We rose early and walked out into the cool damp morning shivering a bit once the peninsula air took hold. The tall pines kept the bus rooftop dry, but the paved roads were wet and once we began walking towards the showers a fine mist quickened our step. They were about 100 yards away uphill and I brought the key left in the envelope from the night before. Three empty shower stalls with vinyl curtains and a singular hook were available, no line no waiting. In fact, we had not seen a soul anyway, as if the campground had been abandoned, save for the actual RV's, one in each Garden of Eden spot. There was a faded handwritten sign about how to insert your quarter for five minutes of hot water, including words like jiggle it and call for help. I've been coast to coast, and this was a first for me. It was sort of a Woolworth's throwback to pee, but then it was only a dime. I returned with a fistful of dollars intent on warming up. The first stall coin collector suffered a painful death of blunt force trauma from an unhappy camper and from the looks of it, long ago. Stall two worked with a coin and Tommy called dibs. Mouth agape, what could I do, he called dibs? The third stall machine would not line up, so I told the boy to make it quick.
I finished that process too and we made haste to the bus. The roof was lowered, the engine warmed up and we headed out towards Cape Flattery, 98 miles to the west...as far west as possible. Google said 2 hours and 50 minutes which if you divide by 60 and carry the five means we are going to be hitting some hills and slow speed areas. "Dad, there are no Dunkins' near me" came the cry from the back seat and I shook with delight knowing that if that's the worst of it, we are going to have a great day. We hit a town of 19,000 in Port Angeles and did the four stops for gas, coffee, a donut and Rain-X, which by the way, the spray bottle version stinks. Like this post, we trudged on.
The weather changed several times, and the climbs were only moderate, as were some of the descents but the curves and the intensely green and wet foliage were impressive. And then we were riding at sea level alongside the 'Straight of Juan de Fuca". It's ok, I'm typing this after 9pm and the censors aren't watching. The roadway hugged the cliffside and the shoreline with many turnouts to catch a view. We saw a cruise ship going by and if it was anything like the ferry, I'm sticking with the Caribbean, east side. GPS had us only 33 miles away several times and then we finally were there, "Cape Flattery, the North Western most point in the Continental United States" - once you hike about 3/4 of a mile over slick roots, uneven ground, mud, rocks and slippery green moss covered planks to the real spot. It was awesome. Tommy used a complimentary walking stick to 'fight off bears dad' and lead the charge. He was intent on being first and was hard to keep up with. We reached a grand viewing platform and soaked in the massive cove the wave had carved along the edge from 80 feet above.
We hiked another 50 yards and came to a second platform built by the Swiss Family Robinson with an overlook so stunning we could not even speak. Seven seconds later Tommy was off to the final, final destination and it was here that several people had chosen to enjoy a nap sack lunch. I wish I had thought of that. We too enjoyed the view for quite a bit and took photos of course. People were so polite and patient taking turns here. The sky was blue, the clouds were white, and cliffs were high. Not too close boy. You are as far away from home as you have ever been. Enjoy the moment.
There was one other platform I had read about, and it was just to the north but 25 feet. The views of the natural caverns and caves dug were stunning and as large as the Lincoln Tunnel. Water rushed in and evacuated just as quickly. It was here that I chose to sprinkle a few extra pinches of Johnny. I gave Tommy a palm full and he said, "I hope that you enjoy this beautiful place Johnny". The wind carried the dust over the edge, and it was gone. I said what I always do, that I miss you son and am grateful and proud to be your dad, always. We lingered here for a little while watching the water getting sucked in and forced out again and again. I told Tommy that Johnny would be immensely proud of him, and we left.
The walk back was all uphill and hotter. We reached the parking lot and though we were both a little tired, we agreed that was so cool, so worth it.
This may prove to be the halfway mark of the trip. Thus far, 4,562 miles have been driven and although my compass may say otherwise, Sweet Pea is pointing predominantly east and then south from here on out.
GPS signal lost. NO cell service and my next stretch goal was to drive to Astoria, OR where the movie Goonies was based and filmed. The roadmap showed that it was only an inch away so that felt plausible. But, without truly having a good map or cell service and no easy / lazy way of finding gas or camping without technology, we headed back the way we came. Like the hike, or the drive to the Cape Cod or Key West, it is always longer coming back. Oregon can be visited on a future trip, one that we will make which incorporates all of the missed National Parks.
Tommy was fine. He slept a bit, he pointed out snowcapped mountains and of course Vancouver Island across the way. We stopped for pizza and now that cell service had returned, I called for a spot at the Conestoga Quarters RV Park in Port Angeles, WA space #28 for $24.99 + tax. Laundry was done and a dug out an electric heater purchased back in Orlando during a Disney trip years ago. It will be shut off once I hit the pillow, likely in 15 seconds. It was a really fun day had for the MacDougall boys; Johnny included.
I admit it. I am a whimp. It is so cold here. I also never thought a sleeping bag could prove to be such a prized possession. Sleeping for an extra five minutes four times in a row when it's chilly outside but warm inside is a great way to start off a Sunday. We had no plan other than getting closer to Seattle today, so the pressure was minimal. Tommy was enjoying a solid Wi-Fi connection by giggling a bit too loudly upstairs. He is still weaning himself off of the east coast time-zone and was up before me, a rarity. Johnny would rise in the wee hours and sneak in an XBOX marathon with the volume so low I swear he could read the lips of those 'Call of Duty' Soldiers.
The boy was sent packing with his towel, soap, fresh clothes and laundry bag courtesy of Publix - Fort Lauderdale. I transformed the bus into driving mode in his absence and in 12 minutes he handed off the soap with expert timing.
A long hot shower was so relaxing, no quarters required. The man was paid for our stay last night and we headed east after a fuel up and coffee stop. Ordinarily I make the world's best pancakes but like I said, I'm a whimp and he said McD's has upped their hotcakes game recently. We stopped and he was right. Whenever a break is taken, the bus is parked in view of the seats. I witnessed a slowly forming puddle of trouble under Sweet Pee and the tiny fuel leak issue will be addressed by a pro on Monday. This happened before and magically cured itself, but it is back and likely due to me filling up just a bit too quickly just a mile down the road, but a leak is not safe or good. The puddle was very small and it did stop did not resurface again, but safety first. I have 2 days to use for insurance and Guillermo believes that if it is a loose hose connection somewhere, it is at most a two hour job.
We drove south along the western roadway of Puget Sound to the state capital of Washington which is? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Ok, submit your answer in the form of a question below. More thrills and curvaceous roads made up our travels today. No stress, just a simple trek towards (not the capital) Seattle.
So, we are here in the Tacoma - Seattle KOA not far from the VW shop which opens tomorrow at 8am. It has been raining, sprinkling, spitting, misting, you name it, but we are fine. Tommy is really doing great because he has Wi-Fi and is about to enjoy leftover pizza. Thus far the limited screen time and healthy eating summer plan is a total bust. BUT tomorrow is Monday so there.
The Sun was up and out and so were we after a restful night at the KOA Sea-Tac. A good hot shower prepped us for a long day. We headed over to the VW shop and the guy said he could not squeeze us in, the job is too big, it's a simple remedy of 'not filling your tank to capacity' and that backing off 1 to 2 gallons will be fine. A second shop nearby said the same exact thing and so too did say my dad and Guillermo. So, my numbers will be skewed in terms of mileage tracking but I will adapt to that no problem.
We headed over to the Space Needle and found a really good visible public parking spot for 15 bucks. Valet was $36. I grabbed a pair of tickets to the most iconic symbol of Seattle and we joined the meandering line of fellow tourists stretching around the block for 60 minutes. The line moved along and before we knew it we were ascending in elevator #2 @ 10 miles per hour up to the 520' platform. The renovation construction project was nearly complete with only 1/4 of the tower out of service so the views of the city, of Puget Sound and the ballpark were clearly visible. Tommy leaned against the 75ﾟglass hovering above the skyline with no fear. Photos were taken but missing from sight was Mount Rainier still under a cloudy cover far off in the distance. We have yet to even see this mountain reminiscent of the fogged in Golden Gate bridge. You know it is there, even though you cannot see it.
When researching "Safeco Field", I looked up secure parking around the ballpark - a huge concern simply because all our stuff is vulnerable to the wrong sort, and I wanted a high security level parking area. Adjacent to the ballpark was a 2,000-spot parking garage that opened 3 hours before 1st pitch. We showed up 3 minutes before 4pm to claim a choice spot on the 4th level close to the skyway bridge connecting the garage with the park. A security guard said everything will be fine, there are security cameras and that only fans attending the game park here, that crime is very low go and enjoy yourselves.
We went to the team store and purchased a window decal and then over towards the ticket window but chose to spend $15 per ticket on cheaper than cheap seats via an enterprising young scalper who had a stack of them out in deep centerfield. A late lunch was had at the Pyramid bar and grille across from the 3rd base line and we lingered here for 90 minutes, charging our phones, and slowly finishing our drinks. We made our way across street into the left field gate, Tommy four steps ahead, clearing security like a pro.
There were a ton of fans here today, many sporting Angels team colors. We did our perimeter walk per usual noting the different sight lines of the ballpark and how cool the sliding roof is. Thankfully, it was open on this brilliant blue day. Then there it was. Mt. Rainier. Massive, steep, and always covered with snow. It does exist.
We took some seats on the upper deck behind the plate a 1/2 mile away from our real ones, Tommy protesting like he did in Oakland nearly two years ago. He kept saying dad were in the wrong seats and I told him quite assuredly that we are exactly where we're supposed to be; 1st pitch was a strike.
Considering the score, this was a very fast paced game. Home runs were hit left, right, center and the crowd were into it. This beautiful day transitioned into a stellar evening, even as the temperature dropped. A serving of blue cotton candy was provided for the boy just so the Earth could continue spinning in sync. Before we knew it, the final out was recorded in the top half of the 7th inning, and we were stretching and singing and thinking of Johnny. A little bit of him now exists in the upper deck directly behind home plate row 14. I think he would have loved the location of the ballpark in the heart of this bustling city. It's always fun when the hometown team wins, and the Mariners are on a tear lately. We filed out across the pedestrian bridge into the bus and on to the 405 south for 20 miles. We are enjoying a free night's stay care of Sam Walton. Tommy fell asleep within 5 minutes and I will be joining him shortly. Ballpark number 27 of 30, check.
Rolled over and squashed Tommy for a moment. Up until today, I have had the lower bed solo on this trip but when staying at a Walmart, it's not generally cool to raise the roof or the slide outs. I do not have slide outs, so it gets cozy, but sleeping bags are good insulators and there were no blankets to steal. Free has its limits and departing by 7am is chiefly the hardest one, though the sun had me up anyway. I opened the curtains and slowly drove across the lot to a Shell Station within the mega-complex in Auburn, WA. The boy remained sprawled out for another few precious moments before rising to greet the day with a typical cartoonish "good morning".
We grabbed a light McD's breakfast, reorganized slightly and set out eastbound on route 18 which connected to Interstate 90. Mt. Rainier kept showing off her enormous façade of ice in the southern sky and had we another day, a trek to visit would have been planned, but we do have other places to go and things to do.
We pushed through some forests, up and over a few steep and steady climbs and eventually the lush greenery changed into a sandy scrub of dessert right near the Columbia River. The bus rested while Tommy and I hiked up a simple yet loose underfoot trail to see the "Wild Horse Monument" up close and personal. Pretty cool roadside art and a nice chance to do something outside together.
The temperature was nice and once we returned to the lot and dusted off the trail, we continued driving for the balance of the day with a few simple breaks.
Hello Idaho! The image was captured and shortly thereafter we checked out four campgrounds using the handy app. The reviews truly help weed out the poor choices with statements such as "never again or Boondock is a better choice or hopefully, great place, will return". I chose the 'Blackwell Island RV Park' in America's version of Lake Como, also known as Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (a very swanky zip code). Space number 104 is where we will rest our heads tonight, Tommy upstairs and me down. After a hot shower a nice meal was enjoyed at Cedars - The Floating Restaurant, out on the Spokane River, we are back nestled in and ready for sleep. We have some 375-mile days coming up and some easier 225 mile days in order to reach the Cubs game on the 20th. Today had us doing 313 which we will try and balance out as we approach the mountains tomorrow. All is good and we are having fun.
We drove 363 miles today over mountains, along meandering rivers, through glorious valleys and stopped several times, including at Lookout Pass Ski Resort too. The bus ran great all day and Tommy continued being a great travel companion, co-pilot and contortionist sleeper.
We left Western Idaho at 9:40am and ended up in Bozeman Montana at the same campground I stayed at a week ago, Sunrise RV Park at 7:15pm. The manager remembered the bus and the general ballpark travel agenda. He said he never remembers anyone but that the nature of our trip and the uniqueness of the ride were standouts.
We did laundry, ate dinner and are now set for bed. The next couple of days are more of the same, but a heading towards South Dakota is in store which mixes it up slightly. Good night.
Happy Flag Day. My hometown of Dedham, MA still celebrates this great holiday with a festive parade, and it is something I was lucky to grow up with. Today Tommy and I woke up in Bozeman, MT and they too have a rich history and a superb downtown area. Main Street was lined with the stars and stripes and the area was bustling with people. It was time for a haircut and as fate would have it, the sole parking spot I found was in front of an old-time barber shop. We each had our ears lowered and I feel lighter too, about $40 worth including tip for 2. Lunch was consumed, fuel was poured in ever so carefully and we hit the I-90 heading east on this late start day. It was nice to have a lazy day but sad that we cannot just take a full one to hit Yellowstone. The whet appetite for enjoying this area is there. We will return one day to spend some quality time here, more than just a drive through version too. Ballparks and a tight schedule and long drives in between have been ruling out travels since 2015 but that is just fine. The glimpses of countryside along the way are still Ansel Adams worthy.
Goodbye Bozeman, we shall return. A cruise into Billings was briefly interrupted by a sudden loss of power and roadside tinkering. The ignition coil wire was loose and without that positive juice flowing made for a one-minute unscheduled stop. Tommy instinctively just knew that we had to vacate the bus, stand clear off the roadway and think it through. I was impressed that he was so calm and then again, this has become routine, a breakdown occasionally, keeps you humble. We were on the road again in no time. It was just a loose wire that once clicked back onto its nub made life normal.
Groceries were procured in Billings and we stopped by VeeWee's VW shop, this time they were open. Andy and Joleene were prepping a bus for a trip to the coast and we swapped stories for a nice 15-minute chat. Their little boy showed Tommy some cars, gave him a tour of their shop and a Hot Wheels car too. Kids just do that instant friendship sort of thing. We wished each other well on the respective travels and pulled away smiling.
The split of I-90 and I-94 was down the road apiece. 94 goes to Minneapolis through North Dakota, whereas 90 heads towards Chicago through South Dakota, via no-man’s-land USA. We chose the road less traveled and that has made all the difference. For starters, we had fuel, groceries, a vehicle to sleep in and 2 AAA cards just in case. We used up most of the fuel but enjoyed this stretch of highway as much as any other. The winds pushed us to and fro but it did not deter our path of progress. Driving 50 MPH in high winds is fine. Trying to do 65 is risky so it took a little longer, but the sweeping valley views were enjoyed a little longer - so stunningly beautiful. Tommy rode shotgun all of today. No phones, no radio just conversations and ongoing games of spotting hay, motorcycles a boat being trailered, a moving freight train and the hardest to find, an airplane. We saw TV western bluffs, raging rivers and the color green in every direction.
Hello Wyoming!!
The view just kept getting better.
We covered a mere 263 miles today but every one of them was interesting. He is growing up so fast and I am cherishing each moment I can. We enjoyed Italian tonight at the Ole Pizza and Spaghetti House, founded in 1972 (a very good year). The savings enjoyed with camp Walmart was offset with this $35 dinner of sorts and that is fine. The groceries will hold. After all, we still have to drive through South Dakota and rations are important.
Left the Sheridan, WY Walmart lot at 7am and cruised for coffee down the main drag. The boy slept peacefully. Sometimes the best rest is done underway, albeit at 15 mph. The beds were made up and he buckled up for the first 75 miles still resting his eyes. A simple breakfast was devoured and I had tried to get an oil change done but skipped option one as they didn't have the right look and the wait for shop two was taking too long. Being ahead of schedule has merit. I have a 300-mile cushion.
We drove from Gillette, WY about an hour and I felt compelled to follow a country road which led us to Devil's Tower. What an Encounter, a close one at that. Tommy was mildly impressed; I was humming the five-syllable greeting over and over. The entire ride through 'The Cowboy State' was impressive. The elevation had the bus breathing a bit heavy but Sweet Pea did just fine. We spent an hour viewing the natural obelisk from three different perspectives.
Hello South Dakota!
More landscapes of note were admired. RV's were everywhere and the influx of out of state travelers undoubtedly surpassed the local populations. 'Dad, I have to go right now' is a phrase that any traveler knows instinctively to just veer off the interstate with the greatest of skill that race car drivers envy. A pitstop is best done at a large interchange but a sole sign showing RV camp 1 mile was the only option. The bus hugged corners, zoomed up a steep incline and managed a right angle blind intersection corner at warp speed. I was thinking to apologetically offer a couple of bucks for the quick visit and when we stopped out in front of the office, he was off like a rocket. Upper body motionless but those legs much like the roadrunner carrying him to the restroom quicker than any human in recent memory. The manager was so kind and slightly amused. The campground was beautiful and so pleasant that we opted to stay the night. So here we are this Friday night in Sturgis, SD in space 1B at the 'Rush-No-More RV Park'. A very fitting place for sure. Tomorrow we will visit four Presidents.
A whirlwind day.
Rain started pelting the raised fiberglass rooftop at 5:30am and when the side curtain canvas gets wet, it is highly recommended that you let it dry out before closing said roof. Instead, I woke Tommy and he dove into the lower berth as I closed the second floor. I dreamt that the alarm was answered and we were packed up but at 8:30 my eyes opened for real and the quick-quick version of getting up, dressed and departing for the day was put into place. We left at 9:15 and headed east out of Sturgis and through Rapid City and on to Keystone. I spotted a no line, no waiting 'Fast Lube' shop and we swung in for an oil change. These young guys were great and did the job as expected with me there to answer their questions. New wiper blades were also installed, and the cost was fair. The toasted sesame bagel and coffee were finished off during the ride to "Bear Country U.S.A." just up the road. This attraction was one of dozens dotting route 16 West towards Mount Rushmore and if we skipped it we would have survived. There were a ton of bears walking around this self-guided 5mph hilly loop but the slow progression of automobiles had me shifting and clutching and shifting and clutching far too many times than was comfortable for the bus or my knee. Of course, Tommy loved it so in the end it was worth it. He took the photos too.
The ride into the Black Hills towards The Mount Rushmore National Memorial was teeming with the typical tourist shops, restaurants and hotels but it all ended for the final two-mile drive towards America's most iconic sculpture. And there it was, appearing alongside the mountain through tall pines, the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. I'd read that after humanity vanishes and all things man made crumble, this façade will remain, outlasting even the pyramids. We only had a couple of hours today, so I stepped on it.
The $10 parking fee landed us in the garage, and we emerged out of the stairwell with a face to view of chiseled history. I had been wanting to see this landmark since grammar school and there we were, Tommy aged 10, likely the same age as any of us inside, standing there in awe. The granite likenesses were still 3/4 of a mile away. We pressed on through the stately and modern entryway and down the long granite paved pedestrian mezzanine.
The fog was wafting all morning and made for some delayed shots at the midway point so a stop at the gift shop bought us both time and a decal for the bus. State flags greeted us from above on the final walk towards the grand viewing terrace and amphitheater. Quick, take a shot, capture the enormity, enjoy the moment because more fog is rolling by. A slight spitting rain began to fall but it did not cause an exodus. People were reverent. The fog came and went and so we tried again to get the shot. And then we headed for the exit, fully satisfied.
Ten miles west on route 16 brought us to the continuing work of "Crazy Horse", another mountain sculpture of gigantic proportions. Started in 1948 and with no completion date in sight, and with too many options on our agenda today, we did a U-turn. The weather improved and we headed into Custer, SD for fuel and then on to the Custer State Park and Needles Highway - the best $20 spent so far.
I cleaned the windshield and we drove out on the 45-minute circuitous ride with posted speeds ranging from 5mph to 20mph. The spire-like rock formations were out of a Saturday morning cartoon reaching high into the emerging sunshine. We stopped and took photos and we tried to just take it all in. The cliff side road wound it's way through single lane garage door sized tunnels, switchback curves with just barely enough space for oncoming traffic to pass. There was no bunched-up traffic like the bear trap earlier which did make for some fun driving. And then we were out, finished, heading slowly back towards the interstate. Sweet Pea was very sluggish through much of these 5,000 - 6,000 foot roads because of the thinner air and steep climbs. Tommy did not have to push and once we coasted out of the Black Hills to the north and then east along I-90, the VW ran normally again.
We ate dinner and selected a campground 60 miles away in Wall, SD right beside Wall Drugs, a kitschy emporium founded in 1931. The signs dotting the interstate every 1/2-mile alerting drivers of "Western Apparel, 5 cent coffee, good eats cheap" etc. were like the "South of the Border" ones found on I-95. We checked it out and agreed that Pedro es Numero Uno.
The Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota region has truly impressed me. It is ruggedly beautiful and will be visited again. We drove 191 tough miles today. We are a bit beat and our morning ride through the Badlands is likely the last of the National Parks that we will see on this trip. Then it's on to Chicago 854 miles away.
Happy Father's Day!!
The rain fell steadily all night and into the morning too. It was hard waking up and the roof was open, so the canvas was wet. Down came the top anyway. I'll let it dry when the sun comes out. We showered and left late from the very rustic and dated 'Arrow RV Park' in Wall, SD at 10:45 am under dreary skies, low fog and a poor forecast throughout all of South Dakota. We skipped the scenic roadway of "The Badlands" which was a letdown but they are not going anywhere, though we were; east as far as comfortable today.
The wind was steadily pushing the bus to the right for 150 miles and with the variable rains, I kept Sweet Pea traveling around 50MPH.
Hello Central Time Zone.
Tommy chilled out in the back, I listened to music and sang out loud.
We took breaks, fueled up as needed and enjoyed a stopover in Mitchell, SD - home to the world's only Corn Palace. There is likely no need for another. The town of about 16,000 enjoy a classic American Main Street and it was alive. We parked for a bit and many people approached as I was applying Rain-X. Marilyn, a school teacher from Kansas City was lured here by her husband Mike and they raised kids in this tightly knit community. We chatted about the bus and how we manage it all, what we've seen and where we are going and why - which had me getting a tiny bit teary this holiday, just a hint. They were so nice and took interest in hearing how Tommy's reading over the summer is going. She is a teacher after all.
Some younger guys outside of 'The Back 40' bar walked over to check out the ride and were nodding to each other that it would be a cool way to travel. It appeals to some people this way. "What year? Did you restore it? Does the roof open? How is it on gas?" fell in line with the more common ones. One was shocked that a Key West to Seattle trip was underway. It put a big smile on my face. He asked how about the wind huh? To which I noted that it had dramatically subsided and our 1,000 foot elevation drop from this morning allowed 65 mile per hour easy driving now.
We left this little town but it is one that I will remember for the people met and of course home to the Mitchell High School Kernels, where things are popping (boo).
The balance of the day was shredding miles (344) in total.
Hello Minnesota.
The weather for the night looked to be stormy so I pulled into a Super 8 cheapo hotel instead of a campground.
Tommy has been just an amazing travel companion. He could use a break, though he said, 'whatever dad, Walmart, campground, it's all good with me".
Left the Worthington, Minnesota Super 8 hotel after showering and realizing that my waffles are so much better than the pour and flips served here, and I'm talking Eggo's. It was a dark and stormy night, so the stay was ok. A fill-up and short while later we continued seeing and living the American experience in Austin, Minnesota, home to "The SPAM Museum". This was not at all kitschy like the Corn Palace of South Dakota. The modern building was packed with spiced pork enthusiasts. The greeter was pleasant and delivered a brief, canned presentation, and we roamed around the very clever exhibits. A ‘Spambassador’ answered questions and I enjoyed a couple of ‘Spamples’ of fried pork, ok maybe four pieces. It was really a simple and fun stop lasting 45 minutes and then we hit the road again.
Hello Wisconsin.
317 miles easily peeled off of the odometer today. We passed lush green farms all day. The bus ran great, Tommy was content, and I just kept on driving.
So here we are at a KOA in Wisconsin Dells, WI space #99 for the night. The town is a giant tourist attraction akin to International Drive in Orlando, FL. Tommy spotted a Dunkin' Donuts and I thought he was going to explode. We are all set-up with the AC blasting and ready for dinner.
Tomorrow leaves us with 190 miles to reach the next ballpark, a simpler stretch but we will likely choose a place away from the limelight and drive in or take a train to Wrigley Field (Cubs) for the day game on Wednesday and also to Guaranteed Rate Park (White Sox) on Thursday night. Finalizing those logistics is a task for tomorrow. Of course, we first must seek out the largest ball of cheddar in the Midwest come sunup.