Baseball Cities Tour

We are staying in a campground in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park so we took the Metra (train) into the city and then took the CTA (subway or L as they call it) to the game. It was a picture perfect day for a ballgame. It started out as a great game for the Sox but in the end, the Florida Marlins won the game. Despite the Sox loss, we had a great time at the game.

June 18th - Before the game we went to the Miller Brewery and took their tour. After the tour we enjoyed our first sample of beer in the Miller Inn and enjoyed a nice visit with some other baseball fans from Texas. As we crossed the street to the outdoor Beer Garden where we would enjoy our next sample, it started to rain. We quickly returned to our car but not before getting very wet. Thankfully this stadium is one with a retractable roof – once inside it we were dry but very warm until the rain let up enough to allow the windows in the outfield to be opened. This was Little League Night – before the game all the area Little League teams marched around the field and then filled the stands. We got to see Yovani Gallardo’s major league debut and it was a good one.

Had heard a lot about the Mall of America so we had to make a trip there as part of this visit to Minneapolis. It is huge with over 520 stores, 50 restaurants and the nation’s largest indoor amusement park and more. We enjoyed a couple of hours walking all 4 floors and had lunch. Then it was time to get ready for the game. There was lots of hitting in this game but unfortunately not for the home team. The Twins were playing the Brewers and the stands were filled with fans from both teams but it was a friendly rivalry with well-behaved fans on both sides. We were sitting in the Family Zone so our tickets came with a coupon for a free hotdog and soda or milk. Fortunately, this stadium is covered as it was raining out when we left the game.

June 9th – We visited Mt Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. We had dinner at Flying T Chuck wagon where we enjoyed a “cowboy dinner and show”.
June 10th – We drove through the Badlands National Park and had lunch in Wall before walking through Wall Drug. We had dinner at the Ruby House in Keystone before returning to Mt. Rushmore for the nightly lighting ceremony. This was a very impressive presentation. A Park Ranger read “The Ragged Flag”, a film presentation describing each president’s contribution to our Nation that resulted in their inclusion in the memorial was shown and as the film was concluding the faces of Mt Rushmore were illuminated. At this point all Veterans in the audience were invited onto the stage to assist with the retiring of the American Flag. After the flag was folded, each veteran did a self-introduction stating their name, branch of service and any conflicts they served in. The stage was full and the crowd showed their thanks and support loudly.
June 11th – Just a relaxing day in the campground, saw a movie and did grocery shopping.
June 12th – Visited the National Museum of Woodcarving.

June 7th & 8th - Our original plan was to drive through Yellowstone NP on our way to Sheridan, WY but snow had been predicted for the higher elevations and we decided not to take any chances so we drove back to I-90. We still went through some snow flurries on our way to I-90. This revision to our plan resulted in our being able to stop at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. When we arrived at the campground in Sheridan, WY, we found out that the road we had originally planned to take had been closed due to the snow and flooding. Good thing we are flexible! From Sheridan, WY we continued on I-90 until we decided to get off the highway and visit Devils Tower National Monument. What a site! We had lunch in the towers shadow and then continued on the back road into South Dakota.

Wednesday, June 6 -Having only one day to visit this park and the weather being cold and rainy, we decided to take tour. We chose the Lower Loop Tour so that we would see Old Faithful. This proved to be an excellent choice – we visited Firehole Canyon, Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, Hayden Valley & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where we saw the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls. Despite the rain and occasional snowflakes, we had a great day!

Sunday, June 3 - We had only one day in our schedule to visit this park. Our plan had been to drive the Going to the Sun Road through the park however the road was not open. We drove the 14 miles that were open on the west side of the park. This was along the shore of McDonald Lake. The views were beautiful. From there we drove the Camas Creek road hoping to see some wildlife. On the way back we did see a mule deer out in a meadow but it was too far to capture on film. When we left the park, we drove along Rte 2 to Goat Lick Overlook where we did see a mountain goat.

Route map is now being updated to reflect our progress.

Thursday, May 31 – Another great baseball park! About 10 years ago we attended a Mariners game at the old Kingdome and it was at that game that we first started talking about making this trip. Safeco Field is a great place to see a ballgame. We also had the best hotdog yet here – the “Liana Dog”. Don’t go looking for it on any of the menus, as it is the creation of my niece, Liana Kelley who attended the game with us. Take the regular foot long hotdog and add nacho cheese and your choice of condiments – Mark added relish & mustard. Even with the cheese, it was a great tasting hotdog and the bun was toasted. We also received an official welcome on the Jumbotron. Imagine our surprise as we were watching the various groups being welcomed and up pops “Welcome to Safeco Field Karen and Mark”. Thanks Mom.