Friday July 7, 2017
It's always good to get back up with the cousins. This time we again stayed with Vicki and Dave for the trip. The kids sleep in the cellar in recliners (no they're not being punished) and Jen and I share what I like to call the 'taco bed' in the spare bedroom. It's a very soft bed, especially in the middle, and I usually find myself on the floor mid-trip. This time was no different, but I brought our sleep air mattresses we use for camping, just in case. Glad I did. I moved to it on night one, and as I usually do, sleep awesomely on it.
I'm glad we are able to relax and just hang out after doing all our running around what seems like 24/7 for 5 straight days. No more driving until the trip home; no more schedules--just do what we want, and, although there is plenty to do, it is on a much more relaxing schedule. For example, we basically hung out all day-sleeping in until about 10 AM.
When we finally got up and going after hanging out with Dave for most of the morning, we decided to continue our 'sub tour' and went to Newberry Subs for a Roast beef Cosmo (heated) "in the garden" (loaded with veggies and all oil and mayo, salt and pepper and hot peppers). I still think it's the crusty bread and the way it's prepared that make these 'hoagie sandwiches' bar none the best in the nation. I still consider opening a shop like these down south. I still think I'd make LOTS of dinero!
Continuing the relaxation theme, we went back to Vicki and Daves, grabbed a long nap, then tried to decide what we wanted to do that night. A thunderstorm crept up (are we still in Florida?) late day. I remember Dave mentioning there was a district championship at the Little League field this evening at 6PM and the original plan was to do the game, then head into town with Vicki to check out "First Friday" (similar to a Pcola Gallery night) for community gatherings where they close down the street and keep the shops opened. Great opportunity for Avery, who hasn't been able to find decent shops yet. Unfortunately, the storm delayed the baseball game until around 7PM, but Dave was able to find great seats behind home plate, even though we got there about 20 minutes early.
Little League games will always be free. They'll also always define what baseball should be and is, as they're kids playing a sport--no salaries, no free-agency; no money; no college scholarships (for the most part) just kids being kids playing a sport that they love and adore.
Recently my son has taken a great interest in baseball (even though his favorite team is the Marlins--that's tooo bad) so we thought it would be a great idea for him to check out the game. He was excited to go.
Nothing compares to Little League baseball. The electricity in the crowd of the parents whose children have a chance to play in the LLWS in a month is beyond anything you could ever expect to experience. It is ten times more exciting and louder than most minor league stadiums (including the Blue Wahoos) and is a fraction of the people that attend games. If your kid is a baseball fan, and around the age of 11-14--this is a must-do. There is no other way to explain it than experiencing it. I love my hometown.
This night, the team I expected to win (and the team that advanced two years ago to the nationals) got beat in the 5th inning 4-3. They never came back. I left with the ladies to experience First Friday after inning number 2. Even though I did not wanna leave, I told my cousin I'd check it out and give Avery a chance to shop. Sometimes I wonder about my choices. GT stayed with Dave and had a much better time, I'm sure.
First night Friday was pretty cool. Lots of newly opened bars and patios, beers, concerts, bands, and people. I wasn't used to seeing this type of thing in Williamsport of all places, but it was pretty cool. Jen and Avery went shopping in a couple of shops, and then we planned on getting a beer at one of the local breweries. Unfortunately, the Bullfrog was packed, and as we tried to get into Boom City, apparently they did not want our money, as in current PA fashion, service sucks or is non-existant. After sitting for about 15 minutes with no one at our table, we got up, asked for a to-go beer (denied), then left post-haste. What I found funny was that the waitress that was going to wait on us had no problem picking up our menus the minute we left. Boom City Brewery sucks. Screw that place. Go to Bullfrog--much better. Even if we did neither--we picked up two craft sixers from Great Lakes Brewing and something about a rabbit brewery. Much better, more, and cheaper. Win.
Ended up eating about 10 PM at the Mountaineer Lounge--another favorite. I love that place and was still a little full from the sub I ate 8 hours earlier. Oh well, throw me some extra crispy wings and some water--I'll manage. A good relaxing, yet busy day.
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| My cuz showing us around. The patio section on Pine St. |
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| Concerts on Pine |
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