Bikes, Beaches, Baseball

I had a very relaxing a refreshing weekend back in Oregon last weekend. Considering the rough last couple weeks I've had, a weekend back home with my friends and family was just the treatment. While home, I really came to appreciate all the great things in my life that will push me through this rough patch to a better opportunity in life. Friends, family, and baseball.

All right, let's look at the weekend coming up...

On Saturday, I had planned on going down to Lake Elsinore to see the 66ers play the Storm, but I'm trying to save some money right now, so I'll be shelving that trip for the time being. Maybe in a few weeks, if my situation changes, I'll drive down there to see a game. Lake Elsinore is only about 40 minutes from me, and I'd like to take the Saturday to not only see the game, but also to hit up some of the wineries that are in and around Temecula. I also have some family that lives down in Temecula that I would like to see. Temecula is only about 20 minutes from the park in Lake Elsinore, so I could plan a real legitimate day trip down around there. Like I said, some stuff has to change before I go about doing that.

However, Sunday is still on for heading back down to Orange County. However, I'm going to do the beach ride. I'm hoping that by taking the early train, the headwind won't be nearly as bad as if I were to go later in the morning. I've also been looking at the topographic map, and from Anaheim Canyon down to the beach is a steady and marked downhill ride. There haven't been any fires lately, so there shouldn't be any smoke. And, considering how it's supposed to be rather warm on Sunday, a bike ride on the beach probably will be really refreshing.

So, I'm figuring that the ride down to Newport will take around 90 minutes from Anaheim Canyon. I should be getting into Newport at around 10a. My bus leaves from Fashion Island at 11:04a and gets to Angel Stadium at 12:17p. I know that doesn't leave a huge amount of time, but this gives me extra incentive to hustle on my bike on the trail and cut through that headwind. The plan in my head is to ride the length of the Peninsula to the Balboa Pier. I'll put my bike on the ferry, cut across Balboa Island, and meet up with bus along Jamboree Drive. Along the way, depending on time, I'll stop somewhere along the peninsula for some relaxation on the beach. If I don't have time, I'm content with just riding along the beach to the ferry slip. Yeah, it should be an awesome adventure.

As for the game, the Chicago White Sox come to town. I'm really excited to see Jose Abreu, who has been taking the league by storm. The rookie stud, as of today, has 17 home runs and 47 rbis. He's been an absolute beast, and may, just MAYBE, is giving Mike Trout a run for his money.

The Angels have been having some serious issues against their inner-division opponents. In a ten-game road trip, they have lost all the series, all against division foes. The Mariners took two out of three, the A's took three out of four, and the Astros took two out of three. Luckily, their still in second place in the division, but now they're tied with the Mariners. It doesn't get easy for the Angels this weekend as the White Sox are a pretty solid ballclub, while the Mariners are in Tampa Bay where the Rays are in the midst of a ten-game losing streak.

For the second time this year, I get to see CJ Wilson pitch for the Angels. The Sox counter with Jose Quintana.

Checking off the list, my post-game drinks have been at Ruby's and Haven Gastropub, so far. I think this week I'll go to O'Hara's Pub. I've ridden past it every time I go to the park, and it looks a little more like a dive bar than Ruby's and Haven. At this point, I'm all about the experiences, if it's a dive bar, I don't care. And, heck, with a place called O'Hara's and my Irish heritage, maybe I'll fit right in!

I'm just stoked to get out of my apartment for the day and do something that doesn't cost a whole lot of money, but will be very enjoyable. I've been suffering from some cabin fever, so doing this will definitely help alleviate that.

Facebook, Twitter, and FourSquare will certainly be buzzing on Sunday during my travels.