Final Four

Last night's game featured the Texas Rangers versus the LA Dodgers with the Rangers winning with a 10th inning home run after 9 innings of scoreless play. Temperatures were in the 70's and low 80's under clear blue skies. In other words another perfect day for a baseball game. It was also the last weekend game of the 2017 Spring Training season and was the fourth to last game on the schedule for Surprise Stadium.

Phoenix is also hosting some of the March Madness basketball games. I'm not much of a basketball fan but Larry, the coworker I've mentioned in prior blogs, is a devout fan of his almamater's team the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks have made the Final Four, having not been in the "Sweet 16" in the modern era before this season. I know he'll be rooting them on in style as he makes his way cross country to West Virginia for his next 'workamping' gig.

With the season coming to a close there are things I'll miss about Arizona and some things I could have done without.

I'll miss Lake Pleasant on a quiet and peaceful morning. It really is a very beautiful place. I won't miss the weekend and the occasional mid-week rowdy campers who bring the term noisy campground to a whole new level. I've mentioned before Lake Pleasant seems primarily a locals Park and they seem fine with the rowdiness but if you like tranquility in a beautiful desert setting stay far away from here or bring a good pair of ear plugs.

I'll miss the flowers. The desert in bloom is amazing.

I'll miss the sound of wild burros as they make their way not so stealthily through the campground in the middle of the night. Last night, being Sunday, the campground was as quiet as it ever gets and the burros seem to know when to come and nibble on the grasses that grow in the tent sites. Last night I had a burro eating about fifteen feet from my camper at 12:45 am. He had made quite the ruckus as he came into camp which gave me time to grab my camera and attempt to take his picture.

My apologies that the pic didn't turn out better but the ghostlike quality gives a hint at the elusiveness of these beautiful animals.

I'll miss the beauty of a quiet baseball stadium before the crowds arrive. There is a serenity of a well-kept but empty ball field that hints in anticipation of what is to come.

I'll miss the playing of the National anthem before each game. As divided as our country is these days it's one remaining instance that allows us to remember that beneath the animosity we are all still Americans.

I'll miss the uncrowded drive to the stadium on the 303. The lack of congestion is something Colorado drivers can only vaguely remember, if at all. I won't miss the aggressiveness of Arizona drivers who think nothing of going 20-30 mph over the speed limit. They also have a penchant for not tolerating being behind an out of state car for more than thirty seconds so beware they'll try to pass no matter how fast you are going.

I'll miss the weather. Who could complain about sunshine and warm conditions in March? Even for the couple of days it was already approaching triple digits it was better than the cold snow and slush much of the country was dealing with.

I could go on and on but suffice it to say there was more good than bad, more happiness than sorrow which to me is the hallmark of a good trip... May all your journeys be so favored.