A Break from Baseball

After 3 games in a row in Cinci, I decided to turn attention to other activities.
We played the back nine at the club. And Dave's game was a pitchers nightmare.

The domestic chores were fun.

And Dave enjoyed the smores!

We had a great time at John's place.

Then I headed North from Cincinnati into Michigan. I stopped in Holland for a night, just missed the tulip festival. But I didn't miss the tulips. They were gorgeous!

All different colors...

In full bloom...

Absolutely spectacular!

Continuing in Michigan to circumnavigate Lake Michigan. Next stop Sleepy Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.

Cooking breakfast with Dave!

Enjoying a campfire with Dave at the Tango!

Fireworks Friday in Cinci

Reds 6 Cards 4

We're a big crowd tonight to see the Reds pound the Cards 5 zip in the 4th.

The Greatest Weekend!

It doesn't get any better than this. A visit by my best friend while traveling across the country and fabulous Spring views of the Mississippi River. I picked up Sharon in KC and we drove across the Show Me state.

We stopped in Columbia to explore Stephens College where Patty Payne studied before she was Patty Payne. It was fun to roam around in the college town. The Uptown Cafe is the haps - don't miss it.

We drove and stopped. Camped and drove. Drank in the Springtime vistas of the woods and farmland. It was curious to see the early season wheat sprouting, but the cornfields awaiting.

The highlight was Paynesville. This big little town is typical of rural MO. We took a left to loop back, said howdy to Jimmy while he was working on his car and found ourselves on Main Street . The road was well groomed despite it's lack of pavement.

Yes, Paynesville is a small, Midwestern town.It was all so much fun and excitement that I wore the poor girl from So. Cal. out by the end of the day. I tucked her in for a well-earned nap in the Tango.
I am so blessed to have friends all along the way on this adventure. But to add in a visit from my special girl, I am on top of the world.

Thanks for visiting Sharon, and thanks for the top notch babysitting Patty, Bob and Susan.

A Great Baseball Experience!

Rob snags a ball!

Shirt Night!!

Rob catches a shirt!

Great Seats... AGAIN!!!

Same seats!

Once again we sat in the 3rd row behind the visitors dugout.

Brewers 15, Reds 3

Welcome to Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati!
It had rained all day, but on the advice of a clearing weather report and tickets from John's dentist we headed to the game.The rain kept crowds at bay and the tarp started coming off at 7:30.It was quite a procedure to roll that thing up.The Brewer's Parra warmed up in front of us with the long ball toss in left field.And I danced with Mr. Redleggs to celebrate the start of the game! We snagged seats in the third row behind the visitors dugout. Nice!Arroyo pitched one inning for the Reds and gave up nine runs! Four of them came on this slam by Ryan Braun. Braun is the man. He signed my ball after the game, but the pen was dry. With such a big hole to climb out of, the Reds brought in a finesse pitcher. Herrera looked like he was still in Jr. High and he had the pitch speed to prove it.

The Big Red Machine popped a homer, fireworks went off and the game had to be delayed due to smoke.

To close things out, The Reds brought in Janish from shortstop to pitch the ninth. He struck out two, but gave up 5 runs to earn a 67.5 ERA.

It was a tough day for the Reds, but they get another shot at the Brewers tonight. It is supposed to rain, but that won't stop John and I.

See you at the game!

Brewers @ Reds in the 3rd row. Hard to beat!

May Flowers

Dateline: Dr. Edmund A Babler Memorial State Park (West of St. Louis, MO)

Rip and I headed out on the trail today to enjoy the lush Spring growth and bountiful wild flowers. In just the last few days, we have witnessed the trees pop and the woods fill in with the brilliant green you see in this photo. The trees are Oak, Elm, Maple, Black Locust and Dogwood among others. Please enjoy our presentation of 16 spring flowers.Star of Bethlehem (and a visitor)Orange Puccoon (aka Hoary)

Violet Wood Sorrel

Columbine

Hispid Buttercup

This Honeysuckle is exotic to the area and unwanted.

Miami Mist (Phacelia) White Snakeroot

Violets

Dwarf Larkspur

Crane's Bill (Wild Geranium)

Philadelphia Fleabane

Dewberry Wild Sweet William (Blue Phlox) Spring Beauty

Black Locust

Busch Stadium; Phils 6 @ Cards 1

All the Bud I want and Phils beating Cards! Life is good!

Bernie and I enjoyed the game and we reminisced about life in Palmdale.

A Warm Welcome in Kansas

Welcome to Olathe, Kansas!
That is just what I received from the wonderful family that Aunt Bea has raised. We reminisced, looked at old photos, and ate Kansas style barbecue. Julie and I walked at lake Wyandotte with the dogs, and Bill and I did the same at Hillsdale lake, so Ripley had a fun time too. Also took in a Royals game with Bill and Nancy. Unfortunately, the Royals lost 8-1 and my catcher John Buck went 0 for 4.

Everybody gathered at Julie's house for barbecue. Mike served up a hearty selection that I sampled generously. There wasn't even room for cake. Let's see if I have everyone's name down - from L-R - Alexis, Aunt Bea, Julie, Shelby, yours truly, Ryan, Dylan, Becky, Brian, Brooklyn, and in the back row Mike and Bill. On the floor - Leah, Jesse and Ripley.We discussed, cousins, second cousins, removed cousins, and the possibility of cousin-in-laws. These are my real cousins, Julie and Bill.

And these fine youngsters were a ton of fun. Becky just added a boy named Dylan to the family and Ryan and Brooklyn are pretty happy about it. Here I am with my third cousins.

Becky is a very happy mommy; here with the boys.

I missed Alex and Matthew who were away studying and fishing, respectively.

More pictures to come because I haven't left yet! It is Thursday and we are going to have lunch with Aunt Ginny and Uncle Lloyd. Then tonight Sharon arrives, YIPPEE!!!