St. Patrick's day isn't just another excuse to drink all day in my family (even though we aren't Irish). It is a day to celebrate an important individual's birth, my brother's, Edwin. Edwin has had a roller-coaster of a 26th year, and to celebrate a new year, I wanted to do something that was not only different, but something I've wanted to do forever...watch the Chicago Cubs play in Arizona for Spring Training!
I spontaneously purchased 4 tickets, after waiting patiently in a cyber-waiting room on the cubs.com site. Next, I needed to surprise my brother and beg him to take a night off of school, which is like asking the Pope if he wants to take shots of whiskey with you, it's never going to happen!
Miraculously, a week before the trip, anxiously awaiting my brother's decision, he decided he was in! "Yes"! Next, we had to find 2 other individuals to come along on a 5hr road trip through the eastern outskirts of California and into Arizona. With the trip starting on a Tuesday morning, around midnight, it was hard to get people to buy in and take the time off of work, except for one guy, Joe Nassetta. Joe is Edwin's partner and he, like Edwin, worked in the fire department, along with being a sheriff and many more things I can't list right now. Joe as we found out, has 2 horses out in Arizona, and has lived out there for a short part of his life, along with many other places like Alabama and Colorado. He's definitely a man's man, drives a Ford F250 Diesel and has a thing for Guns, Coors Original and Cowboy attire, belt buckle and boots included. Who better to take than a guy who knew the terrain!
Loading up in the F250, we headed out east on 91 FWY and through to HWY 10. At 5:30am we found ourselves in the parking lot of an Arizona Crackle Barrel. Half asleep, we decided regardless of the 6am opening hour, we needed to get some settled sleep. At 730am we awoke to sound of Joe's rumbling stomach;It was time to eat. Following a big boy's breakfast and a few rounds of the tee skipping game they leave at the table, we were ready to head towards the hotel in Glendale. After many calls to the hotel hoping for an earlier check-in time, we decided to pass some time at an AMAZING outdoor adventure store, Cabela's!
Wow, I was thrown aback, not only of the size of the store from the outside, but off all the beautiful boats parked out front. I had to jump in to take a picture! Inside, I was greeted by stuffed wild-life, from elephants, lions, and polar bears to a fresh water aquarium housing local fish like the local big-mouth bass, trout and catfish! This place was for outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alone! Camo gear, hunting gear, fish rods to your heart's desire, guns, gun racks and gun accessories! They had a cafe upstairs, shoes and lake toys for your boat! After drooling, we left to the hotel, which happened to be directly across the street! Joe was a happy dude! Edwin, just shook his head.
Resting up, we then got ready for the game. Cubs vs LA Dodgers at the new Camelback Ranch. An amazing training facility in Glendale for not only the Dodgers but the enemy, the White Sox! You bet your bottom dollar I harassed those Sox as we entered the field area! I have no shame! We all couldn't believe how small the field was, the lawn seats looked fun, our seats, between home and first were amazing! We got there a little early to see the Cubs stretch out (no autographs :( ) The lines to the bathrooms didn't exist, the lines at the concession stands flew by and I could order an extra large LandShark Lager for only $6! Oh boy, I'm so coming back next year!
To make things even better, my team won! 13-2! Lots of Cubs fans, and lots of snow owls, fleeing the cold...even met some folks behind me from New Hampton, Iowa. Had to tell them all about Steve, the conversation actually started all because of a remark I made about Casey Blake (yes, he's from Iowa, as Steve always exclaims) :)
The rest of the late afternoon comprised of a long nap session. Followed by a long shower and getting prepped to go out to the local town center, Westgate! Here they had an AMC, a Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville, a Saddleback Ranch Chophouse and of course it is the home of the NHL team, The Coyotes, who play at the adjacent Jobing.com Arena. We lucked out with free St. Patty's festivities, included an outdoor bar and grill, along with a few bands that preformed and some bagpipers!
Overall a great short trip, definitely needed for a long month without vacation time. Edwin enjoyed the trip, and we all agreed that a whole week of catching baseball and hockey games, along with some outdoor activities would be perfect in the future.If anyone want in next Spring, let me know!
