A view from our balcony on the 6th floor!
We ate breakfast and watched the golfers’ practice on the
driving range before we headed out for the day. We knew we needed to go to a grocery
store to get snacks and especially bottled water for the hot desert
temperatures we would be hiking in all day. Luckily there was a Walmart
literally around the corner from our hotel. We stopped in an even found a disposable
cooler to fill with ice and water. But unfortunately, we forgot lots of things and actually made SEVERAL TRIPS! By the 3rd time back in the main entrance, the greeter said "is that you Texas?" We finally got all our stuff and then we headed south to Papago Park in
Phoenix.
Oh wait...we forgot sunscreen! Ha... Hold on!
This would not be a bad view to commute everyday!
The kids never understood why this feel so weird to see this sign!
They need to travel west more often... I guess we ALL DO!
Papago Park is a large area of Phoenix that houses the
Phoenix Botanical Gardens. The Phoenix Zoo as well as countless hiking trails
and The Hole in the Mountain. This mountain literally has a hole in it and you
can easily climb to the top in a very slight slope and within 10-15 minutes. It
is like nothing I have ever seen before and I HIGHLY recommend this for people
of all ages and especially for those with kids! PLUS... IT IS FREE! This was so cool!
Hole in the Mountain in Papago Park!
DO IT... Just do it, trust me!
After we got to the top, we viewed the downtown Phoenix area and then rested before we made the trek back down to the bottom. We went back to the car to replenish our waters and then headed back out to the many hiking trails. We found a nature trail that explained all of the plants and reptiles. This was highly fascinating and incredibly helpful as SO MANY PLANTS and flowers were in bloom while we were in Arizona!
The kids absolutely LOVED this! And again, it is FREE!
Luke was at home!
Natalie loved it too!
This was such a great way to spend a 95* morning!
He just had to... He just had to!
There were SO MANY CACTUS and so many different variations!
15 years... How has it been 15 years!
So ummm... I guess I had a little sunscreen problem!
All of the sudden, Natalie was pointing and laughing! Haha!
These trees were in bloom EVERYWHERE we went! We loved these so much!
We then went to the La Cerreta Chocolate Factory for a “tour”.
This was featured on The Food Network and we were intrigued. However, this
proved to be anything but an actual TOUR. We stood behind a table while the worker
pointed to the machines that make the chocolate and explained the history of
the family that started this factory. The VIP tour cost $13 and allowed the
kids to make a “chocolate pizza” at the end of the tour. The Classic Tour cost
$5 and included a $2 off coupon to buy chocolate in the store. This was
something I would NOT do again or recommend anyone do but I do truly hope this
company can make it! We were the only ones on our tour, and you could tell this
company was SERIOUSLY struggling! Good luck to y’all!
Luke making his pizza at the end of our "tour"!
After the tour we made the trek back to our hotel, 45
minutes away, and Chris took a nap while I took the kids to the pool. I had
asked the front desk if we could have a rollaway bed since the kids were struggling
to sleep in the same bed and instead, they offered to upgrade us to a larger
room with a sofa bed and a rollaway bed. This turned out to be one of the best
rooms in the hotel. It had a king bed, sofa bed and a rollaway bed. It worked
out SO WELL for us! Thank you Shelby at the Front Desk of the Embassy Suites!
SPLASHING INTO SPRING BREAK!
We got to 7th street and within a block or two of
Chase Field, we saw a $7 parking lot that offered cash payment! This was a God
send and it turned out to be only 2 blocks away. In Houston Astros parking,
this would have been a $30-40 parking lot… AT LEAST! Thank you, Phoenix!
Chase Field has a clear bag policy, but this allowed us to EACH
bring in a clear Ziploc bag full of bottled water and snacks. They also
allowed Chris to bring in the binoculars, which was a bonus. We got into the
park early but missed batting practice by about 10-15 minutes. However, when we
walked in and into the lower level, a worker came up to Luke and gave him a
ball. The worker had caught it during batting practice and is not allowed to
keep it, so he made Luke’s day by giving it to him! This was such a neat way to
start our Bucket List checkoff evening! Thank you, Mr. Johnson!
She's a BEAUTY!
This was so thrilling!
My mini-me and I! This girl needs to stop growing up!
I am so glad I got to experience all of this with my kids!
I cannot believe I am down to only 5 stadiums left! PINCH ME!
Luke's batting practice ball! Thank you Mr. Johnson!
We wandered around the stadium before getting to our seats in the 1st base upper deck. The roof was closed for the pre-game but just after the National Anthem, it was opened as well as the sides of the stadium. This was SO COOL! And it made for a PERFECT evening of baseball!
I am so glad they opened the roof... And we got to see it!
This was so COOL!
A friend of Luke's from his football and basketball team is Paul Goldschmidt's nephew!
Luke thought this was SO COOL!
I'm still giddy with excitement!
How can this possibly be happening!
Lower Deck Chase Field!
National Anthem at an MLB stadium... I get chills EVERY time!
God bless America!
COVID AND BASEBALL
Due to COVID, the DBacks were only allowed 20% capacity so
it felt as if the stadium was empty, but this did not bother any of us. We were
in a 4 person “pod” that was socially distanced from anyone in our section by
at least 2 seats. It seemed as if only 1 concession was open every 3-4 section
in the upper deck. Chase Field also offered a MOBILE ORDER pay and pick up to
help ensure social distancing! In addition, Chase Field offered VALUE MENU items
that were offered at EACH GAME. This was only offered at specific concessions,
but it featured $2 hotdogs, corndogs, popcorn and sodas as well as $5 cotton candy and
pretzels. This was very helpful for a family of four! And to be honest, the
hotdogs were tasty!
You can NEVER GO WRONG with a dog at the game!
In the end, the DBacks lost to the Oakland As. In fact, this game reminded me of Luke’s 8U team. There were lots of errors by the DBacks and lots of runs by the As. But what an AMAZING night! This was so special to me. Ever since 1998 when Bank One Ballpark (The BOB) opened with a HOT TUB in the outfield, I have been wanting to go to this stadium. Finally, after 2 decades, this wish became a reality! I was so happy... I just stood there and cried as the Nation Anthem was played! I still can hardly believe it! I now only have 5 more MLB stadiums to go and they are ALL in California! Thank you, Chris, for making this a reality!
Not a single person kneeling... I love this!
Baseball and masks... I guess this IS the new normal?!
At least for now...
Patience is a VIRTURE... MY DREAMS COMING TRUE!
We traveled the very small distance to our car and then to
our hotel to call it a night. We were all so tired from a long day of fun in
the Phoenix sun!
Stay Tuned for more of our Bucket List Trip!
Up Next… Horseback Riding, College Touring and of course, MORE
BASEBALL!
Thanks again for following along!
God is good… ALL THE TIME!
Did you miss a day? Catch up here:
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