Boston Trip ’22

May 8, 2023

     By early April 2022, Covid-19 had been ravishing through the country like wildfire for three years and was finally subsiding. Boredom had eclipsed the normal realm. I needed to do something. Anything. 

     I thought, if a friend, with two small girls, were able to attend exciting places alone with them in tote, surely, I could handle myself a few days alone in a new city. I borrowed her strength and went to work on the details but still hoping for someone to join along.

     I had tickets to a Detroit Tigers vs Boston Red Sox game at Fenway back in ’17 but missed out due to arthritis in my left knee. I couldn’t put any pressure on it. Let alone walk distances. Plus, I had planned to go with my cousin’s husband, but they uprooted and moved to California beforehand. Wasn’t into going it alone then.

     The ’22 Major League Baseball Season had just begun, and Boston popped to mind once more. So, I checked the Tiger Schedule to see when they traveled to Beantown. 

     With laptop in hand and a couple mouse clicks, a full range of emotions erupted. From bliss to being in seventh heaven, my jaw dropped. The Tigers were playing the Red Sox in June. My birth month. I’ll celebrate this year’s birthday as my #BirthdayMonth. I’ll make up for lost time. I’ll see and do as much as I can for the entire month, my mind shouted! 

     No turning back. Fenway Park had always been on my Bucket List and now I wanted to check it off for myself and the sake of former Tigers great and Hall of Fame member, Ty Cobb. 

     Cobb was a mere mention in the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ and hearing the late Ray Liotta as ‘Shoeless Joe Jackson’ telling Kevin Costner’s, Ray Kinsella “Ty Cobb wanted to play, but none of us could stand the son-of-a-bitch when we were alive, so we told him to stick it,” still curls my stomach. Ty was going in spirit. Afterall #TyNeverDied

     The next morning, I purchased the game tickets on StubHub. Thinking I could find someone who’d want to tag along with, I grabbed two. Price was reasonable. But a travel partner never panned out and I eventually did go alone.

     Later, that morning, I was off to the Amtrak Station for my train ticket. 

     I’ve always loved trains, and this was by far, the cheapest mode of transit to and from Boston. 

     Enjoying the old locomotive inside the Dearborn Transit Center was pretty cool when I purchased the ticket. But there were some unknown surprises awaiting me before June’s departure. More on that later.

     Now came the fun part. Hotel reservations. I’m not into Bed and Breakfast hookups. But if you are, more power to you. Being under someone else’s roof while on vacation sounds too confining to me. 

     I began trying all the online travel sites. For the stay I wanted, prices varied by distance to the ballpark, amenities and refund policies (forbid a resurgence of Covid-19.) 

     I decided, days later, on Expedia because of that very policy. A full refund just in case. Afterall, this was the biggest expense of the journey. 

     I chose the Back Bay Hilton. Perhaps, at best, a half mile from Fenway itself. Yet still in the center of the affluent area that surrounds it. 

Part 1A: The Buildup 

     April and May passed, uneventfully, slow. Surprisingly I wasn’t anxious. Then June arrived… 

     Finally, #BithdayMonth is here! All I could think was ‘let’s get this party started’. Afterall, Boston wasn’t my only plans for the month!

      June 2, I found myself sitting in the stands at the Tigers – Minnesota Twins game at Comerica Park. Little did I know then, they would be the last Detroit Sports Team to win a game I will have attended leading up to this writing. 323 days since I’ve seen a win. And I have been to several.

      Daz Cameron (who?) hit a two-run homer in the bottom half of the eighth and Gregory Soto came in to finish off the Twins in the top of the ninth for a 3-2 Tigers win.

     The very next day, I was headed off to The Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle. This was the last race to be held on the island. Beginning this year (2023), Indy Car will be running the ‘Streets of Detroit.’

     I’ve been to quite a few races on Belle Isle and for a five-year run had been a guest of WXYZ Channell 7 where I was honored to have sat in the Chalets. But since NBC won the TV rights from ABC to Indy Car events, a few years back, our local affiliate has opted out of special seating. While WDIV Channel 4 just runs the national networks coverage. 

     Even without the preferred seating I had a blast. My most memorable moment occurred prior to Friday’s practice session. There are always long lines to the merchandising and food booths at the race and I hadn’t noticed Team Penske’s drivers Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin signing autographs is what made movement slower than usual.

     I finally got to the head of the line to purchase a hat (Yes, A Team Penske Covering) and Power says to me, “I hear #12 is pretty good (his #)” and I responded to the eventual race winner “No. I’m not after an autograph. I just want a hat.” We both laughed. I have seen him many times, on the island, throughout the years. I’m just not a collector. Yet he is my favorite active driver and Penske my favorite team.

     As my birthday drew closer, gifts started being delivered. And guess what? There were hats. Much like Wesley Snipes as ‘Willie Mays Hayes’ from the movie ‘Major League’ who mounted his batting gloves to a wall after each stolen base he achieved, I have my ‘Wall of Hats.” And there they hang until I chose one to wear.

     First arriving a ‘Top Gun Maverick’ from Movie Critic; Teri Hart, in Toronto. She received it from the movies press junket. 

     Then came the ‘Boba Fett’ (The Mandalorian, Star Wars) from Casey Dacanay. Actress / Entrepreneur / Influencer 

     Third delivered was a ‘Long Beach City College’ cap from son Nicholas. He’s the public address announcer for the college’s baseball team.

     Lastly, and not to be out done, from Los Angeles area cosplayer, Gabriella Madriles, two arrived. One each from the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.

     My infamous “Wall of Hats,” surround 2021’s birthday painting gifted me by Noi Phimmasanh. A real artist and nurse, she is.

Part 1B: More Suprises 

     June 12, a Sunday afternoon, one day away from my actual birthday and one week from leaving for Boston, my phone rings. Rarely do I answer an ‘unknown caller.’ That day I did. Damn Amtrak I yelled, after listening to the automated message that had just cancelled my ride to and from Beantown. I thought still time to catch a flight or bus. 

     Prior to my first defibrillator implant in ’05, I would’ve had no second thoughts of jetting off. But since, have been leery of flying. I know it’s safe, but the thought of the device going off midair doesn’t settle well with me. I’d leave the bus as a last option. 

     I turned the laptop on and went straight into Amtrak’s site. My original route was simple. Bus from Michigan to Toledo. Train from there through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and into Massachusetts. But repairs on the lines, had shut it down.  

     Found I could still ride the train but by a lengthier route. Same bus to Toledo, train to Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, District of Columbia (DC), back into Maryland, Delaware, once a again Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (NYC), Connecticut, Rhode Island and finally into Boston. WOW well why not! I’d arrive two hours later but would miss an additional three-hour layover in Toledo.

     Re-booked and assigned a seat. But it wasn’t over quite yet.

     I had been speaking to an Amtrak Agent on the phone the entire time. He had inadvertently booked me from Michigan to Chicago which is the trains originating site. An additional six hours, plus a layover. But I had no knowledge of it yet.

    After he had hung up, I received the confirmation by email. I screamed NONONO (and not at the music group.) That’s the opposite direction! Immediately I redialed customer service and the agent straightened it out. Long route, yes, but no Chi Town.

     My birthday came and went, while the week flew by. 

     June 19, while waiting for my ride to the station, I was checking my social media sites and I noticed two notifications pop-up. 

     It was from Tara Edwards. Many of you locals, know her from her days as a television reporter at WXYZ 7 here in Detroit. I’m guessing we go back fifteen years. She had sent me a birthday video from Hawaii while on her own vacation. A bit late, but that’s Tara, and part of the reason I love her to death! 

     Would’ve preferred the normal way of posting it, but this site won’t allow me add YouTube Shorts as actual video. But here its’ link 

     Couple of other things about Tara (remember #TEd we have our promises to #PleaseDontEverBecomeAStranger) so I have immunity for this. (Insert laughing emoji) 

     At least once a week, on social media, someone asks me if we’re dating or married, and how are things between us. I’ve always told the truth. But when my neighbor, who had seen a photo of her on my phone, asked if she were my ‘Ex.’  I thought, what a smartass! This person drives me crazy, annoys me to death, plus I really don’t like her. I replied ‘NO. She’s my next’. That shut her up and she’s been relatively civil since. 

     Between the videos she has sent, the get well wishes offered during my surgeries and procedures or just a hello from wherever she’s at, there’s one thing I’ll never forget. Tara’s the only person to ever FedEx me a Christmas Card. And guess what? It was late too. I still have the card and the ensuing laughter its late arrival caused. Love you #TEd…

     Finally, for the record, Tara and I, are NOT dating, nor married. We’re simply great friends that enjoy life with one another in it. That would describe us as #BESTIES!  

     Follow her on TikTok @tarabearra. Her videos are a hoot!

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Birthday, Boston, Boston Red Sox, Casey Dacanay, detroit tigers, fenway park, may the force be with you, star wars, tara edwards, wall of hats, why not smile