The Adventure
Our adventure started in 2003 when we first decided to travel to every baseball stadium in the major league. We hardly knew the extent, in both time and space, that our journey would take us through. Almost a decade later we have traveled the country from Baltimore to Denver and from Seattle to Miami to visit all of the stadiums. The experience has been wonderful. The experience has allowed my father and I to spend time together on something we both enjoy; travelling the country by plane and car. Additionally, the experience has transformed how I see stadiums. We no longer think of stadiums as just the location of the game. While we always knew we wanted to rate the stadiums as we visited them, we didn't really intend for the trip to be as much about the stadiums as it was about visiting the teams and the games. Admittedly know I look forward more to discovering and exploring the stadiums than I do to seeing each team play. The trip has offered endless insights into the design elements of stadiums, and why it matters.
Our adventure has had some fun highlights. Here are a few stories from the road:
Rainstorms in St. Louis
When we landed in St. Louis, we knew it was going to be interesting weather. There was a heatwave, and the temperature was in the 90's. We have been in hot climates before - no big deal. We walked out of the airport and BANG - the humidity hit us. It was horrible. Hot and humid is a pesky combination. The humidity makes you feel lethargic and just plain awful. As we left the airport decided to do what every tourist does in St. Louis - visit the Arch.
We walked around the park and looked at the arch - it is really beautiful and as an engineer I was fascinated by it's shape and construction. We even did the national parks museum tour, and after a ridiculously long wait and a sketchy elevator ride, we were at the top. We could see the stadium from the top, so we took some pictures, and enjoyed the view. When we got back down to earth, we noticed that the skies had changed. Giant clouds had rolled in from the west, and it looked ominous. Being silly and arrogant, we decided to go for a walk around the park along the Mississippi. The river had swelled and parts of the side street were submerged. We walked to a foot bridge over the Mississippi when I heard the first crack. BANG.
Thunder rumbled in the western clouds and large rain drops began to fall. We looked around - we were in the middle of the Mississippi on a metal foot bridge with no cover. Being easily the highest point around for hundreds of yards, we began to run to the other side. Brilliant. The rain started to come down hard - this was real rain - not the type San Diego gets. We sought refuge under an awning, and then we realized we had crossed the bridge to this island, but how were we going to get back? After all, the car was parked dutifully on the other side of the river. After 30 minutes or so the rain slowed and we quickly made our way across the bridge and to the car. That whole night it poured rain. It was coming down harder than I had seen it in a very long time.
Lost in Downtown Milwaukee
While visiting Milwaukee we had just stopped to get lunch and watch a movie before a night game at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Having left the stadium, we proceeded to follow directions to the stadium, but they certainly didn't seem to be taking us the right way. We ended up in a very rundown and bad part of town. We didn't know where we were going and didn't really wan't to stop and ask for directions. While I don't want to be judgmental and conceded (and maybe that's exactly what I am being), we were driving through the set of The Wire and no one seemed to like us being there. Eventually we found our way back, and it turns out we went the exact opposite direction of where the stadium was. Whoops.
Stuck in Houston, Texas
We were in Houston, Texas for the 4th of July, and after visiting Minute Maid park for a day game, we went down to the Gulf to watch fireworks. We were rushing to beat sundown and to get a good spot to watch the fireworks. We were just too late. By the time we had gotten there, the streets were a mess and every open section of grass and side of the road had a car parked in it. Residents were even selling the lawns for parking for 30 bucks a piece. We parked (no exaggeration) 2 miles from the shore, and briskly walked to make it in time. When we got there, we were starving, so we ended up watching the fireworks from a line for a Chicken Shack. God bless America. The roads were a nightmare as everyone started to leave, so we decided to wait it out. We ate our chicken and watched as the boats came back in from the harbor. Apparently there is a tradition were hundreds of boats of all sizes go out each year to watch fireworks from the water. Now they were filling slowly back into the docks.
We decided it was time to leave, and started walking back. Traffic was still aweful - the cars were barely moving, and all of the 2 miles back to the car were gridlocked. Maybe we were smart - parking far way meant we had to wait for less people to leave before us. We get into the car when we realize the battery is dead. Damn. We didn't leave any lights on, the battery just was bad and gave out. We didn't have cell service, so we walked to a nearby hotel and called the rental car company. They couldn't have someone out there for 2 hours. It was already 11pm, and I doubted they would be able to make it in 2 hours. Most of the roads were closed off, and they would have to wait in the giant line to come help us out. We walked back to our car and waited. By the time the tow truck driver showed up, he traffic had subsided, and the area was dead. We didn't leave until 1am that night, but it sure was a fun story.
Our adventure has had some fun highlights. Here are a few stories from the road:
Rainstorms in St. Louis
When we landed in St. Louis, we knew it was going to be interesting weather. There was a heatwave, and the temperature was in the 90's. We have been in hot climates before - no big deal. We walked out of the airport and BANG - the humidity hit us. It was horrible. Hot and humid is a pesky combination. The humidity makes you feel lethargic and just plain awful. As we left the airport decided to do what every tourist does in St. Louis - visit the Arch.
We walked around the park and looked at the arch - it is really beautiful and as an engineer I was fascinated by it's shape and construction. We even did the national parks museum tour, and after a ridiculously long wait and a sketchy elevator ride, we were at the top. We could see the stadium from the top, so we took some pictures, and enjoyed the view. When we got back down to earth, we noticed that the skies had changed. Giant clouds had rolled in from the west, and it looked ominous. Being silly and arrogant, we decided to go for a walk around the park along the Mississippi. The river had swelled and parts of the side street were submerged. We walked to a foot bridge over the Mississippi when I heard the first crack. BANG.
Thunder rumbled in the western clouds and large rain drops began to fall. We looked around - we were in the middle of the Mississippi on a metal foot bridge with no cover. Being easily the highest point around for hundreds of yards, we began to run to the other side. Brilliant. The rain started to come down hard - this was real rain - not the type San Diego gets. We sought refuge under an awning, and then we realized we had crossed the bridge to this island, but how were we going to get back? After all, the car was parked dutifully on the other side of the river. After 30 minutes or so the rain slowed and we quickly made our way across the bridge and to the car. That whole night it poured rain. It was coming down harder than I had seen it in a very long time.
Lost in Downtown Milwaukee
While visiting Milwaukee we had just stopped to get lunch and watch a movie before a night game at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Having left the stadium, we proceeded to follow directions to the stadium, but they certainly didn't seem to be taking us the right way. We ended up in a very rundown and bad part of town. We didn't know where we were going and didn't really wan't to stop and ask for directions. While I don't want to be judgmental and conceded (and maybe that's exactly what I am being), we were driving through the set of The Wire and no one seemed to like us being there. Eventually we found our way back, and it turns out we went the exact opposite direction of where the stadium was. Whoops.
Stuck in Houston, Texas
We were in Houston, Texas for the 4th of July, and after visiting Minute Maid park for a day game, we went down to the Gulf to watch fireworks. We were rushing to beat sundown and to get a good spot to watch the fireworks. We were just too late. By the time we had gotten there, the streets were a mess and every open section of grass and side of the road had a car parked in it. Residents were even selling the lawns for parking for 30 bucks a piece. We parked (no exaggeration) 2 miles from the shore, and briskly walked to make it in time. When we got there, we were starving, so we ended up watching the fireworks from a line for a Chicken Shack. God bless America. The roads were a nightmare as everyone started to leave, so we decided to wait it out. We ate our chicken and watched as the boats came back in from the harbor. Apparently there is a tradition were hundreds of boats of all sizes go out each year to watch fireworks from the water. Now they were filling slowly back into the docks.
We decided it was time to leave, and started walking back. Traffic was still aweful - the cars were barely moving, and all of the 2 miles back to the car were gridlocked. Maybe we were smart - parking far way meant we had to wait for less people to leave before us. We get into the car when we realize the battery is dead. Damn. We didn't leave any lights on, the battery just was bad and gave out. We didn't have cell service, so we walked to a nearby hotel and called the rental car company. They couldn't have someone out there for 2 hours. It was already 11pm, and I doubted they would be able to make it in 2 hours. Most of the roads were closed off, and they would have to wait in the giant line to come help us out. We walked back to our car and waited. By the time the tow truck driver showed up, he traffic had subsided, and the area was dead. We didn't leave until 1am that night, but it sure was a fun story.