Cactus League in a convertible
There is nothing better than springtime. It’s the perfect time to drop the top and head to Arizona for some Cactus League baseball. Now, I’ll get right out in front with this and let you all know I’m an Angels fan. I love the Halos, despise the Orioles and the A’s, but get excited for the games when Boston and the Yankees are in our house in Anaheim.
With that out of the way, I managed to put together a weekend getaway that included some work and a whole lot of baseball. My media friends in Phoenix have been anxious to get into the 2011 C70 so I woke at the crack of dawn last Thursday and headed east. As the sun was coming up over Palm Springs I was sipping my Starbucks and thinking how great it is to take a road trip. I made a stop in Cabazon to shoot the C70 next to the famous dinosaur sculptures then put the pedal down until I reached Tempe.
The car was great on the open road. Quiet with the top up, breezy with it down, the 950-watt stereo system on level eleventy the entire time. I managed to catch a Giants/Mariners game Thursday afternoon. The Mariners walked away with it easily. By 6:30, I was at Olive & Ivy, a very cool restaurant in Scottsdale, shooting the breeze with some of the top journalists in the region. It was an early night, which was fine since I had to watch the Halos Friday afternoon. The White Sox knocked the Angels’ wings off, but it was still great; beautiful weather, very laid back, an awesome way to spend a Friday afternoon. Upon my return to the hotel, I spied the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. So cool!
Saturday, I watched the Padres get spanked by the A’s (booooo!), but it was still a great afternoon.
If you’ve never done spring training and you even remotely care about baseball, I highly recommend you find a convertible, drop the top and head to Phoenix. It’s a great way to welcome the coming summer.
James
