"Play Ball!"

Opening day was Saturday and Surprise Stadium hosted its two resident teams, the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals, duking it out on a day made for baseball. Clear sunny skies, temps in the high sixties (pleasantly cool for locals), and a crowd of about 6,000 who apparently had waited long enough for the new season to arrive. Seems like KC fans outnumbered those from the Lone Star state but that didn't stop anyone from enjoying a bunch of grown men play what is in essence a child's game exceptionally well. The Royals won the game but I don't think anyone from Texas will begrudge them their 1 and 0 record.

Ticket prices for these games range from $8 to sit on the outfield lawn where the kids try to flag down the occasional homer to $30 if you want to stare down the pitcher from behind home plate. The field here is immaculately cared for and you can tell the full time staff really take pride in "their" stadium.

As I write this Phoenix is getting some weather they don't regularly see - rain. At today's game featuring the Rangers hosting the Milwaukee Brewers it held off until the first pitch and then maintained a steady drizzle the rest of the game. The players didn't seem to appreciate being out in the wet as they seemed equally lethargic on both squads. A couple of hundred miles north up in Flagstaff they are expecting upwards of a foot of snow but Flagstaff is several thousand feet higher in elevation than Phoenix so folks here tell me all we can expect are some cooler temps along with the precipitation.

There are games everyday from now through March 29th. One of the more anticipated games comes this Wednesday when the Royals welcome the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Apparently Cubs fans fill the stadium for these games so the excitement is building for that one. The Stadium is not too far distant from Luke Air Force Base and periodically F-35's fly low over the stadium in formations of two, three, or four as they head back to base. I'm sure none of the pilots are flying over the stadium to check things out... Home to the 56th Fighter Wing it's something to see and hear (more like feel) these beautiful jets rocket by just a couple of hundred feet above the stadium. For the history geeks out there the base was named for Second Lieutenant Frank Luke , a Medal of Honor Recipient and the number two United States ace in World War I.  He was shot down and killed by German soldiers in France in September 1918.

Not that any of the fans think about any of that as they bask in the sun beer in hand munching contentedly on hotdogs and Crackerjack. Nor are they bashful for buying Spring Training gear for their favorite team. That stuff doesn't come cheap but they simply smile and reach for their wallets and purses and they walk away seemingly thrilled with their purchases. And that's as it should be. Whether you love it or hate it fans go to baseball games for one reason - to have fun rooting for their favorite team. Spring training just gives them a chance to indulge a little bit sooner than most of their peers who sit at home locked in Winter's embrace.

So I'll put up with a rainy day now and then as at least for this season I'm one of the faithful flocking to the Arizona desert in eager anticipation of the crack of a bat on a ball and the roar of the crowd. So hey 2017 - ready or not - baseball is here!

Snow and Ice and Everything Nice?

Sophie, my wife and the love of my life, tells me it is snowing at home. As I write this temps are in the 70's, there's a gentle breeze blowing, and clear blue skies. I guess that's what 924 miles from home gets you. Oh well, someone has to do it...

I'm working Spring Training at Surprise Stadium which is home to two teams, the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. Opening Day is tomorrow, Saturday and the expectation is that it will be sold out. I had training on Tuesday and worked in Aramark's main store for a couple of hours on Wednesday to get some practice with the merchandise, registers, and customers. Folks have been watching the teams practice for a couple of weeks and they seem to all want "Spring Training" apparel. As I anticipated, most everyone is in a good mood as it's difficult to watch baseball in the Arizona sun and not be pretty mellow and relaxed.

Everyone will be working opening day but I've had yesterday and day to myself and have had the chance to explore White Tank Mountain Regional Park. The campground is very nice, there are great hiking and biking trails to enjoy, and the desert is starting to bloom. Temps have been in the 70's and 80's and at night, as the desert is known to do, it cools down nicely into the 50's. Pretty comfortable given that my wife may well be outside right now shoveling snow (sorry honey!).

The campground hosts folks from all over the world and I've seen license plates from Oregon to Utah and all over the Midwest. My humble little camper is dwarfed by most of the RV's here but that's fine by me.

Phoenix is a huge metropolitan area with roughly 5 times the population as Denver and its spread over a very large geographical area. White Tank is on the western side, and McDowell Park, where we were the week after Christmas, is on the eastern side. It's about 60 miles and a good solid hour or more to get from one to the other. The area is slowly expanding what they call the Maricopa Trail (most of Phoenix is in Maricopa county) which when finished will encircle the city. I've ridden parts of the trail in the last two days and for mountain biking it's a real treat. The northbound trail from White Tank Park wanders through the desert before abruptly ending in the middle of nowhere which I guess is as good a place as any to turn around. I've visited 'nowhere' many times in my life and have always found it an enjoyable journey.

What the birds see at White Tank...

This trip down I brought a little camera drone along to try some aerial photography and I spent this morning out in 'nowhere' taking some birds-eye views of the surrounding country. I love taking pictures and this adds an entire new dimension to the hobby. To see a sample video from my drone click here.

Well, time to go for now. Busy,busy busy. Where'd I put my bike shoes...?

New Year, New Journey

No one really ever knows where life will take us. As Roberts Burns reminds us, "the best laid plans of mice and men" often go awry. Back in December as I sat contemplating a cold winter's day and experiencing that condition described as cabin fever I came across a posting for a springtime opportunity to work the 2017 Baseball Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona. Applying on a whim I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered a position. Fast forward several months and I sit in the Maricopa White Tank Public Library writing this blog having just completed orientation at Surprise Stadium. I'll be working for Aramark, who has the concession rights for the stadium, in one of their retail tents where loyal fans can stock up on all the latest Spring Training gear and apparel for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.
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As I was sitting in orientation on a glorious and hot Arizona day I could watch the Royals players taking batting practice just a couple of feet away. The stadium is beautiful and appears to be lovingly taken care of. I chose this gig for a couple of reasons. One was the chance to beat the snow and cold in Colorado, second was a chance to work in a place where customers would generally be in a good mood. The advantage of Spring Training is that the games don't count. Hope springs eternal, all the teams start out equal in their quest for the World Series, and it's tough to be upset eating a hot dog and drinking a beer on a beautiful day.

My nephews would be in hog heaven here. They both play, and love, baseball. Maybe I can talk them into visiting while I'm here. I'm camping in White Tank Regional Park in site 29 which has an incredible view of the city lights at night. My wife is still at home working her day job and while I miss her dearly I find myself with spare room in the camper.

So we will see where this 6 week adventure takes me. The people I'll be working with all seem nice and the Aramark manager, Danny, even provides a small pre-game meal to the staff on the days we work.

So thatš it for now. Wherever you may be I hope your day is  as beautiful as it is here. Batter up!