Are you kidding me? That was my initial response when my husband Ken informed me that we were going to be attending a baseball tournament that started on Friday night and ran until Sunday at noon. My initial reaction was to ask my husband if he was insane. Apparently he is. He encouraged me to make the best of it so I booked us a room at a nearby spa. At this point I was imagining a little baseball, some time by the pool, maybe some spa treatments. It didn’t work out quite the way I had planned, but if there is one thing I have learned in my 57 years on this planet, things rarely go as planned so you’d better adapt and go with the flow or spend your whole life in a state of frustration. The event, fondly known as Midnight Madness began at 5:00 on Friday with events such as a homerun derby and a dance off. It was loud, crowded, completely insane, and surprisingly, a whole lot of fun. I even got this nifty sweatshirt. I just took a photo of the logo but imagine a hoodie attached.
On the upside we did have a fabulous meal when we first arrived. The kids were with their mother so it was just Ken and I for a few hours and we had a delicious steak dinner on the patio overlooking the mountains. The temperature was perfect, the view divine, and the food to die for. Of course what I didn’t know at the time was that this would be the last relaxing moment we’d have the entire weekend. I also didn’t realize that our meals after this point would consist of corndogs and chili fries from the snack bar.
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At 11:00 pm the brackets are selected. The first game began at midnight and each team is assigned 4 game times between midnight on Friday and 6:00 am on Sunday. The playoffs are after that. While I have to admit that I experienced a slight rush of adrenaline when we first arrived, I was very glad to see that we had four hours between the announcement of game times and our first game. Most of the kids and parents camped at the facility but Ken and I headed back to the resort for 4 wonderful hours of sleep. Boy that 4 hours went quick.
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After our short nap we headed back to the fields for a game in the middle of the night. Since the tournament was in the high desert (Carson City Nevada) is was HOT during the day and COLD at night. It was kind of cool to be watching a game under the stars but I think I’ve had my fill for a very long time. In fact I may have had my fill for a lifetime. The photo below was taken from the parking lot when we arrived for our night game. It was COLD.
As the song reminds us, “The sun will come up tomorrow,” and it did. It warmed up quickly and then it was HOT. Meet my granddaughter Maleia. This was taken shortly after sunrise when it was still cold. I wish I looked that good on 4 hours sleep. 🙂
The good news is that in spite of the insanity of it all the kids had a blast. This is my grandson Isaiah. He had the time of his life and didn’t seem tired at all. Oh for the energy of a child.
We got our next break, seven hours this time, on Saturday afternoon. We took the kids back to the resort for a nap while I sat out by the pool and caught up on EVERYTHING! When you have 5 email addresses and 8 Facebook pages, there is a lot of catching up to do, but if you have to work this is the place to do it.
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Our team didn’t make the finals so our last game wrapped up at around 4:30 am on Sunday morning. It was then back to the resort to SLEEP. When I made the reservation I really envisioned having a massage and spending at least part of he time being pampered. It didn’t work out that way but it was fun and something that I’m sure the kids will remember for a lifetime, and in the end, aren’t memories that last a lifetime what it’s really all about?
I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my insane journey. My next post will be Friday July 3. I am going to reprint my post for the Whodunit page entitled Travel, Rearch, and Haunted Places. After that I will publish an original blog on July 10. I’m not sure of the subject yet. I guess I’ll see where my life takes me.
If you would like to have a paperback or Kindle copy of a Kathi Daley Book comment below. I will pick a random winner to receive a Kathi Daley Book of their choice sometime on Saturday.
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
Great blog.The grands will always remember these times
Thank you Ruth.
Sounds like fun.
It was fun. Exhausting but fun.
I have found that things like this is what sticks in my memory. One year for our anniversary hubby and I were so busy running around we didn’t really celebrate, he bought me a bag of Dorito’s to munch on. Another year we went to a friend’s son baseball game on Mother’s day, I told hubby fine as long as he fed me…I got McDonald’s, these stuck in my memory and 25 years later we are still laughing about it.
I agree. Sometimes it is those moments that deviate from the norm that stick with us the most.
What a wonderful Grandma! They will remember this forever. Thanks for this adventure on your blog. Can’t wait till the next.
Thank you Penny.
Great memories were made, thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Catherine. Thanks for stopping by.
I love your blog. Sounds like it was a very memorable time was had by all 🙂
Thank you Peggy. 🙂
Enjoyed hearing about your unusual but fun weekend. Wonderful memories….
Thank you Donna. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the tournament journey with us. The hotel looked devine. I’m glad y’all had a good time.
The hotel is actually a resort built around natural hot springs. It was very nice.
I think staying at the resort was a winning idea! I also think there is a place in Heaven reserved for bleacher parents and families. Fun reading about your weekend.
I agree that there should be a place in heaven for bleacher parents and grandparents. It takes SO much time but it is worth it.
You were smart to book the room(s) so that everyone had a chance to rest and the setting was beautiful. You made so many family memories in that weekend that will be cherised for years to come.
It did work out good to have the rooms. It was HOT. I wouldn’t have wanted to be camping in a tent.
I sure miss the high desert. Loved the cold nights and starry skies.
It is beautiful at night.
Looks like you stayed at a nice place….views are great! Definitely an experience to remember for the whole family.
Linda it was fun. Wouldn’t want to do it every weekend, but I’m sure we made a memory.
wow — brought back memories of when my daughter was in softball — crazy and hectic but well worth it when we saw her face
So true Jo Anne.
It sounds like you had fun at the tournament. It’s a shame you didn’t get to enjoy much of that beautiful spa. Maybe a return visit is in order. ツ
Yeah, a return trip WITHOUT the kids is definitely in order. 😉
Sounds like an experience of a lifetime for kids and adults. The kids will have great memories of you bring there and that is priceless.
I agree. Memories are what we have in the end.
The winner of the Kathi Daley book of choice is Diane Cooney. Please email me at kathidaley@kathidaley.com with your book choice and mailing address.
Kathi, your “insane journey” blog was enjoyable to read and sounded like fun to me. The tournament was in a beautiful location.
You are a very young looking 57 year old. 🙂
Thank you Susan. It was fun. Insane, but fun.
Wow what a trip. Remember the marathon baseball games when my brother played baseball. Now it’s karate tournaments with my niece when I know about them.
Kids sports can be fun but they can also be TIME CONSUMING!
Sounds like a fun, but exhausting, time!
Christi it was fun AND exhausting.
That sure was a long weekend. But, these are wonderful memories for everyone.
Yes, they are wonderful memories.
One thing about you Kathi, you don’t lead a boring life. I love the resort, maybe you can go back for actual pampering 🙂
Karen actual pampering would be nice
I enjoyed reading about your trip. Reminded me of when our daughter was in Girl Scouts and needed her camping badge. She camped out with her girlfriend and we stayed at a nearby motel. Oh, happy days.
I remember the Girl Scout days. Good times.
Sounds like a great time!
It really was an awesome time!
Sounds like great fun!!! Making special memories!!!!
It really was fun.
They will have great memories and always remember that you were there. But now you need some rest!
I really do need some rest but now we are into the All Star tournament which has out of town games EVERY night. Maybe after that.
Those memories will be treasured for a lifetime! The scenery is beautiful as well. Glad you had the foresight to reserve a hotel room.
I am very glad I had the foresight to reserve a hotel as well. 🙂
Men just love sports but glad you had a nice time. That is a very long game.
VERY long!
I’m glad you had fun with the grands. These pics and memories are treasures now & more so in later years. The spa will be there for you after tournaments and you can get a whole day of massage & pampering.
So true!
Wow, that sounds like an exciting weekend. Your grandchildren will always remember it.
Yes, I think it will be a weekend they will tell their children about.
Yes, I do think we made a memory.
It looks fun to me also exhausting….
It was fun. And exhausting.
Enjoyed hearing about your weekend. Crazy, but lots of fun I’m sure!
Yes it was fun.
What a great sport you are to spend all night at the ballpark. I can imagine your surprise and reluctance at the idea, but these opportunities are full of surprises. There are few others who can say they have had the same experience.
And I bet you have some story ideas as a result also.
Laura I could do an entire book based on some mom turned killer after 36 hours at the ballpark with a couple thousand kids. 🙂 It was fun though.
All I can say is memories… for the grandchildren who will talk about this forever – to their children and friends…. really forever…
Yes Patricia I think the kids will remember the weekend fondly.
I know exactly what you mean! Plans are what you make, God laughs!
I had twin boys, so my husband and I spent a great deal of time plotting logistics, esp. since he was a ref, too!
On the other hand, you and the grandchildren will never forget this trip. It sounds as if, all things being equal, a marvelous time was had by all!
Yes we did have a good time.
What smart, awesome grandparents you and your husband are! Hey, just my two cents here: When man (or woman) makes plans, God laughs! Lol!
Yes, I do believe that God was hysterical when I made my spa plans. 🙂 I’m so happy that I could give him a good chuckle.
So glad you had a good time!!. When I was younger we did things like that. Sort of kept up with the kids. The boys that is. My daughter was a whole new ball game.
Ooop! Just realized. Pun not intended. (eye roll) LOL!!
Sounds and looks like you all had a great time! And making memories with your kids, grandkids and great-grandkids(as in me) is what it’s all about! BTW I know you said 57 years old……you certainly don’t look it! My youngest daughter just turned 55 today! I could be your mom! LOL
You always look so happy and contented in your pictures. How do you manage family life, other obligations and write all those marvelous books?
Kathi, you have the best times! I love reading your take on things 😉
My happiest memories of summer did’nt involve doing anything sometimes it was just sitting under my grandmother’s grapevine with her and my mother it being to hot to move much. Sometimes just being in that moment stays with you all your life .