No, not really. My buddy Steve Harper used to get me out to fish occasionally, but since he passed away in 2000 (I miss you, Steve) I haven’t been back.
Anyway, I’m on vacation. I’m sure those of you who look for my sports column in The Eagle first thing every day (right) have noticed. Don’t fret, I will return.
Vacations are great but they don’t happen nearly enough. I don’t really have any plans for my vacation. Some golf. Some movies. Some cleaning up around the house. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m not going to clean up around the house.
You know, I wouldn’t mind some suggestions from those of you who are paying attention to this blog as to some things I should do during my vacation. I vow to actually do two or three of them and report back on my experience. Be creative but realistic. Climbing Mount Everest is probably not going to happen. And make your suggestions as local as possible. I would like to stay around Wichita and the immediate area, because _ HAVE YOU SEEN THE PRICE OF GASOLINE!?!?!?! Holy moly (not my first choice, but this is a family blog).
I pust $10 worth of gas in my car today and it barely made the needle on the gauge move. It now costs me well over $30 to fill my tank. Yet it doesn’t seem to me people are cutting back. I look at the streets and there as many automobiles as ever, most of them with just one person inside _ the driver.
Where does gas have to go to get people to take notice? It has to be close. And what can we do? This is an essential; it’s not like we can stop buying the stuff.
I admit, I’m as guilty as most. I most often am alone in my car. I should car pool. Now see, I’m just saying that. As of right now, I really have no intentions of car pooling. I just said it to make myself feel like I was really concerned, which I am. Just not enough to car pool. Maybe someday. If gas gets to $3 per gallon, I might ride a bicycle to work.
Anyway, send along those vacation ideas. I’m eager to get them. And don’t forget, Dennis Rader goes away forever and ever tomorrow. See ya Dennis.
My 10 favorite vacations:
Houston, 1965 _ Rode the train with my father to see the St. Louis Cardinals play the Houston Astros in the Astrodome. It was magical.
Boston, early 1990s _ A great trip to New England. Didn’t have to rent a car, mostly walked through the city.
Los Angeles/San Diego, 1984 _ Took the entire clan in a van. Drove to Flagstaff, Ariz., the first day. That van konked out about a week after we returned to Wichita.
Winter Haven, Fla., 1998 _ This was a baseball trip. I coached my son’s team, the Cyclones, and we played in a national tournament.
New Orleans, 1990 _ Again, tagged along with my kid when he played in a Biddy Basketball All-Star game. He was 8, but quite a terror on Bourbon Street.
San Diego/Los Angeles, 1999-2000 _ First, covered the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 29. Two nights later, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, saw the Eagles bring in the new millenium along with Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Brown. My son was along on this one, too.
Orlando, Fla., a few times _ Was there for work, covering spring training, for several years. But work has a strange way of occasionally turning into pleasure. Just don’t let my bosses know.
Steamboat Springs, Colo., twice _ Both times for baseball tournaments. Yes, without my son’s expolits I would have no life.
Las Vegas, four times _ And never with my son (wink).
Charlotte-Raleigh, N.C. _ This was around 1991, I believe, when Don Henley was on a summer tour. Saw him one night in Raleigh; the next in Charlotte.
3 Comments
I think you take in some sights of Wichita. How about a Wranglers game from the stands not the pressbox? Even sign up for some contests. There’s always the Zoo or Exploration Place, maybe even Cowtown.
Why don’t you take in the signts that Wichita has to offer? Try a Wranglers game from the stands, not the pressbox. Visit the Zoo, Exploration Place or even Cowtown. Not only would it save on gas by not traveling, but there is the potential to learn something as well.
Thanks Robert, Steamboat is one of my favorite vaction spots too. I have been there three times with my Catholic singles group, each time in the summer. I really enjoy the beauty. There is nothing like it. When you went did you make it up to the Hot Springs. I am also a die hard Cardinal fan, and St. Louis is another of my favorite vacation spots. My question to you is this. With Bush Stadium being in it’s last year, what are your favorite Bush Stadium moments. I have three, my favorite was when Lou Brock broke the single season stolen base record. I also enjoyed watching the Cards win the World Sereis in 1983, and finally, Mark McGuire breaking the home run record.