July 15, 2010 - Saint Lucie, FL to Daytona Beach, FL

We had a brief METAL STOP in FT. PIERCE and then were on our way.

The Gulf Coast Mets await! They play near the Spring Training facility of the big-boy Mets.

The facilities were not as fancy as the big-boy Mets. At least there was shade! There's Todd sitting with some Mets players.

The field

Stephanie and some Mets players

This is Todd's new friend.

DOWN IN FRONT!

The Gulf Coast Mets beat the Gulf Coast Astros 3-0 (we think).

Now that's just gross.

More Iowa-esque Florida

FIRE!

We were going to visit Jeannie.

Re-entry is always hard. Now they've banned it entirely!

Uh-oh

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY!


Dale, Sr. was one speedy fella! Or the camera took a funny picture...

We didn't see any speed limit signs posted here. Hmm...

The Daytona 500 Experience

Dale Earnhardt on his #3! He died on this track on February 18, 2001.

Dale Earnhardt and Todd

Dale Earnhardt and a windblown Stephanie

Dale Earnhardt's bronzed gloves and his lucky penny.

His accomplishments

The Daytona 500 Walk of Fame

Dale Earnhardt, Sr. finally won the Daytona 500 in 1998.

And Dale Jr. won in it 2004.

88 miles on this tank of gas at this point. Coincidence? Jr. won here a couple weeks ago.

So, all we have to do is go down that tunnel?


We've got a ballgame to get to! On the way there, we passed this. We don't know what it is, but it is pretty.

Fishing in front of the ballpark

wha...?

We wonder if Chicago Cubs can park here too.

JACKIE ROBINSON BALLPARK! This is Todd and Stephanie's 100th ballpark together.

A great choice for our 100th.



Jackie has 2 numbers retired here.

The press box is a true sky box here.

A friendly player signed a glove for this fan.

Front Row Joe Rowe has been here every game since June 26, 1995.



Way to go Joe!!

Stephanie and Cubbie!

MMM... more pulled pork nachos.

Oops, the US Open is still over a month away. And it's in New York.

Bouncy ball race on the wet grass.

All the way from Iowa to the top of the dugout.

And a burrito eating contest.

And they let the kids run across the field between innings. Boy are they fast.

It was Thirsty Thursday, but we did not participate. Lots more driving to do.

Another beerpen.

3... 3... 3 bars in 1.



If you're really thirsty, try their X-treme Gulp.

Math is not their strong suit in Daytona.

Is that prison lettering on their shirts?

Todd, honoring the late great Jackie in his ballpark and the great Mariano with his #42 shirt.

Stephanie and usher

New friends Dennis and Ed. HEY DAN, YOUR SHOE'S UNTIED!

Is that the famous left arm of Dodger(??) great Whitey Ford? Sorry Ed, but the Chairman of the Board played his entire career with the Yankees.

Chris, Todd, Stephanie and Dennis.

Who's got better hair?

Go Cubs Go! They topped the Fort Myers Miracle (A for the Twins) 4-2.

We've survived 100 ballparks together over the past 12 years!! Yay!!