559 Throw Out the First Pitch at a Baseball Game

Back in December I saw that the T-Rats were going to have an All Fan first pitch and I was like I have to do that. Surprisingly the hubby was free and I ordered tickets.

The weather leading up today kept calling for rain and the hubby had basketball scheduled in the morning. He kept asking for logistics. Finally the T-Rats said the event would take place between 11:30-12:30 and you had to be in line by 12;00 to be able to throw out a first pitch. The hubby's last game was scheduled to be over at 11:45 in De Pere and the rain was going to hold off til the afternoon. After dropping a game and the forecast looking promising, we headed to Fox Cities Stadium for some minor league baseball fun.

We actually got to the stadium a little after 11:30 and no one was in line yet for the first pitch. We wandered around for a bit and talked to everyone that the hubby knew. Finally about 11:45 or so we headed out to the outfield to throw out the first pitch.

After picking up our ball and walking in foul territory to first base, we made our way to the pitcher's mound. The T-Rats brought in a portable ramp "mound" to throw from and move up home plate. Instead of the usual 60.5 feet to get the ball to home plate, it was about 50 feet. I'll let you know that 50 feet still looks like a long way when standing on the mound.

Luckily, we knew the catcher (former T-Rats bullpen catcher) and he told me think his face was the hubby's face. Well.... I didn't quite make it. It bounced in front of the plate. There is video of my minor league debut courtesy of the T-Rats Facebook Live Video. The hubby followed and he got his ball there.

Of course we stayed for the game.. well part of it anyways. It started to rain in the 4th inning. It stopped in the bottom of the 5th for a short time and started again in the 6th. We left in the middle of the sixth. It was a good game. The T-Rats were winning until the top of the sixth when the Kernals tied it but ended up going ahead in the bottom half.

I even snagged a t-shirt in the t-shirt toss... ahem hand off.

I'm glad I got my chance to throw out the first pitch. However, I better keep practicing in case I ever get to throw out another one.

798. Get hit in the face with a pie

As an incentive at work, I decided if we met the goal for the month anyone who got 100% on their next evaluation, I would let them throw a pie at me. We were struggling to meet goal and figured this would be a fun way to motivate everyone. Ops thought it was a great idea. Everyone else would rather eat the pie than hit me in the face with it. I guess I am too nice.

We met goal and pie in the face was on. Ops decided that shaving cream was a better choice than whipped cream so I didn't end up smelling sour milk all day. I guess eating soap was better?!?!

Armed with Barbosol, paper plates, tarp, ponchos, hair nets, wrap-around sunglasses, paper towels, and surgical masks and after I enlisted the training team's help, set up a pie throwing station outside. It was windy so we had to find a spot where the building blocked us.

The trainers started things off and we realized throwing shaving cream pies weren't that successful so smushing it in my face was the preferred method. I am glad I grabbed a surgical mask from security to cover my mouth. 

One person actually got throw a real pie at me. I bought a mini pie at Walmart to throw. She was afraid of hurting me and gently smashed it in my face. It was quite tasty. I did take the mask off for that one.

Some people were very delighted to throw a pie (or two) in my face.

Others were like I'm only doing this because you told me to and I'm sorry.

I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't want to so don't worry about being mean. I actually told one person to think I was Brian Urlacher since she was a HUGE Packer's fan. 

I had a blast. I would do it again. Pudding and whipped cream would be my pies of choice in the future. Shaving cream is just too heavy. 

Painless Painting Fun

I saw that Menasha library was doing a paint night in conjunction with Rooster Dreams. It was free. Rooster Dreams does paint parties and makes it really easy to create a masterpiece with stencils, step by step instructions, and even pointers. I felt I could totally handle this kind of painting and it probably be better than my Bob Ross Painting.

When I got to the library, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we literally had to paint a pre-drawn canvas. At each station was a drawing of flowers and a palate of colors. Kristine gave us a few pointers such as what side of the canvas to make sure your paint and water were and basically told us to have fun.

It was refreshing to actually be able to paint a picture without worrying about how it's going to turn out since Kristine took out 80% of my problem... creating the image. I just had to paint. I could mix colors and blend colors to my heart's content since the image was already there. I really only had one regret on the first flower. I didn't like the colors I chose thus not really liking the way it turned out. I reminded me too much of a taco

When we were done, Kristine sent us home with instructions to outline the flowers with black Sharpie to make them pop. And pop they did.

I have to say this probably the best painting I've done since my middle school Coca-Cola can. I would do this again either at the library or at Rooster Dreams again. I can totally handle painting between the lines.

119. Go to Hermann, MO

When we had to replan our route back home, I told the hubby I wanted to stop in Hermann, MO on the way home from Jefferson City. He agreed... mainly because he liked the name.

Hermann is a small town about an hour from Jefferson City or 90 minutes from St. Louis along the Missouri River. It was settled by Germans which is probably why it was on the bucket list to begin with. It is also in the heart of Missouri wine country.

When we got to Hermann it was pouring rain and it was too early to do anything. Besides based on the forecast, we wanted to get back to Wisconsin before the weather turned nasty. I'm surprised we even detoured to Hermann.

Even though we didn't actually get out of the car, we did a mini self-driving tour of the downtown area. The Deutschheim State Historic Site would have been our first stop if the weather was going to cooperate. It provides a view into German-American history and how the Germans settled this area. There are buildings from the 1840s and 1850s, you could stroll through.

Another interesting building I would have loved to visit was the Hermann Fire Company Museum. It is currently part museum and part visitor center. We would have had to contact the fire chief to actually view the museum but peeking in the large windows would have been fine by me.

On top of the hill as we headed out of town was the Gasconade County Courthouse. It sat majestically on top of the hill overlooking the town.

I'd love to come back when we actually have time, explore the buildings, hit a few wineries, and a slept in a tree house. It's a quaint little town that if you are ever in the area, I would suggest checking it out. Hopefully you'll be able to explore some of the historical sites.

3399. Go to the Petroglyph National Monument

When I planned our trip home from spring training, I had us stopping at four National Parks. However when we started having car problems and decided a trip home through southern Colorado wasn't the best idea, we could only stop at one. I really wanted to see the Petroglyph National Monument near Alburqueque as petroglyphs fascinated me.

Petroglyph National Monument is actually spread across four different parks within 20 miles of the Visitor Center. The only thing at the visitor center is information, a few interesting displays, and a chance to stamp your National Park Passport. They also have maps on how to get to the other sites.

We opted for Boca Negra Canyon. It is the closest to the visitor center and offered several short trails to see petroglyphs. The hubby was a bit concerned when we drove into the park and saw the first trail. I advised him to keep driving. We parked in a small parking lot and headed to the trails.

As soon as we got out the car, we saw petroglyphs. We opted for one trail and wandered for a bit. It was very windy so climbing higher was not really an option. The hubby was freaking out every time I wanted to go higher. There were stairs and marked paths for me to climb so I could get picture. You can tell he's not a hiker.

Even though we probably spent 15-20 minutes at Boca Canyon and saw quite a few petroglpyphs. You could spend an hour exploring all the paths and seeing up to 100 petroglyphs. Other sites have more strenuous trails that take longer but you also get to see more petroglphs.

Yes, I would have loved to spend more time climbing and exploring but between a tight time table and the wind it was just not possible. Maybe one day. However, if you're in the area, I would check out Petroglyph National Monument and see the ancient drawings on the rocks.

1203. Stand on the Corner in Winslow, AZ

I am not an Eagles fan. I am also not a big music listener in general. However, that didn't mean I didn't want to stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. When the hubby said he didn't want to see the crater because it cost too much, I said I wanted to stop in Winslow to stand on the corner. He just rolled his eyes.

I'm pretty "Takin' It Easy" put Winslow on the map and they have profited from it. On the corner is a sign, a red pick up truck, and a mural all with nods to Takin' It Easy. There's also a park bunch across the street where you can sit and relax. A guy was singing along with Takin' It Easy that was playing from somewhere.

It's about 10 minutes off the highway. Sipp Shoppe, an old school soda fountain with a modern breakfast menu, is on the corner across the street to take care of you thirst needs. We both had a phosphate soda. There's also malts, cream sodas, and ice cream sodas along with crepes and breakfast sandwiches.

It was once a bank so you can still see the old vault.

Even if you are not a Eagles Fan (or even a music listener), this is one of those things you just gotta do. The hubby even got into it and wanted his picture taken standing on the corner.

2019 Baseball Stadium Tour -- Camelback Ranch

Our final stadium we visited this spring training was Camelback Ranch in Phoenix. It is the home of the Dodger and White Sox Spring Training. It seems the White Sox mainly play day games out there and most of the Dodger games are night games.

Camelback Ranch is easy to go to. It's almost in Glendale. Parking is free and it offers free WiFi and actually tells you how to get into it. The other parks may offer free WiFi but none provided the magical password to get in.

Camelback Ranch is really geared towards the Dodgers. It looks like Dodger Stadium with it's yellow seats. Along the left field fence is all the retired Dodger numbers. Along the right field fence is all the retired Sox Numbers. It's a great park to walk around in.

Since Camelback Ranch is the home of the Dodgers, there are of course Dodger Dogs. Of course we had to have our first Dodger Dog. Honestly, it's not all that impressive. It like any other hot dog except it's a foot long. There isn't much seating outside of the actual seating bowl to enjoy your food.

Our seats were down in autograph ally, down in the left field corner. They were smart when they built Camelback ranch. They left standing room in the first two rows to accommodate all the autograph hounds. The usher was very nice and told us to let him know if the autograph hounds were in our way. Honestly, there were not until the teenie bopper girls showed up trying to get autographs during the game. They were rude and pushy. The families beforehand were great. The one family from Montana thanked us for letting try to get autographs.

I can tell you the Indians and the Dodgers played. There was pitching and hitting. Some runs were scored. That's about it. After awhile they all start blending together.

Both teams had to walk by us to go to the clubhouses. Some of them were friendly.. others were just plain rude and ignored the fans.

We definitely want to go back to Camelback Ranch. Honestly there haven't any parks we wouldn't go back to during spring training so far. All of them are great. I'm looking forward to see which spring training parks we hit next year.