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. 

#2747. Play mini golf in New York

After the championship game of the World Series, the rest of the umpires headed home. We were staying Saturday night in Jamestown. By the time the game ended and everyone left, it was about 4:00. I wanted to go to Buffalo to see the Bisons play. The Buffalo Bisons are AAA baseball team and I have not yet been to an AAA game. The hubby vetoed that idea. I didn’t want to sit in the hotel all night. Jokingly I said we could play mini golf, since playing mini golf in every state is on the bucket list. He was cool with that but wanted to know where. My good friend, Google, informed me that there was one not too far away, almost by the Walmart we went to in the morning.

Lakewood Golf Center had mini golf and a driving range. Mini Golf was $7 a person. It was cheaper than Badger Sports Park. For 4:00 it was busy. There were usually 2 or 3 groups in front of us at a hole. We had nothing else to do so we didn’t mind waiting and it was a nice day.

The course itself wasn’t overly difficult but challenging enough. All the greens and walkways were kept up and nicely landscaped. I actually beat the hubby. He is the better golfer. I earned bragging rights. I did get a hole in one but because I took a mulligan it really didn’t count. Boo.

My Hole in One

We had fun. It was a nice way to spend an early evening before dinner. If we are in Jamestown again, I’m 

sure we would play mini golf here again.

A Signature Sandwich

While sitting around having beers after the games on Thursday night, the guys decided to get together for a late lunch on Friday. One of the guys was telling about this prime rib sandwich at Game Time and everyone was practically drooling. They decided that Game Time was the place for lunch.

Game Time is a sports bar and bowling alley. We joked that we should bowl of few games before the baseball games. “Where are the umpires?” “Just bowling a few games. They will be here eventually.” I’m sure that would have gone over well. No bowling… just lunch.

Since we came to Game Time just for the prime rib sandwich, that’s what all 7 of us ordered. When the menu says “Signature Sandwich Prime Rib Melt”, it was a no-brainer. I don’t think any of the guys would argue that this wasn’t an amazing sandwich. The Signature Sandwich Prime Rib Melt is layers of shaved prime rib dripping with au jus with melted cheese on a sourdough bread. Just thinking about it, makes my mouth water.

Image from Gamet Time Website

I’m sure other things on the menu are just as good. Maybe if we ever get back to Jamestown, I will try something else. Wait probably not because I would want a prime rib sandwich to satisfy my craving.

A Morning at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame

While the umpires were sitting around after Thursday night's games, they made the decision to do a late lunch together. Then they decided they should take the opportunity to check out the Babe Ruth World Series Display at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame beforehand. It didn't matter if it was closed, one of the guys was on the board and had a key if need be.

The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame is located in Jamestown across the street from the Lucy and Desi Museum. It honors athletes that have ties to Chautauqua County..and it doesn't matter what sport -- roller skating, soap box derby, bowling, tennis, racing. The Hall of Fame covers them all.  The hubby says it is a treasure trove.

The artifacts and memorabilia in there is unbelievable. Just about every usable inch is covered with pictures, jerseys, signs, balls, and other sports equipment. There are soap box derby cars and go karts. Ever want to know how heavy a motor-cross suit is you can pick one up and see for yourself.

The Babe Ruth World Series display wasn't much. It was a table of past programs and a few other artifacts. The umpires enjoyed looking through the past programs to see if they knew any of the other umpires. They did have a bulletin board with pictures of Major Leaguers that played in a Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown including two former Brewers.. Richie Sexton was one of them.

The hour or so we spent perusing the Hall of Fame was a great. The volunteer who showed us around was very knowledgeable. I would go back next time we're in Jamestown just to see what else they added to the museum.  It is strictly ran on volunteers and donations. I've been to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield along with the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis and this by far is probably my favorite and I don't even know 98% of the people inducted. It is the random assortment of memorabilia that makes this one so unique.

2721. Go to the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown

When the hubby asked what I wanted to see while at the World Series, I told him The Lucy and Desi Museum and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Jamestown is the home of Lucille Ball and I wanted to go to the museum, especially since we were missing Lucy-Desi Days.

Friday morning, we had some free time and walked down to the Museum. It was only a few blocks from the hotel.  For $15 a person, we were able to see the museum and Desilu Studios down the block. You can start at either location. They give you a wristband to show you paid. Also available is a magic wand for $5 to give you audio at each of the displays. We passed on the wands. The hubby says it was worth the price of admission because of all the artifacts. I thought it was a good deal because we saw two different sites about Lucy and Desi.

Our first stop was The Lucy and Desi Museum. The museum showcases the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. It contains artifacts from their lives. There is also a stage for performances. Several notable comedians have been to Jamestown either for Lucy Desi Days or as a stop on a tour. There are signed posters from Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Newhart, and Martin Short among others. One of the most impressive artifacts is their Mercedes Benz. It is a huge boat of a car from the 1970s. The car was probably the hubby’s favorite thing in the museum.

After touring the museum, we walked next door to the Desilu Studios. It is a few doors down from the Lucy and Desi Museum but in the winter it might not be a pleasant walk. The Desilu Studios illustrates the sets from the I Love Lucy Show. Most of the props and sets are recreations from the show because the originals have been lost. At the end of the tour is a place where you can re-enact the Vitanmax commercial. Others can see you on TV from the 1950s. In case you don’t know how the commercial goes, there are cue cards to help you out.

My greatest disappointment was that I couldn’t re-enact the grape stomping scene. That probably is my favorite scene besides the chocolate factory conveyor belt scene. I have now re-enacted 2 different scenes from I Lucy Love.  I did the chocolate factory conveyor belt scene while in St. Augustine.

Both museums have gift shops. The one at Desilu studios is geared more towards the I Love Lucy Show where the one at the Lucy and Desi Museum is geared towards Lucille Ball. I was disappointed by the selection of postcards. I have a decent sized postcard collection and wanted to add a couple to my collection. There weren’t any that I liked enough to buy. I was surprised by this. There were a lot of Lucille Ball but not many of the show or the museum which is what I was looking for.

It was a fun, interesting way to spend part of our morning.