SEATTLE MARINERS vs CLEVELAND INDIANS

To my readers, I’m sorry that I was unable to updates this blog in a timely fashion. We have been busy this last month and half seeing everything that Oregon and Washington State has to offer.  The campground we are in does not have internet, except in their clubhouse. After checking email from family and research for our next trip there is no time to sit and write a good informational post. Hauling the PC to the clubhouse every day is a pain. However, we will be heading to Fairchild AFB this week and they should have internet I can pick up in our rig.  

Here is a small taste of what’s to come; OR Caves NP, OR Dunes NRA, Sea lion caves, safari wildlife, Pittock Mansion, Lewis & Clark NP and that just Oregon. There is twice as much for Washington State. I promise, the wait will be worth it.

Until then, I’ll take you out to the ball game…

29 Jun

SEATTLE MARINERS vs CLEVELAND INDIANS

The day after Josh Tomlin tossed a complete game one hit gem against the M’s we had tickets to Sunday’s day game.

Josh pre-game workout

With a friend who lives in the Seattle area that I meet at Leaf Verde this winter I got to visit Safeco Field for the first time. To my surprise he gave me some old Mariners Stadium-Give-Away bubbleheads of Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez, great additions to my growing collections… thank you.

Before the game, I was able to get Indians pitchers Josh Tomlin and Justin Masterson to autograph a few baseball cards. Along with a picture with STO sideline reporter Katie Witham. I told her, “I was going to bring it to spring training next year and have her sign it”. She replied, “I hope to be in Arizona next season”. 

The M’s King Felix followed with his own gem of 8 innings one hit ball in a 4 – 0 M’s win. With the stadium roof open, we watched from our seat for the first 4 innings, and then we walked around the park taking in the game from different angels. In the sixth when Robin Cano hit a two run homer we were in the right field seats where the ball landed. The crowd was going crazy, I could only shack my head while looking to the ground as my friend patted me on my back.

In the center field concord there is a statue of the M’s announcer Dave Niehaus calling the 1995 ALCS game 5 against the Yankees (M’s first playoff appearance). The statue is so detailed that even the score card that was used is exactly the same as the paper version.

I was shocked that there are no other statues of Mariner greats like Edger Martinez, Griffey Jr, A-Rod, Randy Johnson or even Ichiro. There is a small Mariners Hall of Fame exhibit. I was disappointed not to see a Randy Johnson no hitter display. It was the first in Franchise history. They did have one with the six players combined for a no hitter and King Felix Perfect Game. 

Again, disappoint to see nothing about Ichiro 262 (MLB record) hit in a single season except for a footnote picture on the outside of the stadium.  

In the left field stands there is a section for King’s Court. A fan section dedicated to Felix Hernandez. At the top of the section there is a King Throne. I wanted to sit in it, but I was wearing my Indians jersey and did not feel right. 

 By the 7^th inning we were along the Indians bullpen. This area is very fan friendly, even for visiting fans. I could not see much of the game, because where the pitchers sit and watch the game has a roof over it, but there are giant screen TV’s to catch all the action. I was watching relievers getting warmed up before going into the game and after one session, the bullpen catcher saw I was wear an Indians jersey and threw me the ball.

Safeco Field Prices: 2 tickets $38, Parking $10 (block and a half away), food $23 (2 foot long hot dog and stadium cup with free refiles).  A great day spent with my wife and friend. Walked away with a handful of collectibles, autographs and a game used ball to add to my ever growing collection. Along with another baseball stadium marked off my bucket list. The only thing that would have been sweeter was a Tribe win, but we can’t win them all. 

TRAVIS AFB to REDWOOD NP

TRAVIS AFB to REDWOOD NP

13 - 16 May

We where on the road by mid day for a long 6+ hour drive that tuned into a two day drive. We like to take our time and see what's on the way, we are not in a hurry to get anywhere. In the middle of the mountain we spent the night at a rest stop that was empty most of the night. Not something we are use to seeing, we know we are out in the boonies now.

First on our stop was to make a small detour to Avenue of Giants. It a road the run along 101 on level road and drive through the redwood trees then having to climb the mounts and only see the top of the trees.  We stopped along the side of the road and tried to hug a redwood tree, but we had no luck. We also made a stop to the visitor center, there are lot of trails and other things to see. We decided to pass on the hikes as we wanted to arrive to the RV park before dark.

We made our way to Mad River Rapids RV Park, about 30 minutes from Redwood National Park. We stayed there for 4 days with a full schedule of things to see and do including Redwood NP, whale watching, Tree of Mystery and seen a lot of elks.

Redwood NP is a BIG area includes around the ocean cost and in deep high mountain sides. One of the visitor center is located on the ocean. When we arrive it was fogy and dark along the ocean. However, when we got to one of the Redwood NP hiking trails it was sunny and clear.

We found an area on top of a cliff overlook to look at some whales. We could see the whales blowing water from their blowholes and large dark shadow objects in the water. When we tried to take pictures they turned out to not do justice on this remarking view. I keep saying I need a bigger and better camera leans...

 If you enlarge the pic, you'll see the whale starting to jump upward

Last of the trip was to stop at Tree of Mystery. It not hard to miss, look for the 49 feet tall Paul Bunyan and his blue ox. It's located right on 101 and after you pass out of the tree covered road it's located on the right. If driving by RV, turn left into the hotel and park in the back on the dirt parking lot. It's the only place big enough for large rigs as the Tree of Mystery parking lot is set up as POV parking only. Price is $15 a person. A little pricey to see trees, but I think that it's because of the the sky trail cart ride to the top of the mountain. Oh, the sky trail has some great views. The wife got scared when it felt like it broke down when we were only half way up. That's because of the wind and when the cart in front of us arrives it slows down to get on the platform tracks. Some of the these trees whereon Ripley's believe it or not. And, the wedding tree what a place. It took a couple shoot, but I got a good one with the sun shining down the center.

While driving back out of Redwood NP there was female elks gathering in all places an RV park. We pulled into the RV park and took some pictures. Not one block away was the male elks. I guess they don't like hanging out together, unless it's matting season.