West Baden Springs

I have been wanting to go and stay at the West Baden Springs Resort for several years.  Well Dustin and I went this week but we didn't stay.  Instead he played baseball with the Blues in the front lawn.  He also played with the White River BBC and the Batesville Lumbermen.  Anyhow back to the resort - it was beautiful.  I found it hard hard to capture the amazing architecture and history within the place on camera (my lens wasn't wide enough). but I did still try.  

The Resort originally looked like this.  

It looks like a massive castle.  Those tiny trees are now huge.  It look like this today. 

There wee many "springs" and spas back in the day and many people vacationed here.  When the resort was restored it took almost as long to build it, probably due to lack of money. In the center of the building is this huge dome room.  Around it are the many hotel rooms each with a balcony looking in. 

In panoramic form, it looks less like circle and more swirl. 

The bathrooms also impressive with lovely hexagon tiles and the worlds best paper towels.

Anyhow next time I hope to stay at the resort and get to see guest rooms and the spa.  

Thanks to West Baden springs for having the tournament for the Blues to win and me to finally visit.  

Ohio Cup

Last weekend we traveled to Columbus for the Ohio Cup.  Kathleen joined us as did a guy who plays basketball with Dustin who we dubbed "the stranger".  We watched our Indy Blues struggle the first day trying out different lineups and having players try different positions, Saturday.  But we cheered them along the way.  We are a loud cheering bunch and a few folks from Detroit recognized Kathleen and I.  The kids of the other players also enjoy us they are like an echo to our cheers and we fill them with sugar.  

Sunday the boys played better Sunday and won two of their three games and the one they lost they played hard.  Dustin had some big hits and big catches.   It was a good weekend of baseball even though they didn't win them all.  My friend Jen and her family got to come and little Weston with his big adorable blue eyes posed for this picture with Rooster, although he would not smile, but upon being released he ran the bases with the big kids with his baby ducklike run which is priceless - record it Jen. 

And on the way home we stopped at the worlds largest candle.  

Vintage Baseball - World Tournament

This past weekend we traveled to Dearborn, Michigan for the World Series of Vintage Baseball.  This is much fun around here because this tournament at Greenfield Village is bracket play and one loss moves you to reserve bracket and two and you are out out.  Kathleen joined the Rooster and I because she's as big of a vintage baseball fan as we are.  She and I even made matching hoodies.  

The Blues started out the tournament strong beating out the nationals.  Rooster hit some pretty sweet hits to start off the day as well.  Kathleen and I also started out the day right by getting lectured from the ref about our loud cheering.  

The blues then played the Columbus Capitals in a nail biting game - where the Blue led right up to the 8th inning.  It was a hard loss.

Then the Blue moved to the Reserve championship bracket and had to play the Lah De Dahs which they won rounding out the first day of baseball.  After the games we all went out for pizza, pool and ping pong.

Sunday the Blues started out the morning with another Match up against the Nationals.  It was another nail biting game in which Hawkeye hit the go ahead runner in in the 10th inning with a power hit that would have been a Homerun in normal baseball.  It was quite priceless especially coming off Hawkeyes dry hitting spell.

Then the in the Reserve Championship finals the Blues were neck and neck with the Unknowns for most of the game, although the blues carried a slight lead, but were tied up going into the last inning.  Again the last inning rabbit hit the go ahead runner in to give the blues the reserve championship title.  Huzzah!

Throughout the day people around us kept commenting on how "surprised" they were that the Blues did as well as they were (those folks should just keep their mouths shut clearly they just don't know how good the Blues are).  Although one of the players on the nationals told me a nice compliment about Rooster so that made it better.  Anyhow it was a good weekend and its always nice to come home with a piece of "hardware" and in vintage baseball terms that means fancy pottery.  Huzzah!  We look forward to the next big tournaments.

Last Blues Game

Two weeks ago the Blues had their last Blues games.  They played 4 games back to back.  It was a hot long afternoon.  I also somehow stabbed myself with an umbrella and managed to make the second game a little more exciting as we had no band-aids and I was dripping blood pretty much everywhere.  They won all four games and the bonnet girls were much impressed with their sportsmanship and playing, espeically Roosters lack of a strikezone and diving and rolling to catch those hits to the rightfield.  We also really like Shankswank's warm-up routine and he did have a mad impressive day of good plays at second base.  
Unbeknown to us at the time - it was Shawshank's last tournament and season with the Blues.  I know Rooster will miss being on the ball field with him. And I will miss the Shank at the ball field and just hanging out around Indy.   We are still holding out hope he can find a team in the same league and Florida and they want to travel to the midwest for a tournament.  Well struck young Shawshank well struck.

I think this photo of us girls is hilarious.  Notice our matching but "not matching shirts? We made those - Huzzah!

Ohio "Paper" Cup Winners

 For Labor Day Rooster and I went to Ohio for the the Ohio Cup Baseball Tournament. We first stopped off to have dinner with an old friend of his who's getting his life together and is a little rough around the edges.  His friend was tickled to be eating at Crackerbarrel with friends - it was not something he had done before.  But I'm so glad we did it because I think it made his day - nothing like a little good wholesome restaurant.
Then we headed to mom's with a slight detour because my tire needed air.  We got to mom's and played some Hand and Foot where Lita and I teamed up against Roost and Momo and naturally we took them with ease.
The next morning we rose ultra early to drive to Columbus.  The Blues played well in the Ohio Cup Vintage Baseball Tournament - they won the first two games and then tied in the last.  Rooster had several really good hits - I was mad impressed.  The team had a team meeting in which Dustin volunteered us take over updating the website - so look out for news and updates on that.  We also had dinner with the team afterward which was such a fun time.
Sunday we got to sleep in a little and then went to see my friend Jen and her family at their "new" house (gasp they moved in 3 years ago and this was my first time visiting).  Jen's family has grew as well since the last time I saw her and I got to meet her newest baby little Weston - who is giant wide blue eyes and ever so timid and shy (adorable).  It's crazy how fast her kids are growing up.  Dustin enjoyed playing football with Cohen who is energetic as ever.  Jen it was lovely to see you start blogging again already so I know what's happening with you!!
After that there were 3 more games which the Blues swept.  There is no winner for the Ohio Cup but we discussed it afterward and determined the team won the Ohio "Paper" Cup which was my soda cup.  I saved it in the trunk of the car - I may have to spray paint it and award it to the team.  We headed home after that.  It was a good weekend away and I'm so glad we had Monday to chill out because I needed that extra day before returning to NYC. 

World Series o Vintage Baseball 2012

Almost a month ago we traveled to Detriot for the World Series of Vintage Baseball. Rooster and Shawshank were playing with the Indianapolis Blues for the title of "World Champions".  Sadly despite our cheering and their best efforts they ended up being Runner Up Reserve Champions (sad day).  We got a little time to tour Detroit though - it was practically deserted, and such a sad city with abandoned buildings right next to newer update urban areas.  And NOBODY was even in these areas at 9pm.  Too sad.  We also saw a record number of homes that were "burnt" out just driving into the city.    We also enjoyed our time at the museum.  It was a good way to kill the time in the morning.  Now for some snaps...
Rooster and the coolest camper ever.

Rooster as a hot dog.  lol!

Driving an old timey car.

Road tripping.

There was a band playing during the tourney.

Shawshank & Rooster watching their competition.

Shank and Lo having some lunch.

Rooster and I with Canada

Miss Kathleen giving a thumbs up.

Our feet on the riverwalk.

An abandoned building right next to the riverwalk.

The river walk.

Rooster and the Weinermobile.

Shawshank hitting.