Game 24 - Detroit Tigers

After our day game in Toronto, we made the five hour drive to Detroit and landed on US soil around 8 p.m. Thankfully, my Mom told my Dad to "hide the reefer' so there were no border issues (that really happened). We settled into a hotel in Southfield, Michigan and planned to visit my Mom's cousin Diane and her family in Morenci, Michigan, a town of only 2,000. We had a great time going through old year books and talking about fun times we've had on our trip. I really think the only reason my Mom went on the trip was that my Dad and I promised we would visit Morenci. It was great being in a small town again, where everyone knows everybody, and you take the time to appreciate the small things. I loved hearing George's stories about how many Morenci Homecoming Queens were in their family and how 'all the pretty girls are from Morenci.'

I also made the mistake of telling my Dad Diane made the best fried chicken from scratch. Of course, the first thing he asked when he met her was "I heard you're making fried chicken?" All in all, we had some of the best times of the trip in Morenci, talking and hearing stories of my Mom's childhood. The baseball was the catalyst for the trip, but visiting with friends and family all across the country is what has made the trip truly special. These times, and the pictures documenting those memories will be cherished by us for a very long time.

Later that evening, we headed towards Detroit for a game the following day. We were set to meet George and Diane's son Jeff, and his wife Karen at the game and were very much looking forward to it.

Poor lighting!

My Mom and Jeff hadn't seen each other in ages, and it was great for them to catch up. They were so generous with their time and spent several innings with us. Jeff is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. He is battling some medical issues of his own and we ask that you please keep him and his family in your prayers. Much like my Dad, he's as tough as they come. It's amazing the things you learn from people when you least expect it, but family and baseball tend to bring out the best in people. I know it has for me.

As for Comerica Park, we loved it! It was my Mom's favorite Stadium on the trip and I couldn't blame her. They did a great job laying out the park and making it feel historic, even though its only twelve years old. It seems to be a focal point in the city, with much development surrounding it. Detroit has taken its share of punches over the past few years, but I hope the city can rally around its baseball team because they have a good one.

Pros: Great views, car and water fall in center field, historic franchise.

Cons: Area surrounding park is a work in progress.

  

  -JJS

Game 23 - Toronto Blue Jays

We said goodbye to Jason and boarded him on a bus towards New York as we pointed the RV towards Niagara Falls. We planned to spend one night on the Canadian side, relax a bit, and check out the water falls. Oh, and let my Mom get her hair done. She kept asking about getting her hair done.

This was our first time at Niagara Falls, and it was pretty cool. Our hotel was located right across the street, and we could see the falls from the pool on the roof.

We checked out early the next morning and headed for Toronto, which was only an hour and a half drive. I wasn't expecting much from the Rogers Centre (Old SkyDome), but we were really impressed. Rogers Communications purchased the building for $25 million, or 4% of the original construction cost, in 2005 and made significant improvements to the 100 level concourses and several suites. The stadium also boasted some of the best food options we've seen on the trip. Yes, the playing surface is still astro turf, but everything else looked new. I also caught my first foul ball for my nephew, Sam Jones off the bat of Brett Lawrie in the fifth inning.

The weather was beautiful, in the high 80's, and we all enjoyed the afternoon watching Pujols and Rasmus go at it again. 

Pros: Food selection, open 100 level concourse, hotel in the outfield.
Cons: Exterior is sterile, no cell phone coverage, astro turf.

-JJS

Game 22 - Boston Red Sox

Once leaving New York, we would make our way to Boston for a day game. On the way, we found a hotel to spend the night in just outside of Boston. My parents rented a room, but Jason and I decided to sleep in the parking lot (in the RV). We had been roommates for over five years in Champaign and in Chicago, so this was the equivalent of getting the band back together. It's safe to say the RV was cleaner than our room at the Fraternity house.

The Red Sox were playing the Toronto Jays at Fenway, and I couldn't wait to heckle former Cardinal Colby Rasmus. This would be the last game on the road trip for Jason so we would make it count. I had been to Fenway once before, but this was the first time for the rest of the crew and we all really enjoyed it. Built in 1912, 2012 would mark the 100 year point for the great stadium in Boston's back bay. It's been said that you don't even have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the park, and we couldn't agree more.

Since I had visited the park last, the Red Sox have made major upgrades to the concession areas. It greatly improved the ballpark experience for the fan, and the food / beer prices were reasonable compared to many parks we visited. They even had a vending machine spitting out hot dogs, which of course Jason found:

It was a beautiful afternoon for a game, and we enjoyed the sunshine. My Dad loved the intimate feel of the park, with not a bad view in the place. Fenway is a special place, one that will never be recreated. You know where this is going...

Pros: Historic park, small, neighborhood setting, great fan support.

Cons: They swept the Cardinals in the '04 World Series. 

My parents had wanted lobster the entire trip, and what better place than Boston. After the game, we headed to Atlantic Fish to throw a bib on and see how much we could eat. Jason won.

-JJS