Spring Training v5.20

Monday & Tuesday (Days 270-271)

Back into the rain


Is it time already? Really? Dang… The time to head out came upon Harris and Rick much faster than expected. Both were packed up and ready to walk across the street to Denny’s at 8:30 and good byes were said after filling up on hash browns, eggs, pancakes and some bacon or sausages (H. and R. do have some differences) by 9:30. Rick’s plan was to head to Santa Fe and the following day make it to Denver to see his granddaughter. Harris was going to see if he could head back to Lake Stevens as quickly as he made it down to Spring Training. He didn’t stop much or for very long. He snatched a few hours of sleep and would move on. He did make it back by midnight, Tuesday. Total miles driven 1550



Packed and ready to go for breakfast








One of three accidents Harris saw on the return home (2 were rollovers)






Even skirting LA / San Bernardino didn't avoid smog and traffic





One of two Casino stops for free coffee/soft drinks only (not lucky like Rick)





A controlled burn in N. California by Mt. Shasta





Getting grayer, cooler (but still in shorts)






Still in shorts




Big Sigh...not quite the same as the one I just left





No longer in shorts




Puzzle Judy completed while Harris was gone

Spring Training v5.19

Sunday, March 17, 2013 (Day 269)

Oh the sorrow of it… today was the last day of Spring Training (sigh). At least the weather was a perfect 90 degrees in the shady seats. Rick and Harris stopped at another wonderful community park to prepare Harris for the Mariners regular season by having Rick pound him 15-2 in bocce ball. Then it was a quick stop at the store for Rick to update his sunglasses (he does this by losing his sunglasses once each year during Spring Training).

Our shady seats



As for the game, it was a pitcher’s duel for the first few innings before the Texas Rangers scored a couple. Then the Mariners came back to tie and go ahead in the 8th inning. Since it was St. Paddy’s day, there were some Irish festivities which reminded Harris of his friend Joe D. The come from behind game was a great way to cap off this year’s trip. Tomorrow after a breakfast at Denny’s, Rick heads to Denver while Harris heads back to his lovely wife (not that Rick won’t eventually head back to his lovely wife as well). All in all, a wonderful stay in Phoenix this year.





Total miles driven today =25

Spring Training v5.18

Saturday March 16, 2013 (Day 268)

Today the plan was to get out early and head to Salt River Flats baseball park, purchase tickets, and do some geocaches while waiting for the game to start. The plan started out just fine, but a wrench was thrown into the works when the ticket booth opened up just to tell Rick, who was first in line, that all the tickets were already sold! So much for driving the 30+ miles to the park just to turn around and drive 30+ miles back. You’d think that they would have posted a notice on their website! Geez….

The sunny seats for today's game



So plan two, was to head over to Surprise and catch the Texas Rangers and LA Dodgers game. Harris and Rick arrived about an hour early for that one and snagged a couple of lawn seats. The parking lots were already filling up so they packed their lunch of sardines and Wheat Thins and M&M’s to go along with Mr. Phibbs designated driver soft drink and headed into the stadium. Since there were so many folks expected, they decided to forgo trying to snag a seat in the shade. After applying a thick layer of sun screen it was into the sunny seats and the game began.


Preparing for the sun



A little later they opted for seats with more room around them farther down the right field line so they could spread out. The game went quickly with only 3 hits in the first 5 innings thanks to two starting pitchers quickly finding their grooves. Harris and Rick enjoyed the sardines (really) and headed for the 3rd base side to even out the sun’s broiling of their bodies. They reflected that it was time they spent some time in the Arizona sun while watching bb.


Two folks from Juneau, AK



After the 7th inning and Texas scoring 4 quick runs on the pitching change in the fifth, they were off to find shade from folks leaving the park early. Lo and behold, they sat in front of two people from Juneau, AK (a H.S. science teacher named Lundstrum and friend) and two people from Minn. now living in Colorado. Both Harris and Rick had folks to talk to while trying to watch the game. This was the first game that actual baseball took a back seat to the talking with people in the stands (perhaps because the M’s weren’t playing). The game now finished too quickly and goodbyes were said. Then it was off to bocce ball where Rick won the first three matches until Harris was victorious in the fourth (where it was the first one to score won rather than playing to 15). Then it was off for Italian food at Bobby O’s which was fantastic (Rick must have been tired of Harris cooking) and then back to the RV park for cards after a little relaxation.

Two people from Toronto heading south rather returning north!



Total miles driven today =110

EDIT.... HARRIS WON AT QUARTERS A FEW MINUTES AGO!! You and the Earth are now able to resume normal activities...

Spring Training v5.17

Friday March 15, 2013 (Day 267)

Today, Rick and Harris decided, was another great day for 2 baseball games. Rick did his run while Harris took a short walk. They left for the Peoria Sports Complex around 11:30. While walking to the game they came upon a VW Westfella. As Rick spoke to the owners from San Diego he found out that they had driven it some 330,000 miles since they’d bought it. They were on their third engine. This made Rick feel good about the shape that Goldie was in.

VW van owners comparing notes



The game between the Dodgers and Padres was one of the best they’d seen this trip. Rick and Harris were sitting next to some die hard Padre fans that were upset that Rick and Harris were rooting for a close game since the Padres were up by 5 in the first few innings. The Padre fans were more than happy to keep or improve on that score. In the 8th inning the Dodgers pulled ahead of the Padres and the Padre fans were furious. Harris told them that now when the Padres win they will appreciate the win even more. They were not optimistic, but lo and behold; in the bottom of the ninth the Padres got a single and then a home run to tie the score at 7-7. Harris went over and asked if they were enjoying the game even more now. Yup…much more, and just then the Padres scored another run to win 8-7!

Day game seats



Girl happy in her dad's shade



There was a time when the air felt humid and Harris was thinking of ditching the going to the park between games idea for going back to the R V place and jumping into the pool. But, by the end of the game, the air dried up once more and dinner at the park was back on.

Harris and Rick happy with after game drinks



The healthy dinner!



After dinner Rick beat Harris once again…no twice again in Bocce ball before heading back to the park to see the Mariners take on the Netherlands national team. In short, the Netherlands spanked the Mariners just like they spanked the Padres last night. Harris and Rick left after 8 innings at 10:05 to get back to the park. Only two more baseball games left…dang.


Looking back where Howeis is parked



Seats at the beginning of the night's game



Total miles driven today= 32

Spring Training v5.16

Thursday March 14, 2013 (Day 266)

"A great day to play two"


Since yesterday was a long day, Harris and Rick decided to take the morning nice and slow. Taking a leisurely hour long walk they found 8 more geocaches near the RV campground. One of them, by the Castle, stumped them last year, but Rick’s long arm secured the cache this time. It was warming up quickly this morning so Harris extended the awning for some welcomed shade. Before they knew it, it was time to head to the ball game. The plan was to eat healthy today since yesterday the calorie budget was used up for the week! Today was to be healthy eating. Peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and salmon with rice and salad for dinner.




The ball game was 90 degrees at the 1:05 start time and the high was forecast to be 94 degrees. It was also $2 hot dog day. Rick gave in and got one. He said it was delicious. Harris did not give in. He eat his PNJ and then the cracker Jacks ( the best before date was Oct. of 2012 and he couldn’t let them go to waste). Then the almond M&M’s bit the dust. It was decided that the salmon would keep until Friday. They met some great Cincinnati staff that were escorting some “high profile fans” on a spring training tour and enjoyed hearing about the town and the team. Harris and Rick promised to give the escorted fans a good game which they did. The final score was 8-7 Mariners after the Reds had a 7-3 lead after several innings.









Harris and Rick needed a park to rest during the double header and another fan recommended a park located by hwy 101 and Thunderbird Ave that promised shade. Off they went after the game around 4PM where Rick promptly beat Harris at both Quarters and bocce ball. At least they were sipping on bourbon while they played.







The night game was played in 80+ degree weather—perfect! The Netherlands provided some good competition for the Padres 3rd tier team. Their seats were behind home plate where they could spread out amongst the 3000+ spectators. The game slowed down considerably after the 6th inning where the Padres were behind by several runs. They decided to leave after the 8th inning due to the 11hour long day and the planned double header scheduled for Friday. Temps were in the mid 80’s heading home at 10PM. Another great day.




Total miles driven today =35

Spring Training v5.15

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 (Day 265)

Today, Rick and Harris decided, was a four star day. By that they meant a full packed, fun-filled, and weather enhanced great day. They started with finding twelve of thirteen attempted geocaches. This was followed with a Mariners vs Kansas City Royals game (Mariners losing 4-2). Then it was time for the dinner bet payoff made last summer when Rick and Harris bet on their respective teams winning the series of home and home matches between the Twins and Mariners (which they both attended). Afterwards, it was time to walk the half mile to the Peoria Dinner Theater to see the Buddy Holly Story. They had great seats and enjoyed an enthusiastic performance by the mostly local cast of some 20+ players. Their stomachs almost felt back to normal on the walk back to Howie at 10PM. It was lights out just after midnight on this wonderful 12 hour day!


Rick was caching up a storm with 12 of 13 finds




Our seats in the shade for today's game




It's difficult to completely take the Twins out of Rick!




The baseball bet payoff dinner location




Rick and Harris split the 2 dinners--Wow!




And Rick wanted coffee and dessert too! ok!!




The Peoria Dinner Theater complex is large!




Great performance by mostly local actors




We had great seats




The set

Spring Training v5.14

Tuesday March 12, 2013 (Day 264)

Rick rolled in at 7PM last night and Harris impressed him with a smorgasbord of food (grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, baked potato, and salad). Rick was impressed or too tired to notice any deficiencies. Dessert was M&M’s (with almonds).

Rick's arrival at 7PM



The morning was another glorious one—cloudless blue sky with temps in the 60’s by 9AM. Harris made the coffee while Rick got breakfast started with some fruit cups. The RV spot is working out great. There is plenty of room and there’s almost always some available shade from one of the rigs. After each finished their personally customized breakfasts it was time to prepare to head to the ball park.

Our setup complete with living/dining room in front



They stopped at Winco’s to purchase some brats for dinner and bread for lunch. Then it was off to see the Diamondbacks take on the Mariners. They both wore the newly purchased Mariners Jerseys and found perfectly shaded seats for the game. Both teams had about the same number of fans rooting them on. Felix looked great today giving up one hit; unfortunately, it was a home run. The Mariners out hit the D’backs but the M’s allowed too many walks that came around to score. The close game ended up going Arizona’s way, but the weather was so good the guys didn’t take the loss badly.

Sporting their new Mariners jerseys



Before dinner the guys played bocce. Harris played the Mariners while Rick took the D’backs role. Dinner was the brats accompanied by a chief’s salad and topped off with Dare Chocolate cookies. Not bad.

The King's Court was present



Rick topped the day off by slaughtering Harris at Quarters by almost 200 points. Harris is hoping that this was a one day phenomenon.


Minor league players catching the game



Total miles driven today =30

Spring Training v5.13

Monday, March 11, 2013 (Day 263)


Weather wise, things are back to spring time normal…ie perfect. Harris took Howie to the dump station for his weekly visit and filled him up with fresh water. Rick texted that he got a great start and would update when he was nearer.

Most interesting cache today




Arizona style fence?



Harris decided to do his liquor run today since prices here are almost half of what they are in Washington state. On the way he found seven of 8 caches.

A very important stop



Since the Mariners were off today, he caught a Padres vs Athletics game. Luckily there were interesting people to talk to since the game was an early blowout . One of the highlights was when a section by first base (Padres fans) started an organized chant “OOOOOUUUUU” during the pitch and “AAAAHHHHH” during the catcher’s throw back to the pitcher. They did this for the entire 7th inning gathering more and more fans chuckling and joining in the chant. Several of the players were impressed. At another point there was a section on the third base side that started echoing the chant. It almost sounded like a soccer match for a bit.

Today's seat was a front row w/2 innings of sun turning to shade...perfect



After the game Harris picked up some shrimp and a steak for dinner on Rick’s arrival who just texted that he’s 72 miles out! Time to prepare for the arrival!!

And the final score



Total miles driven today =30

Spring Training v5.12

Sunday, March 10, 2013 (Day 262)

It was wonderful to see nothing but blue skies. Not a single cloud! Harris decided to add some more found caches (yesterday he surpassed 1000). It was fitting that the 1000th one was one of the ones found at the Camelback Ranch ball field. The thermometer was heading north of 65 degrees when he started.

A clever cache with 2 nuts, a magnet, and a log.




And a cute cache...



Harris found 8 more caches today before having to head to the game. Today’s weather was perfect. Too cool to sit in the shade and pleasant when sitting in the sun. He flipped from side to side to get an even exposure on the body—didn’t want to overdue the sun exposure.

Today was kids' day at the park



The game started off poorly with 5 runs (3 home runs) off of Andrew Caraway who pitched for the first time at this level. At least the M’s were able to coble together some offense before the end of the game. In the 8th inning we were within one swing of tying the game when the basses were loaded with 1 out. At least the weather was perfect!

Part of the 7000+ fans today



Rick took off this morning and texted that he was somewhere in Idaho while Harris was at the game. He should make it here as the weather warms up into the 80’s.

The first inning was a killer



Harris is off to grill another steak…

Total miles driven today = 30