West Coast Trip Summary

Trip #3, the West Coast Trip (also dubbed “Can they spend 33 days together in a minivan?” tour) is complete. We took 7 days to drive to Seattle and stopped at the Field of Dreams, Badlands National Park, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone National Park.

We then drove down the west coast stopping at all the ballparks along the way. We also stopped at some beautiful golf courses (Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach). Our favorite city was San Diego. Temperate climate, crystal clear skies, a beautiful bay, ships going in and out all afternoon, Balboa Park and great seafood. We’re hoping the Dept. of the Navy sees fit to transfer Steven there so we can go back.

Our route home took us thru Phoenix, Denver and Kansas City. I was most impressed with Monument Valley on the Navajo Reservation. It’s where they’ve filmed many of the Hollywood westerns most notably with John Wayne. Our tour guide, Roy, knew all the best places to take pictures and told the best stories.

We put on 7960 miles in a rented Dodge Caravan. By the way, it was so hot in Phoenix, the rear bumper expanded and prevented the rear hatch from opening. We invented an ingenious way to open the hatch … we’d put one foot on the bumper to press it down and open the hatch at the same time. I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere. We spent $9639 ($750 on tickets; $251 at museums and tours; $1212 on eating out; $1481 on gas -- max price $4.89/gallon; $859 on the rental car; $2950 on hotels; $886 on groceries and miscellaneous knick-knacks; and $1250 in cash ($400 of which went to various casinos in Las Vegas).

AT&T Park (San Francisco) was our favorite stadium. The view of the Bay was spectacular.

Petco Park (San Diego) and Coors Field (Denver) had the best hot dogs. It was hard to pick between the two … 33 days on the road clouds the brain!

-- Things to note:
1) The US has an incredible National Park system (thanks to Teddy Roosevelt as we learned during our Mt. Rushmore tour). There were so many things to see and each was more beautiful than the next. Arches National Park was particularly interesting since it wasn’t on our itinerary … we just happened to drive on the road passed it.
2) South Dakota is the most boring state to drive thru (beating out Iowa). Very flat and no sights to see.
3) There are far too many casinos in Montana. I guess that’s not surprising. After all, what else is there to do in Montana. I’m still quite perturbed that they allowed the Little Big Horn casino.
4) We witnessed some incredible flooding in Iowa although what we saw was the prelude to the big flooding problems they had. It apparently rained a lot after we left. I will also never forget being hustled to the basement of the restaurant, dinner plate in hand, when the tornado warning alarm was sounded.
5) Yellowstone is gorgeous. Two noteworthy events … it was the first time I saw snow on the ground in June … the melting snow led to some spectacular waterfall scenes in Yellowstone; and, for the first time in my life I had to yield to a bison (who looked me in the eye as we passed him in a way that said ‘this is my road, a—hole!’)
6) We experienced the hottest temperatures of our lives (116deg) as we drove to Phoenix. We also went thru the smoke from the first forest fires although it got much worse after we left California. Thank goodness for indoor stadiums. It was too hot to sit outside in Phoenix to watch a game.
7) The tour of the Ping Golf Club Mfg facility was outstanding. Best factory tour I’ve been on (The Budweiser tour in St. Louis was very good, but I’m no longer a beer drinker). I just had to get fitted for a Ping putter. I just got it so I’ll get to try it out this weekend.
8) The Broker Restaurant with its All-You-Can-Eat shrimp bowl brought before you order wins the best restaurant of the trip
9) The songs of the trip … both of the Maroon 5 songs currently in heavy rotation –
Won’t Go home Without You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gskuP-8dtSU) and
Wake Up Call (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOskLZ-w3RA&feature=related).

East Coast trip next. Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium here we come!

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals 7-8-08

The Negro League Baseball Museum is in Kansas City (http://www.nlbm.com/). It seemed only fitting that on our baseball stadium tour, we visit the museum that celebrates the Negro Leagues, an important part of baseball history. It was outstanding. Lots of memorabilia, pictures, and videos. They also had a field set up with statues of the preeminent players at each position (e.g., Satchel Paige pitching, Josh Gibson catching). When I walked on the field, I felt like I was intruding on a game.

In the same complex, they have set up the American Jazz Museum (http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com/). I enjoyed it. However, to me, Ken Burns' PBS Jazz special did a much better job of telling the story of jazz. Lots of listening areas to experience the music.

While in Kansas City, I had to pay homage to the Lieber and Stoller song "Kansas City" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q978YtUlMBk). We went to 12th Street and Vine, took a few pictures and left (it's not in the best neighborhood).

After the museum tours, we were starved. The Food Network Channel had recommended LC's Bar-B-Q so we tried it. Outstanding!! For you Cincinnatians ... it was much better than Montgomery Inn. Meatier ribs, spicier sauce, and ridiculous quantities. It's a small place, but exactly what you'd expect a local Bar-B-Q joint to be like. Here's a link to a web site that discusses LC's: http://cityguide.aol.com/kansascity/entertainment/lcs-bar-b-q/v-111836067

The Kansas City stadium was surprising nice for a 30+ year old stadium. The "K", short for Kauffman the original owner of the Royals, is being renovated. They're doing it during the baseball season so they'll be ready for 2009. We got seats in the club level to be under cover since it rained most of the day and drizzled throughout the game. The "K" had the biggest, and incredibly clearest Jumbotron we've seen. They have great fountains although not nearly as good as the Bellagio fountains :-) I really liked their bottom of the 8th ritual ... they have a 100ft tall video image of Garth Brooks leading the fans in singing 'I've Got Friends in Low Places'. I had to be impressed ... it's one of my favorite songs.

The game was a good one. The Royals seemed to be in control the whole way, but the White Sox kept pecking away. The game went to extra innings with the White Sox winning 8-7 in 13 innings. The Sox scored 2 in the top of the 11th on a 2 run sacrifice fly (check out the video in the link below), but the Royals prolonged the agony by scoring 2 in the bottom of the 11th. Orlando Cabrera drove in the winning run with a double. Here's the link to the box score: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_07_08_chamlb_kcamlb_1&mode=wrap

Here's a link to our pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772189@N03/sets/

The All Important Hot Dog Rating with a caveat ... we were stuffed from eating LC's Bar-B-Q. We shared a hot dog (from a kiosk of course). It must have been good because we weren't hungry and we both enjoyed it. Good flavor, great sauerkraut. We both gave it a "9" although it might have been rated higher had we been hungry. It certainly tasted better than the hot dog I caught during the 'throw the hot dogs to the fans between innings' promotion. Nancy had a Budweiser wheat beer. She was still thirsty from the Bar-B-Q so I suppose any beer would have tasted good.

We've now visited 21 of 30 stadiums ... we're 70% of the way there. Today, we head back to Cincinnati for 2 weeks of rest, recuperation and planning for the East Coast trip. It has been an amazing set of trips.

Florida Marlins vs. Colorado Rockies 7-6-08

We got into Denver yesterday afternoon. While driving to the hotel, I saw The Broker Restaurant. I ate at The Broker 25 years ago and had a great meal so we went again. It was just like I remembered. As soon as you sit down, they bring you a large bowl of peel-n-eat shrimp to munch on while you review the menu. The Broker is predominately steak and seafood although they have several other choices. I had the prime rib; Nancy had the trout. All meals come with the shrimp bowl, a large salad, the main course, and a desert. The food was outstanding and it was way too much to eat (we both took doggie bags and will eat the leftovers for dinner tomorrow). If you're in Denver, The Broker is worth a trip (http://www.thebrokerrestaurant.com/)

I really like Coors Field. It's in my top 5. Beautiful architecture, spacious promenades, comfortable seats, friendly staff. I especially like the out-of-town scoreboard. Old school with a guy changing the scores by hand. Before the game, the Rockies dinosaur mascot brought several kids onto the field in left to play a game of kickball. Very cute. We sat in box seats between home and third. I was two seats away from a foul ball,. I gotta catch one before this trip is over. Here's the link to our pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772189@N03/sets/

The game was a typical Colorado game. Lots of hits, several lead changes. The Marlins won 10-5. Cody Ross, the Marlins centerfielder, drove in 5 runs with a single, double and home run. Here's a link to the box score: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_07_06_flomlb_colmlb_1&mode=wrap

The Coors Field hot dog was one of the best. They had lots of hot dog choices. We had a 'Rockie Dog' with peppers, onions, and sauerkraut. The hot dog had very good flavor, great sauerkraut, and a soft bun. we both gave it a "9". Nancy really liked the beer, Blue Moon Belgian White (a wheat ale). She said it was as good as Leinenkugel, but not as cold. Blue Moon is a Coors brand which was a response to various microbrewery beers.

We are now 2/3 of the way thru the trip. This was our 20th stadium. On to Kansas City.

Rocks, Rocks and More Rocks 7-4-08

Monument Valley was a real treat. You can drive yourself through the public part of the Navajo Park or you can get a private tour to the great sights. Frommer's recommended the Keyah Hozhoni tour guides. No question ... take the private tour. (http://www.monumentvalley.com/Pages/english_homepage.html). We had a Navajo guide, Roy, who told great stories and knew the perfect spots to take pictures. Monument Valley has been used as a backdrop to many Westerns. John Ford, the Director, used it for all of his. John Wayne spent most of his career here. Roy pointed out the spots where different scenes were filmed. The western chase scene from Back to the Future III was filmed here. We took over 100 pictures so it'll take a while to load them, but Monument Valley sure was beautiful.

Our overnight stop tonight is Grand Junction, Colorado. On the way from Monument Valley, we saw we passed Arches National Park. Since we had a few extra hours, we decided to stop. It was worthwhile as well. Lots of rocks ... over 2000 arches. If you pass through Moab, Utah, it's worth a visit (http://www.nps.gov/arch).

Ping Manufacturing Tour 7-3-08

While in Phoenix, I did an internet search looking for things to do. I found that Ping manufactures their clubs in Phoenix and they give tours of their facility. You need reservations, but I called and got on the list for the next day. It was one of the best factory tours ever. Two hours of in depth review of the process for making golf clubs to each person's individual specifications. I was so impressed, I got fitted for a putter. I'm not sure how I'll putt on the course, but I made 7 in a row from 10 feet with the putter designed for me by my club fitter. Nancy enjoyed the tour, as well. She asked the most questions of the people in our group. If you're ever in Phoenix, take the time to do the tour.

Phoenix 7-2-08

Today was a light day. It's just too darn hot to do anything in Phoenix. We did go to the Arizona Museum of Natural History (http://mesasouthwestmuseum.com/Home.aspx). It was one of the better natural history museums I've seen. Good explanations of the exhibits and very kid friendly. The best part for me was 'Arizona in the Movies' where they talked about the various movies that have used Arizona as a backdrop. Very interesting for movie buffs.

After a siesta, we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens (http://www.dbg.org/). Very well done. As you'd expect, lots of different variety of cacti. The pictures don't do it justice, but I've posted them anyway. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772189@N03/sets/

Tomorrow, we tour the Ping Golf Club manufacturing plant.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Arizona Diamondbacks 7-1-08

Whoever said it's not the heat, it's the humidity must not have visited Phoenix. Today's temperature was a personal high of 116deg. It's awful. Thankfully, Chase Field is enclosed (they have a retractable roof) and air conditioned. Chase Field is not very pretty from the outside. It's in the downtown area and looks like a warehouse. However, it is very good looking stadium on the inside. In fact, it looks very much like Miller Field in Milwaukee. It has the biggest jumbotron of any of the stadiums we've seen.

We had several firsts at the game today. I was on the jumbotron. They were actually taking a picture of the buxom woman sitting next to me, but there I was! Our joint picture led to a conversation. It turns out, she is Prince Fielder's wife (Brewers 1st baseman). We were sitting in the Brewers' family section with all of the wives, kids, and other various family members. As a result, we had to root for the Brewers. During the game, Nancy heard the D-Backs organist play. Ever since she met the Cubs' organist, she has been on a quest to meet and talk with all stadium organists. She met the D-Backs organist, Bobby Freeman, after a trek to his location on the 3rd deck by the left field foul pole. It was worth the trip. She got several pictures with him. For one of the pictures. Bobby let Nancy wear his 2001 World Series ring (the year they beat the Yankees) making Nancy the 1st Garfinkel to wear a World Series ring. The pictures are a must see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772189@N03/sets/

The game was actually an interesting one. The Brewers bombed Randy Johnson with 6 runs in the first 2 innings. JJ Hardy hit 2. The D-backs pecked away, but could never mount a big rally. The Brewers won 8-6. The Brewers made several good plays in the field to secure the victory. Here's a link to the box score. You can also see videos of the plays of the game on this site:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_07_01_milmlb_arimlb_1&mode=wrap

The Hot Dogs were disappointing. They were cold. The veggies and the bun were good, and the sauerkraut was outstanding. However, we gave it an ok "7" because, first and foremost, the hot dog is the reason you buy and the best veggies ever can't raise the score too much. Nancy had a Fosters beer which she liked ... if the temps are high, any cold beer tastes good. BTW, it was 102deg when we left the stadium.