#188. See an Eclipse -- Take 2

The first lunar eclipse I remember watching was when I still lived at home back in 2014. I remember looking out the living room window at the moon. Fast-forward 11 years and I had another opportunity to see a lunar eclipse with the blood moon.  Because it was a lunar eclipse and blood moon, there was much hype about it. And like everyone else, I wasn’t going to miss it…especially if the end of the world was coming like some predicted.

Around 7-7:30 I went outside to check the progress after seeing a post on Facebook telling me to go look at the moon. To me, it looked like an ordinary full moon. I went back inside. About a half hour later, I went back to check and the eclipse had started. So I grabbed the camera, my book, a lawn chair, and my blanket and set up camp in the garage.

 

The stages of the eclipse

It was very cool to watch the eclipse happen and the moon turn red. I personally thought the moon was going to be bigger or closer to the horizon. The moon didn’t seem any bigger than normal. When the hubby came home, he joined me in watching the moon turn red. Even he was impressed.

The Blood Moon

I am no astronomer or astronaut but any time I can enjoy Mother Nature’s planetary show from my backyard, I try to catch it. The viewing window or the sky conditions don’t always work out in my favor but tonight they did. Now I just need to catch a glimpse of that annual meteorite shower in August, I’d be in business

#3814. Go to Weis Earth Science Museum in Menasha

A few weeks ago, I saw some a post on Facebook about FreeMuseum Day. I like Museums. I REALLY like free. I checked it out. The Smithsonian was offering a Free Museum Day to select museums across the country. The only “catch” was you had to request tickets and only 1 pass good for 2 people per email address. There were several in the area that were part of the Free Museum Day. As much as I wanted to go to the Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, I didn’t want to drive to Manitowoc. I settled on the Weis EarthScience Museum in Menasha.

I really should have driven to Manitowoc instead. I’m glad that it was free to visit. I am not sure it’s worth the $3 admission. The Weis Earth Science is part of UW-Fox Valley and is not that big. The size of a museum doesn’t bother me. If the museum is interesting and hands-on, the size doesn’t matter. This museum is geared more towards school groups learning about Earth Science who need to find specific answers. As an adult checking out the museum for fun, I was bored.

Meteors

Sandstone

I met Danielle and Gavin there. For a 4 year old, there weren’t a lot of hands-on activities. There were probably about 5 hands-on displays and some of them weren’t very hands on.  Most of the museum consisted of rocks with descriptions and pictures on the wall to read. When I go to a museum, especially a science museum, I want to look at things and touch things. I don’t want to read about everything on display.

There were a couple of things I did find interesting. I liked to jump up and down and cause an earthquake. Gavin wasn’t all into causing an earthquake probably because he was too short to see the screen.

The fossil rubbings were cool even if I did get chalk all over myself. Perhaps I will hang my woolly mammoth in the bathroom.

The dinosaur skeleton was pretty neat. I almost got close enough to get my head bit off.

The mine was lame. It was like walking through the wall. I didn’t get the feeling I was in a lead mine at all. I know this isn’t the Science and Industry Museum but it could have been a bit more realistic. Even the mine wasn’t very realistic but the old mine cart was cool.

The Mine

Gavin liked learning about the water cycle… and blowing things up in the mine. The microscope was a hit for him as well.

I give UW-Fox Valley kudos for having a place to share their Collections and educate others about Earth Science. If I was teaching up here and had an Earth Science unit, I’d look into a field trip to the museum. I am glad I checked it out but I probably won’t go back unless they have a really cool exhibit.

#3824. Explore the trails at Plamann Park in Appleton

Since I started walking, I wanted to explore the trails at Plamann Park. This wasn’t going to be too hard to do since Appleton Pop Warner plays most of their games out there and the hubby will do a few games every fall. A few Saturdays ago, I got my opportunity to go wander through the trails.

Plamann Park is actually quite large and I only got to explore a portion of the park. I started out walking around the football fields to find a trail to pick up. It took a little ways but I found one and traversed the trail. Once I got back to the football fields, I kept going and figured once I hit my 10,000 I would turn around head back. Well I kept going and ended up at Fox Valley Lutheran High School. I forgot that they butt up against each other. I picked a trail and followed it to the road. I crossed the road and tried to head the way we came in (towards the farm) but there was a wedding party that was taking picture. I didn’t want to crash the party. I turned around and got back to the football fields much quicker.

Although I only wandered a portion of the park, I was disappointed with what I saw. There were dragonflies, butterflies, and lots of wild flowers. Once I got up towards FVL, I saw 1 bunny. It was kind of boring. It was peaceful and I wish I had a butterfly net to catch butterflies. However, I wanted to see more animals. I guess I’m more of woods kind of girl than a prairie kind of girl.

Don’t get me wrong, Plamann Park is still a wonderful place for a hike and I will hike it again. I want to explore the rest of the park. There’s always next football game.

#3818. Go to the Paperweight Museum in Neenah

One of the things I have wanted to do for a few years now is go to the Paperweight Museum in Neenah. I call it the Paperweight Museum since it only had paperweights on display at one time. The official name is the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass.  Earlier in the summer, Tara mentioned she wanted to go as well. I had an opportunity to go on a couple of weeks ago and texted Tara asking her if she was free. She was and we made plans to go.

When we arrived at the museum, the volunteers at the front desk were very helpful and explain the entire museum to us as well as the temporary display. We started out by watching a video that was playing about William Morris. His work was on display in the museum.  He made these large glass blown bowls and vases with animals on them. The video was very informative to show how he made his pieces.  Personally I think the chipmunks were overkill but the vases and bowls were really cool.

After we finished with William Morris Collection, we went to Mahler Hall. In there was a bunch of glassware for Germany mainly from Mid-Evil times. The Mahlers were into Old German glassware and this was their collection. I personally liked the case with the Bavarian glasses.

Next we saw what I came to see – Paperweights. There were 3 rooms full of paperweights of all shapes and sizes. The only other place I know of that has that many paperweights is the Art Museum in Chicago. Many of the paperweights were flower designs but here and there were other designs.

In one room, the museum was considering changing the display cases and asked our opinions. I thought that was a very cool idea – get the input from the people actually seeing the displays. I liked the new display much better. Instead of lighting the entire case from overhead, the paperweights were to be lighted from overhead individually with a black backing instead of white -- very classy and modern looking.

After touring the museum, we stopped in the gift shop. I was looking for ornaments but apparently the end of summer wasn’t the time to buy ornaments. I have one from the museum I got as a Christmas gift from work. I wanted more even if it didn’t go with my baseball tree.

Admission was donation only and they suggested $6 a person.  The museum was well worth visiting even if you are not into art museums. I discovered why I don’t like most Art Museums. Most Art Museums feature paintings and other 2D artwork. I prefer 3D art. They say children are welcome. However, I think most kids would be bored and there’s always the risk of breaking something when you get kids and glass objects together. 

2015 Vacation Overview

2015 Vacation Overview

Thursday, August 20

• Travel Day to meet hubby at Babe Ruth World Series
• Diethrick Park
• Babe Ruth World Series Quarterfinals
• Beers with the Umpires after the game at the Pub
• Hotel – Best Western

Friday, August 21

• The Lucy and Desi Museum
• Sports Hall of Fame
• Lunch with Umpires at Game Time
• See Babe Ruth's Limo
• Babe Ruth World Series Semi Finals
• Pizza with Umpires at Fresco's

Saturday, August 22

• Babe Ruth World Series Championship Game
• Play Mini Golf
• Dinner at Friendly’s

Sunday, August 23

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• USS Cod
• FirstEnergy Stadium
• Steamship William J Mather 
• Dinner at Papa Bear Pizza
• Play Mini Golf
• Have Ice Cream
• Hotel – La Quinta Inn and Suites

Monday, August 24

• Canton Classic Car Museum
• Smucker Store and Café
• Ohio State Reformatory
• Lunch of Porky’s
• Drive through Amish Country
• Dinner at O’Rourke's
• Notre Dame
• Hotel – Country Inn and Suites

Tuesday, August 25

• Travel home
• Lehmann’s Bakery for Napoleon Kringle
• Lunch at Kewpees

A Night in Canton

When we decided to stay in Canton, the hubby wanted to stay at the La Quinta again. We stayed there several years ago and really liked the place. I could get the La Quinta or the Ramada for the same price. He still wanted the La Quinta. So I booked the La Quinta. It gave me an option of getting a text when our room was ready and I signed up for it. I got a text before we even got to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame saying our room was ready.

When we finally got to the hotel around 4-4:30, check in was a breeze. We asked the front desk person about a pizza place and she was very helpful. She gave us a menu for Papa Bear’s and said that is the best pizza in town.

Our room was very nice. Just like last time, we had a flat screen TV. I am sure that many hotels have flat screen TVs but 5 years ago the flat screen was a big deal. Since the hotel is set off the main road and the highway, it is very quiet.

I tend to choose hotels that give me free breakfast since I need to have milk in the morning. The breakfast at La Quinta was very good. There was a huge selection. It is the only place I’ve seen that has a dual waffle batter dispenser. One side was regular and the other side was apple cinnamon. Even when we had a late breakfast (after 9 am), there was still a good selection left.

Check out was just as easy as check in. If we are ever back in the Canton area, we will stay at La Quinta again.

Spending the night in South Bend

When we finally confirmed where we were going after the World Series and we were going to be staying, I had the fun job of booking hotels. Luckily I only had book 2. The first night we stayed in Canton. The second night we stayed in South Bend. I tend to use Hotels.com when booking hotels. In South Bend, I found Country Inn and Suites for $85. Since we have a rewards card with Country Inn and Suites, I checked their websites and the price varied by pennies. I booked directly though Country Inn and Suites.

I should have known better for $85…

It wasn’t the worse Country Inn and Suites experience we’ve had but it fell short of our expectations.

The girl at the front desk didn’t seem too thrilled to be there when we checked in. Then she proceeded to tell us there was no elevator and we were on the second floor. Normally this won’t bother us but we haven’t been home in a week or more and our oversized luggage was quite heavy.

Our room was fine. The bathroom was modern. The hubby was impressed by the modern looking bathroom. I found it quite tiny but nice.

We were hungry when we got to our room and needed a place to eat. We didn’t want Applebees or similar places as we could get them at home. I look around the room for that binder of information that is every hotel room. No such binder was found. Down to the desk we went. The check-in gal was answering a question for someone else as we neared the desk but disappeared by the time we got there. We did find a local guide in the breakfast room. I start paging through it and between the guide and Google we settled on O’Rourke’s.

In the morning when we went to breakfast, there wasn’t a big selection. The hot dishes were things I didn’t eat. I don’t remember what I had besides some yogurt with granola. What I do remember is that there was no milk. Both the 2% and skim were out. There was no sign or anything indicating this. When a worker finally emerged to refill dishes, I asked and she said, yeah we’re out. Couldn’t you at least put a sign out?  

As we left we saw a delivery truck pulling in…maybe they had my milk.

Overall, we might stay here again if in the area but only if we get a good deal again.

Home Away From Home -- Jamestown

Babe Ruth put the hubby and the umpires at the Best Western in downtown Jamestown. It turned to be probably the closest hotel to the diamond. That’s where I stayed once I joined the hubby in Jamestown.

The Best Western wasn’t a bad hotel but they just couldn’t keep up with cleaning the rooms, laundry, and fresh towels. I know there were several instances that the room wasn’t cleaned or clean towels given. I get that the whole going green at hotels but not to check if towels were on the floor and to make the beds was just annoying.  Part of the reason for this I think was that most of the staff were teenagers and they just couldn’t keep up with 3 baseball teams and their families.

Breakfast was alright. There was enough variety for me but not a great selection. On my first morning, there was bacon. Only morning on the entire trip that had bacon. 

Internet was something else. I think because I didn't get there at check-in, the hubby didn't bother with a WiFi password. I could hardwire my laptop in the room if I had an ethernet cable. Yeah, I bring that along on vacation. I didn't have a WiFi password unless it was what was scribbled on the key envelope and no ethernet cable. I did very little updating and posting while in Jamestown unless I found some WiFi. I probably would have asked at the desk if someone was there. Oh well, life goes on and it wasn't completely horrible being unplugged. 

Even though they couldn’t keep up with housekeeping, the Best Western wasn’t a bad hotel. It was within walking distance of several restaurants and attractions. The parking lot was small so at night after we got back we would park at the hotel and walk the several blocks to the restaurant or bar. There was a Laundromat across the street so the umpires could do laundry. I would stay there again if we’re in Jamestown as long as it reasonably priced. 

A Gem of a Ball Diamond

The 13 year old Babe Ruth World Series was held in Jamestown, NY at Diethrick Park. It was a former minor league baseball park. At one point of time, it was the Expo’s Minor League team and there still an Expo Outfield sign hanging on the maintenance room.  The hubby wanted that sign.

The Expo Sign

The field was a typical old school baseball park with a big grandstand around the infield. The hubby said it reminded him of old Goodland Field in Appleton. There was a brick entrance way that was added later and you could still see where the locker rooms and things were under the grandstand.

The field itself was nice… a little deep for 13 year olds to hit home runs but a very nice facility. They really try to keep the park up especially since there is no minor league team just a Northwoods League type team.

Concessions were okay. Hot dogs, Burgers, and Italian Sausages were $2 but everything else was expensive. Soda/Water was $2-$3. I’m not sure what the nachos or ice cream was since I didn’t eat that. I just had a sandwich each day.

New York's version of an Italian Sausage 

Because of the cooperate sponsors, there was no admission charge on any day which allowed any one to come out to enjoy the games. And I didn’t have to worry about making sure I had my bracelet on and I could wander freely.

The one thing that struck me as unique was there was a soap box derby track right outside the park. From what I know of soap box derby, the hill wasn’t very steep unlike the larger hill that my niece races down in Green Bay. Maybe there are different types of hills?

There is a lot of history at Diethrick Park and hopefully there will be more history in years to come.  

13 Year Old Babe Ruth World Series

The Babe Ruth World Series is a week-long tournament for the Regional Winners held in various cities around the country depending on who bids for a World Series. Each age group (9, 10, 11 Minors, 12 Minors, 12 Majors, 13, 14, 13-15, 16-18) has their own site. This year the 13 year old World Series was held in Jamestown, NY August 15-22. The hubby was selected to be an umpire for the 13 year old World Series.  He drove out and I met him out there later.

The 10 teams at the World Series were:

Jamestown, NY 

Ithaca, NY 

Tri-County, ME

Poulino Metro, NY (The Bronx)

Tallahasse, FL

Janesville, WI (I was rooting for the home team)

Bismark, ND

Mountain Home, AR

Tri-Valley, CA

Camas-Washougal, WA

The first 5 days of the tournament are pool play. Each team is guaranteed 4 games. The top three seeds in each pool move onto bracket play. The top 2 teams get a bye for the first round of bracket play. I’m glad I was not out there for pool play. It was long days at the diamond. There were 4 games each day for 5 days. The hubby would get to the park around 11 AM and not usually leave until 11 PM or later. Luckily he usually worked every other game.  It would have meant pretty much the same schedule for me. That’s a lot of books and baseball. At least the facilities were nice but I would have been sick of hot dogs, hamburgers, and Italian sausage if I had to eat that for 2 meals a day for a 5 days straight.

By the time I got out there, there were only 6 teams left. All week I was hoping Janesville would make it to bracket play so I could see them play. They were seeded 2^nd in their pool and played the late game on Thursday. I certainly did get to see Janesville. They played Ithaca and beat them to move to the semi-finals on Friday.

The Janesville/Tri-County Maine Semi-Final was a great game. Janesville was down 6-2 going into the top of the 7^th. They ended up losing 6-5 and had the tying run on third. The hubby had the dish for that game and I think Janesville was hoping for a few breaks but he played no favorites.

The Agony of Defeat

The Championship game between Tri-Valley, California and Tri-County, Maine was a repeat of game 1 of the World Series. Tri-County won that one. They were not so lucky in the final game. I’m not sure Tri-County used up all their pitching to get to the finals or if Tri-Valley was sandbagging but Tri-Valley easily won 20-0 in 5 innings. It was 9-0 after the top of the 1^st. Personally, I like when there is a lot of runs before that means there usually is a lot of hitting. I like exciting games. I am not a fan of pitching duels. The hubby prefers the 1-0 game any day.

After the Championship Game, there are awards. They name an All-World Series Team, All-Defense Team, MVP, Sportsmanship Award, and other awards. If other teams were still, they were invited onto the field for the ceremony. There was some very nice hardware given out to the kids making the All Series Teams and getting other awards. I know one of the kids from Tri-Valley probably needed to buy another luggage to get all his hardware home.  He was just that good.

Championship Trophy

I am glad the hubby had the opportunity to be part of a World Series crew and that I was able to attend part of the Tournament. If he would get the opportunity again, I think that I would join him later into the tournament again.  By going to World Series or even the Regional Tournament, I can say that I have seen a baseball game in that state and slowly cross off states that I have seen a baseball game in. I’ve technically seen a baseball game in New York when we were on our honeymoon but only a few innings now I can say that I’ve seen an entire baseball game in New York…. Only 45 more states to go.