Great Green North Days 7 & 8

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!

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...

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.

Happy BOILER New Year!

It's the first day of 2013 and I'm writing this from a hotel in Dallas, Texas.  Sam and I are down here to take in the Boilermakers bowl game on New Year's Day.  It's called the Heart of Dallas Bowl, and it's played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium...but it's not the Cotton Bowl.  Glad we're clear.  

Tonight was definitely one for the books.  Had no idea how to really spend it since I have no idea who's here from Purdue.  Anyways the Alumni Assoc. was sponsoring a New Year's Eve reception for all Boiler fans, and so Sam and I rode the train downtown to join it at the Hyatt.  Didn't know if it would turn out to be a dud, so had residual plans for a massive outdoor celebration called NYE D.  

When we got to the hotel, I asked someone at a desk about the "Purdue reception" and immediately we are put on this elevator with its own door person.  That should have been the first tip.  When we got up to the reception, we found ourselves at the top of Reunion Tower - 54 stories above Dallas.  The folks were dressed really nice, and Sam and I were in our jeans and sweats.  We sheepishly made our way thru the small crowd, and said this was certainly a dud party.

So as we tried to leave and were ready to call the elevator, this very nice and elegant woman named Lisa moves over to us to ask where we were going.  We explained that we were under-dressed and probably in the wrong place.  She told us that was nonsense and asked us to join us, and said that there would be "sliders" for Sam to eat. Then Lisa gets me a beer, and asks about our plans for the game.  I said we hope to get tickets at the door, and which Lisa states that she "would take care of us."  Mind you, we only have know this Lisa for 10 minutes...tops.  This guy then comes over and says he would work to get those tickets, and sure enough put me in touch with a guy who later delivered not two...but FOUR freebies for the game.  

This is the classic definition of serendipity if there ever was one.  We thanked Lisa profusely for her extreme kindness, at which point she leaned over and said that the party we attended was for "million-dollar donors." Gulp.  She said it was fine and the party we were looking for was on the second floor.  To say the least I was so very thankful for the chance encounters, and also to God Himself for not only showing up for us...but showing off :)

After our "million dollar encounter" it was time to join the real plebes at the Alumni party.  We found this woman and her Purdue-aged son and pretty much hung with them all night. Traded lots of stories while Sam worked the room talking to players and coaches.  Midnight finally rolled around with us now in plastic hats and horns.  Sam was a pig in mud.  After we made our way to the train, and beat the hordes leaving the massive Dallas celebration.  Probably one of the best New  Year's I have ever spent...and all thanks to a mistake :)

Hittin' the Mitten - Days 6 & 7

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 :)

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.

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.