Life Adventure

A Rough Diamond: Our Carolina Mudcats Experience

August 24, 2024 Jenn Tabor 0

Our next stop on the North Carolina minor league baseball tour took us to Five County Stadium, home of the Carolina Mudcats. While every ballpark has its unique charm, this visit reminded us that not all diamonds are polished. Five County Stadium is one of the older parks on our list, and unfortunately, it shows. The stadium itself has a lot of history, but it’s clear that it hasn’t been kept up with as well as some of the other parks we’ve visited. The wear and tear were noticeable, and it lacked some of the amenities and updates that make for a more comfortable fan experience. Despite the stadium’s condition, the crowd brought a fun energy that kept the night lively. Mudcats fans are clearly passionate, and their enthusiasm helped lift the overall atmosphere. When it came to food, though, this ballpark left much to be desired. We opted for the classic hot dogs, but they were just your basic dogs, and the quality wasn’t great. The buns were a bit stale, and the dogs themselves tasted like they’d been sitting under a heat lamp a little too long. It was a far cry from the gourmet options we’ve enjoyed at other parks on this tour, and it reminded us that sometimes, ballpark food is hit or miss. Even though the stadium and food weren’t the highlights of this visit, the game itself was still enjoyable thanks to the spirited crowd and the love of the game that was palpable the rest of the story

Brats, Baseball, and Another Home Team Win

July 29, 2024 Jenn Tabor 0

Our next stop on the North Carolina minor league baseball tour took us to one of the most iconic teams in the country: the Durham Bulls. This team’s reputation extends far beyond the state, thanks to their starring role in the classic film Bull Durham. But beyond the Hollywood fame, the Bulls offer a top-tier baseball experience, and we were lucky enough to enjoy it with some good friends who have season tickets. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, with its sleek design and modern amenities, feels like the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. It’s a place where you can feel the history of the team, but also enjoy all the comforts of a state-of-the-art ballpark. From the famous “Hit Bull, Win Steak” sign to the bustling concourse, it’s a ballpark that has something for everyone. We started the night off right by diving into some delicious ballpark food. Brats with all the trimmings were the stars of the show. Of course, we washed it all down with some cold drinks and couldn’t resist grabbing a bag of peanuts to snack on throughout the game. There’s just something about cracking open peanuts at a baseball game that makes everything feel right. The game itself was a blast.  Even though the IronPigs from Lehigh Valley scored 3 in the top of the first, the Bulls did not go quietly!  They continued to fight and came from behind in the bottom of the 9th to secure a 6-5 victory, keeping our streak of the rest of the story

Christmas in July with the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Thomas

July 27, 2024 Jenn Tabor 0

Our minor league baseball journey brought us to Greensboro, where we caught a game at First National Bank Field, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers. This game was extra special because we were joined by Gayle’s sister and  7-year-old great nephew, Thomas. It was also “Christmas in July” night at the park, adding a festive twist to the summer evening. As soon as we entered the ballpark, we knew it was going to be a fun night. The holiday spirit was in full swing, with decorations, music, and even an appearance by Santa Claus himself! Thomas was thrilled to meet Santa and got his picture taken—a Christmas memory in the middle of summer that he won’t soon forget.  Of course, no ballgame is complete without some classic ballpark food, and Jenn decided to try a hot dog topped with mac and cheese. This indulgent combination was a hit, blending the savory taste of the hot dog with the creamy, cheesy goodness of the mac and cheese. Even though it wasn’t as good as the mac & cheese dog from the Fayetteville Woodpeckers game, it was a delicious treat that perfectly captured the fun, relaxed vibe of minor league baseball. Gayle choose a dog with kraut and beer cheese, it was deemed good, although the beer cheese wouldn’t have been the favored choice as Gayle prefers mozzarella on a kraut dog. And of course , there were peanuts (that’s at every game BTW) The game itself was full of action, but unfortunately, the rest of the story

Lessons Learned at the Asheville Tourists Game

June 1, 2024 Jenn Tabor 0

The second stop on our quest to visit all 10 minor league baseball parks in North Carolina took us to Asheville, where we caught a game at the historic McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this ballpark is a true gem, rich with history and charm. But our night at the game was more than just a stroll through baseball history—it was full of surprises, excitement, and a valuable lesson we won’t soon forget. First, let’s talk about McCormick Field. Built in 1924, it’s one of the oldest active minor league stadiums in the country, and has hosted exhibition games played by the New York Yankees, featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and other major leagues teams that worked their way north from spring training. You can feel the history as soon as you walk in. The vintage scoreboard, the classic grandstands, and the picturesque mountain backdrop all combine to create a unique atmosphere that’s unlike any other ballpark we’ve visited so far.  It’s easy to see why this stadium is a fan favorite. It just so happened to be Dollar Dog Night, and while the hot dogs themselves were your basic ballpark dogs—nothing fancy or gourmet—they were still a treat. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need, especially when you’re enjoying a game in such a historic setting. The lesson we learned here is not to wait to get in line, those Dollar Dogs are popular. Unfortunately, Gayle missed most of the 2nd the rest of the story

Sgt Stubby’s Hot Dogs

April 28, 2024 Jenn Tabor 0

  One of the best parts of any baseball game is sinking your teeth into a classic ballpark hot dog—but at Segra Stadium, home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, they take the humble dog to a whole new level. With our first stop on our North Carolina minor league ballpark tour, we decided to dive into the local flavors, and let me tell you, these hot dogs did not disappoint. As we explored the food options at Segra Stadium, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety beyond the typical fare. From burgers to BBQ, the choices were abundant, but our sights were set on Sgt Stubby’s Hot Dogs, where they offer more than just your standard dog. We were ready to upgrade our ballpark snack game.     I went bold with the Gourmet Mac & Cheese Dog, and wow—it was a decadent creation. Picture this: a juicy hot dog smothered in creamy mac & cheese, then topped with crispy bacon. It was the perfect blend of comfort food meets ballpark tradition. Gayle opted for the Gourmet Carolina Dog, a nod to our Southern roots. Piled high with mustard, chili, slaw, and onions, this dog was a flavorful masterpiece. It had that perfect balance of tangy, savory, and a little bit of crunch.    In case you don’t recall from Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero a 2018 animated adventure film,  Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) a dog and the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment which of course makes Sgt the rest of the story

First Stop – Fayetteville Woodpeckers

April 27, 2024 admin 0

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”  Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu This summer, we’re embarking on an exciting quest to visit all 10 minor league baseball parks in North Carolina, and what better way to start than with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers? Our first stop on this baseball journey got us started on the right foot, from the electric atmosphere to the unbeatable ballpark food and a thrilling Woodpeckers win! As soon as we walked into Segra Stadium, we were impressed. The park is just the right size—big enough to feel the excitement of the crowd but intimate enough to make you feel like you’re part of the game.  One exciting aspect was the train station attached to the park. Gayle loves trains, and being able to watch a train go by during the game made it even more special. One of the highlights of our trip was definitely the ballpark food. The hot dogs were a home run! We acquired specialty dogs from Sgt. Stubbys (check out the hot dog review here), and they were amazing! There’s something uniquely satisfying about biting into a hot dog while watching America’s pastime, and Sgt Stubbys did not disappoint. The Woodpeckers hosted the Down East Wood Ducks from Kinston, NC. The game was pretty much a pitching duel with the Woodpeckers scoring 2 in the 7th to win 3-1. We didn’t forget the gift shop. Jenn’s goal is to get a t-shirt at each game and Gayle is looking for the rest of the story

Summer Adventure – Baseball Style

April 5, 2024 Jenn Tabor 1

On an average day in April a crazy summer adventure began with a simple question and conversation (that went very similar to this): “You know what we should do?” “What?” “We should see a game in all the minor league ballparks in North Carolina.” As the kids say (or text) IYKYK (if you know you know) that Gayle loves baseball, and Jenn is a sucker for Gayle’s hairbrained ideas and so this summer baseball adventure/goal began. Jenn didn’t take much convincing, especially when she decided that she could rate the hot dogs in each park for an added bonus.     And so the challenge was accepted, and the adventure began!         First step, how many minor league teams are there in NC?   (Take a guess before you look at the answer.)     ANSWER – 10 Here they are- Ashville Tourists Carolina Mudcats Charlotte Knights Down East Wood Ducks Durham Bulls Fayetteville Woodpeckers Greensboro Grasshoppers Hickory Crawdads Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Winston-Salem Dash We have been to ballgames in some of the parks previously the Winston-Salem Dash, the Durham Bulls, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, and the Wood Ducks in Kinston, but, in pure Tabor fashion, we decided it would be a fun idea to see a home game in each stadium in one season. And 10 is certainly a reasonable number to get to in one season, but it will take some coordination since summer is a busy time of life for us and this is not the rest of the story

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park – Wilson NC

June 30, 2020 admin 0

We have been quarantining since mid-March and well, we just need to go someplace – safely, of course. What started as a question of what might be a fun day trip (within an hour of Wilmington) turned into a 2-hourish jaunt to Wilson NC to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum. Here’s a little history Vollis Simpson was the son of a farmer, and a world War II vet. Post-war he started a machinery repair shop, with friends. And eventually a house-moving side business. During both jobs, he began to collect odd machinery parts, industrial salvage, transportation supplies, and other objects. After his retirement he began constructing enormous windmills in his yard. Not the working windmills of grinding or irrigation use, but artistry that depicted the concepts of weather vanes and handcrafted whirligigs that are still seen locally on houses, fence posts and barns. His field of these “whirligigs” soon began attracting the attention of local people, and eventually with the advent of the Internet, visitors from out-of-state. Without any official advertising, Simpson’s farm became one of Wilson County’s top tourism destinations. You can learn more about the park here wilsonwhirligigpark.org

The Most Amazing Sea Turtle Patrol Ever

May 21, 2017 admin 0

Jenn and I have been volunteering with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project for the past four years. Initially, I was the only one interested. I wanted to see baby turtles hatch! I truly believed once I saw this event, I would check it off my bucket list and that would be the end. The first year and the first nest was an adventure! After the first few nights of sitting at a nest, I invited Jenn to join me. As a side note, there is something restorative to your soul sitting at night on a beach, listening to waves, making friends, or reconnecting with old ones, waiting for baby turtles to hatch. Then it happened, BABY TURTLES! Our first season there were record numbers of nests and we saw many babies off to ‘Big Blue’.  We were bitten by the sea turtle bug, like many of our beach living counterparts. We have had the joy of experiencing many wonderful, and a few heartbreaking, moments while volunteering with the Sea Turtle Project. This year, 2017, after a couple of years as a backup on patrol, we gained a regular spot on the morning patrol team. Morning patrol takes a four wheel drive Bobcat onto the beach each morning to look for nest that have been laid overnight. On this day, we were filling in for some friends who were out of town. It was a Sunday morning, we were both grumpy to be up early. We were anticipating a long the rest of the story

Firing of the Cannons at Night

May 17, 2017 admin 0

I love history! Well, most history. Certainly, recent history….recent as in the past 250ish years, give or take a decade or two. Perhaps it’s misogynistic to say, but my interest is strongly toward US History. I am fascinated by the idea that history happened, where my feet are standing. When I graduated High School, and my parents said they would take me on a trip, I didn’t choose the beach, or an amusement park, or things other kids might choose, I chose a history tour! Philadelphia, Washington and Williamsburg! It should then, come as no surprise that I am a frequent visitor to the historic sites near my home. Especially, those that offer some sort of living history demonstration. As was the case on May 13, 2017. I had read that the State Historic Site at Fort Fisher planned to fire their newly refurbished 32-pound rifled and banded seacoast cannon. It had been a busy Saturday, and we had just settled in to do nothing on Saturday evening, when my phone alerted to the event. we jumped up and hustled to get there….barely arriving before the first firing. I barely jostled my way to the front for any video. By the third firing, I was pleased with my capture.  If you love History, and even if you don’t, Fort Fisher is a fun, and beautiful, place to visit! We can’t recommend it enough!

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