The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 18 - Thursday, August 20

End of the trip!

Not much to see here either except breakfast at Diner 54 in Kirksville, Mo.

We crossed over the Mississippi from Iowa into Illinois at Fort Madison on an old iron bridge.

Crossing the Mississippi:

There was no one at the service window, and the credit card slot was behind me. So I just bolted. I expect a fine within two weeks.

Random Observation from Randy: This was the better way to route 9. The other way was too Squirrely-turny.

Anyways, here's the recap:

6508 miles

States: 14

            Illinois

            Iowa

            Wisconsin

            Minnesota

            South Dakota

            Montana

            Idaho

            Wyoming

            Nevada

            California

            Utah

            Colorado

            Kansas

            Missouri

Highest temp: 101, Badlands, South Dakota.

Highest gas price: $5.85, northern California,

Minor League Games: 2

                                    St. Paul Saints

                                    Sioux City Explorers

Major League Games: 3

                                     Sacramento A's

                                     Dodger Stadium, LA

                                     Coors Field, Denver, CO

 

National Parks: 3

                          Glacier National Park

                          Zion National Park

                          Arches National Park

Total Fire Hazard Signs: 10

Total One Lane Highways: 9

Random Observation from Randy: I'm never returning to LA...at least by car.

Things we cannot hang around for:Them Smokin Crawdaddy’s at Sweet Sally's Ice Cream Bar. Keokuk, Iowa.

Blog to you next year!

The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 17 - Wednesday, August 19.

We are leaving Herrington, Kansas, and Randy's sister Karen and niece Carrie. Much love and gratitude to them both! We had a wonderful breakfast of quiche, fresh melon, and coffee.

Karen: You guys both drink your coffee black. That's way too bitter.

Random Observation from Randy: How do you think I stay that way?

These guys are watching us filling up the gas tank:

So is their guardian:

The wildlife loves us on this trip.

Well, the next two days are much like yesterday. We are not really stopping for any events, we are bolting home. Sorry to disappoint, but we are wiped and hell-bent for Chicago. I'll let you know if anything of note comes up tomorrow.

Favorite Town Name: Hiawatha, Kansas.

Favorite Signs: Approved Workers Are Not Ashamed

                          God's Mountain Youth Camp

Things we cannot hang around for: Annual Whiskey and Turkey Festival, Kirksville, MO.

Fire Hazard Sign - 0

One Lane Highway - 1

Next: Home

The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 16 - Tuesday, August 18

This guy was hanging out in front of our car as we left the motel this morning:

We had to take the only exception to the no chain restaurants rule, because there was no other option: We had breakfast at Waffle House.

We are rolling east toward Herrington, Kansas to visit with Randy's sister, Karen, and his niece, Carrie. They have generously invited us to stay the night.

Random Observation from Randy: I've got the motel covered tonight.

Traveling through eastern Colorado and Western Kansas is no picnic. This is what we saw, for seven straight hours. Literally.

So, not much going on.

We arrived at Karen's place and were welcomed with a delicious dinner of chicken and wild rice with Italian green beans. Carrie set us up with wi-fi and had set the Cubs/Sox game on delay so we could watch the entire game. That's about all I have for you...pretty uneventful.

Random Observation from Randy: I always follow directions. Otherwise I'll have to face my mother in heaven.

Favorite Town Name: Hugo, CO.

                                      Kit Carson, CO.

Favorite Sign: Running Spring

Things we cannot hang around for: Elizabeth Brewfest, Elizabeth, CO.

Fire Hazard Sign - 0

One Lane Highway - 0

Next: Not sure.

The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 15 - Monday, August 17

Breakfast at the Eagle Diner:

We got to Denver about three hours before game time, so we took a stroll around the city. First stop was the Baseball Field Museum.

Bottom left in this photo: Old Comiskey Park and new Comiskey next to each other! They built the new park before they tore down the old one.

Ebbets Field, NYC. Old Dodger's stadium.

Forbes Field, Pittsburgh

Crosley Field, Cincinnati.

Polo Grounds, NYC. Original home of the Giants.

No explanation needed.

After that, we headed to historic Union Station.

And then, Coors Field.

Random Observation from Randy (trying to get Rockies tickets online): Well, I don't have the Ticketmaster app, so f*** you guys.

A funny thing happened after walking around Denver in 96 degrees heat. We got to the park and entered, climbing up several stairs to the main concourse. And then...I got sick. Most agree it was heat exhaustion. I sat down at a picnic table, light-headed, warm. Then I felt like I was going to vomit. I gagged a few times, violently, but nothing. Then I broke out in a huge sweat. A breeze came by, and I felt better again. Lasted the whole game with no problems! Weird. Here's a few photos from inside the park:

Favorite Town Name: Alice, CO

Favorite Signs: Pazzo's Pizza

                          End Avalanche Area

Random Observation from Randy: Everyone is getting off at Vail. They'll have the slopes all to themselves.

Things we cannot hang around for: Sunset Yoga with Silent Disco, Denver, CO.

Fire Hazard Signs - 1

One Lane Highways - 0

Next: Herrington, Kansas and a visit to Randy's sister, Karen!

                        

The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 14 - Sunday, August 16

We are about to leave our motel in Salina, Utah, when we noticed a carving along the frontage road:

We figured it was a sculpture of a Native American warrior, but we wanted more info.

There is more to the story. I could have put the following information in my own words, but you'd probably guess where I found it: The concrete sculpture in the Salina/Scenic Hills Area in Salina, Utah, is a stylized Native American figure locally associated with Chief Black Hawk (namesake of the nearby Blackhawk Arena). Originally sculpted in 1974 as an Egyptian slave holding a cup, the roadside giant was modified around 2003–2004 into its current form. 

What?

Anyway, we are heading to Arches National Park. This should be the National Parks Trip because we are about to travel through our 3rd one before our 3rd MLB ballpark!

First, Breakfast at The Mountain Peak Cafe:

On the way: (I think Randy still had some mountain pictures left in him.)

In the park:

Petrified Sands.

Pothole Arch (middle distance).

Delicate Arch.

On the way east to Denver:

Following the Colorado River eastward.

Favorite Town Names: Mack, CO

                                        Sulphur, CO

                                        Fruita, CO

Favorite Signs: Sinbad Rd.

                          Goblin Canyon

Randy: Their coffee was really good.

Me: I was just going to say that!

Random Observation from Randy: Well, we're probably the same person.

Um, okay.

Things we cannot hang around for: Tori Amos at Red Rocks Amphiteatre, Morrison, CO.

Fire Hazard Signs - 2

One Lane Highways - 1

Next: Denver and the Colorado Rockies vs. LA Dodgers.

The Baseball Trip 2026

Day 13 - Saturday, August 15

We decided to bypass Vegas. We have been traumatized by Southern California and did not want to deal with it. We head for nature.

Random Observation from Randy: I already have enough mountain pictures.

Maybe, but now we are going to spend the day winding through the Virgin River Canyon and Zion National Park.

Favorite Town Names: Pahrump, NV

                                        Needles, CA

Favorite Signs: Zzyzk Rd.

                          Ghost Town Rd.

Things we cannot hang around for: Penn & Teller at Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

I forgot: I didn't list Fire Hazard Signs or One Lane Highways the last two days. Probably because there were none. None today either.

Next: Climbing through the Rockies.