Take Me Out to a Ballgame!

This morning we had 'breakfast in bed' or should I say 'in room' at the hotel as we were getting ready to leave. We left the island and headed back to Savannah. We were going the opposite direction as the crowd and so we made great timing!

Nicole read about a 'must go' place to eat called Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. It is another place that has a 'first come first serve' policy and people stand in line for it. We drove straight there and arrived about 10:15 am. There were only a few people in line so we ran over to Back In The Day Bakery and got Nicole some cupcakes (another favorite). Melinda and I also got a couple to try. When we got back to Mrs. Wilkes' the line was longer but we got a great parking spot (go Melinda). We did not make it in the first group of people eating (they seat about 80 at a time) but we didn't wait too long. We got in about 11:30 or so. It is served 'family style' and all the food is on the table when we sat down. There were more choices to choose from -- all southern style cooking -- than I can even think to write. We sat at a table with about 12 people. Our table had people from CA, UT, MI, FL & GA. The food was good, but not excellent and when we left we all agreed Paula Deen's place was MUCH better. One of the gentlemen at the table with us said his brother is a chef and said "Mrs. Wilkes is much better than Paula Deen's - don't waste your time". Well we were glad we did both, but Paula Deen's wins our vote.

Following lunch we headed back to Atlanta. I drove most of the way and about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta Melinda took over since she knows the area. We complain about traffic in LA, but it is at least as bad here. We drove straight to Turner Field and got there about 5:30. Unlike Dodger Stadium the parking is a little more difficult. We found a $10 lot at a Holiday Inn near the stadium and so we parked there. Melinda and I went in the bathroom and put our Dodger shirts on. Kim Gibbs, her husband Joey & new daughter Anna met us there and Melinda was able to visit with them for about 45 minutes or so. Melinda was glad she was able to see them because she won't be coming to Atlanta regularly anymore. Kim's daughter is beautiful. She is like a porcelain doll! All her features are just perfect!

We headed to the stadium about 6:30. We took some pictures and then we walked down to the area where the old Fulton County Stadium was. It is now the parking lot, but they have left the wall up like it was the outfield wall. They also have a simple memorial where home plate was and Hank Aaron broke the home run record. We took a picture there. We got our tickets from Page Odle and so we went to find the players will call window. We were told it was one place and after waiting in a long line we were told we were in the wrong place. We walked clear to the other side of the stadium. However, when we got our tickets we were very grateful. We were on the terrace level right behind home plate! You really couldn't get much better! This was Nicole's first baseball experience -- not a bad start! By the time we sat down we were there in time for the National Anthem and the opening pitch. The Dodgers looked good in the first inning but it all went down hill from there! Dodgers lost 6-1. However, we had a great time! The stadium was nice -- the "Braves Vision" screen was incredible! It had to have been HD.

It is now after midnight and we are heading back to our hotel. Although it is only about 10 miles it is taking us quite a bit of time thanks to the traffic!