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If I used twitter (or even knew what it was, really) I would send out the following instead of trad-blogging it.
So weird. Haagen-Dazs Conspiracy was the name of the band I tried to form during the
summer of '95!
(My email response to a friend about his response to my email about the closing of Maggie Moo's in Park Slope.)
For breakfast Wednesday we headed to Southern Kitchen, which is filled with chicken and egg decorations. Filled. I ordered country ham but only had a few bites. I think I really am a pancakes for breakfast type of guy.
The pace of our meal here was just right. Southern Kitchen is a mile or two from "downtown" Charleston. On our way to Southern Kitchen we drove by the spot that had been recommended to me (after I'd asked a few folks for a good local spot to eat), turns out it's a chain restaurant!
From Charleston, WV we headed South and East toward Durham, NC. The trip was uneventful. We drove past Bluefield, WV (home of an Orioles minor league affiliate) but were unable to find that afternoon's O's game on the radio.
After meeting our friend Jack, we went to Durham Athletic Park to take in a Bulls Game. My photos don't begin to express how hot the evening was. I took a photojournalism class in college and was once given the assignment of photographing the weather. I failed to do this in Durham. The heat and humidity melted my brain.
The game wasn't poorly attended, there just happens to be a lot of seating at this ballpark. The less said about Durham's "Blue Monster," the better.
(group shot)
Wednesday was the first night of the trip during which I did not have an Italian sausage with peppers & onions for dinner. If I missed out on something amazing, please leave a comment and I will get back to North Carolina ASAP. For the record, I also skipped out on this dinner option the next night in Winston-Salem (but there was a very good reason with the initials BBQ for that).
After the game we had a drink or two at a bar. One member of our party also had a salad. A salad. On a baseball road trip. Proof that we are in our 30's. All my photos turned out a little blurry (I had bourbon instead of salad). From there we went to a pool hall where Erik and Listmaker were able to play a little more tabletop shuffleboard.
FYI: Listmaker has posted photos and stories from the trip.
In case you were wondering, the West Virginia Power (Single A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) has five mascots.
I'll let the photos tell the story of Tuesday night. I think Charleston ended up being a lot more fun than any of us expected.
(WV Power!)
(more Power)
(a hall of fame fan...)
(a great night for baseball)
(from the outfield)
(enjoying the picnic area)
(that's a foul ball)
(Listmaker calls for a posed shot)
(one of the many mascots)
(night falls)
(my standard ballpark dinner)
(Listmaker sprained his buttocks)
(late night bocce during which I came away a winner)
Our hosts in Pittsburgh were nice as can be. Listmaker snapped a photo of them in front of their house before we all headed to the Southside for brunch.
Brunch (well, lunch as it was a Tuesday and brunch is only a weekend thing) was found at Double Wide Grill. I went with the burger option (southwest style without cheese) with hubcap potatoes on the side. They're little fried garlicky potatoes that had me wishing I'd just ordered french fries. Three or four of the little hubcaps are great, but a full side order was too many for me.
After lunch we jetted across one of the rivers, bound for Oakland. Ice cream was on the menu and we couldn't have been happier with Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream.
The ice cream shop is the home of one decision after another. And I was fine with that. The long list of the day's flavors rotates but I was very happy to find a cookies 'n' cream option. The waffle cones are made in the shop and Dave & Andy's offers a chocolate chip waffle cone option. They didn't have any available, but the guy behind the counter offered to make one for me. It would have taken six minutes. Antsy about getting on the road (and forgetting that we allow ice cream in the car?) I told him not to worry about it. What was a I thinking?
There's a hidden M&M treat at the bottom of each cone. If I lived nearby I'd visit this ice cream shop once a week.
We headed south to Charleston, WV after eating ice cream. Roadfood.com directed us to Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, WV. The three of us ordered a half-dozen pepperoni rolls, each eating one in the car. I only managed one bad photo of the establishment and I won't be posting it. I was so overwhelmed by the experience that I also failed to photograph the delightful treat itself. I'm sure Listmaker will fill you in as he took a few more photos and can do a better job telling the story.
Twenty minutes later we found ourselves in Clarksburg, WV. We toasted our upcoming chili dogs with two refreshing waters loaded with ice and one ice-cold Coca-Cola (so chilled that Erik delighted at the coldness of the can).
We got to Ritzy Lunch just before closing time. The chili was great and I wish we'd gotten there right at lunch time to enjoy what was probably a fine hot dog at the noon hour.
With our bellies (very) full it was time for a few more hours on the road.
I wish every morning could start with a quick walk toward a destination that sells hot pretzels. And when I say hot pretzels, I mean really super-tasty hot pretzels.
We ordered a dozen of the special treats at Center City Pretzel Company. This was my first trip to the place and I'm certain I'll return before the end of the year. I recall Hot Tub Eric tried to swing by here a few years ago only to find the place closed. At that time I had no idea what I was missing. Now I do. By the way, I ate pretzel after pretzel on the drive from Philly to Pittsburgh.
This is a wacky fantasy baseball type picture. I'll let Listmaker tell the story behind this photo on his blog. It was his idea.
For the first game of the double header in Pittsburgh, our seats were in the sun. It wasn't right in our eyes, but it was hot. Erik and I toughed it out, despite needing to hydrate somewhat frequently.
Listmaker and Emily hide in the shade.
(again, I'll let Listmaker fill you in)
(group photo, game 1)
Visiting PNC Park for the third time I'm reminded how great the ballpark is. The view of the city is perhaps one of the best views in baseball.
Instead of going with a french fry laden sandwich from Primanti Brothers, Erik opted for Nachos (which I'd been dreaming about for at least 12 hours).
(group photo, game 2)
When Erik is dividing out the pucks, shuffleboard is like 3 card monte.
Listmaker was hooked (Erik already had a grasp of the game). I think we could've played for hours if last call hadn't been called.
A week ago some friends and I set off from Brooklyn on a five day baseball road trip. A Sunday night game between the Braves and Phillies was first on our list.
(Standing Room only in Philadelphia)
(The scent of popping corn got to be too much to handle.)
There was quite a bit of picture taking going on during this trip. I think I can safely report I got almost no action shots of on-field baseball activities. The light was rarely good enough.
(The first of many group shots taken at the ballparks)
After the game, we headed to Bob & Barbara's for a drink.
(Erik's first visit to Bob & Barbara's)
We went to Pat's for cheesesteaks before returning to the hotel. My photos from this late-night institution are all quite blurry. My fries had been sitting in the warming tray for a little too long. I went to sleep dreaming of the pretzels I'd try the next morning.
To recap, the baseball trip (at this stage) is all about baseball and food.
Baseball Trip 2007 (no AKA yet) starts Sunday evening. The sketch of where we're planning to visit follows. I know this is very last minute, but if anyone can offer recomendations of places to see and restaurants to visit along the way, please do so.
Sunday - Philadelphia
Monday - Pittsburgh
Tuesday - Charleston, WV
Wednesday - Durham, NC
Thursday - Winston-Salem, NC
Friday - Washington, DC