TRENTON, NJ & PHILADELPHIA, PA

TRENTON, NJ & PHILADELPHIA, PA

26 May - 2 Jun

The first time we had to change campgrounds, day trip to the City of Brotherly Love and Trenton baseball.

When stopping at a rest stop in New Jersey, we saw something that we never saw before. In NJ its against the law to leave your vehicle idling. There was a device that fits into the truck drivers window that allows the drive to hook up to heater, a/c, internet, TV and electricity.

We arrived at McGuire AFB in Wrightstown, NJ in the evening. After a quick look around the campground, we knew we could not spend another day there. No showers, no bathroom, no laundry, noway we are staying. We opened our Passport America book looking for a campground close to where we are, so we can still see and do everything we wanted to do. We found one at Timberland Lake Campground.

We headed to Philadelphia to visit Independence Hall. We visited here before we became full time RV’ers and did not have our National Park Stamp book.  This trip was to get the stamp, see and do stuff we did not do last time.  First, we got our free pass to tour Independence Hall. The ticket was for the 2:30pm tour, we still had all day to see the city before we had to be at the Hall’s entrance. We headed to the Liberty Bell and had to wait in the security line behind all the school kids on a tour. We walked to Ben Franklin’s grave. There is a $2 fee to enter, but his grave is along the fence line so I just took a picture from the street.  We shared a Philly Cheese Steak from a food cart for lunch. Lastly, we entered Independence Hall for our 2:30pm tour. As we left Philly, we hit rush hour that included the highway that was under construction made the drive out dreadful.

To give Hiromi a day to herself I went to Trenton, NJ to see the Trenton Thunder (Yankees AA) baseball game. I arrived pretty early, so I had time to walk around the outside of the stadium looking for practice homerun ball that might have left the stadium. Later, I found out that because it was a day game there was no batting practice today.  I got my usually goods of team set and mini bat from the teams store, along with a picture of me and the field. As the game started and the warmup tosses ended the balls returned to the dugout where the coach threw the ball into the stands. I caught the first inning ball, but the little girl standing next to me looked sad that I caught it, so I gave it to her. It was worth it to see the smile on her face after I gave her the ball. I was then determent to get another ball, this time for myself. As the visiting team Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox AA) recorded the last out in the 7^th inning and returned to the dugout the shortstop threw the ball to me. This one I kept as it was a gamed used ball and added an Eastern League ball to my collection.  

Our last day in NJ and it was a cloudy, overcast and rainy all day, but we still had one more place on our list to visit. We made our way to downtown Trenton to se the Capitol Building. We could not just walk in the Capitol Building we had to be on a tour. This was something we have not experienced in the other Capitol Building we have visited. A group of elementary students came in and we were told to join the group. We saw everything we wanted. The Governor’s Office (Secretary desk and door to the office), and the speakers hall. As we left we took a picture of the dome of the Capitol Building. We had to walk around the building to try and get a good shot. There are lots of trees surround the build and very little room for a good view of the gold dome.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The big apple, NYC.

WASHINGTON DC

WASHINGTON DC

20-25 May

This is our second time to Washington, DC. On our first visit I did not own my National Park Stamp Book. This time I have my book and ready to visit all the sight again to get my booked stamped. In February, we had made plans to meet Hiromi’s Japanese friend. However, when we arrive she was getting prepared for surgery so we did not visit and gave their family privacy.  

We stayed at Andrews AFB. Most military campground is first come first serve, but Andrews has a six month reservation request. When planning this trip, I got lucky when I called four months out that a site was still opened. At the time I did not realize it was on Memorial Day weekend. The Biltmore Orioles were on the road and we saw the Washington Nationals the last time we were in DC, so no baseball.

I heard of a place where most of the DC National Park Stamps located. To see if the stories were true we stopped at the Washington Monument Lodge… and there they are 25 National Park Stamps.

The hunt was on for the remaining stamps I needed, while stopping and taking some pictures of DC Monuments.

The Lincoln Monument was a meeting point for Memorial Day weekend motorcycle rally. All the open green park grass was full of motorcycles.

I guess bikes of all kind are welcomed

Off the beating path, but still in the DC area, we went to Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.  Mary Bethune was a leader in women’s right. The house was the locations of the Council and was also used for visiting blacks who could not use local hotels. A little history that most tourist don’t know about.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Trenton, NJ and the city of brotherly love, Philly, PA.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC

MYRTLE BEACH, SC

15-19 May

I found out that my Aunt and Uncle was in Myrtle Beach, SC so we made a detour and headed East to Apache Pier instead of staying at Shaw AFB. Apache Pier cost more than Shaw AFB, but anytime I have a chance to see family outside of Ohio I will do my best to see them. Living on the road is fun, but spending time with family makes it that much more fun.

We did not do much sightseeing in SC as we spend most of our time with my Aunt and Uncle. Hiromi and I did lots of walking on the beach collection seashells and digging for shark teeth. Every day we would return to the RV with hands full of seashell and NO sharks’ teeth.

We extended our stay by one day as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs Advance A) was returning for a home stand. I got the ticket for the game a day early and saved. Discount of $2 a ticket for early and another discount of $3 a ticket for military ID, a saving of $5 a ticket and $20 total saving and parking was free at the stadium.

When we arrived at the stadium I was on two missions, get a Carolina League baseball and autograph of Kent State Alumni Tyler Skulina. We arrived early and were one of the first to enter the gates. After finding our seats (second row behind first base) so everyone else could sit down I was on the hunt for baseballs left after batting practice. My first one was in the left field visiting team club house area. The gates were closed so I could not walk over and pick it up. I waited until someone came out, it was the bullpen catcher. I ask for the ball (please and thank you) and he threw it over the fence for me. Now, I was back by our seats along the first base line waiting for the Pelicans to come out for pre-game warm-ups. As I looked down the bleacher looking for players to exit the clubhouse I saw a ball sitting on the rain tarp. I walked over and picked it up. Then, the players started to exit the clubhouse so I got ready. I was wearing my Kent State baseball hat, as Tyler walked by I asked for his autograph. We talked for a bit asking what year I went to Kent State, got a few autographs and a picture then wished him luck in the rest of the season. The last two years he was the starter of two no hitters. He told me he was pulled from both games because he was on a pitch count. Two combined no hitter is still remarkable, most pitchers never have one in a career. During the game, I got my third ball of the night on a foul ball lined down the first base line. I jumped out of my seat and leaped over the first row in a single bound. I was faster than the teenager in shorts and bow tie with no glove. I reached over the railing with my glove and trapped the ball so he could not reach the ball without taking it out of my glove.  Hiromi and my Aunt were laughing at my handy work.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Washington, DC

JACKSONVILLE, FL

JACKSONVILLE, FL

10-14 May

One of the most easy drives in awhile, head East on I 10 and arrived in Jacksonville, FL. Because we got a really late start on the road looking for the cat we had to make it a two day trip. Like always, we found a spot and spent the night at a rest stop. We arrived at Pecan Park RV Resort just in time for pool side lunch hot dog, chips and soda for $2 a person. It really hit the spot after hooking up the RV in the hot Florida sun then we took a dip in the pool to cool off.

The office even has a pet alligator in a fish tank you can see when you register for your stay.

With Jacksonville, FL so close to the Georgia state boarder we made a day trip to Jekyll Island State Park. A state park entrance is $7 a day for parking anywhere on the Island. There is a wooded campground that will fit and size RV.  First we went to the Horton House the first colonist to build a home and plantation residence on the Island. The house built mostly from the local supplies of sand and oyster shells still stand today.

After eating our packed lunch, we walked on the beach. As we turned the corner of the beach heading out of the bay and to open ocean there is drift wood trees lining the coast.

With plenty of day light remaining we had time to stop by Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia. The Fort was built to protect the southern boundary of Georgia from Spain. The Fort was home for the British soldiers and colonist settlers.

Another state another baseball game. This time is was the Jacksonville Suns AA team of the Florida Marlines. The Jacksonville Suns are the 2014 Southern League Champions and just sold to the owner of the Akron Rubber Ducks for $20 Million. We were driving around downtown Jacksonville and made a stop at the stadium. We got tickets for the next day home game. Some Suns' players were on the field practicing in the early afternoon. I stood along the left field fence watching practice. As the ball would fly to the outfield I would tell him good catch. Then, I started asking for a ball. Finally, one of the players looked my way and asked, "was I going to night game?" I said. "No, but got tickets for tomorrow." Then he threw the ball over the outfield wall clearing the stadium and landing next to me. I thanked him and headed back to the car where Hiromi was taking a nap waiting for me to return. I knew this would be my best chance to get a ball as tomorrow game is a school kid day at the stadium and with 3,000+ kids I would not stand a chance. For the game Hiromi went with me and the visiting team we just saw a few days ago the Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the game. Because it was kids day game, the team shop would not sell mini bats because they would be considered as weapons when they return to their school.  I talked to the shop manager and told him I collect mini bats and that I was just passing through. He told me after the game is over and all the students are gone, come back and I'll sell you one.

What's Next?
Myrtle Beach, SC with family.

1,000 DAYS ON THE ROAD AND COUNTING

1,000 DAYS ON THE ROAD AND COUNTING 

8 June 2015

Who would have guessed that Hiromi and I could live in a 31' RV for 1,000 days and both of us still be alive and in one piece. The only thing I know for sure that it was a fun & wild ride and we enjoyed (almost) every minute of it.

It all started on 11 September 2012. We just sold everything we owned keeping the bare essentials needed for our life-in-RV. We moved out of our apartment and into our new home on the road. There has been too much to write about everything we have seen and done (read this blog), but I'll try and hit the key points of our adventures so far. We have drove 57,611 total miles. 18,955 have been by RV while 38,656 was by car. We've been to 39 US States and 2 Canadian Provinces. We have seen eight State Capitol Buildings and visited 87 National Parks. I have seen a total of 108 Major League, Minor League and College baseball games. Together we have had countless hours of unforgettable memories that will last us a lifetime. 

Like most people we have added unwanted weight to our RV with gifts, hobby collections, new clothes and shoes that have taking up all of our free space. Now we have to clean it up and get back to just the essentials. It's starting to look like it's time to stop and visit my parents so I can put some of this stuff in their attic ... I hope you don't mind mom? 

Any given day, we could wake up in a different state and find that hidden gem that's not in any tourist book or do some actives that we always dreamed of doing. There is no dream too big for us and we've only just scratched the surface of what's to come. The most rewarding experience from living on the road is the people we meet along the way. Some have become very close friends and if not this journey we would have never met them. Looking forward, returning back to "normal" life in not in our future anytime soon. Only time will tell what we'll experience in our next 1,000 days.

How many days have you been on the road? Share your story.

MOBILE, AL & PENSACOLA, FL

MOBILE, AL & PENSACOLA, FL

The hardest part of keeping up to date to with this blog is when I don't have internet connection. After leaving Alabama last month we have had no internet or questionable connections. I have been lucky enough to have a short window of an internet single to post my teasers and keep you somewhat in the loop. If you have been following me on Rvillage, Twitter or Facebook you have some ideas of where and what we have been up to. Now comes the hard part to post detail stories of those events. 

For the past four weeks we have been out a lot visiting the cities we were in. As you might have guessed we have been to several baseball games, National Parks and spent five days with family. I will more than likely keep each post to the city we were in, so the title and post are the same and it's not to much to read in one sitting. Now, comes the hardest part thumbing through thousands of pictures and hundreds of videos to place in the coming post and future YouTube video. 

4 - 9 May

Three years ago we spent our first winter in Alabama at Azalea Acres where we enjoyed our stay and told the owners if we ever found ourselves back in the panhandle we would call Azalea Acres home once again. The first night we arrived the owner saw us and it was like meeting a friend you have not seen is years. This time around it was the summer with a few more open spaces and very quite. After two days on the road it was nice to open the awning and just kick back in the lawn chair. We have scheduled our stay for four days with two baseball games in two states and a few hours visiting with one of Hiromi's Japanese friends. 

MOBILE, AL 

After spending a few day with Hiromi non stop I kind of felt she want a few hours to herself. I decided to drive into Mobile AL to watch a Southern League AA baseball game with Mobile BayBears (DBacks) vs Jacksonville Suns (Reds). This game turned out to be my best game ever with eight baseball including two that were game used. Oh, and my first ever Tshirt tossed into the stands. All this was possible as there was not very many fans in the seats. Hank Aaron Stadium is backwards to most other stadiums. The suits and box seats were on field level as the general admission was in the upper decks. Protective netting surrounded almost all the stands making it almost impossible to get a foul ball. 

Hank Aaron childhood home stands next to the 

stadium that hold his name.

When I entered the stadium I made my way to the left field grass hill looking for bating practice balls. I found my first Southern League ball and was happy I would go home with at least one ball. As I made my way to the right field the stadium stopped as this was the location of players clubhouse. There was a small grass area so I walked over to the wall to see if I could see any players coming out of the clubhouse when I looked in the corner and saw the ball collectors dream five balls just sitting there. Before the starting pitchers even took the field to warm up I had six balls. Satisfied with m haul, I made my way to the team store to get the teams mini bat and teams sets. They still had the 2013 sets with Kent State Alumni Andrew Chafin (my second favorite player). As I was walking out the team shop I saw all the game used baseball they were selling for $5. I had $30 worth of baseball for free in less than 15 minutes.

I made my way to my seat in the upper deck area. Around the third inning the Tshirt girls made her way around the field looking for fans cheering. From home plate all the way to third base I was the only fan in that area I was screaming and waving my hands hopping she would see me chasing her around the stadium. As she ran along the wall I ran too. As I could go no further she looked up and said, "I don't think I can throw that far". I replied, "at least try". As she threw her arm back and released the Tshirt it landed in the upper deck in the second row. I climbed over the seats and got my first stadium Tshirt toss.

At the 7th inning I made my way to the lower level and stood beside the visitors bullpen as the reliever was getting warmed up to enter in the bottom half.  Once I arrived the first batter fouled a ball down the line and into a players glove who was protecting the catcher as his back was to the playing field. I asked for the ball and he threw it to me,  number 7.  

By the ninth inning I was in the front row of the last section of seats where there was no net protecting the fans. A foul ball rolled past the third baseman and was heading my way, I reached over the padded wall and the ball rolled right into my glove, number 8.  

My best game haul ever of 8 balls. (one ball not pictured)

PENSACOLA, FL 
The next morning Hiromi and I crossed the state boarder and drove into Pensacola, FL to stop at the Pensacola Naval Air Station to do some shopping at the base exchange and wast some time before she had to met one of her friends. But, first we had to stop at the Florida Welcome Center to get some free orange juice and played with the video picture board. After, talking with her friend for over an hour we departed and made our way to Pensacola Blue Wahoos stadium.

Not sure why Hiromi is smiling when she is getting eaten

by an alligator... no worries, I'm there to save the day.

We arrived a few hours early, but it was worth it as this waterfront stadium is one of the best minor league ball parks I have ever been to. We walked around the stadium and I noticed that the score board is outside the stadium so I walked up to it to see if I could see into the stadium. The visiting teams was having batting practice and a ball rolled all the way to the wall where I was standing. As one of the players came to get the ball, I asked if I could get the ball, "please and thank you" and he threw it to me. 

We went to get in line to enter the stadium as tonight would be a very special day in the stadiums history. With the stadium opening just over three years, tonight someone would be the 1 millionth fan. We made our way into the stadium and went to the third base line as there were several balls laying on the field. I ask Hiromi to ask the player for a ball, as she asked he threw the ball to the ball boy. Hiromi looked sad and told me she will never help me again to get a ball. That's fine with me because she has better luck getting players autographs for me. I hope she don't quit helping me with that.

As the team was still having batting practice I made my way to right-center field grass hill, hoping to get a ball thrown up to me. As I walked down getting ready to ask for a ball, all the players on the filed yelled out "LOOK OUT". I looked up with my glove on one hand with my arms raised trying to get help on the flight of the ball. Lucky for me it land a few feet to my right. I picked up ball number 2.  I turned around to get read for another practice ball, but the players were leaving the field as batting practice was finished. 

I then headed to the team shop for my mini bat and team set. They had all three years of the teams sets since the stadium opened so I got them all. No more baseball, Tshirts or the 1 millionth fan winner, but we still enjoyed the game and had a great view of the waterfront stadium. Stadium-give-away for tonight was Blue Wahoos carry bag and millionth fan coins.

Our last day at Azalea Acres was laundry day. We found a cat walking around the park following us where ever we went. The owner pasted away and the wife did not want the cat any more and when she left the park the cat was left behind. Hiromi fell in love with her and we ask if we could take it with us. The day we left they said we could take it. We put the cat on a rope leash and went shopping for a cat cage and food. When we got back the cat escaped from the leash. Anyone looking for a new, never used cat cage......?

What's Next:
Jacksonville, FL

SAN ANTONIO, TX

SAN ANTONIO, TX

27 Apr - 3 May

This is our second time we have visited San Antonio, TX. To read about our first visit click HERE. This time we are staying a Lackland AFB FAMCAMP, about 15 minutes from down town San Antonio.

Hiromi has felt a little under the weather so we have been limited to the area around the base. Towards the end of the week of our stay I have caught whatever Hiromi had. I took my vitamins, aspirins & Day Quil (Nite Quil at night) and got out of the RV to do some sightseeing. I hate to be sick and will do anything to stay active. However, Hiromi dose not want to move and sleeps until she feels better.

If you have never been to Texas, be careful on the highways. The exits and off ramps are not like most other states. On ramp flows into traffic with very short lanes. The road along the highway are one way and are part of the off ramp where the ramp cars have right-a-way, but the cars don't yield when you get off. Speed limit is 65 on the high ways and 45 on the side roads. However, cars passed me like I was standing still. No wonder there has been 782 deaths on Texas roads this year in just four months that's an average of 195 deaths a month.  BE CAREFUL!

Close to Lackland AFB and just along side US 90 stands the 9-11 Memorial and the Holocaust Memorial. Thousands of people must pass these Memorials daily, but we were the only ones there when we stopped. Both of these events will live in infamy, I just sat at these Memorials reflecting on these times in History.

Before going to tonight's baseball game, I made a stop at Sports Cards Plus to start restocking my inventory. The store is not big on common cards, they are know for boxes and high end cards. So I was like a kid going through boxes after boxes of cards searching for my cards. It was all about the thrill of the hunt. When I was done I walked out with 45 cards for $8, about $.17 a card. I can't even find cards that cheap online (plus adding S/H). I was able to add 9 more cards to my Travis Shaw collection along with some Cleveland Indians I got signed in spring training and started on my Pawtucket Red Sox players for when we get to Rhode Island.

Another town, another baseball game. This time it was the AA minor league team of the San Diego Padres, the San Antonio Missions. The team is rich in histroy dating back to 1888. The team is only two years removed from it last AA title in 2013. From 1973-1975 they were the Cleveland Indians minor league team. As a die hard Cleveland Indians fan, there has been several big name Indian players who once wore the Missions logo. Along with Kent State alumni Dirk Hayhurst.

I got lucky once more as I walked around the stadium and found four more baseball from batting practice.

I got the usual team mini bat and 2014 team baseball card set.

As we arrived an Air Force plane was passing over the parking lot to land at Lackland AFB.

The promotion tonight was $1 nite on hot dogs, soda and beer. Hiromi came to the game and it was a cheap dinner out. For the stadium I was a bit disappointed by the size as it was the smallest AA park I have seen in a long time. This time we sat on the third base side front row in front of the third base bag. The bullpen was along the wall beside us, but the team stayed in the dugout until the pitchers needed to get warmed up before entering the game. I saw the home team pull off another win, winning  9-0. It was a trifecta for the fan, the win, 8+ runs and 10+ strikeout fans left the ball park with coupons for a free pizza (8+ runs) and $5 off at Pollo Tropical (10+ strikeouts).

 Our seats along the third base line

 Team mascot a Jalapeno  

The last full day in San Antonio and we took off to see downtown. We walked the River Walk, Alamo and The Menger Hotel. To read about the River Walk and Alamo please click on the link above from our last visit. I heard about the history of The Menger Hotel so I just had to stop by. Located right next to the Alamo, this Hotel was a meeting place for Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders before setting off to battle. It also holds baseball history (go figure I would find baseball history in a Hotel). In 1922 Babe Ruth stayed here when the New York Yankees visited San Antonio to play an exhibition game with the San Antonio Indians baseball club on 31 March 1922.

 River walk

 The Menger Hotel 

 Babe Ruth

 Getting photo bombed in 1922

(The guy back left)

Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders are on video only no pics .. sorry.

Alamo

 Hiromi and her ice cream trying to cool down from 

the hot Texas heat.

What's Next?
Three days of driving to Alabama, with visits to Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL.