Off to the North - Day 1 - 30 July 2022 - Mars to Missasauga

 We are off again, this time a driving adventure. After a couple of brief stops at the Post Office and Target we headed north about 10:30. Traffic was fairly light and we made decent time except for all the work zone speed limits. After getting the ticket (mailed to me) on the trip to Washington, I am abiding by what ever speed limit is posted. 

We made it to the Peace Bridge about 2:00 and had about a 20 minute wait to speak with the immigration agent. We had filled out all our Arrive Canada forms, but she never even looked at them. She only took our passports, so maybe all that vaccination information was recorded on it when scanned. We answered a few questions about all the merchandise we were taking to my brother’s place. I may have underestimated the value of it a bit, but how was I to know? I really thought we would be asked to pull over and have examined, but she gaves us the ok and off we went. 

It was just about an hour and a half to our hotel for the night. There were so many people checking in, we had a bit of a wait, even in the Hilton Honors priority line. Our room that I had digitally selected wasn’t ready yet, so we had to get another one. Finally in the room about 4:00. 

Time to just stretch legs, catch up on email and chill. Made reservations at a restaurant across the parking lot for dinner. Real food will taste good since we had been snacking on Combos and didn’t stop for lunch OR anything. 

It took us 3 minutes to walk to the Chop Restaurant. It was an excellent find. 

The first order of business was liquid libation, an extra healthy wine pour of a delicious cab. 

Dinner was delicious and really hit the spot. Earle started with a well caramelized French Onion soup and I had the Bleu Cheese wedge with bacon and radishes and tomatoes. We followed that with steak and chimichurri sauce. I had a prime rib that was too well done on its first pass, but was replaced with one that was cooked to perfection. 

The pineapple upside down cake looked very tempting, but we were very filled so we got it to go. 

Back to the room and was lucky to find that we didn’t have to watch the Pirates on the iPad since they are on Fox Sports tonight. Looks like the bullpen has let them down again.

To bed after the game. 

Texas Two Step - Day 9 -17 July - Dallas to Mars

The last leg of the journey. The week certainly flew by and it was great to add to our ball park total. 

We had a 1:30 flight so it was a leisurely morning and breakfast. The breakfast at this hotel was certainly first class with good pastries, hot sausage, eggs, blintzes, oatmeal and more. The sign on the back of our door said $799. Not sure if that was per night or an extended stay, because the web site quotes $132/night price. 

Caught the 11:00 shuttle to the airport. Flight was on time and we were headed home. 

Got in about 15 minutes early, retrieved luggage and walked into our house shortly before 7. 

Next adventure soon!
 
 

Texas Two Step - Day 8 -16 July - Houston to Dallas

We had slightly less than a 3 hour drive this morning, so a gift of sleeping until 6:15. We left the hotel just about 8:00 and headed north. The temperature was already in the high 80°s. 

 Our first stop was in the little town of Ennis at 11:00 where we were treated to a brisket lunch at Alma Smoke House. The staff was super friendly and so glad that we were there. The sandwich was good and was enough to tide us through to dinner, whenever and wherever that may be. 

Sandwich, chips, and an unsweetened iced tea

The Group

 From there it was on to Dallas and our last ball park and game of the trip. Passed by the mammoth home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Ball Park #26 - Globe Life Field. They do do things in a big way in Texas. Right next to the park is Alive!, a monstrous group of restaurants, bars, shops, and the largest screen TV that I have ever seen. 

It was a bat giveaway today so we received 2 50th Anniversary Adrian Beltre bats - full sized, no less. Walked around the park to find some life sized bobble heads and the history of the new Globe Life Field.

 

We still had about an hour before game time so we went to our seats and watched the Pirates on my phone. Unfortunately, another loss, but a close game. 

The park is lovely and our seat had a great view since we were up a bit higher. So good to see Adam Frazier again playing for the Mariners. And another awesome scoreboard. I do hope the Pirates organization visits some parks when they increase the size of the one at PNC Park. 

Frazier to the far right

Great game that went into extra innings with the Mariners winning it 3-2 in 10 innings. 

On to our hotel, which was only a half an hour a way and close to the airport. I have never stayed at a Townplace Suites before, but this was a beautiful room. It had a full sized kitchen, table and 4 chairs, easy chair and ottoman, and a shower that was huge. We should have had that in Miami!

 

We needed to repack so that we could even out the weight of the suitcases and fit 2 28" inch bats in. Luckily, they fit diagonally in my suitcase and all was well. Terry called in the midst of this project and said that there was food in the breakfast area of the hotel. We went down and found a group of our tour enjoying some sandwiches and a beer. Worked for us as we had intended Grubhub from somewhere. I had a delicious grilled cheese and Earle had a Buffalo chicken flatbread. 

Back to the room about 10:30 and finished getting everything in suitcases. Bed!

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Two Step - Day 7 -15 July - Gulfport to New Orleans to Houston

Back to early morning wake up procedure. Up at 5:15 and off to breakfast at 6:00 with our luggage. We do hope we do not ever visit  the Best Western Seaway in Gulfport again!

The coach left at 7:00 and we headed to NOLA. Some good views of the city as we approached.

Arrived about 8:20 and had a brief stop to pick up beignets at Cafe du Monde and a photo op. 

Jean Baptiste le Moyne de Bienville Monument - Bienville is known a as the founder of New Orleans 1717.

St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square

Cafe du Monde

 It was then to the National World War II Museum. What an impressive history of the war with so many short videos and lots of artifacts. Because we were on a tight schedule to get to Houston for the game, we only had about an hour and a half to explore. We spent the majority of our time in the Pacific Theater section. 

Always in the Black and Gold

MacArthur signing the surrender from the Phillipines

 

Back on to the coach only to find out that we had a nail in one of the coach’s tires. After trying two tire service centers, we finally found a third to work on the problem. It delayed us over 2 hours. 😢 When you travel, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! 

 

So we continued on our way, fully knowing we weren't getting to Houston for the jersey giveaway or even the start of the game. Two brief rest stops at a Pilot and Loves later we finally got to Minute Maid Park. BALLPARK #25. Off the coach and into the park. On our way to our seats we passed the team store so I could get the passport stamped. It was the bottom of.the 4th, so opted not to score the game. Lots to like about the park including the awesome scoreboards and stats. Best seats of the trip. 

      

 

Batter's Eye

Deep in the Heart of Texas sung after Take Me out to the Ball Game

Very different sort of fans here. A number of them were sitting in the wrong seats and had to move when our group came in. During the T-shirt toss I nearly suffered a crushed knee as a very rude Astros fan wrestled a shirt from Earle. He didn't care how he got the shirt as he leaned across my lap. But then there was a lovely family sitting in front of us who noticed I was moving to see around the tall father and changed his seat. As they were leaving in the 8th inning they asked if we needed anything. Made up for rude t-shirt stealer. 

Listened to the Pirates til my earbuds lost power. Just as well I didn't hear them blow another game 13-2. 

Game ended with an Oakland win YAY, I don't like cheaters. It was interesting not to see any Cole jerseys in the stands.

Arrived at the Hampton Inn about 11 and did all the organize stuff and charging that is the nightly routine. Bed and waited for sleep until I knew Amy had landed in California.