Day 2: Philadelphia

Day 2: Philadelphia

Quote of the day:

Don't all leave at once. Leave in groups of twos and threes. They're selling rocks out there at a dollar a pail and this way they can't get us all at once.

Weather: Sunny and slight breezes, perfect for baseball, LET’S PLAY TWO!

Pics: Comic-con comes to Philly, around town, a few Citizen Bank shots without rain

THB hits the FitCtr early, and unlike yesterday there are people already working out, and thus the elliptical machines are in use. THB also finds a nearby Starbucks and buys a paper and a small au lait, with 3 day old Arizmendi roll, $5.

THB and LHB walk to and around the Society Hill neighborhood, full of historical spots, galleries, old brick homes and businesses. Even though it is Saturday and a very nice day (especially in the shade), not that many people are out. Stop for iced coffees, yogurt parfait and savory scone, $12.50. Later, pick up some cookies at Tartes (just to be clear, since there only two of us, that’s less than 20 cookies, though not that much less), revisiting them again after helping the OMCA tour group sugar up in 2009, $14.25. The owner (THB is guessing) is decidedly unfriendly when THB asks to break a $5 bill for bus money, so THB buys even more to get change. An unfriendly bakery, good customer, must be a hard day in front of the ovens today.

Take bus back to hotel, and now there are tons of people out as we near downtown; Comic-con is in town. They were in Seattle when THB was there in March. Must be a series of events around the country; have Batmobile, will travel.

Easy metro out to ballpark again, we leave a bit closer to starting time. Still leaves THB time to get a sliced beef sandwich at the Bull, Greg Luzinski’s bbq place, before the game. Greg sits in a booth and autographs balls for hours. With Yuengling pale ale, $17.

Our seats for this afternoon’s game are way, way better, just off center of home plate (we look down the right field line) in the lower deck, right near where they put the families of the visiting team. And, oooops, they are way more expensive: $118/seat, fully loaded. This buys you a mini-ticket plan with the A’s, guarantees you a game managing the team, and they pick you up in a limo ahead of time (and, if the A’s win, let you manage another game).

Game is pretty exciting, back and forth, and the Marlins go ahead in 8^th and hold on for a 5-4 win. The big moment, even closer than last night: A guy, who moved down to sit in the empty seats in front of us, catches a ball barehanded! We are less than two seats away. Of course, no way does THB even attempt to catch a ball with a glove anymore, let alone without one. Oh, and it was pretty clear this guy had been averaging a beer an inning before joining us for the last two innings.

Easy metro back, a walk through the old city hall, and in the room and ready to watch the NBA semi-final game coming on later. All before the sun ever sets.