Spring Training 2026 - Day 36

 No baseball today.  The team was playing the Toronto Bluejays in Dunedin.

We just relaxed in the RV, drying things out after some pretty good rain last night. All clear today, a little fog this morning, then sunny, light wind, warm and humid, but not excessive.

Lunch was in the RV and watching the Phillies game on TV and later the Flyers hockey game.

Cooking out again.  Steak, mushrooms, corn, potatoes, and bread.

Baseball again tomorrow against the NY Yankees.

I can't think of anything to take a picture of today.

However, while grilling steaks outside tonight, the night sky caught my eye.  Pretty neat.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 35

 We travelled to the ballpark at the usual time with the usual Starbucks mocha for the third game in a row. They played the Miami Marlins and won 10-2.  

We were also under a weather alert as another front with rain and thunderstorms was scheduled to pass through later this afternoon.  Timing was uncertain and the hope was to get the game in before the rain.  It was cloudy all day with a little wind from the south.  The temperature was 76 degrees when the game started and dropped to 71 as the day progressed.  It started to sprinkle off-and-on around 2:00 pm and when we left the park at 4;00 pm it started to rain pretty good.  We then drove back to the RV Park in the rain and heavy rush hour traffic. We did make a quick stop for a few groceries on the way.  Dinner was BBQ sandwiches and French fries in the RV.

Day 35 - Phillies v Marlins

The highlight of the game was a visit by the Phillie Phanatic, the famous Phillies mascot, to our seating section.  He sure knows how to work the crowd and is recognized by many as the best mascot in baseball, and even in all other sports.

A short video

Spring Training 2026 - Day 34

 The Phillies played the Washington Nationals today.

We stopped at Starbucks again on the way to the ballpark, arriving at 11:00 when the gates opened.  It was another leisurely walk around the park after the mimosa.  I had a ballpark cheesesteak and Kevin had a pizza.  Both were O.K. for where we were.  My treat, however, is my daily Bloody Mary after lunch.  It is loaded with lots of stuff and is very good. 

The Washington Nationals spring training location is on the Florida east coast.  They had a long bus ride and arrived too late to have normal batting and fielding practice.  They had a modified batting practice and a short time to warm up before the game started.  In spring training, on long bus rides, the players are mostly rookies and players trying to make the team.  League rules however say you have to have a minimum number of roster players for every game, especially on away games.

The Phillies played most of their first team players today.  We also saw one of the Phillies starting pitchers and several of the main relief pitchers.  It was a good game for the Phillies under great weather and they won 7-3.  Another game tomorrow and the weather remains good, warming up nicely and not too hot just yet.

Day 34 - Phillies v Washington Nationals

After the game we went over to Safety Harbour a neat town on the bay not far from the ballpark. We had an early dinner at the Bar Fly, a restaurant/grill in town.  I had clam chowder and loaded fries, and Kevin had potato soup and a Cuban Sandwich.

 

There was a dangerous incident during our meal.  A man at a nearby table started choaking with something caught in his throat. No one initially seemed to know what to do.  A female manager came over and attempted a Heimlich maneuver without success. She wasn't very strong and the man was very large.  Kevin went over, did the maneuver on the man and was able to dislodge the food in his windpipe, potentially saving his life.  The man was very grateful and offered to buy Kevin's meal, but the restaurant manager beat him to it. The manager came over, thanked him and comped his meal. It was a scary situation that turned out well due to Kevin's actions.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 33

 Baseball today.  The Phillies v Detroit Tigers.

After getting a mocha at Starbucks we traveled to the ballpark, arriving when the gates opened at 11:00 am.  It is enjoyable arriving early.  It is not very crowded, parking is good, and you can walk around the park, get lunch in a leisurely manner., and just relax getting ready for the game.

After our complimentary mimosa, we did our walk around the park, had lunch and watched the Tigers do batting and fielding practice. 

The game started at 1:05 pm under almost perfect weather. It was clear and sunny, temperature of 68 degrees and light wind from the south.  It was a good game and the Phillies won 5-3.  They played mostly regular first-team players until the 5th inning then rookies and players trying to make the team came in and played the last few innings.  As spring training progresses the regular players and pitchers will play longer.

It was dinner in the RV and we watched the Philadelphia Flyers play the Washington Capitals as NHL Hockey resumed.

There is another ballgame tomorrow and the weather looks good.

Day 32 - Phillies v Tigers

Spring Training 2026 - Day 32

 It was still Florida Cold today (58 degrees for the high) but it was a lot less windy and clear.

It was laundry day again. We have been lucky. We were able to get available washers and dryers without having to wait. Maybe too chilly for some to go outside.

The view from the laundry room.

Just us and the birds today

It was then sandwiches in the RV for lunch and folding clothes

Went out to dinner after a hard day doing laundry.  There is a sports bar nearby called Whisky Wings.  We went there last week, and it was worth a return trip.

Baseball tomorrow. Phillies v Detroit Tigers.  Weather looks much better than the game on Sunday

Spring Training 2026 - Day 31

 Not much to report today.  The weather remained cold and windy (at least for Florida). Highs in the 50's, clear, but a 25-mph wind. No conditions for Florida outside activities.

No baseball today. The Phillies have two away games over on the East coast, today and tomorrow.  The game today was against the Washington Nationals and tomorrow against the Miami Marlins.

 

We just stayed in the RV today for the most part.  We had take-out Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch, and I cooked hamburgers outside on the grill for dinner (in my hoody with the hood up).

I had an appointment to get the truck AC system serviced but had to cancel. They need the outside temperature to be at least 65 degrees to properly test it after servicing.

Speaking of servicing, both Kevin and I need haircuts and are considering dental teeth cleaning appointments.  We are researching options. Our barber at home said don't come back with "mullets".

Our next baseball game is Wednesday. Tomorrow's activities are still to be planned, but they will be interesting and exciting. Maybe.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 30

 It was the first home Spring Training game for the Phillies in Clearwater today.  They open the gates at 11:00 am and the game starts at 1:00 pm.  In past visits we always planned to arrive when the gates opened.  We would have complimentary Mimosas, and usually watch the visiting team do their batting practice.  It was then a walk around the park and lunch before the game started.

Kevin and I got a late start today because we were watching the exciting men's gold medal hockey match between the US and Canada (We won).  Arriving at the park around noon, parking was impacted, and the crowd in the park was close to a full house.  Nevertheless, we walked around the park and had lunch before the game started.

The weather today at the park was challenging.  After the cold front passed through this morning, it became very windy.  Our seats in the 3rd level suites area are open and if the wind is out of the north, it is very chilly.  Today was such a day.  The temperature was about 67 degrees but with a 20-knot wind in your face it was cold.

We lasted until the 6th inning when the rookies and non-roster players came in to replace the regular players.  We did get to see most of the Phillies first team players before they departed.

Back at the RV for dinner (leftovers) and watched the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony.

 No firm plans for tomorrow.  Our next game is on Wednesday.  Weather will remain windy and much cooler tomorrow.

Day 30 - Phillies v Pirates

Spring Training 2026 - Day 29

 Another day at the RV.  Slept in, breakfast in the RV, and a Starbucks Mocha.  We did a few minor maintenance repairs on the RV and re-caulked an outside seal around the galley door as a preventive maintenance precaution.

Lunch was take-out Hoagies (subs) from a nearby WaWa, a Philadelphia based upscale gas station convenience store chain that is very popular in the Philadelphia area and the Southeast,

 

The Phillies played their first spring training game today. It was an away game in Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays, the home team.  The early Spring Training games always feature free agents trying to make the team, rookies, and some young minor league players to get some playing time in a game situation. The Phillies lost 3-0.

The first home game is tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  There is a cold front passing through tonight with a few early morning showers. There will be a significant temperature drop behind the front, from the 80's today to the 60's tomorrow - and windy from the North, It will be chilly where we sit in the 200 Section, Upper-Level seats.

The ballpark is named the Bay Care Ballpark, named after a local healthcare system and hospital. In addition to Phillies Spring Training games, it is home to the Clearwater Threshers, a Phillies Low-A minor league team.  Their season begins after the Major League season begins,

 

Our plan for tomorrow is to get up early and watch the Gold Medal Hockey Game between Canada v, USA at 8:00 am PST. then travel over to the ballpark for the game that starts at 1:00 pm.

Baseball now begins - 17 games ahead!

Spring Training 2026 - Day 28

 It was another day just hanging around the RV.  We didn't go anywhere other than Kevin going to Starbucks and bringing back a mocha for me.

I spent most of the day, going through all the RV bins, organizing them and consolidating and removing some of the contents.  A lot of things are in the bins that we have used on past trips but most likely will not need here, going home, or on subsequent trips. 

We also watched the two semi-final Olympic Men's Hockey games.  On to the finals on Sunday morning with Canada v. USA for the gold medal.

The weather remains warm (hot) in the low 80's and humid, necessitating using the RV air conditioner.

The Phillies play their first Spring Training game tomorrow against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin.  Our first game is the home opener on Sunday in Clearwater against the Pittsburg Pirates. A cold front is forecasted to come in early Sunday morning with early showers and lower temperatures. We have tickets for 17 home games and are looking forward to getting started.

We are grilling steaks outside for dinner again.  Tomorrow's plans are still being developed.

I got the cord from Amazon for my other camera today.  I have now downloaded additional Spring Training pictures from Day 24, and they are now posted there for viewing if interested.

No pictures for today.  Images of sorting RV bins would stretch the limits of casual interest.

Spring Training 2026 - Day - 27

 We decided to go over to Honeymoon Island today, a barrier island just north of Clearwater and Dunedin.  It is now a State Park and has an interesting history.  On the way, we stopped at Frenchy's Outpost for lunch. It is on the way to the park and has the same menu as the Frenchy's in Clearwater Beach, but it is a little smaller. The crowd today wasn't bad and we got right in.  Later on in the season, it is very busy with long waiting times.

Honeymoon State Park is just beyond Frenchy's over a causeway, where people can park, fish, sunbath, or just sit in a beach chair enjoy the experience.  No swimming, however. There is also a bike /walking trail that many people use. A place where you can rent kayaks and water things is also along the causeway. The other side of the causeway also has a several apartments/condominiums before you get to the entrance to the state park.

After entering the park, we visited the nature center.

The nature center was started with a $90,000 Rotary grant in 2004 from the two Rotary clubs in Dunedin to celebrate the Rotary Centennial celebration in 2005.  With the ongoing support of Rotary, state and local governments, and the surrounding communities, the nature center opened in 2007 and was named the Rotary Centennial Nature Center. at Honeymoon Island State Park.  Another example of Rotary at Work.

Rotary Centennial Nature Center - History

 

After the nature center, we drove round the park.  There are three separate beaches on the Gulf-side and a number of walking trails.  

Judy and I always vistaed the park, hiked the trails, and observed the many Osprey nests and a Bald Eagle nest that always had chicks every time we were here. The park is also home to ground tortoises, owls and rattlesnakes (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes-- very docile and not aggressive).  There is also a ferry out to Caladesi Island, another barrier island nearby and part of the park.  It is about a 15-minute boat ride and has a great beach.   We also went there every trip, just to relax in rented beach chairs, getting our feet wet, and beach walking. 

Honeymoon Island State Park | Florida State Parks

How the park was named has an interesting history.  The area was developed as a Honeymoon resort retreat. All the women had to have letter from their priest, documenting they were really married. Times have changed.

Honeymoon Island State Park - Wikipedia

On the way back to the RV we stopped for a few things for dinner, hamburgers grilled outside.

No firm plans for tomorrow.  It's great to not have a schedule right now.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 26

 A maintenance day today.  Breakfast in the RV and takeout mochas from Starbucks.

We did laundry, cleaned the inside of the RV, and tided thing up inside and out.  I made a trip to Walmart and Publix for a few things. Lunch in the RV and watching Olympic Hockey again.

After a busy day doing household chores, we had takeout sandwiches again from Westshore Pizza for dinner.

A little background about where we are staying, Oldsmar.

From Wikipedia

In 1916, R.E. Oldss purchased 37,541 acres (151.92 km2) on the northern tip of Tampa Bay in order to design a planned community.  It never worked out and the property changed hands and was subdivided over the years.  The city now has a population of about 20,000 as of the 2020 census and is essentially a suburb of Tampa and other surrounding Tampa Bay Area cities and communities.

Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was an American businessman and executive who was known as a pioneer of the American automotive industry, whom the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named after. He claimed to have built his first steam car as early as 1887 and his first gasoline-powered car in 1896. The modern assembly line and its basic concept is credited to Olds, who used it to build the first mass-produced automobile, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, beginning in 1901.^[1]

       

RE. Olds

             

There is a town celebration in March called Oldsmar Days. They have a parade, carnival rides and attractions, food and vendor booths, and live music in the city park pavilion.  A highlight is the gathering of regional Oldsmobile car owners. Oldsmobile owners from all over the south bring their Oldsmobiles for the parade and display in the park. We always attended in past trips if it didn't conflict with a baseball game.

I also have a family history with Oldsmobiles.  My mother always bought Oldsmobiles.  She loved them. When Judy and I were married in 1962, our close friend, drove us from the wedding at the church to the reception in his Oldsmobile.  And, when we returned from Okinawa in 1973, the first car we bought was a 1973 Oldsmobile, 4-Door Hardtop.

Plans for tomorrow are still TBD.

Spring Training 2026 - Day 25

 After sleeping in a little, breakfast and a mocha at Starbucks, we headed up to Tarpon Springs, about 10 miles north to look around and have a Greek Food late lunch at Dimitri's on the Water, a great Greek restaurant Judy and I visited many times in prior spring training visits. You know you are in a real Greek restaurant when the serve their olive oil from 50-gallon drums.

Tarpon Springs is a city at the mouth of the Anclote River that feeds many bayous into the Gulf   It became, and still is, a major location of sponge harvesting in the country.  It attracted a large number of Greek Immigrants in the early 1900's who were familiar with sponge harvesting in the Greek islands.

Tarpon Springs, Florida - Wikipedia

Tarpon Springs is now a major Greek American community with the largest percentage of Greek ancestry of any American City (10.4%).  The city has also turned the Sponge Dock Area into a major tourist attraction with excellent Greek restaurants, boat tours, and lots of tourist type shops selling sponges, and other things you usually find at beachfront towns and cities.  It is still a working dock area however, very picturesque and an attractive place to visit.  The sponge dock area was very busy today with variety of tourists.

After a great lunch at Dimitri's, we went to the local Greek bakery and brought some baklava and cannoli's for dessert at the RV.  the weather was perfect, sunny, temperatures in the 70's, no humidity or wind.  A great trip.

Tomorrow is a housekeeping day at the RV - laundry, cleaning the RV, and tidying things up.