30 Sep
Dang, this cannot be over already! Seems like we just left home a few weeks ago, but not so much. Tonight will mark 146 nights on the road which means tomorrow it is over! We should be home afternoon tomorrow, then back to reality.
Today we started out the day cleaning up and packing up what we could - typical operation for the day before we move. Barbecue grill gets a good scrubbing. Chairs are stowed, flag pole is stowed, tire covers are stowed. Inside items that can be stowed in advance are put away. Before the barbecue is cleaned we grilled ahead and put the meat in the fridge for microwaving later. We do about everything we could. Lunch followed and then a shower and head to Patty and Greg's.
Greg volunteered to chauffeur us to Target Field for the Twins-Tigers game this afternoon. One of the biggest down sides of pulling a fifth wheel, especially one as large as ours is the size of the tow vehicle. Our truck is a one tone dually which is tall, long, wide and the turning radius sucks. We cannot fit in most parking ramps so we have to seek out street parking or surface parking. When it comes to ball parks and other large venues, it is very difficult to park it. So we seek out alternative transportation. Usually it is mass transit. We are very thankful Greg volunteered his services! Not only that but Patty and Greg "dog-sat" with Liberty while we were at the game.
So we arrived at Target Field and pre-coordinated a rendezvous point and time for the pickup.
We made our way into the stadium and headed to the fan services office to get Doreen's "MLB Passport" stamped and our "first game" certificate. That was easy so we asked the fan services folks about any museum or historical displays. Up the escalator we went and found a nice display on the building of Target Field. It was completed in 2010 with a cost breakdown as follows:
 |
| This model cost $160,000.00 |
 |
| This is where we entered. |
As we toured the area we found displays of opening day in 2010 where the Twins hosted the Red Sox.
 |
| A timeline of the building of Target Field |
 |
| The heating system buried under the field |
 |
| Opening day |
 |
| Red Sox and Twins lineup |
While we were touring the area we were approached by Twins staff about our jerseys. They wanted to take pictures of them.
We then headed back down the escalator and made our way to our seats to admire Target Field, which is a beautiful baseball stadium. Our seats are located along the third base line at the grass line.
 |
| The main video board |
 |
| A view from our seats |
I had communicated previously with Gary Luke, retired Minnesota State Command Chief and found out he and his wife were going to be there. I got a call and Gary had arrived so we met in the mezzanine. It was great to see them as I had not seen Gary for a couple years. We exchanged coins and had a great time talking and getting caught up. Gary retired about a year ago and is still serving on the Minneapolis Airport Fire Department full time.
 |
| Exchanging coins |
 |
| Add caption |
Back in our seats, the stadium was filling up quickly. We squeezed in a selfie before we could not.
 |
| All of the Twins lined up on the first base line and showed respects for the National Anthem and our Colors. About five Tigers or their staff did on the third base line. Where were the rest?? |
 |
| Great seats! |
 |
| The Twins sign lights up at the third out |
 |
| Another view, this one from the outfield. Also a great view! |
 |
| A view into the dugouts. The rear one is the Twins and it is elevated. |
Detroit Tigers would go on to beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2. A remarkable point, Tiger's utility player Andrew Romine played all nine positions in today's game. That is amazing! He is only the fifth MLB player to do that.
Tomorrow morning we will pull chocks for the last time this year and head home.
No comments:
Post a Comment