I woke up this morning and rode my bike from the hotel through the campus of ASU to "A" Mountain. This is the third time I've hiked to the top of this modest butte, and it has become sort of a tradition when I come to Arizona. While it isn't on the level of a Mt. Baldy or San Jacinto, it is a quick hour jaunt that woke me up, gave me some great views, and prepped me for the day. It reminds of a hike I would do all the time back when I lived in Oregon up Spencer's Butte. It was only about a mile and I could probably summit it with my eyes closed, but every time I would climb it would be fun.
I had originally planned to go out to Glendale to catch the afternoon tilt between Surprise and Glendale at Camelback Ranch. While I was hiking, I had a little reversal of sorts. I wasn't really feeling the drive from here in Tempe out to Glendale, and I wasn't too fond of Camelback Ranch the last time I was there. The ballpark faces the sun, is really cavernous, and I just really didn't have the steam. I made the executive decision up on that mountain to stay a little more local and hit up the game this afternoon at Salt River fields instead.
Before the game though, I decided to make a pit stop at the Railroad Park in Scottsdale on the way to the game. I had been here once before, but my love of trains knows no bounds, and I had to stop to get my fill. I rode the live steamer and took pictures of the huge model train setup, but the best part of the park was something that I overlooked on my last visit.
The Scottsdale Railroad Museum isn't grand or large, but it houses the Roald Amundsen Pullman Rail Car. This souped-up Pullman has a kitchen, two well-apportioned drawing rooms, and a large sitting room with an observation deck overlooking the back of the car. However, the history behind this car is truly something. It acted as President Franklin Roosevelt's private car when he would travel around the country. At the outset of World War Two, however, the US Government changed to a rail car that was armored and had bullet proof glass to protect the president. The Amundsen car was leased back to the Pullman company who used it to ferry around top executives.
When FDR died, his casket and First Lady rode the armored car to Hyde Park, NY for his burial. The Amundsen, however, was dragooned back into service to carry the new President, Harry Truman, to Hyde Park. It was in this car that Truman met with his top advisors and learned, for the very first time, the existence of the Atomic Bomb. To sit in the same chair that Truman was in when he learned of that devastating weapon was a bit surreal and creepy.
After the trains, I made my way out to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. This was my third visit to the park, and it continues to remain one of my favorite all-time parks. It sits on the Pima Indian Reservation and is beautifully landscaped with desert plants and flowing water on the outside. While on the inside it is definitely one of the larger parks in the Cactus League, it has a lot better open feel about it that isn't so cavernous. What was great about going to an AFL game was that I was able to sit right behind the home dugout with a great view of the action. I'm convinced that if you're coming to Arizona and you have time for one game in one park, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is where it's at.
Ramon Fields, from the Toronto Blue Jays, hit a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the ninth as Salt River beat Mesa 4-3.
After the game, I had about two-and-a-half hours before the nightcap in Peoria. I decided to go to a new brewery in Peoria called Dubina. I had a beer, charged up my phone, and tried to relax before the game.
It had been more than four years since I had been to Peoria Sports Complex. Immediately, my memories of that first trip to Spring Training for me came to mind. I was so young at the time, and I had to smile to see how far I had come in terms of Baseball Road Trips since then. The Spring home of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres doesn't break any ground in terms of revolutionary design or amenities. Unfortunately, compared to Salt River and Mesa the night before, Peoria comes across as a bit sterile and boring. Considering how both the Mariners and Padres are west coast clubs, they draw really well for games in Spring Training, so maybe it's a different vibe come March.
Peoria got out of two bases loaded, nobody out jams in the seventh and eighth innings to hold off Scottsdale 3-1.
This was my second straight day of doubleheaders, and while last night I had the energy to go out and grab a beer, tonight's not the case. I just drove back here to the hotel and am planning on falling asleep.
Tomorrow is my final day here in Arizona. I'm going to wake up very early and do a ride in South Mountain Park on their "Car-Free" Sunday event. After getting showered and checking out of the hotel, I'm going to make a trip out to the Phoenix Zoo for the afternoon. I'm hoping to get out of Phoenix around 1430, and after a stop in Goodyear for a last Dutch Bros., I'd like to be back in Highland by 2030.
So, until tomorrow...
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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