2015 New York (Yankee Stadium)

The 2015 trip to New York City was perhaps the most enjoyable trip of the now 17 (17?!?!?!?!) we've taken.  From the start it took on a different feel and definitely a departure from the past five.  Maybe it was the craziness of New York City, maybe it was a coincidence.  Guess we'll find out next year.

Thursday:
Despite leaving an hour earlier than normal (6:00am) we still didn't get into Manhattan until around 4:00pm.  But once we arrived and checked into our tucked-in-the-corner hotel (see below. Yes it was squeezed in between two other buildings) in the heart of the Financial District, things picked up. 

Typically Thursday nights are low-key and this one was really no different. The only major thing we did was visit the World Trade Center site and take in all of that.  And there was a lot to it.  Pictures can't do it justice but since this is a blog pictures are going to have to try.

Just seeing everything for the first time was pretty emotional.  The last time we had been in NYC they were still in the clean up portion of the 9/11 tragedy so this was our first trip since the memorials were built and the new WTC towers were completed.  They were still working on two of the new towers in fact.  Maybe next time we go everything will be all done and we can visit the museum on site as well.

After this, we returned to our hotel area to eat/drink (Murphy's Pub), and act like free men again.  What we found was the perfect little village one block over from our hotel.  Filled with bars, restaurants, Insomniac Cookies and....Justino's Pizza, which we became very familiar with.  It was a great night to start the trip.  Hotel area village...

And the crew...

Friday:
Part of the fun of visiting new cities is being a tourist.  NYC has tons to see no matter what your tastes are.  From the obvious of the Statue of Liberty to art museums and parks you can find something entertaining.  Four of us (Matt, Jason, Fish, Jeff) chose to visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island.  

And some (Paul, Shane, Keith) chose to tour the city on foot (Chinatown, Little Italy, etc).

Following these separate trips, it was time to head up to the Bronx to take in a Yankees-Blue Jays game at "New" Yankee Stadium.  We had been to the original twice (1999 and 2004) but we'd yet made it to the new park.  It was a LOT different but still had that same New York City buzz throughout a disappointingly boring game that the Jays won 2-1 in 10 innings.

It was still great to be able to check off another stadium even though the game wasn't the best (stupid pitchers' duels!!).

Following the game we decided to venture up to Times Square because aside from the Vegas strip there's nothing like Times Square all lit up.  It was predictably a mad house but a lot of fun with a ton of things to see.  And we also saw some other cool things on the way back to the train.

Oh yeah, we ended the night back at Justino's for more pizza!

Saturday:
Saturday was pretty much a "whatever" day.  Meaning we had no set schedule.  We had nowhere to be.  And we just roamed the city.  It was glorious.  As had been with Thursday and Friday, the weather was perfect - upper 70s with sunshine and a nice breeze.  Not too shabby for August.

We started out in Central Park.  After wandering aimlessly for about an hour (and only seeing a fraction of that humongous park) we decided to head back into the city for lunch and other sights.  A few of us went to Chinatown and Little Italy (and smoked a freshly rolled cigar that was really good) then walked all the way back to the hotel.  Others did the same but in a completely different part of the city.

From there it was a small bar called Shorty's in the hotel village where the bartender said "Fuck you, Cop" to Matt which was absolutely hilarious.  And she called Keith a murderer.  WHICH I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH!!!!

Oh yeah, we ended the night back at Justino's for more pizza...and some even threw a chocolate chip cookie on top and ate all at once.  They said it was better than it sounded...but we'll have to take their word for it.

Sunday:
Long ride home.  Pfffffffffffffffft!!!

It was a phenomenal trip...and I'm not just saying that because Joe wasn't able to make it this year.  Promise!

Weather was perfect.  Hotel was nice.  Financial District was very cool.  Saw plenty of landmarks.  Yankee Stadium.  Beers.  Cigars.  Laughs.  As usual can't wait for next year.  D.C.?  

Chicago 2014 Recap

As per usual, it takes a few days to recuperate following one of our trips.  This year was no different.  So please forgive the delay on the recap.  Our trip to Wrigley Field (and Chicago in general) was another rousing success.  Well, except for golf because it seems my team loses every stinking year (maybe it's me?). 

So without further ado...the Chicago 2014 rundown.

Thursday:
Typically Thursdays are the low key days.  And this one was as well.  Last time we went to Chicago, we introduced golf for the first time on the trip.  We decided to play Hickory Woods before heading up.  This time we decided to try a course in Chicago, so we drove up first.  Drive was easy.  Checked in.  Headed for the lunch and the course.  On our way, Paul popped a tire.  One thing you do not want to do in a strange city.  Luckily there was a tire store close by and somehow, someway Paul was able to get a new tire on in about 30 minutes and he was able to join us for the latter part of lunch.

On to golf.  We were able to get in at this old country club called Oak Meadow.  Not great, not terrible.  Looked like they were in the process of cleaning the place up.  Apparently it had gone out of business and went public but the transition wasn't yet complete.  Anyway, the team of Keith, Fish, Matt, and Joe beat Shane, Paul, Jason, and myself by a -3 to -1 score, but it really wasn't that close. 

The rest of Thursday was laid back.  Dinner at the Bar Louie in our hotel, beers, and cigars followed outside. 

Friday:
Golf round #2 began a long day.  Due to Joe's shoulder injury he decided he couldn't play two days in a row so we had our buddy Goody take his place since he lives in Chicago and we hadn't seen him in a while.  We only play one scramble round so this one was everyone playing their own ball, thus no team score kept.  Had a great time playing and catching up at a course called White Pines - East Course. 

Hi, Keith!

Following golf we headed downtown to see what we could get into.  Tried to go to Giordano's but when you get downtown on a Friday night at 6:00 your wait is going to be substantial...which it was.  Instead, back to the Tilted Kilt, which had immediate seating and we could enjoy the atmosphere (yeah, that's it). 

After that, we headed to a bar district that had some really cool places.  Visited a few places like Harry Caray's, Public House, and (the place we spent the most time at) Theory, which was an awesome time.  Bartenders were cool, people were nice, and we had a great time.  When you don't get back to your hotel until around 3:00am you know it was a good time. 

Saturday:
Yes, it's true half of us slept in pretty late because well it was a late night.  But this still gave us plenty of time to get to Wrigleyville, have lunch, then get to the park for a 3:00 game in enough time to catch batting practice and walk around the park taking it all in.  Right?  Well, not all plans work out.  Due to track maintenance and other snags, we finally arrived at the park around 2:00.  Not enough time to, yes, go to Giordano's or any other cool bar around the stadium.  Instead, straight inside and we ate in the park.  Not bad food, just as you'd expect it was overpriced.  But, Shane got his Giordano's inside the park and he finally shut up about it (love you, Shane!).

Some random pics and the only group shot we got all weekend.  Sad but true...

After the game, we headed over to O'Malley's (which was Harry Caray's in 2010) in Wrigleyville.  Ate and had some drinks then attempted to hit the night life in the area.  Unfortunately, it just wasn't happening.  As a collective group our old asses were just too tired to do anymore "partying".  So we limped back to the hotel and crashed.  It was good in a way.  Sometimes when you try and push the issue things go bad.  We didn't push it and nothing went wrong.  It was kind of boring, but when your best partying days are behind you that's not necessarily a bad thing.  We did get to recapture a golden moment of past trips when Keith and Matt got to take pretty much the exact same picture four year apart.  The first one was taken in 2010 with the other one taken Saturday night atop the Sports Corner bar. 

Sunday:
Home.  The End.

It was a good trip.  Lots of fun and laughs.  Lots of ripping on each other, which means you know we had a good time.  Can't wait for next year when we'll likely be visiting New York City again.  Since we haven't seen either of the new parks in NYC it really doesn't matter which one we visit.   Only three hundred some days left!! 

Windy City Part III

The most wonderful 4 days of the year are about to come and go as quickly as you can possibly imagine.  Trip #16 (16!!!!) will be to the "friendly confines" of Wrigley Field, a place we haven't officially visited on a ball trip since way back on Trip #2 (Fish's first).  Fun fact: that same year we visited Milwaukee's (AlgonquiAn for "the good land") County Stadium as Miller Park was being built in the background.

As per usual, the trip will kick off Thursday morning around 7:00 departing for Chicago (O'Hare area to be exact).  Tentative itinerary as follows...if you care:

Thursday:

• 7:00am depart
• 2:00pm golf
• 8:00 food, beers, cigars

Friday:

• 10:00 golf
• 3:00 food, beers, Chicago.....?????

Saturday:

• 4:00 Eastern Cubs-Rays at Wrigley
• 4:15 Wrigleyville for the rest of the night

Sunday:

• Home (booooooooooooooooooooooo!!!) 

So the thing about Chicago is this: we've NEVER had a bad time there.  Even when not actively seeking out things to get "in trouble".  But the last time we were there (in 2010) was the trip that turned everything up about 10 notches.  If you care to go back and revisit that trip, be my guest .  In case you aren't interested in going back, this was the trip with "Gay Robot", "brrrrrm" and our first encounter with "Wrigleyville".

Ahhh Wrigleyville.  It all started when Paul, Shane, and I (Jeff) wanted to take a tour of Wrigley Field.  Jason, Matt, and Keith did not.  So instead of going back to the hotel (which was our prediction), they decided to have some beers at a few of the local Wrigley bars.  By the time we finished the tour, they were pretty much on their way to drunktown and well, we needed to catch up.  What happened after that, well, you'll have to just take our word for it that it was a blast.  Not sure how we'll be able to top it or repeat it, but we're going to give it a shot.  Wish us luck!   

And oh yeah....those fake IDs look totally real.  

Quickie Fun DLBT Fact

In the 15 years we've been taking these trips, we have seen every team except 5. 

And they are:

• Marlins
• Giants
• Padres
• D-Backs
• Astros

I'm thinking we'll knock the Giants, Padres, and D-Backs off when we take the DLBT out west one year.  Start saving your pennies, guys!