OWAV:) 03/04/11, 6am, 45°, Clear

Yesterday is what Arizona is famous for; ball games, sunshine, dry heat with a slight breeze, 75-80°.  The morning was spent with the usual catching up with email and scrabble. We also pored over maps, checked the internet etc, for directions to the newest ballpark.  It is back in the same vicinity as the Gardens and the Zoo.  We have to decide whether we want to make that trip again, just to see the "new" ballpark or go to a different one near here.  (Ballparks are pretty much the same, so think we will stay on the west side.)  We already have tickets for a ballgame today and will do another one next week.

Herb wasn't feeling up to par after being up half the night, from the after effects of the "hot dog lunch".  Not only was it over priced but it wasn't very good either.  But by eleven am he is ready to go to the ball game.  The Arizona Diamond Backs and the San Diego Padres are playing.  After coming here every other year for the past six years he has the directions down pat and we are soon in our seats at the Peoria Sports Complex.  We have front row seats,  just behind first base and the padre's dugout.   The game is a good one, as the score stays close and we really don't have a favorite team, just come for the fun and people watching, including the vendors, who make their way through the stands selling everything from beer to ice-cream. a   One vendor in particular has been at every game since we started coming here, he sells "brewsky" and makes up little rhymes, to make it more interesting.  This year he has cut off his long ponytail and now has short curly hair.  Beer prices start at $6.25 a bottle and most people call it even at $7.00 giving the vendor a .75 tip.  He spouts, " I can't help the price, but I serve it up nice."  At about the fourth inning we leave our seats and head for the concessions stands to get our lunch.  Herb really wants another "dog" so I tell him to get two of what-ever and I head for the beer stand to get us a pint of Dechutes pale ale to split.  Total tab for two brots and a pint of beer is about $22.00.   Later we split dibs ice cream which adds another $5.25 to the total, add in tickets and we have a grand total of about $80.00 for a days entertainment.  We are not really adding up all the costs of our trip, just thought our kids might like to know how we are spending their inheritance.  The game ends with a home run in the ninth inning and the Padres win the game six to four.

Back at the condo, it feels good to get in out of the sun, (I hate saying that).  We do the usual and plan tomorrow's trip to a "home and garden show" at the University pavilion just south of us.  Herb says he is going to drop me off there and then go to Cabelas, doubt if he will but then one never knows.  OWAV:)