Spring Training, March 9-15, 2016
For the 7th consecutive year we drove out to Phoenix to join the Thompson clan and the Padres for a few days of Spring Training.
We spent our first night out at Estrella Regional Park which is a few miles southwest of Phoenix and a good place to rest up from the drive.
During the week the park is virtually deserted except for a few widely scattered campers like us.
Our view of the sunset
Did I say "widely scattered"?
This is Thursday morning and we're getting ready to go see the Padres at Clevelland.
Cleveland shares a facility with the Cincinatti Reds in Goodyear, just up the road from Estrella. Here is where we "tailgated".
This was the lineup that day. All but Amarista were on the Pads opening day roster and Tyson Ross was the starter.
OK, so you can get a Philly Cheesesteak in Arizona at a facility featuring teams from Ohio. Hmmm.
Goodyear park is cozy and nicely done.
Sparse crowd for the game.
This was taken from our seats which cost $20 each and included a $5 food voucher!
We moved down a couple rows.
Go Padres!
Here is the hotel where we stay. It's about a mile from the Padres ballpark.
The fun begins with tailgating in the parking lot!
Jenny, Trevor, Lorri and Tom.
Patty and Kim
Ryan
We've got this tailgating thing wired!
Red cups and blue cups!
Trevor building his pre-game snack, Cardiff Crack (Burgundy/rosemary marinated tri-tip from Seaside Market) sandwiches that day, as I recall.
The gang
All but Pirela and Hedges made the opening day roster for the Padres.
Our seats
Left field
Lorri and Kim and nice hats!
Dinner at Rock Bottom
Kim's birthday confection. I ate most of it.
Next day Mr. and Mrs. Thompson take control
Out of control!
Walking into the game. Where is everybody?
The parking lot is empty! Well nobdy bothered to check game time. Turns out it was a 2:30 game instead of the regular 1:10. We had to tialgate for another hour!
A nice crowd.
Patty and Lorri
Ryan and Kim
Selfie with the ladies
Patty resting in a chair-shaped shrub
Ryan and his high score on the Knockout machine.
Post-game refreshments at Salty Senoritas, the bar/restaurant adjacent to the tailgate parking lot.
The whole gang.
Giant Jenga was the hit of the afternoon.
Look at how worn down those blocks are!
Looks precarious!
Step away from the table
Pizza night at the Thompson suite
On Monday we drove to Mesa to see the Padres at the Cubbies. The game was a sellout.
Sloan Park is a nice facility.
All the Cub's fans were trying to get photos of themselves in front of this sign.
Jack, Lorri, Trevor
Lorri and Trevor
We left after the Cubs game and spent the night at Painted Rock National Monument, somewhere in western Arizona.
It was another great Spring Training event with the Thompsons and Jenny and us!