The Indians and the Lighthouse

Bill enjoying the train ride

August 4 – We planned a pretty early start today to get to the game early.  We decided the best plan was to drive to the airport and take the RTA from there into Tower City, which is basically a couple of blocks from Progressive Field.  We had no problem getting to the airport but as we entered there was a sign indicating RTA/Free Parking.  Well, once we got in to the airport area there were no other signs offering any information.  I stopped at a baggage handler and asked him about parking and he said there was no free parking and steered me to where was cheaper.

We circled to the other side to the Sheraton and found a spot quickly and close to the airport garage.  I put Bill’s scooter together and I went in to the Sheraton to see how to get to the RTA station.  She told me to go through the covered walkways, through the garage to the elevator in the airport and down to the RTA station.  We managed that just fine and got our tickets and were the first

Progressive Field

and only ones leaving the airport.  The closer we got to Tower City the fuller the train got.  Once we arrived at our destination we had to use the elevator to go up into the shopping galleria to the elevator there to go down to the level to the “gateway” to the arena and stadium.  Then at the end of that we take an elevator down to street level and go outside

Even Flo got into the game!

to the stadium entrance.  There was a line but we were early enough to get our seating changed to “handicapped”.  They put us further from our paid seating which didn’t make Bill happy but we were up higher and in a much less crowded area straight down the first base line.

We were under a large overhang so we weren’t in the sun.  It wasn’t bad until a bit later in the day when the sun was getting closer to us.  Bill was excited that the Indians won 9-2 and might gain back a game in the standings.  We got to see some homeruns and a couple of nice plays.

What's a baseball game without a blimp?

We left at the top of the 8^th since he’s in the scooter and is slower than us both walking.  We backtracked to our last elevator to go down to the RTA going west and the elevator was out of order.  Wouldn’t you know?  They said our best option was to go down 2 floors in the mall elevator to the eastbound RTA and go one stop and get off and get back on going west.  It wasn’t so bad but of course we missed the train and they don’t’ come every few minutes like in NY.  So we got on then got off and waited again with a lady with a bad knee who also couldn’t take the stairs.  Then we got on and at the first stop, our original stop, there was a huge crowd from the game trying to get on.  We were set and good.  A black lady from Dallas got on and sat by me and she, Bill and I had a super good conversation all the way to the airport.  All about racism, travel, education, white cops vs. black thugs, the whole gambit.  She was not behind all of these anti-white cop people who don’t see how many blacks kill blacks.  Anyway, it was very interesting and she was such a nice lady travelling alone.

Once we got back to the car we headed to Lorain, OH to see the lighthouse

Lorain Lighthouse

there.  Traffic was heavy due to the game letting out but once we got into Lorain it was fine.  Bill couldn’t believe how run down and desolate they looked from he was there last.  So many closed, boarded up businesses.  We went to the marina, which was rather nice looking with the original older homes facing the water up a higher ridge.  We parked in the marina and I took the long walk to the end of the pier where people were fishing and midway there were young guys jumping off into the 20-25 foot water.  The weather wasn’t the best, a bit misty, but I got a couple of photos of the Lorain Lighthouse.

I has asked where we could get a Lake Erie Perch Dinner and they said right there at the marina for sure.  So we pulled and luckily there was an elevator up to the Jackalope.  We could sit on the deck overlooking the marina or inside at a window and we chose the window.  The view is great and it would have been perfect if it was closer to sunset.  We both had the perch dinner and it was delicious!  Bill’s dad used to bring us Lake Erie perch when he’s come south to winter.  We loved that fish.  I had the corn risotto and fresh veggies and Bill went more traditional with cole slaw and mixed rice.  They gave us way more fish than we could eat and we brought home 3 nice pieces.

The marina at sunset

I stopped in the gift shop below to get a post card of the lighthouse that was nicer than my photo and had a nice chat with the lady working.

 

Then it was time to head back to Grafton to the American Wilderness Campground.  We stopped along the way at Wal-mart and then Burger King for dessert.  I was too pooped to post for even type but I read a bit then off to bed.