watching expired appliances align

Friday began with a quick drive from Richmond to Fredericksburg (my hometown). We joined my parents for lunch downtown then headed to Carl's for a frozen afternoon treat.

Listmaker has heard me rave about this place since I've known him. I've got to say, I'm glad he finally got a chance to sample the frozen custard.

Everyone approves and it's time to turn our thoughts to the next stage of our trip.

Concerned about traffic, I had our group leave toward DC with plenty of time to spare. As we crossed the Potomac we came to the conclusion that we'd spend our free time playing bocce on the Mall. A few photos follow:

I love that clock in center field!

While waiting to pose for a picture with Miss Virginia USA, I snapped this shot down the first base side. I didn't take as many photos during this trip as I would've liked (despite all the bocce photos seen above).

Continuing a tradition started by Handwashings during the trip of 2005, I made sure to pose with a beauty queen. He posed with Miss Lakewood at a Long Beach Armada game. In 2006 I had my picture taken with Miss Summerfest 2006. Shockingly, there's no evidence of this online. Turns out I only posted photos from the first day and a half of the 2006 trip.

As Erik pointed out, these presidents really need giant glove hands.

The trip ended with the New York Mets defeating the Washington Nationals. We got in the car and drove home.

To recap the trip: I think I was the nighttime WV bocce champ. Erik was the NC park scene champ. Listmaker was the DC Mall champ.

I should also mention that I ate Italian sausages with peppers and onions at all the ballparks except Durham Athletic Park and Ernie Shore Field. Philadelphia had the best bun. West Virginia had the best sausage. Pittsburgh had the best peppers and onions. RFK was pretty all-around great, though.

Click here for Listmaker's take on the second half of our trip.

(Update, apparently, there is evidence of me posing with Miss Summerfest 2006). Thanks for the correction, Listmaker.

Posted by Marc at 06:13 PM | Permalink

It took some time for us to get moving Thursday. Around noon we visited Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill. All three of us ordered fried chicken biscuits then found a parking lot downtown (Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is drive-thru only) in which to enjoy our first meal of the day.

This biscuit might be reason enough to detour through Chapel Hill the next time I visit North Carolina or points south.

In addition to this chicken biscuit, I wish I'd ordered a pork tenderloin biscuit.

With our eventual goal of reaching Winston-Salem by gametime, we took a leisurely trip west in search of barbecue. Our first stop brought us to A & M Grill in Mebane.

My sandwich was good. I should admit now that I'm not really a fan of North Carolina style barbecue. Vinegar doesn't do a lot for me. And putting slaw on any sandwich seems wrong (I'm just now learning to eat anything other than meat and bread on a sandwich).

Have I mentioned the NC heat wave we experienced? It was hot. So post-'cue bocce turned into shirtless post-'cue bocce at the Haw River Park.

Our off-highway adventures took us past the North Carolina Softball Hall of Fame. They weren't open as they were sorting the trophies for the tournament. None of us had any idea what they were talking about. Also, there is not much information about the NC Softball Hall of Fame on the internet. Also, the pool at the same park had already closed for the summer. Undaunted, we continued west in search of more barbecue.

In Greensboro we had to stop by the Greensboro visitor's center for directions to Stamey's. The women there were very friendly. Instead of having my third sandwich of the day (I'm counting that chicken biscuit as a sandwich), Listmaker was kind enough to split a small plate with me.

On the advice of the women at the visitor's center, Erik and Listmaker ordered the cobbler. They were not disappointed.

Our meal was enjoyed at 4PM. It was our third meal within four hours! I should note we did a good job of keeping our sides to a minimum.

Oh, and it was hot.

We didn't let the heat get in our way and managed to find a park in Winston-Salem where we could exit the car and sweat out some barbecue sauce.

Bocce on the grass was fun.

The park playground called out to us. The surface is wood chips, but those wood chips seem to cover a giant rubber mat. The balls bounced like crazy and we had no control over our shots.

And when you put a swing set in front of folks who just want to be kids, you can't help but jump.

Happily, we had time before the game for a fourth meal. We left the park and found ourselves at Little Richard's BBQ. Listmaker, like Erik and me, was a little full. And here is where I forgot to order my sandwich without 'slaw. I pushed it to the side and enjoyed my meal. Again, a good meal.

The afternoon of feasting on NC barbecue has me thinking about next year's baseball road trip, which may take us through Texas. Two months ago Jamie directed me to this article, about the Chicken Fried Steak belt! YUM.

With stuffed bellies, we headed to Ernie Shore field, home of the Winston-Salem Warthogs.

The Warhogs are a single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

One of my very good friends from high school lives in W-S and joined us for the game. It was good to catch up with him and I think there's now a slight possibility he'll return for a game there. In a few days Listmaker should post the story of a baseball and a kid just down the row from us. It was an unbelievable thing to see.

We left Winston-Salem, bound for Virginia. We detoured through Greensboro, thinking there might be an extra-innings Grasshoppers game going on. The stadium lights were on but they were just illuminated for a concert from some band who had their own tour bus. Of course, I didn't write down the name of the band and I have a terrible memory. Can someone make a call and get the soundscan numbers on them, though?

Posted by Marc at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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.

Posted by Marc at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

(Listmaker's photos from the game)

Posted by Marc at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

Posted by Marc at 01:20 PM | Permalink

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.

(Listmaker's photos from the games)

Posted by Marc at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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.

(Listmaker's photos from the baseball game)

Posted by Marc at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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

Posted by Marc at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)