Hello again baseball fans! Dust off the mitt and lace up the cleats as another season of Baseball Extravaganza is here. 2012 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for baseball as I have some pretty wild plans for travel around the country seeing games.
Last year was a bit of a disappointment for me. I wanted to see more games, but the money ran out and I was forced to endure a long offseason of wishing and hoping to see some new sights. 2011 had some fun moments and unique perspectives, but I left off feeling empty. I didn't plan as well as I could have, and I paid for it. Now that the 2012 season is here, I'm very excited to get moving.
My first baseball game is tomorrow night with the Ducks home opener against the Portland Pilots at PK Park. I remember the home opener last year at PK Park was a bone-chilling experience with temperatures in the teens, so I'll be better prepared for the weather. The forecast is for gusty winds, below average temps, and a chance for snow, so I'll be sure to pack along my mittens and warm hat.
So, the big question is, where am I going this year? I have three distinct trips already planned with two already bought and paid for. I have another couple later on in the season that sound like fun that I might go on if money is available.
I decided against making a return trip to Arizona for Spring Training this year. I had so much fun last year, but I wanted to save my money and explore some smaller and more exotic locations.
During the winter I hounded all the discount airlines websites waiting for cheapo fares to baseball specific destinations. Using this tactic, I got a super low fare in April to Denver for some early season action with the Colorado Rockies and their Triple-A team in Colorado Springs, the Sky Sox. The "Rocky Mountain" trip will plan on seeing two Rockies games at Coors Field before heading south to Colorado Springs for a day game at Security Service Field.
When planning this trip, I never knew how many friends and family I had living in and around Denver and COlorado Springs, so it should be a great opportunity to meet up with some of them and have a really good time.
After a check of my Amtrak Guest Rewards account, I found that I had enough points saved up to take a free trip up to Seattle. Over Memorial Day weekend, the "Puget Sound" trip will see me head up to Safeco for the Angels-Mariners tilt, then down to a newly renovated Cheney Stadium in Tacoma to see the Triple-A Rainiers.
Both of those trips are ready to go. I have plan tix, train tix, lodging, the whole nine yards. Essentially, the dates just need to get here!
While continuing to work for the YMCA and save as much money as I can, I want to go on the "I-80" trip I had planned for last year. At the end of June, Salt Lake, Ogden, Reno, and Sacramento all have home dates which works out perfectly with the train. That is my next goal to save up for the plane and train tix to and from those destinations. When I get things more finalized, I'll be sure to let you all know.
As for the rest of the summer, it is still pretty much up in the air. Like I said earlier, I have been eyeing the air fares to different destinations, and when a cheap fare comes up, I will snatch it. I have a few places in mind that I think would be a lot of fun, but it's still all speculation.
Whatever happens, I know that it will be an awesome summer of great experiences. The mere prospect of going on these trips is what gets me through these long winters, and the closer I get to leaving, the more excited I get.
I'm glad all of you are going to be along on this ride with me. I hope to share the awesome experiences of Baseball Extravaganza 2012 with you for the entire summer!
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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