Spring Training

On Thursday, the 15th (beware the ides of March!), we drove from San Diego to Phoenix, stopping at Dateland, which is in the middle of nowhere, Arizona.

But the date shakes are good and we needed a pit stop. It's a 360 mile, six hour drive to the Padres Spring Training facility in Peoria.

We brought our selfie stick with the idea of taking a lot of photos with ME in them!

Here's one of me and Neal.

Here's one of me and Trevor.

Here's one of me, Mike and Debbie.

Here's one of me and Tommy Thompson.

Here's one of me and Lorri. OK, so much for the selfie stick.

Thursday was a night game. This was the view from our seats. Not bad, eh?

For the day game Friday, we were joined by cousin Nick and his girlfriend Rachel as well as their friends Julien and Ryane.

That's Ryane and Rachel in front and, standing, Julien, Nick, Tom, Patty, Trevor, Mike, Debbie, me, Mary, Neal and Lorri.

Looks like Mary and Ryane are having a private conversation.

We played the Royals. All the Padres that started that day were on the opening day roster except for Jankowski.

Selfie with no selfie stick.

Luckily, I have long arms.

Me with no glasses or sunglasses and Tom.

Neal, Mary and Patty

A view from the outfield. It's a cozy little park!

Who's the kid in the Orioles get-up?

I post similar photos so you can pick which one you like best.

Playing a little washer toss at our tailgate.

We should move the boxes closer together so the games wouldn't take as long.

Mary and Neal are sitting under their Dick's sunshades!

This is where we set up for tailgating. Usually we can go (when nature or a shot of tequila calls) to Salty Señoritas, the restaurant/bar which is off to the left and out of this photo, but it was shut down! Hopefully it will reopen before next year.

Mike and I and some big balls!

Saturday, March 17th, St. Patty's Day! The master chefs at work.

We were cooking corned beef, potatoes, Tullamore Dew and all sorts of goodies!

It was a beautiful day in Peoria.

dessert!

After a fierce struggle, Neal and Tom emerged as horseshoe champs this year.

The parking lot filled up so we had to move onto the gravel.

I should have used that dang selfie stick.

Guess which toes belong to Tom? Hint: They're green and attached to hairy legs.

As you can see, we had great seats and were paying close attention to the game.

It was the Mariners vs. the Angels. We decided not to drive all the way across town to see the Padres. That would have been dangerous for us on St. Patrick's Day; dangerous for others too.

Here we are enjoying the game. That woman giving me the evil eye is saying "down in front!"

Game over? Looks like it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Did I just say that?

Stand up, Mike!

The boys.

The girls looking to the right.

The girls looking at me!

and again.

Where did everybody go?

ah, they went to the hot tub at our hotel.

Trevor and Debbie notice me taking photos from the window of our room and greet me with a friendly gesture.

Me and Patty

This table in the breakfast room of our hotel is where we met for drinks and food a few times. It worked out great!

We ordered pizza, we had burgers, we drank wine, etc.

Sunday, our last day, at the Dodgers/White Sox facility in Glendale.

This place is huge and very nicely done. Our tailgate area was at the far left of Field 2 and below the parking area 1P.

Some selfies inside the park.

I love Spring Training!

There's not a bad seat in the house. Even the lawn seating is good...and cheap!

Mike and Deb in the middle of the row.

View from our seats.

Later at Rock Bottom Brewery.

Our last evening together at Spring Training, 2018. It was great to see everyone, great that Deb and Mike could join us. We missed Jenny, Ryan, and Kim this year. Also missed not "meeting" new baby Everly! Nice to see Nick, Rachel and friends. We're already looking forward to next year!