25 down, 5 to go. (Wrigley Field)

Back again! I'm not sure if this will be it for this year or not, I may try to make a quick jaunt somewhere over Labor Day. If not, either way, only 5 to go...it has gone so fast. I still have a little ways to go but the end is definitely in sight. I'm not sure how to feel or how to react now that I'm getting so close. I use travel as a way to give my mind something to look forward to, something to plan for, a purpose. I think I'll celebrate for sure, but also panic a bit. I love going to National Parks and just exploring this great land of ours, so who knows, maybe in a couple of years this will transition to a general travel blog. Maybe I'll post about some National Parks and some European destinations that I've been to in the offseason. Either way, I have at least two years until this journey draws to a close, because of the new Atlanta ballpark opening in 2017.

Back to the focus of this post, which is the timeless and inimitable Wrigley Field. Someone made the comment before I went that the new scoreboard in left ruined the place, and this was my first time so I couldn't make the comparison directly, but it was awesome with the scoreboard. I think the scoreboard fits in nicely, and hey, we don't live in 1920 anymore. At Fenway no one gripes about the Monster seats anymore, and in a couple of years no one will care about the scoreboard anymore (except maybe the rooftop owners but that's all about money). It's a nice mix of the modern and historic, and it blends in nicely. While taking in a game here you think about all of the people who have streamed in the gates over the years to take in a Cubs game who hoped to see that W flag raised at the end of the game, more often that not left disappointed, but nevertheless came back again and again. That's fandom for you. On this day, July 4th, my beloved Marlins went down to defeat (as has happened often this season), but I thoroughly enjoyed the game and the fireworks nonetheless.

Back again soon! Take care all.

24 down, 6 to go. (Great American Ball Park).

I checked this park out with a co-worker, so I got a little bit of the native stories which was cool. The smokestacks are a nice touch. This was another game that was repeatedly delayed due to rain, so props to the big man in the sky for getting the game in for me.
The Reds Hall of Fame is a can't miss, it's the best in the Major Leagues that I've been to so far. Only drawback to this park: it is located in Ohio. Couldn't help but get that one in as a Hurricanes fan :)
The All-Star Game had a great host also, you could tell the city was genuinely excited about hosting the game, they had a building lighting ceremony that we went to which was chintzy but cool. Also cool is the Roebling Bridge located just next to the park, and the Underground Railroad Museum near by.

23 down, 7 to go. (Busch Stadium).

Well I failed miserably in my quest to post over the off-season, but here I am, back again by popular demand! *Crickets*

:) This summer I went on a really cool and relaxing Midwest ballpark tour. My first stop was St. Louis. I had never been, and I was surprised by what a cool, laid back city it was. I was worried about the weather forecasts the whole time I was there, and there were multiple delays with sideways rain, but they ultimately got the whole game in, because they knew I was there to watch, of course.

While you're in the ballpark, you really feel like you're in the middle of Cardinals nation. You're surrounded by red seats, Big Mac Land, and the Gateway Arch just down the road. This may be flyover land to a lot of people, but to these people, it's home. Just standing outside the park before the gates opened, you could look around and see the passion these people have for baseball. It is truly infectious and I'm glad I stopped by.