Tuesday, January 29, 2019

IN MY LIFE- SUMMER

While we are on the doorstep of yet another winter artic blast, thoughts of summer prevail, especially with all of the Bryce Harper to the Phillies talk. Although I hate the humidity I love the long summer days and nights that are just on the horizon.

First it's spring. This year especially, with our new pond out front, I can't wait for the spring flowers, such as tulips and hyacinth, to bloom with vivid color, their aroma filling up the crystal clear, fresh spring mornings.

Spring should be a fun season. It always is, especially if you're a sports fan like I am. The NFL Draft and schedule release, the Kentucky Derby, the NBA and NHL playoffs, the start of the baseball season, including Opening Day. Most venues have not released their spring/summer concert schedule yet, so the calender still needs to be filled out.

But here is what we know so far as summer rolls around this year, in only a few months:

Phillies- 10 games! 9 at Citizens Bank Park, broken down this way: 1 game in April, 2 in May, 2 in June, 3 in July, 1 in August and 1 in September. The  game not at CBP is on July 21 in Pittsburgh at beautiful PNC Park, as the Pirates host the Phillies.

Hopefully Bryce Harper signs soon and then suddenly, the games mean more and the ticket are worth a lot more. It would be nice to see the ballpark sold out again every night, as it was back in the good ol'days around 15 years ago.

Pittsburgh Trip- Speaking of seeing the Phils in Pittsburgh, the July trip will be my very first time in the Steel City across the state. Not looking forward to the long, boring car-ride across the Pennsylvania mountains and countryside, but looking forward to seeing Pittsburgh. Other than PNC Park, which sits on the Ohio River, with a breath-taking view of downtown Pittsburgh over the outfield fence, can't wait to take a river cruise, checking out the exact spot where the three rivers meet, and so much more.

Country Concerts- Attending Citadel's Country Spirit concert at Ludwig's Corner  in August. It will be the second annual festival, and our second time attending the entire weekend. The headliners should be announced soon. Last year it was Alabama, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley. It was really fun event, whether one is a huge country music fan or not.

Longwood Gardens-  We always love checking out beautiful Longwood Gardens in southern Chester County every spring or summer. This year we plan on viewing the early summer flowers in June.

Baseball Hall of Fame Trip- I haven't been to Cooperstown, New York and the baseball Hall of Fame  in over 30 years. It thrilled me to see the relics of my favorite sports, things I had read and heard about since I was a kid. I remembered how nice the little, quaint town of Cooperstown was, especially in the summer. I couldn't wait to return.

Now we are going back to see the Hall, right after Roy Halladay's induction in late July. The Hall itself may only take a few hours to tour. Seeing the rest of the grounds, including Doubleday Field, will be awesome, as will strolling the shady, old-fashioned streets of upstate New York. The drive to Cooperstown is long but far more scenic compared to Pittsburgh.

It may be my last time visiting the Hall but who knows? It will be a sentimental journey, once again visiting the ghosts of the game I love.

The above is just the tip of the iceberg for this summer. Add movies and concerts, an annual trip down the Jersey Shore, and lounging at home with those I love in the sweet summertime, will be special indeed.

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