June 8, 2007 - Kannapolis, NC to Jacksonville, FL

A brief stop in Columbia, SC to visit some fellow Kaplanites (and check e-mail).

Wait, that's the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium, we're here to see the Jacksonville Suns.


This is better. The baseball field.








The Jacksonville Suns (Class AA for the Marlins) beat the Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA for the Dodgers) 5-4. And the ump goes wild.

June 7, 2007 - Salem, VA to Kannapolis, NC

Somewhere, the Stanley Cup was hoisted last night. But we're on a baseball trip.

And another scenic drive. This time along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.







Hi Dan!!! Nice meadows.




And we made it down to the heart of NASCAR in Mooresville, North Carolina.







Dale Earnhardt is fondly remembered everywhere around here. Even the local thoroughfare bears his number.





Even at the ballpark, NASCAR was everywhere. Fitting I suppose since the Kannapolis Intimidators are named after Dale as well.





The field

Kannapolis held off a late rally to top the visiting team, whoever they were (must find ticket stubs).

June 6, 2007 - Charleston, WV to Salem, VA

We took the scenic route along the Coal Heritage trail.


And passed through some pretty desolate places.



But they have nice water towers.


And beautiful valleys. They don't call it "almost heaven" for nothin'!



Haines family, this one's for you.

On to Salem for some baseball, and maybe a physical.

The field



We met up with Jim. That's his arm next to Stephanie. Sorry Jim, we'll try to get a better picture next time.

Beer and guns. Where are we?

Mascot.

The Salem Avalanche (Class A for the Red Sox) beat the Potomac Nationals (Class A for the Nationals) 9-3.

June 5, 2007 - Charleston, WV

Our 1st game of this trip is in the capital of West Virginia, Charleston.








Lots of hits and errors, but the West Virginia Power (Class A for the Pirates) beat the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Class A for the Marlins) 8-6.
At this game, Stephanie miraculously ran into an old friend from Cleveland. Hi Jeff!