Day Six Hundred and Eighty-One

The Marlin and The Met

This is how you make it work on the road. 

Thank the Lord Sue brought extended stay hotels into my life. I seriously had no idea these budget and kitchen-friendly rooms existed. And when I found out that our hotel in Daytona would be equipped with a sink, stove, fridge, microwave, coffee pot, and utensils, I brought everything I'd need for my most important meal: breakfast. Sure enough, so did Sue! We both eat clean and are conscious of the calories and cost of food on the road. So this little kitchenette was certainly our little baseball oasis. Cheers to the little things in life (that make such a difference).

If you're in Daytona, you can't not go to the beach! So, we went of course. And after a couple hours of talking talking talking (there was a lot to talk about!), we packed up, posed for the camera, and headed to the field. But not before we earned ourselves both a couple of tragic sunburns...the extremely overcast sky played an evil trick on us! (But we're brown now!)

Welcome to Jackie Robinson Ballpark: home of the Chicago Cubs Hi-A team. 

Stadium fact:

Prior to 1946, segregation laws and Major League Baseball separated blacks from the game. But during Spring Training 1946, things began to change. And Daytona Beach was at the center of those changes: it was the first Florida city to allow Robinson to play.

I can't even begin to fathom all the stories and secrets this field holds. It's a historic treasure, and one I'm thankful to have experienced.

Aaaaaaaand...Kyle!

The Port St. Lucie Mets faced the Daytona Cubs last night in a doubleheader, and I finally got to watch my friend play ball. He's grown so much since I last saw him with a bat at WSU, but one thing thing's for sure: the dude is fast. Still. And now, he can smack that ball with authority. With those two components, his career as an outfielder is looking pretty bright! Go Kyle, Go!

A Met and a Marlin.

I love us.