A Very YOLO Trip: Ohio

We left Detroit early the next day to make our way towards Cleveland for the final game of our baseball trip. We did pass through Taylor, Michigan on our way, which is the hometown of former Atlanta Braves great Steve Avery. :) I'm sad to say there was NO statue of him by the city limit sign. Oh well. 

We had one scheduled stop along our way in Fremont, Ohio to see the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum (because- history!) To be honest, before we made the stop, I knew absolutely nothing about President Hayes. But, that's one reason I love stopping at places like this- I learn something new. And there was SO MUCH to learn at this one.

The house where President Hayes lived was next door to the library and museum, so we took a tour of that first. We had an amazing tour guide who knew so much about President Hayes and his wife, Lucy. You could tell this guide had a passion for the history of the president, and it wasn't just a script he had memorized. We weren't allowed to take photos inside the house, but we learned that over 90 percent of the furniture and artifacts inside the house belonged to the Hayes family. 

First Lady Lucy Hayes seemed like an amazing woman, I'm still determined to read up on her. She was the first First Lady to receive a college diploma. She was an advocate for African-Americans before and after the Civil War and she invited the first professional African-American musician to perform in the White House. She is known as Lemonade Lucy because the Hayes family didn't serve alcohol while they lived in the White House.

Lucy's college diploma

We were there on a Tuesday in early May, so it wasn't super crowded. Although I'm not sure how crowded it gets on a weekend or during summer months. If you ever find yourself near Fremont, OH, I recommend stopping. Even if history isn't your thing, I think you will find it interesting.

We continued on to Cleveland, where we got to Progressive Field two hours before the game started and just as the gates were opening. Oh, but wait. At Progressive Field, you are only allowed to stay in the outfield and Indians Hall of Fame plaque area until an hour before the game starts. This means you can't walk around the concourse or try and get photos of batting practice. Kinda dumb. 

Finally when they allowed us to walk around we went to the Indians side because Lisa wanted to try and get some autographs and I was hoping to see my high school friend Matt Belisle (who was a pitcher for the Indians at that time). She got a few autographs (but not the one she really wanted), and I saw Matt from a distance, but sadly not close enough to say hi. As we were heading up towards the team store, a Cleveland fan let us know that the Indians players would sometimes sign autographs at the gate by their parking area. We decided we would check that out after the game.

We had great seats behind the Rangers dugout. It was season ticket holder club level seating (and we got the seats for a great deal on StubHub). It was so fancy that the ushers checked your ticket multiple times to make sure you were supposed to be sitting there. We had access to the season ticket holder club inside but with a view like this, why would we want to leave our seats?

At one point during the game, Elvis Andrus noticed my Rangers gear and told the usher to give me a ball. Halfway through the game my phone starting blowing up because the Rangers telecast put us on TV and everyone had to tell me. Lol. Of course they didn't catch us smiling, but oh well.

The Rangers had a four-run lead going into the bottom of the 9th. SOMEONE (not me) decided to say that our closer was going to blow the game by giving up a grand slam. And guess what, that is what happened. Thanks a lot Kela. So, we got free baseball. Two innings worth of free baseball. BUT THANKFULLY, the Rangers were able to get a win for us in the 11th. 

After the game we decided to stalk, I mean, wait to see if any Indians players would sign as they were leaving, so we camped out by the Indians parking lot. There were a lot of other fans there, so evidently it's a well-known fact that they sometimes sign. While we were waiting, I noticed a Rangers pitcher (Jake Diekman, who is actually no longer on the team) walking out of the Indians parking lot. A few other people approached him, so I walked up in my Rangers gear, congratulated him on their win, and asked for a photo. As you've noticed, I go for a photo op over an autograph, it just means more to me. He was super nice (and his super nice wife took the photo for us). I told her she was a champ and she laughed and said she was used to it and she really didn't mind doing it. 

We were just about to give up and leave when the player Lisa had wanted an autograph from came out. SUCCESS!! At first we thought he wasn't going to sign because he got in his car, but he then backed it up closer to the gate and signed for several minutes. We were close to calling it a night when my friend Matt walked out (FINALLY). We hadn't seen each other since high school (we were on newspaper staff together), but we were able to catch up for about 15 minutes. It was good to see he was still the same nice guy that he was in high school- the majors hadn't changed him. He thanked me for waiting around so we could catch up. We had tried to meet up a few times before (once in Texas and once when I was in Minneapolis for a game when he played for the Twins), but it never worked out. 

Our flight home to Texas wasn't until late in the afternoon that next day, so we decided to squeeze in one last sightseeing option- the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Fun fact- we were originally going to see the William McKinley presidential library, but our tour guide at the Hayes Library said if we only had time to go to one, to pick the Garfield National Historic Site. He said it was better than the McKinley library. Don't get me wrong, I will still make it to the McKinley library one of these days. Lol. The Garfield historic site was actually closer to the Cleveland airport, so it worked out better that we decided to go there. 

The only thing I knew about President Garfield was that he was assassinated, so it was interesting to learn a little more about his life and his short presidency. He was shot in July of 1881, just four months after taking office, but he didn't die right away (he eventually died in September 1881). It was stated that he most likely died from the treatment he received. If they had taken better care of him, he might have lived. We also learned that after his death, his wife added the Memorial Library wing to the house, which set precedent for presidential libraries. She felt the public needed to be able to see his papers and writings. So, we basically have Lucretia Garfield to thank for our presidential libraries.

The top hat in the top left corner is the one Garfield was wearing when he was shot. The chair on the far top right is one that Garfield would sit in while reading.

The tour of the house was interesting- again, the crowd was light. In fact, Lisa and I were the only ones on the tour of the house at that time. The tour guide at the Garfield house was also very good. There were sections of the house built after the president had died, so she also made sure we knew if we were in a part of the house that Garfield had lived in or not. I also recommend visiting this historic site if you are in the area.

This wreath was placed on Garfield's casket during the funeral. It was a gift from the Royal Family in England.

Obligatory photo on the front steps of a president's house

We got to the Cleveland airport a little early, but that gave us time to grab something to eat and just relax before boarding our flight. We finally got back to Texas on a Wednesday evening, almost a week after we had left. It was an exhausting, but fun trip. Lisa and I decided at that point that we traveled well together and made plans to take another trip in 2019 (which we have already done and I will eventually recap). Lol.

Again, if you have made it this far, I thank you for reading. Two more 2018 trips to go and then on to 2019. Maybe I'll get back into this blog thing after all! :)

40 Through 40 Update:
3. Visit three presidential libraries on my Presidential Library to Visit list (2) (3)

XOXO!

Thursday 13: My Recent Top Tweets

Thirteen tweets that you have missed if you don't follow me on Twitter (yes, shameless plug, follow me on Twitter here.)

1. 

I didn't sleep well that night. Lol 

2.

Some friends and I were watching the Rangers game together when the Odor/Bautista fight broke out. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch it here on YouTube. My friend Corina and I got a little passionate during the fight. We were possibly cheering Odor on. Lol

3.

Odor became a Rangers legend that day

4

This was rude...and I apologize to 5th grade girls everywhere for comparing them to how the Blue Jays fight. ;)

5.

Rangers fans were not happy that this one Blue Jays player didn't get any sort of punishment for his part in the fight. I took my frustrations out on his hair. But come on, seriously, who thinks that looks good?

6.

I love my friends with all my heart so it hurts me so much to know there is nothing I can do to help them when they are making poor life decisions

7.

I'm not lying, this was the creepiest hotel I've ever stayed at. Since all Lubbock hotels were booked because of Texas Tech graduation, we had no choice but to stay. See pictures below. I'm so leaving a horrible review on Yelp. 

We discovered the next morning that there was blood on the lampshade. BLOOD!

I don't even want to know how it got there

My sister's room was horrible. She told them it hadn't been cleaned and the front office assured her it had and got a little snippy with her. She noticed this behind the door. They just swept the dirt into a line and LEFT IT THERE.

8.

Yes, I know, my bangs. And eyebrows. Don't even mention them.

9.

My bestie sent out this tweet on my birthday. Love him so much. Or maybe I just love his dog Dobby. I'm kidding of course, although I'm pretty sure I love Dobby more. ;) 

10.

One of my followers sent a tweet to the Rangers telling them I wanted a hug. I didn't get a hug, but I got this tweet. 

11.

Don't get between this girl and her taquitos

12.

My friend Glenn took me to the Rangers game for my birthday and decided to do a live Facebook video of our drive. I'm not a fan of being on video, but I humored him. Yes, I look VERY uncomfortable in the video. And I realized I say "awesome" A LOT. Next time I won't be chewing gum when I do a video (so gross, sorry about that). It's too long to post here, but here are quick highlights. I got excited when Six Flags was open because I have a season pass and can park there for free when I go to a Rangers game (as long as the park is open). :)

13.

He's a bullpen pitcher for the Rangers. He used to be our closer, but he hasn't been doing too well lately. Twitter freaks out whenever he's in the game and gives up a run.

For more Thursday 13 posts, click here!

Blog Challenge Catch-Up

I know, I'm behind a few days on my blog challenge. Oops, the weekend got away from me, sorry about that. Anyways, here we go...

Day 24: What sports have you participated in?

I played soccer until my junior year of high school (I injured my knees and couldn't play anymore). And as much as I love baseball, no I never played that or softball. I throw like a girl, but I can kick well. :)

Soccer team my freshman year (sorry it's kinda blurry, it's scanned from my yearbook)

Day 25: What are some of your favorite memories with your grandparents?

Two of my grandparents passed away when I was really young, so I don't have a lot of memories with them. I have very little memories of my dad's father. I know he would sit in his favorite chair, and when it was time to leave he would always say, "let me see if I have any change for the children". My mom's mother passed away the same year as my dad's father. I can vaguely remember going to visit my grandma Frances (as we called her). I can remember the smell of her perfume (but I can't tell you the name of it for the life of me).

I'm sitting on my grandma's lap, and my nephew Danny is on my grandpa's. My sister Mary and brothers Mark and David are behind us.

I don't have any scanned pictures of me with my grandma Frances. Here is one I found on Facebook, not sure what year this was taken. I'm guessing the 60s.

My mom's father passed away the day before my 11th birthday. I remember for a while he used to live on the second floor of this garage-type apartment. I remember it was always 90 degrees in there. He kept the furnace going year round. He also collected newspapers. There were PILES of them everywhere. I forget how old I was when he moved into a nursing home, maybe like seven or eight. This is one of the last pictures we took with him.

Me and my niece Alice with my "Granddaddy" (that is what I called him).

I have the most memories of my dad's mom. I remember going to visit her in San Antonio when I was little. I knew we were getting close to grandma's apartment when we passed by "the big boots" (these are located outside North Star Mall). When I lived in San Antonio 10 years ago, my office building was very close to these!

The big boots!

Grandma moved in with us when I was 10, and live with us until I was almost 17. I remember when I was about 11, I was in her room, and she was teaching me to cross stitch (yes, I cross stitch). We were watching the original version of The Omen. She kept saying, "don't tell your daddy I let you watch this movie." I just remember the part when some guy got decapitated and I was like, "grandma, that's man's head is rolling down a hill." Perhaps this is where my love of scary movies comes in! I also watched The Shining with her. My grandma had a stroke in the mid-90s and eventually was moved into a rest home, where she lived until she passed away in 2001.

Me and my grandma- I miss her so much.

Day 26: If you were forced to go back in time to olden days, but were allowed to take 10 modern conveniences with you, what would you take?

This all depends what "olden days" we are talking about. I mean, if I go too far back, and there is no electricity, it's pointless to take anything that needs a charge. Wait- I'm over-thinking this. I'm gonna assume it won't matter if I need electricity or not. There are no rules in time travel, right? :)

-iPhone: because it would freak people out that I could do all these things with just a phone. And I'm going to assume that the iPhone would have my "time travel app" for me to bounce back in forth between now and then. :)

-electronic reader: I know, I don't even own one, but I'm probably going to want to read, and this will be easier than carrying boxes full of books while I'm traveling through time. Although I still support the buying of real books. I still like them better! But for time travel purposes, I would take an E-reader.

-sunscreen: As you all know, I burn easily. I don't know when exactly sunscreen was invented, so I want to play it safe!

-hair straightener: I look like a rabid poodle if I can't straighten my hair.

-toothbrush: okay, maybe it's not technically a "modern" convenience, I just don't like the thought of traveling without one.

-laptop: Because I'm going to want to keep a journal of all my adventures. And my handwriting is terrible. And I'm too lazy to write things out long-hand.

-Snuggie: I get cold very easily, so I want to be prepared. Also, the folks back in time are going to think people in the future are stupid for paying money for something that is basically a robe you wear backwards. :)

-Purell: I'm not a complete germ-a-phobe, but still, I like having hand sanitizer handy.

-Dr Pepper: Because I cannot live in an era where it doesn't exist.

-gum: I always have gum. Preferably cinnamon flavored.

I'll catch you up tomorrow on my weekend wrap up!

XOXO!

It's OK Thursday!

It's OK..

...that this is the first time since April that I've linked up for It's OK Thursday.

...that the American League sucked stunk it up didn't do well at the MLB All Star Game this Tuesday. Regardless, I'm still proud of the EIGHT Rangers that represented the team at the game! :)

...that even though I wanted the American League to win, I was excited to see Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves (National League team) there. **insert teenage girl sigh here**.

Chipper retires at the end of the season, this was his last All-Star Game.

...to make your friend buy you a poncho when it starts raining during the Rangers game (I'm made of sugar, I might melt). Thanks again Brandon! :) Best part- it's a reusable poncho with the Rangers logo. :)

...that this describes me perfectly when I'm driving in traffic.

...to really REALLY hate having to type in a CAPTCHA whenever I post on a blog, message board, or when I try to order something online. Did you know it actually stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart? I can understand WHY these sites have to have them, but they really annoy me. Especially when you can't read the letters (or numbers). 

...that I've been listening to a lot of 90's music on Pandora radio this past week. It takes me back to my high school and college days!

I forgot how much I liked TLC (that's right, I admit it, judge me if you must)! I know, you are shocked I like music other than country! ;)

...that I get so bored I take random pictures of myself on my iPhone (I have no life at all!)

 

 We are almost to the weekend sweet friends, hang in there!!

XOXO!