordan and Whale Gretzky. Good times. The Canary mascot actually sang the 7th inning stretch too...classic! I also enjoyed the BEST steak quesedilla I may ever have again. Overall one of the best minor-league experiences I've been to.
Afterwards we decided to take a lake night walk around downtown Madison - right into college-night life hell. On top of that Sam was wearing all Purdue stuff - certainly got a few weird looks...and some unintelligible mumbling from the drunks (LOTS of drunks). Amazing downtown atmosphere to be sure...probably the best college experience anywhere in the county.
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