Spring Training Trip

Great trip as always ... some highlights.

Wed 3/7: Traffic was rough getting down to our Orlando stopover. Two separate stretches where we either came to a complete stop or crawled for 45 minutes. We listened to three of the four MAC tournament games on radio. Living the high life! We got to Orlando too late to do both Giordano's and putt putt, so we opted for hotel pizza (ugh) & putt putt. After 11 hours in the car, worrying about whether we'd get to putt putt in time, Alex drained his very first putt. Mental preparation will get you everywhere. He ended up beating me on the first 18, which was quite surprising. Great day.

Thurs 3/8: Met Mom & Dad in Tampa, then drove down to Sarasota to see the Reds v. Tigers. Adam Dunn hit an HR which was cool. Josh Hamilton got a few hits & made a diving catch pretty much right in front of us (we were in the first row). However, the Reds suffered their first loss of the Grapefruit League season 9-7. Got to see Angela & the cousins for dinner & watch Louisville's OT win vs. WVU. Stephen called w/ Billikens updates on their surprising quarterfinal A10 win. Great day!



Fri 3/9: Played golf in the morning. Dolberry shot an amazing (for him) 99. First time breaking 100 at Oakford. The key, apparently, is to not care too much. I shot a 45 on the front, then started paying attention to my score, at which point I reverted to usual play. Closed w/ a par 4 on a tough hole, draining a 12 footer to save my double-digit round. Saw the Reds lose again, versus the Indians. We got to see the best Reds prospect since Eric Davis, Homer Bailey pitch (ahem) one-third of an inning, giving up (ahem) 5 runs, (ahem) all earned. After that we swam in the glacial waters of the Sleep Inn pool & then had dinner w/ Keith, Angela, & the cousins at a restaurant on a bay. Was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Another great day.

Sat 3/10: Got some breakfast & spent some time at the beach w/ the Baker-Fitzgeralds. Beautiful morning. Temps ranged from 60-83 our whole time there w/ seldom a cloud. Then got in the car for a very long ride to Winter Haven FL to see the Reds play the Indians. Chain O' Lakes Park (winter home of the Tribe) is nice enough once you're in your seat w/ your drink and dog, but everything else about it is problematic (traffic, location, parking, generally claustrophobia inducing nature). This is their 2nd to last year before moving to AZ. I imagine the Indians cannot wait. Heading back to Tampa for the evening, we got run off the road going 60 mph by a Floridian driver (an entirely unpredictable breed) which was fun as far as that goes. Listened to the Louisiana Derby w/ Carrie (via cell phone). I like Circular Quay in the Derby. Swam in a heated pool w/ APD while Mom & Dad held down the fort at the Bahama Breeze where there was a 60 minute wait. APD practically fell asleep at the restaurant. Great day, though too much time in the car for a vacation day.



Sun 3/11: More swimming w/ Gpa & APD. Headed over to Clearwater for a Phillies-Tigers tilt. Gpa and Gma tried unsuccessfully to rob a CVS, but we escaped & arrived at the stadium in time for several savory cheesesteaks and other baseball-related fun. Tigers won 5-3. Dropped Mom & Dad off at the airport & headed home. Trip home was much easier. Listened to 7 hours of debate about why Syracuse did not get in the NCAA, which isn't as exciting as it sounds. In order to not make it seem so late, we just stayed on standard time. We got home at 1:45a EST. Great day.



Hard to put into words how super this vacation is. The baseball, weather, & other activities were awesome, but of course it's the people who make this week so special. Thanks Mom, Dad, K, A, & KACB. Only 360 days until next year's trip.