Baseball Stadium Roadtrip!

2010 World Series

2010-10-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the San Francisco Giants made it to the WORLD SERIES!!! Of course, being a life long fan of the Giants I HAD to go to a game. The tickets were very expensive and I was getting used to the idea that I wasn't going to be able to go. But I got lucky and found a SRO ticket for not too much money! So off I go! To the WORLD SERIES 2010!!! :)

My ticket!
Getting ready to go inside AT&T Park to see the WORLD SERIES!

There were SO many people!!

World Series
Welcome!
Texas Rangers v San Francisco Giants
A view of the area press area. There was so much press for the big games! :)
A view of the pre-game activities on the field during batting practice.
Will Clark putting the game ball on the mound!
Bobby Thompson's "Shot heard 'round the world" daughters throwing out the 1st pitch!
The red thong!
Wave your rally rags!! Go Giants!

Matt Cain getting ready to throw out the 1st pitch of the 2010 World Series - Game 2

PLAY BALL!!! 1st pitch is a strike!

Lots of boats waiting for a homerun ball!
Even more people that didn't have tickets!
The Giants won!!
Giants are up in the series 2 games to 0 :)
What a great view of the field. I can't believe that I'm a teeny-tiny dot on the screen!

Game summary:

Texas Rangers - 0

SF Giants - 9

It was an amazing 8th inning! :)

Giants lead the series 2-0

SF Giants - Playoff Game #2

2010-10-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well the SF Giants made it to the post season! :) YAY!!!

The National League Division Series (NLDS) was against the Atlanta Braves. I was able to get tickets to game #2 in San Francisco!

My friend, Shannon and I waiting to get into AT&T Park! We are ready for game #2!The masses of people, also waiting to get in!
Views around AT&T Park from my very expensive seats!
Another view
The orange pom-poms being waved around in the bleacher seats.
Panda and Lou Seal during the Star Spangled Banner
And the rockets red glare!!
Humm Baby!! :) Go Giants!
I'm proud to be a part of the largest crowd in AT&T Park history! :) I've been to a lot of sell-out games, but the largest crowd! WOW!
FEAR THE BEARD!!!
Shannon and I loving our Giants baseball!
Sanchez at bat
Night views of AT&T Park
Another night view

Unfortunately, the Giants lost this game. But we were able to take the series from the Atlanta Braves to become the NL Division Winners! :) Now on to the National League Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tonight was pure torture!!! Suiting since the entire season has some form of torture involved with the SF Giants! But we were able to knock the Phillies out 4 games to 2, to become the NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!! :) Good job boys!!!

Now, on to the WORLD SERIES!!! Look out Texas, I'm not sure you'll know what's about to hit you! It's called the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS!!! :)

P.s. I'm looking for world series tickets so if any of my wonderful blog followers want to help a girl out...hint hint! :)

GO GIANTS!!!

Heading home

2010-08-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Well it's time to head home. I have added 3 more stadiums to my list now! Only 5 more to go! I had a great time visiting family and seeing new places in Florida, but it's time to head back to the west coast!

Good bye Atlanta!

Time to fly home.

Hello California!!

This was a great trip! I can't wait to continue my MLB ballpark journey next summer!

Stadium #25 - Turner Field

2010-08-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

Stadium #25 - Turner Field

Atlanta, Georgia

August 8, 2010

San Francisco Giants V Atlanta Braves

The 1996 Summer Olympics were in Atlanta. They built a new stadium and used it for the track and field competitions. When the games were over they moved part of the stadium in and formed it into the new Atlanta Braves ballpark, Turner Field. There is a lot of history here even though the Braves have only played here since 1997.

On the way to the ball park we drove by the state capital building.
Some of the Olympic monuments are still there!
The backside of the rings.
History for people to read and learn about the area and Olympics.
And then we arrive! This is a view of Turner Field!

Walking up to the ball park
Of course, being from the bay area I had to represent my team! :) I did plan the trip and made sure I was able to see the Giants! But this is a good looking ball park!
There are LOTS of statues of past (great) players, as well as retired numbers.

Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
Players in the Hall of Fame have plaques in the ground as you walk up to the museum.

601 feet from home plate!
I like how you can buy tickets here. There are separate areas depending on if you want tickets $20 and under or $20 and over.

This is how big your bag can be to enter Turner Field. Reminds me of the airport. Although now that I think about it, I never saw anyone use it!

The pre-game radio show!
A view of the field from center field, where we entered the ballpark!
The seats
Hank Aaron Room. Lots of history in there!
Cute!
I have had a crush on this guy since 1993! :) This is the closest I'll ever be.
A batting age for kids.
As you walk around the park, they have every Braves team picture throughout. These are the 1977 and 1978 teams. It goes all the way through the current team.Also, they have all the banners for all the championships they have one. This one is from 1992, but they are all there!

A view of the field (with me!) from right field.
The tomahawk!

Welcome to Turner Field!

My two aunts, Nancy and Cindie, and my friend, Trevor and I at the game!
The batting orders on the scoreboard.
This is Braves Country!
The weather update...I could have said it more simply... HOT!
The scoreboard with player stats.
Manager Bobby Cox...2121 Wins as of 8/8/10 (well until after the game at that is!) Then he had 2122 wins!
The view from my seat!
Retired numbers
The longest continuously operating franchise in major league baseball!
I like the outfield wall because it has the pitcher and batter stats!
My aunts doing the Braves cheer!
It's SO hot, I'm trying to stay cool!
Here comes Homer, the Braves mascot.
He came to see me! Thank you Nancy and Cindie!!
He didn't like my Giants hat, so he took it off and rubbed it in his armpits, then...
made me wear his Braves hat! It was a bit too big!
He gave me my own Braves hat! And a shirt, tomahawk and card from the Braves wishing me a happy birthday! :)I wore the hat for the rest of the game, but not the shirt!
I can cheer for both teams! :)
My gifts from the Atlanta Braves! :)
The Braves win!
The Braves celebrating on the field after their win!
What a great stadium! There is SO much to see here!

On the road again

2010-08-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well it's time to leave Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida and head on to the next destination, Orlando! :) We are going to go to Disney and Universal Studios, plus be tourists in the area by trying new restaurants, going shopping, and walking around with cameras! :)

Good bye, Fort Lauderdale!
You are beautiful!
Heading to Orlando, Florida.Nothing like a little downpour while driving.Crazy weather out here! Sudden down pours, then blue skies, then downpours again!

Hello ORLANDO!!

We had a lot of fun in Orlando. Did all the tourist stuff! Now we are on the road again! This time we are heading back to Atlanta, Georgia. Are the Atlanta Braves ready for me??? :)

Hello Georgia!
Heading towards Atlanta!
Almost there!

Stadium #24 - Sun Life Stadium

2010-08-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Stadium #24 - Sun Life Stadium

Miami, Florida

August 4, 2010

Philadelphia Phillies V Florida Marlins

The drive up to the stadium.It is SO big! But very fewer people attend baseball games here, so we got up front parking!
Getting closer! The ramps and stairs are so colorful!
Flags of the MLB teams are flying all around the stadium top.
It's like Find Waldo, only it's Find Heather! I'm there, but very small because the stadium is so huge!
Posing with the Marlin outside the stadium.
An hour before game time and this is what the stadium looks like... :( Very disappointing. There's NO one here!Or over here!
As we walked around the stadium we still did not find very many people. This is the eating area. I'm sure it's packed when it's football time!
Walking around.
Looking down the walkway. Still no one... Where are the fans? I'm not even there that early!
2012 The Florida Marlins will have a new ballpark! And they certainly need it! I think it's hard for baseball and football teams to share a field (and very few still do).
As you walk around there are signs for each decade. They are mostly dedicated to football, but some baseball is on a few! This is the one from the 1990's.
1993, 1997, and 2003 World Series winners!
Since there are very few fans we were able to sneak into an area that leads into the locker rooms, dugouts, and special restricted areas. No one seemed to care that we were just walking around in this area. I'm sure if they were doing well and there were a lot of people, we would have had to show tickets to be near the area!! haha I guess I lucked out this time!

This is the 1997 World Series trophey
Me with the 2003 World Series trophey
For some reason, there was a huge marlin on the wall! ;)
Past players memorabilia
More...
Past mangers
More...
The home team hat picture!
Trevor and I by a Florida Marlins sign
Getting closer to game time and there's a few more people...Not many. With 5 minutes to game time, the skies opened up and it started to pour!!!
There were a few die hards who stayed in their seats. I ran for the tunnel and hung out there with most of the people who were sitting in my section.
The Rain Delay... :(
Waiting in the tunnel...
Still waiting.... and it's still raining.
Rain delay still, so they put the Braves game on the big screen for people to watch. That was nice! I got to see my Chipper Jones!
The team just hanging out waiting for the rain to go away.
Skies have cleared!!! :) Put that rain tarp away!
An hour after the original start time, good thing I wasn't going to work in the morning!
Now that the game is going I can really look around the ballpark. This is their strike out meter.
The big screen.... Lots of good information for the fans! I like it!
A closer view.
The game is over. The Marlins lost.
A view of the stadium from outside at night.

Next up...Fort Lauderdale, FL

2010-08-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

After spending a couple of days in St. Petersburg and wandering around it is time to move onto Fort Lauderdale.

On the road again....
Almost there!
Welcome to Fort Lauderdale, Florida!Went for lunch at the beach!
1st time in the Atlantic Ocean!
At the beach just before the storm got there!
Give me a good book and my ipod and I could sit here for days!Here comes the storm! We're off to the hotel!
Views from the hotel.

We have explored Fort Lauderdale a bit, but now it's time to head over the the Florida Marlins game!

Stadium #23 - Tropicana Field

2010-08-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

Stadium #23 - Tropicana Field

St. Petersburg, Florida

August 3, 2010

Minnesota Twins V. Tampa Bay Rays

This is my first ball park since last summer and I'm happy to be in Florida for the first time. :)

The drive to Tropicana Field.
We're here!
The view while driving up to the field. Love the palm trees everywhere!
Too many palm trees to see the whole sign! :)
Me walking up to Tropicana Field. This is the only non-retrackable roof. It's no wonder because as we were walking up the downpour, lightening, and thunder began. You could hear it throughout the game. Good thing we were inside!
Walking up... They do a bag check before you can even buy tickets.
Welcome!
The outside of the entrance.
At the front entrance they list the starting line-ups. I thought this was pretty cool!
Time to buy tickets! We walked up the day of the game and scored some $13 seats up high behind home plate.

View when you walk into the stadium.

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the floor as you walk in! :) I wonder if I could get a floor like this in my classroom! ;)
View to the right
The Tampa Bay Rays team store
The traditional home team hat picture!

Walking along the corridor to our seats we ran into this guy!

The TB Rays have a Touch Tank where you can go and touch the real rays.
I didn't want to get my hands wet, so I just looked.
My friend, Trevor, touched the rays!
The touch tank is in center field (well beyond it!).

This is the view from the touch tank over looking the field.

Views from our seats
This is the scoreboard
The ceiling. It was really strange watching a baseball game indoors. It was even stranger watching an indoor baseball game while it was thundering and lightening like crazy outside. You could really hear the rain pounding on the roof above us. It was odd!
View across the stadium from our seats.

They have a cowbell thing here....Not quite sure why or what history there is behind it, but this family was VERY passionate about ringing their cowbells the whole game!

Dinner! It's a chili cheese hot dog!

And the Rays win!

The game is over! Here I am with the field in the background. Yes, I had to put a sweatshirt on even though it was still HOT outside! They turned the AC way up in there!

Weather update!

A view of the ballpark from outside after the game.

Inside Tropicana Field there is the Ted Williams Museum. It was amazing! You can go in for free too!
Here are a few pictures from around the museum.

Traveling on...

2010-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

The journey begins!

I am ready to begin the next phase of visiting all MLB parks! After flying to Atlanta, Georgia, and visiting some family, my friend, Trevor and I, rented a car and begin the drive to St. Petersburg, Florida.

Welcome to Florida! We thought you would like some traffic to remind you of California!

View from the hotel room.

Night sets on St. Petersburg, FL

I tried Cracker Barrel here for the first time ever. YUM! Let's get some of these out here in California! :)

St. Petersburg, Florida was a lot of fun and now it's time to head to the Tampa Bay Rays game!

Heading out again!

2010-07-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well friends, I'm hitting the road (well the air first!) again. I'm heading out to see the ball parks in Atlanta, and the 2 in Florida. :) I leave next week so stay posted and I will update soon.

Play Ball!!

It's my favorite time of year again!

2010-04-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

Well folks...It's been awhile since the last blog entry, but there hasn't been much baseball! I am not doing another trip like last summer. 22 MLB across the country was the best time of my life, but my pocketbook is still hurting! :) I will save up for another year and hit the road again in the summer of 2011. My goal then is to get to the 8 ball park I wasn't able to get to in the summer of 2009, plus some more that I really loved (PNC Park!) and others that might be along the way!

Of course, I will still be attending as many games as possible in San Francisco and Oakland, as well as some weekend trips down south to see the LA Dodgers, Anaheim Angels, and the San Diego Padres. If you're in those areas when I am let me know!

Until then...

PLAY BALL!

AT&T Park Fan Fest 2010

2010-04-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

Fan Fest 2010

I LOVE AT&T Park. It is pleasing to look at - the field is always a radiant green, the ocean views are amazing, and there is something for everyone. But they also know how to take care of their fans and keep them happy!

Once a year, during Spring training, before the baseball season truly starts AT&T Park opens it's doors for the fans. The fans are welcome to come in free of charge to see the park like one cannot during a game. Fans are allowed to walk on the field, touch and run (if you want) the bases, take tours of the visitors and Giants dugouts, and see the behind the scenes stuff. My favorite part is that the fans get to sit in the Giants dugouts. I even got to call down to the bullpen! :) This is an amazing day for the San Francisco Giants FANS! In addition, to being able to see and do all this wonderful stuff, the players are in the park as well, signing autographs! They rotate every hour or so, and you have to stand in a LONG line, but it can be worth it to get the signature! You may be waiting in line for this player and if their time is up, they leave, but don't worry another player will take the spot.

Fan Fest 2010 was a great day and a fun way to get even more excited about the new season!

Waiting outside the ballpark ~ There were A LOT of people!

Waiting in line to take a picture with Matt Cain and Dave Righetti. You are not allowed to use your own cameras to take pictures up close. Of course, they want you to buy their pictures!
The sign with the players names so you know who you're standing in line for! :)
A side picture of Matt Cain and Dave Righetti! :)

Here are some views around the park from where the edge of the grass would be in center field.

Looking toward the right field wall.
Looking toward center field seeing the jumbo-tron.
Left field view.
Looking toward homeplate.

They put out the real MLB bases for you to see, touch, and whatever! I am safe at 2nd!
SAFE!
A tour of the Visitor's Locker Room

Names of the players listed around the locker room.
More names and jerseys circle the room.
Here I am sitting in one of the lockers.
The players lockers.

Where the interviews happen

On to the GIANTS locker room

Nicer than the visitors locker room! Nice wooden areas with the jerseys laid out for them.
Signs around the room.
More signs and the many flat screen t.v.s
This is a board where they list the details for the game, like weather, etc.
Pictures in the hallway leading to the locker room.

The last thing that the Giants see as they leave the locker room.
And into the dugout we go!

Some friends and I sitting up in the dugout.

Here I am calling the bullpen!
Some friends and I sitting on the bench in the middle of the Giants dugout.

A girl friend and I leaning on the dugout, just like the players do! Except I'm on my tippy toes because I am a lot shorter than the Giants players!

Thank you AT&T Park for allowing all the fans to come into the park and see some of the behind the scenes stuff, as well as autographs from the players!

Top 5 MLB Ball Parks

2009-12-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Okay my fellow baseball blog followers, I have now visited 22 out of the 30 MLB parks. On a side note, I will be finishing the parks Summer of 2010. :) Can't wait!! But until then I want to rate MY favorite 5 parks that I visited this summer.

#5 - Great American Ball Park; Cincinnati Reds
Another great ball park for history when you think about Pete Rose. It has a great view of the river and the scoreboard is huge, but the information is not too overwhelming.

#4 - The Ballpark at Arlington; Texas Rangers
I like to call this one Disneyland! It is like a little piece of heaven. I especially liked the "Wingo" game. You have the feel of all the "old" ball parks with the overhang sytles.

#3 - AT&T Park; San Francisco Giants
I think I may be kinda biased here because I go to this ballpark a lot, but it is an amazing place to be. There is a great view of the bay and lots to do for all ages. And yes, I have been down the Coca-Cola slide! I have also been on the jumbo-tron for a game and won! :)

#2 - Chase Stadium; Arizona Diamondbacks
When I first walked out of the breezeway to see the field, my jaw literally dropped! I was taken back by the size and greatness that I saw. I was impressed based on looks alone. But it has lots to offer baseball fans with their retractable roof, which helps in the 100*+ weather. Although, it was in the 90's when I was there, but not hot enough to close the roof.

#1 - PNC Park; Pittsburgh Pirates
Out of the ball parks I have been to, this one is the best for me! It was a great view and I don't think there is a bad seat in the house! There are different entrances and ample parking, just don't get lost! PNC Park is my favorite...enough to make me want to move the Pittsburgh!

Sometimes it is hard to put into words what exactly makes some ballparks so wonderful! You will have to take my word for it and go visit them yourself! :)

You may wonder why I didn't list Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. While both are great places it view a game and both have mounds and mounds of history, they were just that and nothing super spectactular for me. I liked them, but maybe I am to used to the new age with the color screens and more detailed information about the players...Of course, don't get me wrong... I loved being in both places and will be back to see more games!!!

Stadium #22 - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

2009-12-02T19:41:00.000-08:00

Stadium #22 - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
August 18, 2009
Vs. Oakland A's

Walking around the ballpark

It was 1929 day! We got jerseys from the Philadelphia A's of 1929.

Our view from the outfield. The grass looks really bad because football season has started and the Raiders bleachers have ruined the field. :(

Ricky Henderson - retired jersey
The World Series that the A's have won.

Some of the cars to celebrate 1929

Trevor and I in our 1929 jerseys!

The Scoreboard

The A's even have the own 1929 peanuts! Just don't take a picture because the guy will threaten to call the cops! haha

Views from our seats around the ballpark

We were in rally mode!

We rallied and the A's tried hard, and a homerun in the bottom of 9th gives the A's the win!!

After the game, Trevor and I wearing the A's 1929 jersey.

Day #10 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-03T19:46:00.001-07:00

Day 10 - Home

After a great 10 days traveling to 8 MLB ball parks with my dad, it was time to head home. We had a VERY early flight home.

Waiting for our car from the valet parking at the hotel.

The rental car that got us from New York, through all the tolls, down all the different types of roads (big and little!), and to all of our destinations, finally ending in Chicago.

O'Hare Airport

Today, we returned the rental car, flew home on the plane, and now we're waiting for the shuttle to get us to the car so we can drive home from San Francisco!

We're home!!!

Stadium #21 - US Cellular

2009-08-03T19:45:00.002-07:00

Stadium #21 - US Cellular
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Chicago Whitesox
August 3, 2009

Walking around the ballpark

After a walk almost completely around the ballpark, we discovered you can not go all the way. But we made it inside!

Views from our seats

Walking around inside was pretty cool because of all the history they had up on the walls.

2005 World Champions!

My famous 'hat' picture! :)

My dad and I came to a great game!!! The Chicago WhiteSox were honoring Mark Buehrle for his perfect game the week before. It was the 18th perfect game in MLB history!

This is the catch that helped Muehrle keep up the perfect game. The Sox even marked the spot on the wall for all to see forever.

His reaction!
Hugging the guy who saved the big game with a great catch!

Being honored before the game

The scorebords

Day #9 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-03T19:45:00.001-07:00

Day 9 - Chicago

Good bye Detroit! Good bye wonderful view...

Waiting for our car.

Time to hit the road! Onwards to Chicago!

A weird looking bridge along the way.

WELCOME TO INDIANA!

Getting closer!
We made it!! And Illinois is still the only state without welcome signs...
But not before another toll!
US Cellular Field from the car!
In Chicago...Getting ready to go see the Chicago WhiteSox!

GO WHITE SOX!!!

Stadium #20 - Comerica Park

2009-08-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

Stadium #20 - Comerica Park
August 3, 2009
Baltimore Orioles Vs. Detroit Tigers

The view of Comerica Park as we were walking from the People Mover.

Welcome to Comerica Park!

Outside the Park

View of Comerica Park

Important people in Detroit Tigers history.

The famous hat picture and garbage can!

Ernie Harwell and I just standing around!

Only 3 out of the 30 ball parks have this! You get to pick the background, take your picture, alter it to fit what you chose, then add a caption!
Of course I had to do it!

Sorry it's sideways...for some reason I can not get it to change!

They have the smallest kid section I've seen.

Views from around the ball park

Views from our seats

GM is a huge supporter!

The scoreboard

One of the few fields that has the dirt leading from home plate to the pitchers mound.
HOME RUN!!

Water shot up for the homerun!

Dad and I enjoying another game!
Dad reading the paper...I think we got to the game just a bit early! ;)

A view as nighttime begins to fall upon us.

7th inning stretch!

Nighttime is upon us! It is beautiful!

Dad and I

Bottom of the ninth...HOMERUN! Tigers win! :)
Celebrating at home plate

FINAL:
Baltimore Orioles - 5
Detroit Tigers - 6
(walk off homerun to win!)

Great game!!!

Day #8 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Day 8 - Detroit

We wake up to a lazy morning in Detroit. After getting up and ready we are set to hit the town!

But first, breakfast! And it's on the hotel since dad won $$$ last night in the casino!
Deciding what to eat!

We were told that the "People Mover" is the best way to get around downtown Detroit so we decided to check it out. For 50 cents (one way) you can get around really easily!
Waiting for the People Mover

Some of the areas around Detroit:

The bridge to Canada

Canada (yep it's that close!)

Next stop, Joe Louis Arena (Home of the Detroit Red Wings)

Check out all the Stanley Cups!

Riding on the People Mover

Riding the People Mover

The Gateway to Freedom. Detroit was a huge part of the Underground Railroad.

Other stops:
Comerica Park (Home of the Detroit Tigers)
Ford Field (Home of the Detroit Lions)
Detroit Opera House

GM Headquarters

Walking along the Detroit River

Back at the hotel/casino... Didn't win!

Time to get ready for the game! Go Tigers!!

Stadium #19 - Great American Ball Park

2009-08-02T21:45:00.001-07:00

Stadium #19 - Great American Ball Park
August 2, 2009
Colorado Rockies Vs. Cincinnati Reds

A billboard as you walk up to the park.
Go Reds!!
The Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dad and I outside the Ball Park

Some of the statues outside Great American BallPark

Cincinnati Reds Est. 1869

Some views from around the park
The retired numbers

The Great 8! (#9 is the pitcher and was always changing...so they had the great 8. Glad I'm not a pitcher!)
Today's line up

Wasted space (in my opinion) in center field

The bull pen

The garbage can! :)
And the famous hat picture!

Views around the ball park. This is looking out beyond the outfield

The side of the park
Not the prettiest on the outside, but sturdy!
The largest kid section I have ever seen! The kids had LOTS of things to keep them busy, including running the length of the base.
Playing the the kid area! I'm just a big kid!

Views from our seats

The LARGE scoreboard!
And here are your Cincinnati Reds!!!

The jumbo-tron happenings

Dad and I enjoying the game!

I like seeing all the information for both teams!

7th Inning stretch!

HOMERUN!!

Strikeout Tracker

The Out of Town Scoreboard

Dad and I enjoying a HOT game!

FINAL:
Colorado Rockies - 6
Cincinnati Reds - 4
(11 innings. Another extra innings game for us!)
The Rockies celebrating

Dad and I after the game.

Day #7 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-02T21:44:00.001-07:00

Day 7 - Cincinnati

We get up early to leave Cleveland and make it to Cincinnati in time for a 1:10 pm game.
Getting ready to go.

We got up early and I still needed beauty sleep! Dad caught me napping in the car.

GOODBYE CLEVELAND

A Ford plant

HELLO CINCINNATI

A quick 4 hour drive and we made it to Cincinnati. We right in to see the game!! GO REDS!!

After the game we drove across the bridge to Kentucky! We were there, so why not?

After a quick trip into Kentucky, we hit the road (again!) for another 4 hour drive to Detroit.

This is the sign welcoming you to Michigan, but it's hard to see (dad had the camera!)

Detroit is just across the river from Canada. To get to our hotel we had to drive by the bridge leading to Canada.

3 hours and 40 minutes later (and withour GPS - it died!) we made it to the hotel, Greektown Hotel and Casino. We are living in Hollywood style here!!! :)

Whew! What a day. We started in Cleveland, went to Cincinnati for a game, then headed to Detroit! I'm beat. Night night!

Stadium #18 - Progressive Field

2009-08-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Stadium # 18 - Progressive Field
(or as it is known to the natives - Jacobs Field)
August 1, 2009
Detroit Tigers Vs. Cleveland Indians

Walking to Jacob's Field
A view from the side. Just like PNC Park it's too big and in downtown to get a whole picture.
Gate C
Outside Jacob's Field
There are 4 entrances at Jacob's Field and we walked around to them all. This is the front with a HUGE sign.
Gate A
Dad and I outside gate a with the stadium

I love posing with statues!

Banners around the field

Our first look at the field
The GIMORMOUS scoreboard. It is way too big for it's own good!
Left field wall
The view from center field.

The bullpen.
They face homeplate allowing more seating for fans. And they have 3 homeplates and pitching mounds...?

Jacob's Field and PNC Park have very similar structures. They both have a great view of their cities. Except here in Cleveland a lot of the view is blocked by the too big scoreboard.
See...Do we really need all those advertisements??
The dugouts

Behind the plate

I have a lot more to add, but it's 12:45 am here on the east coast. I need my beauty sleep. Check back later for more about Cleveland...trust me you want to!!!!! :0)

Day 6 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-01T20:50:00.001-07:00

Day 6 - Cleveland

We wake up early to leave Pittsburgh and head over to Cleveland. It's a short 2 hour drive, but before we leave I blog a little more!

The view outside our room...nice, huh? But that's what you get in Pittsburgh...hills and trees!

GOOD BYE PENNSYLVANIA!

HELLO OHIO!!

Ohio Turnpike and Tolls. They have it right here. When you enter you take a ticket, it tells you exactly how much it will be depending on your exit. Very clever!

Before we get to Cleveland we have to stop at a Harley Davidson store. This is the closest I'll ever be to riding one!
We have arrived in Cleveland. We decide to go downtown and check it out. Here I am shopping. And since I've spent all my money this summer on baseball, I'm window shopping!

In the middle of the Theater District is a memorial for sailors and soldiers.

Walking around in downtown Cleveland.

We head back to the hotel to rest before the game. I fall asleep reading about Jacob's Field (AKA Progressive Field).

After a great power nap, it's time to walk to the field and see another game!! :)

Stadium #17 - PNC Park

2009-08-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Stadium #17 - PNC Park
July 31, 2009
Washington Nationals Vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

So off we go to yet another stadium!! This one, PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is nestled into downtown so it was hard to get a picture of the whole thing. We got there early so we walked around the whole park.
Around the outside were lots of banners.

At the front entrance was a statue of JP Wagner.
Just hanging out with JP

There really wasn't a lot to look at on the outside so we went in. We were greeting by friendly people who gave us Pirates floppy hats! :)

This park has the most steel of any ball park. It is everywhere!!! This is a view of the spiraling walkway up to the different levels.

Once you are inside, there is a lot to see! This is behind center field. PNC Park is so big I couldn't get it all in a picture nicely!

On this level you can walk to the end and see Pittsburgh (SO beautiful) Here's dad and I with the bridge in the background.

Walking around the park on the inside was fun! It is great to see what other parks have and don't have compared to what I am used to.
A photo booth!! You get to keep your pictures and during the game they put some of the photos on the big screen!

A view of the scoreboard from afar.

Close up
The garbage can picture...kinda boring!
But they are going green!
Pittsburgh's #1 Fan!!

At PNC Park, they have an area dedicated to the Negro League. They have statues of some players and next to the players is a machine that tells information about him when you press the button. It was pretty cool!
The view of the bats
A view looking down on the Negro League section.

Checking the field out.

A view of the field from right field.
A view from left field
As we were walking to our section I noticed they have cool stats/facts about the team. I like that especially when I don't know a lot about the team!

The bull pens. Every stadium has there own style and PNC Park has their bullpens doubled stacked.
The mascot. I think he's helping set up the field! ;)

As we walked up the beautiful steel walkway, they had banners on display showing off when they won the World Series! There's more than that, I just didn't wan to put them all up!

The top of the dug out
Behind the plate

We finally made it up to our seats, but not before dad gets a hot dog for $1!!! :)
This is the beautiful view of the field from our first row seats!
The scoreboard

In center field cut into the grass was the word, "PIRATES."
I really liked PNC Park, but the best part (other than the baseball game!) had to be the view of downtown Pittsburgh. It was SO gorgeous with the bridges, buildings, and the water.

The mascots getting the crowd rowdy!

Dad and I with the scoreboard and our cool floppy hats.
A view of the field at night.
Dad and I cheering the Pirates on!

Final Score
Washington Nationals - 4
Pittsburgh Pirates - 5
A home team win!!!

The Pirates congratulating each other on a job well done.

What a great park!!! It was nice in itself, but the views are what made it absolutely amazing!!!!! :) This is a MUST visit!

Day 5 of Road Trip #2

2009-08-01T14:17:00.001-07:00

Day 5 - Pittsburgh, PA

We wake up here in Pittsburgh. After getting a bite to eat we decide to drive around downtown Pittsburgh and explore. There was a lot to see! It is absolutely gorgeous with all the rolling mountains with green, green trees. They also have A LOT of bridges!
Our GPS wasn't working, so we had to stop at the car rental in Pittsburgh to get it fixed. Here's me waiting.

Heading out to explore Pittsburgh!

We stopped in this really cool area, Station Square, before the game. While we were walking around the restaurants and shops, it started to rain.

OH NO!!! NOT AGAIN! I was so worried the game with be canceled!

Pouting at the rain!

Luckily it cleared up and was beautiful for the game!! I wore shorts and a tee shirt!

Pittsburgh is a beautiful city!

Stadium #16 - Oriole Park at Camden Yards

2009-08-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Stadium #16 - Oriole Park at Camden Yards
July 30, 2009
Kansas City Royals Vs. Baltimore Orioles

We parked over by the Baltimore Ravens stadium and walked up to Oriole Park, this is the view.

The outside view of the back side of the scoreboard.

Like most stadiums, there were banners around the outside.

Dad and I outside Oriole Park at Camden Yards. They couldn't decide on the name, 1/2 wanted Oriole Park and the other 1/2 wanted Camden Yards. So they settled by combining the two names.

Outside the park they have statues of the retired numbers.

Babe Ruth!

Directions

On the way to Babe Ruth's birthplace and Oriole Museum are baseball leading the way.

Views around the park

The out of town scoreboard

From behind home plate

Home team hat picture (except dad is wearing a Boston hat!)

They have the hot dog races too! I guessed relish and won!! :)
The bull pens at Oriole Park are cool because they are doubled up, one on top of the other.
Starting line up

The mascot
3rd base dugout
Showing off their championships!
Getting ready for the game! Royals vs Orioles
DeJesus was signing balls before the game. He was very nice and friendly!
It was only 85* or so, but for an afternoon game without a breeze it felt WAY HOTTER!! Here's dad and I with the city of Baltimore and the scoreboard in the background.
Lower on the 3rd base side

Everything was so clean and green!

This park also did a lot to get the fans involved too!

Final Score:
Kansas City Royals - 3
Baltimore Orioles - 7
Another home team win!
The Orioles congratulating each other.

The mascot waving the O's flag.

Here is the bull pen coming in to join the teams.

The game summary

Day 4 of Road Trip #2

2009-07-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

Day 4

We wake up early to head out of New York. And when I say early I mean 4:00 AM (which is still kinda like 1 AM to us!) I called the night before to have a cab waiting for us. It was an experience! We asked to go to Budget car rental at La Guardia airport and we ended up at Continental Airlines. So we told him "no" we wanted the Budget CAR RENTAL. He called to get someone to translate for him and then he understood. Excpet he didn't! He took us to the National car rental. Again after another phone call, we finally made it to the Budget car rental.

It was cheaper to rent a car and drive to Baltimore than it was to take the train!
GOOD BYE NEW YORK!
Empire State Building. We drove right by it! It is too big to get a closer picture! :)
In the tunnel

WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY!

We were on the Turnpike for a LONG time! It was 2 freeways running next to each other too. It was weird! We also stopped at the rest stops and they were really nice!
There were LOTS of tolls around the east coast! We got lucky because in the car we rented there was an E-Z Pass. This means it is prepaid and we can just go through and not pay!

Heading to Baltimore! I somehow missed the state sign :(

We made it to Baltimore! Now it's time to go see the Orioles! Play ball!!! :)

After the game we went to the Baltimore Airport to return the car we rented in NY.

And we picked up our new car that was going to be with us for the rest of our trip!

And on.....onward to Pittsburgh! ROAD TRIP!
:)

Stadium #15 - Citi Field

2009-07-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Stadium #15 - Citi Field

July 29, 2009
Colorado Rockies V New York Mets

After a long day of getting out of Boston and into New York, we finally made it to the new Citi Field in Flushing, New York, home of the Mets. :)

Some views of the field from the subway as we arrive.

As you exit the subway you walk down some stairs and this is what you see!

On the ground around the field are bricks with peoples names that helped donate to the new field.

Banners on the outside of the field

It's really hard to put into words the beauty of the entrance into Citi Field. It had tall ceilings, arches with pictures, and lots of space!

A view from the top looking out

We forgot in Boston, but here's the home team hat picture!

JACKIE ROBINSON
He was a great!! Citi Field has lots of information in the entry about him. There's a large 42, and facts in the floor that you can walk around and read.

Welcome to Citi Field

Welcome indeed...to a rainy day and a tarp covered field.

The garbage can picture :)

Working our way up to our seats

A view of the field from our seats...still a tarp on the field :(

We get something to eat and drink and take cover under an over hang, but this is the view

Notice the gray sky and wet, wet, wet ground...
As we were eating the announcement came...the game has been postponed until the following night.

Even though the game was rained out (we can not come back tomorrow for the rescheduled game we leave in the AM for Baltimore) we still took pictures around the field.
The out of town scorebaord

Every other row of seats had the Citi field logo and the Mets logo at the ends.

The retired numbers of the New York Mets

Mets on the ground behind home plate

Views around the field

Dad and I just before we were told we had to leave!

This is the apple in center field that comes up and says "homerun" when the Mets hit a homerun. We didn't get to see this...obviously!

Now it's time to head back to the hotel because the rain and lightening has canceled the game. I am SO bummed I can't see the Mets play. I guess this means I'll just have to come back! :)
Waiting for the subway.

Day 3 of Road Trip #2

2009-07-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Day 3

This was a very adventurous day (especially for me!!) Good news: I survived. Bad news: My first experience with New York was not positive.

We checked out of our hotel and headed for the train/bus station.
South Station (Home of the train, subway, and bus stations!)

At South Station

Inside the train station. Side note: How kids run away to train stations in the movies and know where to go, when, and how is beyond me!

The Bus Terminal

We found our bus.

It was a $15 ride from Chinatown in Boston to Chinatown in New York. What a great deal! And as my dad kept repeating to any (and EVERY) one who would talk to him, "Where else can you travel from Boston to New York for $15!!!" :)

On the bus

Good bye Boston!!! It's been fun and I'll be back!

Because we were on a bus, we were exempt from the tolls!! Here's the Mass. Turnpike Toll $1.25.

Some views of Boston on our way to New York.

It's blurring because I was on the other side of the bus, but it says "Connecticut welcomes you"

It's hard to take pictures in a bus. Here's the only one of Connecticut.

Of course while on our way it started raining!!!

WELCOME TO NEW YORK!!

A couple of rainy views of New York.

We got off the bus in Chinatown in New York. It was dry, but about 4 minutes later the sky opened up and let it all out!!! It was POURING!!! This is a view down the street with all the people and umbrellas.

And now, my first experience with the New York Subway.

Trying to figure out why the stupid machine won't take my money!!

Trying to figure out where we are and where we are going!

Grand Central Station

My "Get me off the subway and in traffic on the freeway" look!

It might have been a better experience if, 1)it wasn't raining, 2)I didn't have my 37 pound suitcase and other bag, plus my purse!, and 3)we knew where we were going.
It took some time, but we finally made it to the hotel. Just in time to get ready to go to the game!!!

GO NEW YORK METS!!!!

Stadium #14 - Fenway Park

2009-07-29T19:17:00.001-07:00

Stadium #14 - Fenway Park
July 28, 2009
Oakland A's V Boston Red Sox

I am SO excited to be in Boston and to be going to the famous Fenway Park!!! :) We saw it on the tour of Boston, but now we are finally here to see the game!
This is walking up from the side.

On the side of the park are banners with a lot of the players names. We lucked out and tonight they are retiring Jim Rice's number and inducting him into the Hall of Fame.

It's real! I'm actually here at Fenway Park!!!

Dad and I outside Fenway!

Just hangin' out with Ted Williams!

Dad, Ted, and I. Too bad the guy who took the picture cut off Ted's head, but that's what you get when you ask a stranger!

Yep, we're "those" tourists! Here I am going through the turnstyle.

Parking is pretty much non-existant in Boston, so even the Red Sox want you to take the T. The T is the train!

American League Champions banners.

Like I said, it was the night to retire Jim Rice's number before the game.

Jim Rice throwing out the first pitch!

Views around Fenway Park
The GREEN MONSTER!

At the bottom of the green monster are some lights that light up for the count.

View from our seats

The Park name, flags and announcers booth

Check out all the people!!! WOW!! I'm pretty sure they are NOT there for the A's! ;)

A view of Boston from my seat. This is overlooking the wall where my seats were.

Dad and I at our seats. We were row 50 out of 50 so we were right up against the wall.

The Scoreboard

The Rod Sox mascot. He didn't get around the whole field, this is the closest he came to us.

The bullpens were right in front of us. Here's the A's, just for you Trevor!

A view of the batting order. They changed it for the teams at bat.

Similar to the Dodgers, the fans at Fenway Park blow up beach balls and bounce them around until the "fun police" get them and flatten them!

The sun setting at a baseball park is a gorgeous view. Here's some of many that I took!

7th Inning Stretch

During this time a group of people let go a ton of small beach balls. They were bouncing around for the next 2 innings!

As an 8th inning stretch (only if the Red Sox are winning!) they sing Sweet Caroline.

Dad is making some new friends! This is the little boy sitting next to us that dad tried to teach some baseball to!

Lucky for us we got our money's worth at the game especially since it went into extra innings. Unfortunately, the A's were able to come back and beat the Red Sox. :(

Final Score:
Oakland A's - 8
Boston Red Sox - 7

Did you notice how many hits there were in this game???? WOW!

After the game, we walked down closer to get yet another picture of the green monster!

Me by the bullpens

There was a kids area with the mascot statue so of course we took pictures with it! :)

GOOD BYE FENWAY PARK AND THE BOSTON RED SOX!!!

Day 2 of Road Trip #2

2009-07-29T18:56:00.001-07:00

Day #2
We spent a GREAT day exploring Boston. There is SO much to do and SO much history to see. We started out by getting a ride to Faneuil Hall.

After walking around there for a bit we decided to do one of the tours of Boston.

Here's the driver, Buck. He was giving us a lesson on how to speak "Bostonian." They turn 'R's' into 'A's' at the end of words and if there's a 'R' in the word they just leave it out!

We hopped on the trolley and away we go! The first place we drive by is the Old North Church. This is where the signals were sent from the night of Paul Revere's legendary ride.

Next up, Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS CONSTITUTION, and the USS CASSIN YOUNG.

USS CONSTITUTION - a war ship that served from 1797 until 1934. The line was too long to wait, so we didn't go on it.

Making a new mast

A picture with the old and new uniforms.

USS CASSIN YOUNG - a WWII destroyer. It is also a National Historical Landmark.

Dad blasting the enemies!

"King of the world!" At the end of the ship!

Hanging out in the dining room.

Just us goofing around with the port holes!

Next stop is the Old State House. It is Boston's oldest surviving public building that now houses a museum dedicated to Boston's history.

Just outside the Old State House in the middle of the road is where the Boston Massacre took place.

Next stop, Cheers! We have worked up an appetite and are ready to go to a place where everybody knows your name! We went to the original one and had a yummy burger and a cold beer!

I'm going in...I hope they know my name! ;)

I'm one of the gang!

It's kinda hard to see, but there are statues of the tortoise and the hare. It is close to the finish line for the Boston marathon.

Author Robert McClosky wrote Make Way Ducklings. He based it on some of the ducks he saw at a park here in Boston. The city made statues of the Mom and ducklings.

After a long tour of Boston we were beat and ready to head back to the hotel to get ready to go to the game, here's dad on the way back.

And me...I kept looking at my watch. We couldn't be late to Fenway Park!

And now...on to the Red Sox game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 1 of Road Trip #2

2009-07-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day!!!

Dad and I fly from San Francisco to Boston.
Here's dad sleeping on the plane! :)

We have arrived!!! It's midnight here, but you'd never know it looking at us! We are very excited to be here. Here I am waiting for my luggage.

We have not rented a car yet and have had many adventures getting to our hotel!!!

We took a bus to the train.
While waiting for the train, we noticed the advertisements were all for Vermont! Ha, who'd thunk!

Waiting!

One of the signs while waiting for the train.

Then from the train we took a cab.
Dad and I in the cab on the way.

But we have arrived at a WONDERFUL hotel in Boston. For $10 we rode the bus, the train, a cab and we met 2 very helpful and nice people! And it didn't take long!

Stay tuned for our Boston adventures tomorrow!!

Stay Tuned!

2009-07-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Road trip #1 with Julia may be done, but road trip #2 with dad is happening soon!

We leave Monday, July 27th and fly East. We will begin our road trip in Boston!

Check back then for updates on the new adventures!

:)

Day 20 of Road Trip

2009-07-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Day 20

It is time to head home! We have been on the road living out of 2 suitcases for 20 days now...It's time to drive our final 13 1/2 hours to San Jose!!

GOODBYE SEATTLE!

WELCOME TO OREGON!

WELCOME (back) TO CALIFORNIA!!

Views

We made it home!!! :)
We got this car when we left San Diego and this is what the odometer read when we returned the car. This doesn't have the miles we drove in the other car!! :) That's A LOT of driving!!!!!

And this is a small look at the millions of bugs (and 2 birds!!) that died for our adventures!

Day 19 of Road Trip

2009-07-08T14:14:00.001-07:00

Day 19

We finally get to sleep in a little bit and not rush off in the car somewhere!! :)

I am excited to meet up with a friend that lives in Seattle. So Julia and I walked 3 blocks from our hotel to Seattle Center which is where the Space Needle is. We didn't go up the Space Needle because $16 is TOO MUCH!!!
Heather and the Space Needle
Julia and the Space Needle

Around the Seattle Center
A memorial for Michael Jackson outside the Music Project Building
Just being tourists looking at a map!!
Hmmm?? Which way is North? haha

But we met Hillary there and off to lunch we went.

It was time to head back to the hotel to wait for Karen to join us and get on the shuttle to take us to the game.

Tonight we go to see the last stadium on this roadtrip, The Seattle Mariners.