We are staying in a campground in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park so we took the Metra (train) into the city and then took the CTA (subway or L as they call it) to the game. It was a picture perfect day for a ballgame. It started out as a great game for the Sox but in the end, the Florida Marlins won the game. Despite the Sox loss, we had a great time at the game.
Games
Game 16 – Miller Park
June 18th – Before the game we went to the Miller Brewery and took their tour. After the tour we enjoyed our first sample of beer in the Miller Inn and enjoyed a nice visit with some other baseball fans from Texas. As we crossed the street to the outdoor Beer Garden where we would enjoy our next sample, it started to rain. We quickly returned to our car but not before getting very wet. Thankfully this stadium is one with a retractable roof – once inside it we were dry but very warm until the rain let up enough to allow the windows in the outfield to be opened. This was Little League Night – before the game all the area Little League teams marched around the field and then filled the stands. We got to see Yovani Gallardo’s major league debut and it was a good one.
Game 17
US Cellular Field Chicago, Illinois
| Team | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Florida Marlins | 5 | 6 | 2 |
 | Chicago White Sox | 4 | 11 | 0 |
Highlights
It looked like Jon Garland was on his way to easily earn his 4th victory against 3 loses as he breezed thru the first 7 innings surrendering just 1 run on 2 hits and 1 walk. But then in the eighth things began to unravel. Lead off hitter Aaron Boone reached on a single and when Carroll followed with a comebacker to the mound, Garland’s attempt to get the lead runner at 2nd went off shortstop Juan Uribe’s glove into center field. The Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen realizing that the hot sun in this unusual mid-week day game was perhaps beginning to take its toll, opted to bring in his veteran reliever Bobby Jenks who promptly surrendered a three run homer to pinch hitter Jason Wood that gave the Marlins a 4-2 lead. The Sox got 1 run back in the bottom of the 8th with a bases loaded walk to Luis Terrero, but left the bases loaded as Uribe lined to center for the third out. After the Marlins got that run back in the top of the ninth to make it 5-3, Paul Konerko scored on a solo homer to bring the Sox within 1 run but the game ended as A. J. Pierzynski hit a pop foul to third.
Game 16
Miller Park Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| Team | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | San Francisco Giants | 4 | 7 | 0 |
 | Milwaukee Brewers | 5 | 10 | 1 |
Highlights
Yovani Gallardo had the kind of evening every major league rookie pitcher hopes for in his debut. He pitched an effective 6 1/3 innings giving up 3 earned runs and helped himself out offensively by delivering a RBI double in his first big league at bat. The Giants were on the board early when the perhaps a little nervous, Gallordo surrendered a lead off single to Dave Roberts but then retired the next two batters Randy Winn & Ryan Klesko. He then walked Barry Bonds and gave up another single to Bengie Molina which plated Roberts. After Pedro Feliz popped up to short to end the inning, Gallardo settled down and allowed only 1 more hit before surrendering a homer to the lead off hitter Feliz in the top of the seventh. He left the game after walking the next batter Omar Vizquel with a 5-2 lead. Ray Durham pinch hitting for the pitcher delivered a 2-run homer off reliever Carlos Villanueva to close the gap to 5-4. Derrick Turnbow pitched a scoreless 8th and Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 26th save. The Brewers scored all 5 of their runs of starter Noah Lowry before chasing him from the game in the fifth. Prince Fielder eclipsed the short-lived Giants lead by clouting a towering 2 run short over the left center field wall in the bottom of the 1st. Corey Hart lead off the 5th with a solo shot that proved to be the eventual game winner.
Game 15 – HHH Metrodome
Had heard a lot about the Mall of America so we had to make a trip there as part of this visit to Minneapolis. It is huge with over 520 stores, 50 restaurants and the nation’s largest indoor amusement park and more. We enjoyed a couple of hours walking all 4 floors and had lunch. Then it was time to get ready for the game. There was lots of hitting in this game but unfortunately not for the home team. The Twins were playing the Brewers and the stands were filled with fans from both teams but it was a friendly rivalry with well-behaved fans on both sides. We were sitting in the Family Zone so our tickets came with a coupon for a free hotdog and soda or milk. Fortunately, this stadium is covered as it was raining out when we left the game.
Game 15
Metrodome Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Team | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | 11 | 15 | 0 |
 | Minnesota Twins | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Highlights
Each team hit a pair of long balls in this contest with the difference being that the Brewers having runners aboard while the Twins efforts were solo shots. The left fielder for the Brew Crew, Geoff Jenkins accounted for all the runs necessary for victory with a bases loaded shot into the right field baggie in the top half of the 4th and big Prince Fielder who DH’d for the night, had a 2 run bomb to right center in the 7th. Bill Hall also had 2 RBI’s when he doubled with 2 on in the 5th that finally chased Twins starter Scott Baker with score at that point 6 to 1. Milwaukee’s starter Claudio Vargas went 6 innings allowing 4 hits including the 2 solo homers by left fielder Jason Kubel and first baseman Justin Morneau. He struck out 5 and walked 2 before giving way to reliever Brian Shouse who pitched to the minimum number of batters for the last 3 innings.
West Yellowstone, MT – Rapid City, SD
June 7th & 8th – Our original plan was to drive through Yellowstone NP on our way to Sheridan, WY but snow had been predicted for the higher elevations and we decided not to take any chances so we drove back to I-90. We still went through some snow flurries on our way to I-90. This revision to our plan resulted in our being able to stop at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. When we arrived at the campground in Sheridan, WY, we found out that the road we had originally planned to take had been closed due to the snow and flooding. Good thing we are flexible! From Sheridan, WY we continued on I-90 until we decided to get off the highway and visit Devils Tower National Monument. What a site! We had lunch in the towers shadow and then continued on the back road into South Dakota.
Yellowstone National Park
Wednesday, June 6 -Having only one day to visit this park and the weather being cold and rainy, we decided to take tour. We chose the Lower Loop Tour so that we would see Old Faithful. This proved to be an excellent choice – we visited Firehole Canyon, Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, Hayden Valley & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where we saw the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls. Despite the rain and occasional snowflakes, we had a great day!
Glacier National Park
Sunday, June 3 – We had only one day in our schedule to visit this park. Our plan had been to drive the Going to the Sun Road through the park however the road was not open. We drove the 14 miles that were open on the west side of the park. This was along the shore of McDonald Lake. The views were beautiful. From there we drove the Camas Creek road hoping to see some wildlife. On the way back we did see a mule deer out in a meadow but it was too far to capture on film. When we left the park, we drove along Rte 2 to Goat Lick Overlook where we did see a mountain goat.
Game 14 – Safeco Field
Thursday, May 31 – Another great baseball park! About 10 years ago we attended a Mariners game at the old Kingdome and it was at that game that we first started talking about making this trip. Safeco Field is a great place to see a ballgame. We also had the best hotdog yet here – the “Liana Dog”. Don’t go looking for it on any of the menus, as it is the creation of my niece, Liana Kelley who attended the game with us. Take the regular foot long hotdog and add nacho cheese and your choice of condiments – Mark added relish & mustard. Even with the cheese, it was a great tasting hotdog and the bun was toasted. We also received an official welcome on the Jumbotron. Imagine our surprise as we were watching the various groups being welcomed and up pops “Welcome to Safeco Field Karen and Mark”. Thanks Mom.