Washington Baseball Trip - Day 3 -29June - Washington, D.C. to Mars

It was a leisurely morning today. We didn't have to leave the hotel until close to 11:00. Another pitiful breakfast selection and so off we went after stowing luggage and cooler in the car. We used the cooler to keep Earle's electronics protected since the car would be parked in the heat all day. 

We knew the route and got to the stadium about 11:45. This time we didn't enter at the center field gate, but walked around to the home plate gate to be able to see the Nationals statues and history. I was particularly interested in the Josh Gibson one since he played for Pittsburgh in the Negro League. This year also happens to be the 50th anniversary of his election to the Hall of Fame. 

This was a nice exhibit and really put the history of the Washington team into perspective. 

Up to our seats, just a row different from Monday night.

Of course there is the obligatory restroom photo. One of these days PNC Park will finish a floor like so many parks have. 

And so the game ends up to be one of the longest of the year because of a very weird 4th out rule and appeal process. But, the Buccos pulled it out despite a scary pitching performance by David Bednar. 

We had intended to be on our way by 5, but the game didn't get over until close to that, which put us right into the middle of rush hour. GRRRR....

Stopped once outside of Frederick, MD to pickup a drink and snack, which would constitute dinner. With all the trucks and night traffic construction we didn't get home until 10:45. 

Baseball summer continues in 11 days!

Washington Baseball Trip - Day 2 -28 June - Washington, D.C.

Part of keeping today free was to visit the National Archives (NARA) or the Library of Congress (LOC). NARA is still limiting researchers into the Reading Room and I was not able to secure and appointment. We wanted to visit the National Museum of African American History (NMAAH) and we thought we would be able to do that in the morning. And so I  did get a late afternoon appointment to the LOC. When booking tickets to the NMAAH, unless you do it 3 months in advance, you have to log on at 8:15 the morning of to get an entrance ticket. That threw a bit of a monkey wrench into the planning. Add to that the protests around SCOTUS. Consequently, I canceled the LOC appointment figuring I could get logged in to the NMAAH. 

Up a bit before 8 and managed to to get an 11:30 ticket to the museum.
Showered and headed down to get some breakfast. Totally uncharacteristic of Hampton Inn fare. Pretty meager with not much there and no dark roast coffee. 

Headed to the Greenbelt Metro and arrived at the Smithsonian station in about 20 minutes. It was a lovely Washington, D.C. day with blue skies, moderate temperatures and a lovely breeze. A pleasant walk down the Mall and in 15 minutes we were at the NMAAH.

 It is right across from the Washington Monument where there were crowds of people. 

We were surprised that visitors were walking up and entering. They were instructed to open the app on their phones and buy tickets on the spot. 

Once inside we picked up a map and talked to one of the guest relations reps as to the best way to "attack" the museum. She suggested starting with the history and then going on to the cultural part. The historical part of the museum is divided into 3 floors underground and so we headed down. Because of social distancing, entrance into the galleries was staggered and we had about a 25 minute wait. The Journey Toward Freedom encompassed the time from slave trade, not only to the colonies, but worldwide, to the present day.

The was so much to read, see, and view in the three galleries. By the time we were finished we had information overload and brain explosion. Just some random shots from the historical galleries.

I knew I would not remember these revolutions

Probably one of the most moving sections was the Emmett Till Memorial. We could take pictures inside the area, but it consisted of his coffin (a new one was built when they exhumed his body for DNA testing), some videos, and newspaper clippings. It was ironic that the night before there was some new evidence about his murder that had surfaced. Such a sad time in our nation's history. And, unfortunately, we have not come very far from the mindset of those times. 

Knowing that we were pushed a bit for time - how did it get to be 3:00 already - we headed upstairs to the cultural floor. Walked through a wonderful gallery of art. This piece that was quilted was so stunning. 

The cultural floors encompassed an astounding amount of music, movies, television, literature, and drama of Black America. I wish we would have had more time to really synthesize all that was there. 

Chuck Berry's Cadillac El Dorado

"The Mothership" is the centerpiece stage prop used by Clinton and his multiple bands during their live concert performances.

Pittsburgh's August Wilson

Watching the time and knowing we had dinner reservations at 7, we headed for the exit and the Metro. Going down in the elevator, the operator asked if we had seen the waterfall. We were a bit confused and then he directed us to the Reflection Area. How beautiful and we would have missed it if the kind gentleman hadn't quizzed us. 

 This museum is a must see for any visitor to Washington. It is best done in two days because you just can't absorb it all in one day. 

Back to the Smithsonian Metro to Greenbelt and our hotel. where we freshened up a bit and put our feet up. 

Dinner was in Rockville, about 25 minutes away and so we gave ourselves a bit of a buffer and left the hotel at 6:15. Met my dear friend from high school and her husband who live in the vicinity at Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge. We talked and visited like we had seen each other recently and closed the restaurant about 9:45. Had a nice Caesar's salad and delicious branzino and Earle had crab cakes. We were too busy talking that I forgot to photo the dishes. 

Back to the hotel only to find that the Pirates had lost another game by squandering a lead late in the game. Off to be, exhausted. 

Washington Baseball Trip - Day 1 - 27 June - Mars to Washington, D.C.

The first of the Baseball Summer trips is to Washington, D.C. to see the Pirates play. We left Mars just after 9:30 a.m. Despite the traffic and a bit of construction, we arrived at the Hampton Inn, College Park just about 2:00. The hotel was an okay place, but nothing spectacular. 

Had a bit of time to get settled and change our clothes for the game. We were only about 5 minutes from the Greenbelt Metro Station. Headed over there to get our Senior Metro passes, only to find out that they were only issued at Metro Central, which was closing in about 20 minutes. Oh, well. Did get a 3 day pass for $28.00, so that was a decent deal. 

Greenbelt and Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals was about a 45 minute ride. We wore our masks and noticed that probably about 40% of the other riders did also. 

We arrived at the park  just as it was opening. Unfortunately, when I inquired about the statues of ball players and the key dates in their baseball history, we were told they were outside the gates at the opposite side of the stadium. 

We walked around the main concourse checking out dinner options, but there was really no seating so we headed up to the level where our seats were - Sec. 314. We were pleasantly surprised to see approximately 30 picnic tables right at our section. We decided to have a chile dog from Ben's Chile Bowl. 

The seats were great, very similar to our view at PNC Park. Although the Pirates had a good shot at winning the game. they came up short. 

We headed back to the hotel via Metro - only a 50 minute trip, which wan't too bad. We have the trip down pat for the return on Wednesday.