I made it through two states today. It's late. I'm tired. Maybe I'll type some more tomorrow.

Just crossed my second time zone of the day!

Uh-oh. Starting to feel the first hints of humidity and I'm only in Las Cruces, NM.

Greetings

Just got into New Mexico. Really nice view from the road.

Game #2 Angels @ Dimondbacks

Hello Phoenix. Goodbye Phoenix. That's pretty much how I feel about this place. I think I forgot about how oppressively hot it is out here. Gives the Iranian gov't a run for it's money. Zing!

But really, there are only two reasons that I'm here. One is to check out Chase field and the other is to visit with my buddy Nick from my days in the Geology dept. Thankfully, it was worth putting up with 110 degree weather for both.

As soon as I arrived in Phoenix I made a beeline for the ballpark. I knew that I had about 40 minutes before the first pitch and I wanted to catch the entirety of the game. Thankfully parking was a breeze, and I grabbed a pretty sweet ticket to an outfield seat. Once inside, I got to enjoy my first experience inside a domed stadium. A domed stadium with AC, fantastic! Granted it wasn't cool by any stretch of the imagination. I'd guess that it was in the high 90's in my seats, but it was a hell of a lot better than the hell that was outside the stadium.

The stadium itself was nice. Very modern looking n the inside with a nice wide concourse that allowed access all around the field. They had a wide variety of concessions stands, with short quick lines and friendly attendants. I ended up eating a southern bbq pulled pork sandwich and it was delicious. The ushers were equally pleasant, maybe a little too much. I ended up receiving a Dback nightlight at the entrance despite the fact that the giveaway day was only supposed to be for children. I wonder who the lucky person will be to get that souvenir?

The game itself was fun too, the Angels ended up winning 12-8 due to a series of useless dbacks relievers and atrocious defense. I think the angels scored all of those runs on 10 or 11 hits. The Boo-birds eventually came out in the 6th or 7th inning, after the 3rd error in a row, but you could hardly blame them. The dbacks were playing like a single A minor league team. It didn't help that Gary Matthews stole home (WHAT A PLAY!!!) and that Mathis and Izturis hit homers, their 2nd of the year.

After the game I met up with my buddy Nick, his girlfriend and her sister at In-and-Out for an early dinner. While hanging out he offered up a place to stay at his house in Phoenix, and we also decided to catch Transformers 2 on the way over there, so it ended up being a pretty fun evening. I know Nick from my days as a Geology undergrad at Cal State LA, and haven't seen much of him for about 8 years. I think this bodes well for the future of my trip.

Next stop, New Mexico. I really want to see the Carlsbad caverns, but it is a bit of a haul to get there tonight. I might stop in Las Cruces first and head to the caverns first thing in the morning on Tuesday. We'll see what happens.

110 degrees. Really Phoenix?Really?

Hitting the road

All packed up, rent checks on the table, looks like I'm all set to go.
1st stop, Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona.

Woo hoo!

Sent from my iPhone.

Game #1 - Rockies @ Angels

Ok, so I'm one game into this trip and I can already grant myself EPIC FAIL. I went to the Angels game last night and completely forgot to bring my camera with me. I was so busy watching out for my little brother when we left the car that I left my camera in the trunk. DOH.

Regardless, it was a fun game. My friends Danny and Michelle joined me, and Michelle brought her friend Adrianna. Btw the five of us it was a great time watching the Angels lay the smackdown on the Dodgers division rival Rockies. I think it ended up being 11-3 at the end. Even better, because the angels scored 10 runs, we got free wings at claim jumper, which I gladly claimed for lunch today. Might have to go back and get some more after work with the extra stubs that I've got with me.

Same ol, same ol at the game. I don't have nearly as much to day about the stadium as I've been there a ton since moving down to OC. I will say that the insults that the fans yell at me for being a Dodgers Fan are getting much less original .

AND THERE WAS A SHOOTING...I almost forgot. So for all you Angels fans who complain about how dangerous it is in LA, that's one death from a fight earlier in the season, and now two guys shot in the parking lot. They're not dead though...yet. They should probably be put into protective custody before some other rouge angels fan finishes the job.

Anyways, it was a good start to vacation, even though I'm still in the office today and tomorrow. I promise that I'll start posting up pictures once Friday night rolls on through.

The list

Wonder what I'm going to forget? I'm sure that it'll be something.

Toothbrush/toothpaste
shampoo/soap
sleeping bag/tent/thermarest
cameras (SLR & point and shoot)
computer & portable hard drive
sneakers/sandals
clothing (especially my Dodgers jersey/cap)
phone/bluetooth headset/chargers
radar detector
power inverter
books
backpack

Guess that's everything. I'm trying not to take too much, I figure the less the better.

Tomorrow a list

I really need to put together an inventory of things to take along with me, to make sure that I'm not leaving behind anything important, and more importantly, to make sure that I'm not taking any more than I need to. Think I'll write that list tomorrow whilst the guys are pumping water.

Can't wait to head out. Sitting around this job site is really getting to me.

Got the computer

This wonderful puppy will be joining me on my trip. Once I combine
this with a portable hard drive I'll be able to download all of my
photos on the go.

Flirting With Disaster

This whole planning phase takes a lot of time. More than I anticipated, but not more than I have, so I've lucked out there. Damn it, left my notes in the car. BRB







almost back, I'm rummaging through the Explorer now........sweet, found them, on my way back up.





Oh good, the buffer is full on Hulu now! So I worked out a rough schedule (and I mean ROUGH) just to get an idea of how much time I was going to spend on the road and which games I'll be able to catch. With no further ado

Pre-trip: Southern California

Wednesday, June 24 - Rockies @ Angels: This is, or will be, the kick-off game for my trip. Nothing like starting with Inter-league play for an old-fashioned baseball roadtrip.

Friday, June 26 - Mariners @ Dodgers: What, you thought that I'd hit the road without getting a Dodger game under my belt? You must be drinking more of that watermelon wheat beer than I am right now.

Saturday, June 27 - BBQ at my place, 11 am till ~10 pm. If you're reading this, you're invited. Hell, if you're not reading this you're probably invited too.

Road-trip: I think I'll just put in the highlights, any gaps can be assumed to be driving/camping/hotel stays

Sunday, June 28 - The Beginning. Angels @ Diamondbacks: I feel kinda dirty for catching the Angels this soon, but hey, you taketh what the baseball gods giveth.

June 30 - Carlsbad Caverns

July 1 - Angels @ Rangers: Seriously? Again with the freaking Halos? Whatever, maybe I'll root for Texas.

July 2-July 6 - Baton Rouge, LA: Visiting with my Aunt, probably drop down to New Orleans for a day or two.

July 7 - Blue Jays @ Rays: Remember people, they're not the Devil Rays anymore. But they kept the ray tank, hence my visit.

July 10 - Reds @ Mets: I get a chance to see the new stadium adorned by the name of a bailout recipient.

July 11 - Royals @ Red Sox: Finally, a chance to see something historic, I wonder where I'll sit? Hopefully there's some seats available on the Monster.

July 12 - Royals @ Red Sox: Eh, maybe, not sure about this one. It is the last game before the all-star break though.

July 16 - Cubs @ Nationals: Ah, nothing says D.C. like mediocrity.

July 17 - Tigers @ Yankees: I can't pass up on the chance to see both new NY stadiums in the same trip, even if it is a bit of a detour.

July 18 - Giants @ Pittsburgh: Here we go, this is what I'm talking about. I'm packin my "Giants Suck, Barry Swallows" shirt for this part of the trip.

July 19 - Mariners @ Indians: More American League West action. Hopefully Bedard and/or Lee are still with the teams and pitching by this point.

July 20 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

July 21 - Mariners @ Tigers: If not Bedard on Sunday, maybe today?

July 22 - Rays @ White Sox: I got nothing for this. Maybe Willis will have a nervous breakdown on the mound or something.

July 24 - Reds @ Cubs: Classic. Day game at Wrigley Field. It doesn't get anymore old school than this.

July 25 - Braves @ Brewers: I hope they kill those damn Braves. Beers and Brats anyone?

July 27 - Tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. I hope they give out free beer at the end. That way I'll be all set for...
Dodgers @ Cardinals: Yeah, this is gonna be a good time. Hope you dirty Cardinals fans can take the heat.

July 29 - Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame: Nothing like a little edjamacation along the way.

July 30 - New Belgium Brewery: This is all I've got planned for today, because they're gonna need to carry me out of this place when I'm done. Prepare yourselves Ft. Collins Colorado.

That's it in a nutshell, between the 30th of June and the 10th of July, I'll make my way to the Bay area for a four game show-down with the Giants. I'll probably catch at least two of those games.

So yeah, in between I'll take lots of pictures, see old friends and family, and generally enjoy myself.

Ya'll know what I mean.

So I'm going on a little trip...

Hopefully that map is clear enough. If not, oh well, the general idea is conveyed. So yeah, it's time for a vacation. I little overdue probably, but better late than never.

After hemming and hawing, my boss finally gave me the ok to take six weeks off from work. I think I heard two or three times that this was the most time anyone from our office has ever requested off. Woo-hoo!

I think that for the most part I'm going to use this blog to post photos from my trip, and update my location from time to time. I plan to attend about 15 ballgames or so, and check out a few choice locations. The Carlsbad Caverns, the USS Alabama, the Anheuser-Busch and New Belgium Breweries, etc., etc. Hopefully I'll also get to spend some time visiting friends and family scattered at a few of these locations.

That's about it for now. It's pretty late and I've got an early morning. If you're reading this, I'm going to have a BBQ on June 27th, the day before I leave, so save the day, because you're invited. I'm also going to an Angels game on June 24th and a Dodgers game on June 26th as a sort of kick-off to the trip, so let me know if you're interested in joining the party for either game.