One day, too long ago to remember (I believe it was late March), I received an email from one Ken Levine. He had just published a book on his travels and asked if I, in my role as the UpTake Vacations Editor, would be interested in reviewing his book. I said yes, because I’m a sucker that can’t say no. True story.

Actually, I’m a sucker that doesn’t have a single moment of time to take on any additional responsibilities, so my promise to Ken Levine went unfulfilled. Until now.

Yes, Ken Levine, today is the day. I am going to review your book. Try to contain your enthusiasm.

And to you, the internet reader, here is why I’m featuring the review of Mr. Levine’s book on UpTake:

A) I said I would.
B) I live in Seattle (Mr. Levine calls some of the Mariners’ games).
C) I’m moving to L.A. this summer to pursue my passion of screenwriting. Mr. Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/producer of such TV hits as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier and Wings, to name a few. This is an opportunity for kissing ass that cannot be overlooked.
D) I get paid per post.
E) The book is about travel, and this is a travel site.

So you, the reader, may be asking yourself, “Self, what has two thumbs and doesn’t give a flying crap about Whit Honea’s take on travel books?”

If I were allowed to answer I would say “most primates,” but I’m not allowed to answer because I work here.

Rules are stupid.

The thing is, you should care about my review of a travel book because, as I mentioned before, I am the editor of a travel site. This means that I am smarter than everyone that reads this blog, present company excluded. Also, I have a soft spot for Ken Levine. Nobody should have to sit through that many innings of Mariner baseball.

Let’s talk about the book:  Read More »

Peanuts, Cracker Jack and cotton candy... the bread and butter of Dodger Stadium.

Thank goodness, Major League Baseball has returned and with it a united America (possible exceptions include Yankee and Red Sox fans).

Are you ready for some hot dogs wrapped in foil, $9 beers and all the cotton candy you can eat (or stick to you)? Then play ball!

There’s a ballpark in most major cities throughout the country. How many have you been to?

Photo by Whit Honea

Minor League Baseball Action

As the NCAA basketball final four was finalized this past weekend, most sports fans are either eagerly anticipating watching their favorite team take the court, or they’ve burned their brackets and are prepping for fantasy baseball. Growing up on Tobacco Road and a long-time Duke fan, I always hate seeing March mark the end of basketball season, yet I get excited because it means MLB’s spring training is in full swing and the fresh smell of boiled peanuts and freshly cut diamond fields are back again. If you’re like me, who doesn’t live in a booming metropolis with their own MLB team, you enjoy the competition and ambiance of a spring evening at a minor league baseball game. Although there’s nothing like driving down I-85 to see the Atlanta Braves take the field, where else can you enjoy dollar beer nights, freshly boiled peanuts and sit behind home plate.

Read More »

In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.
~ Lord Tennyson

What Tennyson forgot (typo?) was the end of that famous sentence. It should read “… of love for the game,” because, hello? Spring. We’re talking baseball here, people.

Spring Training baseball to be exact. Seems like Tennyson could have proofread that poem before he put it online.

Spring baseball is currently underway and runs until Opening Day on April 4th, 2010.

Ah, opening day, when a young man’s fancy turns to batting averages and on-base percentages.

In the meantime there are plenty of opportunities left to see the team of your choice and enjoy some sunshine in Arizona and/or Florida. Also enjoyable — beer.

Click on the league name for the remaining schedule: Read More »