A Final Look Back: 3 Months Later

Looking back two and a half months later, it is still pretty hard to put into words how incredible this trip was. Personally, I think it was three of the best months of my life, and I think Andy would say the same (Yup. - Andy). Having readjusted to the normal day to day rigors of life, I've realized how great of an experience it was to wake up every day saying, "Well, what do you want to do today? Go party in Vegas or Hike the Grand Canyon? Yeah, that sounds good." while seeing almost every part of this amazing country and meeting new people every day from all the different American cultures. Traveling to new and unknown places, both foreign and domestic, is something every person should experience. It may not change who you are, but it will make you realize how much is out there and that this country and world aren't really as small as everyone says it is becoming. Oh yeah, and seeing more than 30 baseball games in one season wasn't so bad, either.

This trip could not have been what it was without the help of a long list of people, some who we knew and some who we didn't and were just looking to help out two guys who were on their own traveling the country. For certain, everyone along the way who helped us out in one way or another is missing from this list, but here goes. We can't thank you all enough:

Kiki, Stu and Charlie in Toronto

Tom and Bob Stevens in Ypsilanti, Michigan and Allyson Abbott

Doug Paige in Cleveland, Ohio

Jerry Crab and Brad Mohr of the Cleveland Indians

Matt Jamula and the Northeastern Club Baseball Team

Chad Pearson and Brandon De Roziere in Cincinnati, Ohio

Aric Mine and Mara in Chicago

Steve and Tracy in Milwaukee

Aunt Chip in Kansas City

Chris, Katy, Tyler and Max in Kansas City

Jen Crawford in Denver

Chris in Jackson, Wyoming

Sam, Lydia, John-O in Colorado

The Sleeping Bulldog B&B in Seattle, Washington

Austin, Casey, Mary and company in Sonoma, California

Sara Johnson in San Diego, California

Nate Orsi, Harold and Tiffany in Manhattan Beach, California

Sally, Mike, Mary and Sam in San Antonio, Texas

Bob and Julie Johnson, Sagamore and West Palm Beach, Florida

Pete Mackinas in St. Petersburg, Florida

Meghan Bucheit in Atlanta, Georgia

Joe DeBoer in Atlanta, Georgia

Tim and Cathy in Greensboro, North Carolina

Richard Lavoie, Lauren Lavoie and Brian Barsalou in Baltimore

Luke and Liz in Fairfax, Virginia

Mark Crawford in Maclean, Virginia

David and Yvonne Crawford

Richard and Gail Lavoie

Everyone else who was a part of this trip, thank you!

To wrap this website up for a final time, we'd like to leave you with our "favorites" from the trip. This was a fun way way to kill time on some highway somewhere towards the end of the trip.

Best Game: Andy-Rangers at Blue Jays. Ben-Cubs at Brewers

Best Pitching Performance: Andy- Luke Hochevar KC Royals. Ben- Luke Hochevar KC Royals

Best Ballpark Food: Andy- Crab Fries at Citizens Park. Ben- Poutine at the Rogers Centre

Best Tourist Attraction: Andy- St. Louis Arch. Ben- The Grand Canyon

Best Party Town: Andy- Vegas. Ben-Vegas

Best Bar: Andy- The Black Fin. Ben- Great Lakes brewery. Honorable mention to Portland Tap House and the Signature Room at the Hancock Tower, Chicago

Best Restaraunt: Andy- Harry Cary's on the Pier in Chicago. Ben - BBQ in Kansas City

Best Mascot: Andy - Mr Redlegg. Ben - The Philly Phanatic

Best Vendor: Unanimous- The "Don't Fear, It's Just Beer!" Guy

Best Crowd: Andy - Tampa (Worst=Cubs). Ben - Philadelphia (Worst = Athletics)

Best View: Andy- The Grand Canyon. Ben - Beartooth Pass

Best Hosts: Andy - Aunt Chip. Ben - Chad and Brandon in Cincy

Best Campground: Andy - Sinks Canyon. Ben - Redwood National Forrest

Best State: Unanimous - California.

Best Brewery: Unanimous - Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee.

Best Meal: Andy- Steve's Ribs. Ben - Breakfast at the Bulldog B&B

Best Fast Food: Unanimous - Culvers (Wisconsin).

Top Parks:

Andy:Fenway, Citi, Tampa, KC, Citizens, Atlanta

Ben: Camden Yards, Citizens Bank Ballpark, AT&T Park, Petco Park, Fenway Park.