A Birthday Trip to Write Home About...

Mt. Rainier National Park

I celebrated my birthday last week, and as a rather significant part of my gift, my dear sweet husband gave me the chance to visit my friend, Bobbi, in Washington. I traveled alone for the first time since having kids, and the rest was much needed as was the visit with a God-appointed friend.

The Seattle area is an amazing place... a little bit for everyone! Big city, lots of water, mountains to hike, professional sports, and evergreens everywhere... beautiful! Oh --- and for Buckeye fans, a little bit of OSU football to make the deal sweeter! In fact, there were so many fans in Seattle on Friday that it felt more like being in Columbus on game day. Even the football team made their way to Pike Place Market to throw a few fish with the fishmongers.

I won't give a detailed account of the entire trip here, but I will provide a few collages to peak your interest in that part of the country if you have never been.

Tacoma

Pike Place Market

Safeco Field, Home of the Seattle Mariners
(another ballpark to add to my list)

From the Ferry to Bainbridge

Mt. Rainier National Park

I just did something I've never done before...

I just went through my planner and marked off every Saturday between tomorrow and November 17th so that I would know when and where the Buckeyes are playing!

Oh my... am I catching Buckeye fever??

Spring Training...

Spring Training... it certainly doesn't feel like Spring or look like Spring, but Spring Training has been underway for 2 days making this girl just a wee bit excited!! I may live up here in Reds/Indians country and have the new Washington Nationals AAA in my backyard, but my loyalty lies 1,170 miles away deep in the heart of Texas... Go Astros!!

Don't worry, though. My love of baseball runs pretty deep. I'd come watch your 3 year old play t-ball if it was the only game in town.

Speaking of the Nationals, they are the new affiliate of the Columbus Clippers (formerly the AAA team for the Yankees). So to celebrate the new affiliation, the Nationals and the Orioles will hold an exhibition game right here in the Capital City. First time a MLB team played here in a decade.

Spring is in the air...

not that you can tell by the temperatures here in Central Ohio, but certainly because today marks the start of my favorite season... BASEBALL. Today, the pitchers and catchers for the Houston Astros reported for Spring Training. Everyone that is except for Roger Clemens who will appear in the World Baseball Classic in March. The Astros will host the Indians on March 2 to open their Spring Training schedule, but the real race for the pennant will begin April 3 when the Astros meet the Marlins at home.

Something tells me I'll miss Opening Day this year... it's probably this little person who keeps kicking me night and day! But hopefully, I'll get to see these guys this summer when they hit Pittsburg, Chicago, or Cincinnati!

Let's play ball!