Day 2 - March 6, 2013

Day two is in the books and it was another fantastic day.  It was cloudy most of the day which made for a nice day, if we were home we might have expected rain but not here and not today.  

We started the morning with a three mile hike in the desert hills to see the cactus up close, one of us a little to close, and some wildlife.  Joe was thinking about getting some of his scouting merit badges done but decided against the 20 mile hike on this day!

Here the three of us are on the hike with the mountains in the background.

Patti was excited to show us an owl nesting in a saguaro cactus that was on the trail.  Here is as hot of the cactus from a distance.

The nest was built by hawk but the hawk left when all the humans invaded. . . Apparently was looking for a quieter neighborhood.  The owl then moved in and called it home!  Here is a closer picture, in real,time you can actually see most of the owl from the trail.  

Ben would have been very excited!  Later on the trail Joe spotted a desert turtle, which Patti and Dick have never seen along the route before!  

He was facing away from us so no shot of his head and he hid fairly quick.  He was numbered in his back so we believe someone was doing some research project here.

Of course we also saw cactus. Lots of different kinds and lots of cactus plants!  The plants are about to bloom which is about a month early according to the locals! Here are some shots.

Joe and I tried our best at imitating a cactus inmthe next photos:

Joe did try to get some mountain climbing in as well.  Here he is on the summit!

After our hike we headed to Goodyear, home of the Reds and the INDIANS!  We were later for the camp portion with most of the players to inside batting cages and the to prep for the game but it was taping day for MLB channel's 30 clubs in 30 days show and Dan Plesac was doing a segment with Yan Gomes and Sandy Alomar so we got to watch that and then got to have our pictures taken with Sandy and Dan!

Joe took my picture with Dan who was awesome about the whole thing and helped to get the best picture available.  Here is the final picture.

We then headed to the ballpark which is one of the older ones in the circuit but still nice. The lineup was close to the regular team for six innings and resulted in another win for the home town Tribe!  Joe had to have a footlong Chilli cheese dog.  It was certainly a foot long, sorry mom but yes I let him get one and he ate the whole thing.

We will find out today what happens when you eat that thing.  Grandpa wanted to try his hand and did a Granada sized footlong instead.

We are traveling with a gerbile who is Ben's friend and he got a chance to see Goodyear ballpark!

One of the coolest things at the Goodyear Ballpark is the statue outside the stadium, Joe endulged me a stood outside next to it.

We have great hosts and we finished up the evening with an outstanding and highly competitive game of Trash.  They even let me win!  

The other good news of the day is that the tan lines are starting to show!

Today's agenda include's the Reynolds, and Mesa with the Cubs and Indians today!