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.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
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.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Run to the Sun - Days 7 & 8
Up on a Friday morning, and off again to Mickey D's. This time however they stopped serving breakfast 5 minutes early (grrr), so off we went in search of food. Lucky for us Sonic served breakfast all day...score!
This was a real laid back day. In the early afternoon, after dealing with a pouty Sam, I went to the clubhouse pool, and did some relaxing. The weather was simply divine. When I came back, Laurie had worked her magic on Sam and now he was agreeable to anything I wanted. However I really wanted him to enjoy the pool so back we went. We took a quick dip, then I layed out again (ahhhh), and returned back in time for dinner.
Joining us was my friend John Tinker, who I had never met other than phone conversations. Great guy, and a great dinner too. Dessert rocked thanks to Sam picking out the Oreo pie...BIG yum! As the night went on Sam left to play with kids at the clubhouse bball courts, and Jim, Laurie, John and I sat and chatted the night away. Well, as much as Jim could muster. First Laurie retired around 9, then we broke up about 10. So time to pack and get ready for the drive home.
We woke up a bit early on Saturday morning since we were going to visit my high school friend Bob Amar in Ganesville. He's been there for a dozen years, but I never visited him. Last time I saw his wife Shawna was in 2000...with a REALLY small Sam. So we said our goodbyes to Jim and Laurie, and off we went.
About two hours later we arrived in Ganesville, and ready to join the Amar family (with his two small sons Evan and Jacob) for a University of Florida spring football game. So we piled into his minivan and off to the game. After a while we parked and walked to the stadium - which is called "The Swamp" (has an official name...I don't care). We paid the $5 per ticket cost, and went inside. The place was only a quarter filled...thank goodness. Such a huge place - holds up to 90K easily. We didn't stay long - Bob's kids were getting hot, and so was Sam. We left, went back to Bob's house where I wrestled a bit with his boys...then hit the road.
Our next destination was Chattanooga, and we beat feet (or wheels in this case) up there, and arrived at 11pm. Got double beds too...score! Ready for our last day...on Easter no less.
This was a real laid back day. In the early afternoon, after dealing with a pouty Sam, I went to the clubhouse pool, and did some relaxing. The weather was simply divine. When I came back, Laurie had worked her magic on Sam and now he was agreeable to anything I wanted. However I really wanted him to enjoy the pool so back we went. We took a quick dip, then I layed out again (ahhhh), and returned back in time for dinner.
Joining us was my friend John Tinker, who I had never met other than phone conversations. Great guy, and a great dinner too. Dessert rocked thanks to Sam picking out the Oreo pie...BIG yum! As the night went on Sam left to play with kids at the clubhouse bball courts, and Jim, Laurie, John and I sat and chatted the night away. Well, as much as Jim could muster. First Laurie retired around 9, then we broke up about 10. So time to pack and get ready for the drive home.
We woke up a bit early on Saturday morning since we were going to visit my high school friend Bob Amar in Ganesville. He's been there for a dozen years, but I never visited him. Last time I saw his wife Shawna was in 2000...with a REALLY small Sam. So we said our goodbyes to Jim and Laurie, and off we went.
About two hours later we arrived in Ganesville, and ready to join the Amar family (with his two small sons Evan and Jacob) for a University of Florida spring football game. So we piled into his minivan and off to the game. After a while we parked and walked to the stadium - which is called "The Swamp" (has an official name...I don't care). We paid the $5 per ticket cost, and went inside. The place was only a quarter filled...thank goodness. Such a huge place - holds up to 90K easily. We didn't stay long - Bob's kids were getting hot, and so was Sam. We left, went back to Bob's house where I wrestled a bit with his boys...then hit the road.
Our next destination was Chattanooga, and we beat feet (or wheels in this case) up there, and arrived at 11pm. Got double beds too...score! Ready for our last day...on Easter no less.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Run to the Sun - Day 6
For the first time in our trip, we had no idea what this day held in store for us. Once again Sam and I awake at the crack of 10am, and head towards Micky D's for b-fast. However, when we get back, we have no plans. Laurie was home and clued us in on some ideas, such as a laser tag place. In the end, I took another look at the Frozen Four tickets, and they had come down to $50 each...so I took 'em.
Now the Frozen Four is the Final Four for NCAA men's hockey. Some genius thought it would be great to have Tampa host an event where the main participants all reside north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Now for the Super Bowl that works...but not so much with college hockey. For 2012, the four teams competing are Union College in NY, Boston College, Ferris St. from MI, and Minnesota. Union and Ferris are quite small, with Union only having an enrollment of just over 2,200. Compare that to Minnesota's hefty 50K student body, and you can understand the charm of this event. This would NEVER happen in college basketball.
So we set out once again for the Tampa Bay Times Forum, where we were on Monday night. Now the place is all decked out in Frozen Four stuff, and Sam being impatient wanted to get in right away. We did - 70 minutes before the first game. LOTS of time on our hands. To my dismay the seats we got were right under the bands...and when they played...WOW! So we moved to a spot near center ice, and caught both games there. Like I said, smart to host this in Tampa - the place was barely 3/4 full. Teams like Ferris and Union don't travel well...if at all.
Sam as usual made friends with those sitting by us, and we saw Ferris St. beat Union in the first game. Pretty sloppy - and definitely not the NHL. Still was entertaining, and nice to see a school never winning having a chance at a title. The second game turned into a rout. Boston College is the number one team in the country - and for a good reason. They good! Although Minnesota was the aggressor - BC was the finisher. We left the Forum when the score was 4-0, and it was 6-1 BC when we finally left downtown. Oy.
That was basically it. Still no real plans for tomorrow afternoon...
Now the Frozen Four is the Final Four for NCAA men's hockey. Some genius thought it would be great to have Tampa host an event where the main participants all reside north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Now for the Super Bowl that works...but not so much with college hockey. For 2012, the four teams competing are Union College in NY, Boston College, Ferris St. from MI, and Minnesota. Union and Ferris are quite small, with Union only having an enrollment of just over 2,200. Compare that to Minnesota's hefty 50K student body, and you can understand the charm of this event. This would NEVER happen in college basketball.
So we set out once again for the Tampa Bay Times Forum, where we were on Monday night. Now the place is all decked out in Frozen Four stuff, and Sam being impatient wanted to get in right away. We did - 70 minutes before the first game. LOTS of time on our hands. To my dismay the seats we got were right under the bands...and when they played...WOW! So we moved to a spot near center ice, and caught both games there. Like I said, smart to host this in Tampa - the place was barely 3/4 full. Teams like Ferris and Union don't travel well...if at all.
Sam as usual made friends with those sitting by us, and we saw Ferris St. beat Union in the first game. Pretty sloppy - and definitely not the NHL. Still was entertaining, and nice to see a school never winning having a chance at a title. The second game turned into a rout. Boston College is the number one team in the country - and for a good reason. They good! Although Minnesota was the aggressor - BC was the finisher. We left the Forum when the score was 4-0, and it was 6-1 BC when we finally left downtown. Oy.
That was basically it. Still no real plans for tomorrow afternoon...
Run to the Sun - Day 5
Another day, another breakfast at McDonalds. I could think of whole lot worse things than starting your day on McGriddles...right?
Today's adventure took us to St. Petersburg and Tropicana Field - home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was the last exhibition for the team, and they were playing the "Future Rays" - or a bunch of guys from the minors. We got there in plenty of time since Sam wanted to get a good seat, but when we did get there, he found some young kids and hung with them - in the handicapped section in the concourse. Even so he was able to snag as many as 6, SIX, baseballs from batting practice. Not too shabby.
The game itself was a bore, but it was nice to see the starters from the Rays play a few meaningful innings. The dome itself wasn't as bad as I thought - not as sterile. Looking around I know the team did as much as they could to bring character to a facility built quick on the cheap, and really not meant for baseball. The dome itself not only slopes down towards the outfield, but has no less then two levels of catwalks (??) which practically interfere with fly balls. I've been to domes before, and still have no clue why this stadium has so many of these walks. Another weird thing was that only 5,000 showed up - if that - and due to the small crowd, you could practically hear a pin drop between pitches (save for the loudmouth fans that want to hear themselves echo).
After the game we headed to downtown Tampa, to a spot called Ybor City, to meet up with Chris Berger, who is the younger brother of my high school bud Brian. He lives in the Tampa area and works in Sarasota. We both arrived a bit late since traffic was nuts. Sam and I got stuck on the bridge crossing over the bay...lovely. Chris was even later. Ybor City is a historic cigar-making district gone nightlife spot with bars everywhere...dotted by tattoo parlors. It's basically a duplicate of the French Quarter in New Orleans...even down to the architecture. We had a nice dinner at a local brewpub, and headed back.
We arrived back at Jim and Laurie's to actually see them before their bedtime. I took a nice walk with Jim around his neighborhood to catch up on some issues. After I returned Sam was itching to play basketball, so we found an old ball outside a daycare nearby, and shot around. Then a bit of tennis afterward, and played until the lights shut down on us. We came back, showered...and off to pillow world.
Today's adventure took us to St. Petersburg and Tropicana Field - home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was the last exhibition for the team, and they were playing the "Future Rays" - or a bunch of guys from the minors. We got there in plenty of time since Sam wanted to get a good seat, but when we did get there, he found some young kids and hung with them - in the handicapped section in the concourse. Even so he was able to snag as many as 6, SIX, baseballs from batting practice. Not too shabby.
The game itself was a bore, but it was nice to see the starters from the Rays play a few meaningful innings. The dome itself wasn't as bad as I thought - not as sterile. Looking around I know the team did as much as they could to bring character to a facility built quick on the cheap, and really not meant for baseball. The dome itself not only slopes down towards the outfield, but has no less then two levels of catwalks (??) which practically interfere with fly balls. I've been to domes before, and still have no clue why this stadium has so many of these walks. Another weird thing was that only 5,000 showed up - if that - and due to the small crowd, you could practically hear a pin drop between pitches (save for the loudmouth fans that want to hear themselves echo).
After the game we headed to downtown Tampa, to a spot called Ybor City, to meet up with Chris Berger, who is the younger brother of my high school bud Brian. He lives in the Tampa area and works in Sarasota. We both arrived a bit late since traffic was nuts. Sam and I got stuck on the bridge crossing over the bay...lovely. Chris was even later. Ybor City is a historic cigar-making district gone nightlife spot with bars everywhere...dotted by tattoo parlors. It's basically a duplicate of the French Quarter in New Orleans...even down to the architecture. We had a nice dinner at a local brewpub, and headed back.
We arrived back at Jim and Laurie's to actually see them before their bedtime. I took a nice walk with Jim around his neighborhood to catch up on some issues. After I returned Sam was itching to play basketball, so we found an old ball outside a daycare nearby, and shot around. Then a bit of tennis afterward, and played until the lights shut down on us. We came back, showered...and off to pillow world.
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