Classic Post: Tim's Trip Planning 101 – The Final Chapter

Our Midwest baseball trip is coming together at a fast and furious pace.

(Note, current 2022 prices have been calculated and are updated below, where necessary - Ed)

We have now booked a rental car, which we will pick up in Cincinnati and use for the duration of the trip, which will finish in Kansas City. We’ve also booked hotel rooms at a Comfort Inn in Cincinnati, a Drury Inn in St. Louis and a Marriott Residence Inn in Kansas City. While the rental car and hotel reservations are an important part of a trip, they are not the only important element. The car, a full size, one-way rental, is costing $693.  I used a discount code that I found for Walmart shoppers that I found at Car Rental Savers that got me a bigger discount than my dad's AAA card.

As of last Friday, the baseball tickets have been purchased. For all three games, I tried getting accessible seating as close to home plate as possible for one wheelchair and two companion seats. The surprising thing was unlike Angel Stadium, it was very easy to get more than one companion seat without any hassle at all. I just called each stadium and they were more than ready to help me out. Being an Angel fan, I can’t help thinking my own team screws me every time I want to buy seats there.

In Cincinnati, we will be going to a day game against the Chicago Cubs. We will be sitting along the first base side behind the Reds dugout, very close to the field. There will be a Mothers’ Day scarf giveaway that day. In St. Louis, we will be going to a game against the Houston Astros. We will be sitting in the Infield Redbird Club, which includes access to the Redbird Club, which seems to be a private restaurant and bar for this area. It’s kind of like sitting in a large suite, as I can gather. There will be no giveaway for that game. In Kansas City, we will be going to a game against the Chicago White Sox. We will be sitting in a dugout box very close to home plate. There will also be a women’s T-shirt giveaway as well as a postgame fireworks show, so it should be fun.

The most expensive ticket was $57 for the Redbird Club in St. Louis. This compares to the $60 I spent on pretty lousy seats at Seattle a couple of years ago so the baseball games…all with great seats…seem to be a bargain.

In addition to the games, we are also planning on seeing the Louisville Slugger Museum in Kentucky and the Indianapolis Raceway where the Indy 500 takes place.

Now everything is in place. The only thing left to do is go. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and that it helps you to see how to plan your own trip. Don’t let your disability get in the way of seeing the world, I don’t and I enjoy every minute I’m on the road.

So, how does it all stack up to our original plans and budget?

Airfare: original budget $975 flying from LAX to Lousiville, KY. Final price: $861 flying from Ontario, CA to Cincinnati, OH. $106 under budget.
(Airfare would be about double in 2022 - Ed)

Hotels: original budget $1,130. Final price: $1,328. $198 over budget but each hotel includes a full breakfast and evening cocktail hour so we’ll make up the difference there.

(Hotels would be about $2,300 in 2022 - Ed)

Train tickets: $78 (from St. Louis to Kansas City). Will not be using the train. $78 under budget.

Rental Car: $693. Not in original budget but would replace flying from Cincinnati to St. Louis and the train plus it gives us a means of transportation at each location.
(Rental car would be about the same in 2022 - Ed)

Baseball tickets: Original budget $180. Final price: $400. Was originally planning on buying cheap tickets but since I was able to get such premium seating at good prices, I decided to splurge a bit here.
(Baseball tickets would be about $450-500, prices are variable because of dynamic pricing used by Major League Baseball today - Ed)

The total cost, for three people over 11 days, is $3182 (not including food).  That works out to less than $100 per day for each person.

(In 2022, the total would now be about $5,300, about $160 per day per person - Ed)

Thanks for joining me. I’m now very excited…this trip can’t come fast enough! 

-Tim
Copyright 2010 – Timothy Musick

CLASSIC TRIP - East Coast Odyssey - Niagara Falls, Canada/NY

 I was really prepared to hate this place. I'd heard about its Vegas like character (there is even a casino on the Canadian side), its endless tourist traps, and tacky gift shops. The "what a shame they had to ruin a natural spectacle" whispers and the endless development.

Yes, this is all there in abundance, but you know what? It doesn't diminish from the falls one bit.

I'd seen the thousand-plus foot plunge of Yosemite falls up close and wondered why a puny drop of less than two hundred feet hogged all the press. I know now...it's not the drop, it's the power and the sheer mass of water plunging over the precipice that is so astounding.

I've read many articles, visited many web sites, and seen hundreds of advertisements for the falls over the years and responded with a ho-hum. Nothing you see in print or any other media does this place any justice.

It's something you have to see right in front of you with your own eyes.

We left the ho-hum city of Toronto in the morning on our way to Ohio. Our plan was to stop for a few hours at the falls (my wife really wanted to see them, as you can probably tell I thought it would be a waste) and continue driving on towards Cleveland before overnighting somewhere.

It's a little over an hour from Toronto to the Canadian side of the falls. First tip: see it from the Canadian side. The falls face Canada - not New York. You'll get a much better view here.

Just across from the American Falls is the park police station for the Canadian side. There are about a dozen free handicapped parking spots here. Use them if you're eligible, they are the only parking you will find withing easy walking distance.

It was sprinkling on and off that day. Our quest was the dock next to the Rainbow Bridge where the small Maid of the Mist boats set sail for the falls.

We worked our way in where we were guided to an elevator that would take us to the dock level. Thin blue rain panchos were issued to us. We put them on and boarded the boat.

As luck would have it, our boat was only about a third full. Every other boat we saw was packed to the rafters, but we had plenty of room and got a spot right at the front of the boat.

The Maid of the Mist Edges up to the Falls

It's a short but amazing trip. The boat puts you right at the foot of the Horseshoe falls. Mist my eye! We were drenched. It's like standing in a driving, hard rain. Many people on board thought it was rain but, no, that's all from the falls.

On Board the Maid of the Mist

After lingering in the spray for about 10 minutes, we turned around and headed back. The views of the falls from the boat were astounding. The true force of millions of gallons of water thundering over the falls each second is a sight to see.

Afterward, we walked up to the Horseshoe falls taking pictures. It really is a breathtaking sight and I was not so jaded anymore. We loaded up on some tacky souvenirs and went to a local Harvey's for lunch.

The Crew in Front of Horshoe Falls

Let me just say that Harvey's serves some of the worst burgers I can remember along with some of the best fries. I was glad that this was the only knock I could give to this incredible visit.

-Darryl

Copyright 2001 - Darryl  Musick

Tasting History in the Inland Empire

I see a lot of people take the Route 66 vacation, marvel and write about all the neat attractions they see...until they come over the Cajon Pass near San Bernardino, California. Then it's 'there's not much to see along the last stretch until Santa Monica."

As someone who lives along that section of the Route, I tend to take exception. We've got plenty to see on or near the route as is passes through the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley before it begins the last leg to the ocean.

We've highlighted California's Most Endangered Wine Country (and recently updated with a pub crawl)...which is neatly bisected by Route 66...taken a day trip to the wonderful village of Claremont, did an entire series on the plethora of ethnic foods in the San Gabriel Valley, and a focus on this section of Route 66 itself.

OK, let me get off my rant here so we can get on with today's post.

Watch the Video!

We don't have a lot of travel planned yet this year but we are trying to focus on things near us.  I hate the word 'staycation.' I guess I'm old fashioned so I'll still call them 'day trips' or even just 'outings.'

It seems like we've seen everything in our neck of the woods but every now and again, we come across some new...today is one of those days.

A completely free day to ourselves is kind of rare but we have one today so we're heading into the Inland Empire to see a little history, first in Ontario then up to Route 66 for an old restaurant we've never been to.

Graber Olives has been in business since the 19th Century. The urban sprawl has closed in around it's location near the center of town but it still a leafy, residential area as opposed to the giant warehouses that are eating up land at an alarming rate in this area east of Los Angeles.

It's another patented Time Stands Still Inland Empire spot (much like Galleano Winery) where you enter a different world.

True, the olive processing barn was modernized...almost a hundred years ago...but has essentially not been changed since.

"Well, the wood burner on the can sterilizers were upgraded to gas but it's still the same equipment," our tourguide tells us.

The grandmotherly ladies in the office still do not have computers to help them with and use old-fashioned hand cranked check imprinters and adding machines to do their bookeeping chores.

The Olives are grown up north near Tulare and we're told how they're picked completely by hand when ripe, not by machines when green, then sent here to Ontario for canning in the fall. The olive oil is pressed the same day as picking up north.

A tiny museum here houses some of the original implements and, of course, the gift shop will supply all your olive needs.

After our visit and tour, we head past a very vintage and historic ball park (Littleton Field), then north to Route 66.  Two sterling examples of Route 66 roadhouses...the Sycamore Inn and the Magic Lamp...beckon us but instead we try Vince's Spaghetti House, next to the Magic Lamp, for lunch.

Vince's has also been around for a long time here. This is their second location, the original is not far from the olive ranch but we were headed this way and decided to try it.

It has a basic menu of red sauce pasta and a selection of sandwiches at unbelievably cheap prices.  They're also known for the French dip sandwiches that were the original item on the menu, even before the spaghetti.

The dining room is comfortable but the food is pretty bland. When I ask for mustard for my sandwich, I'm told they don't have any. Ever.

OK, we'll just finish up and cross that one off our 'to do' list.  Next time, it's the Magic Lamp for us.

Darryl
Copyright 2016 - Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved

TRIP REPORT: The Inland Empire, Southern California - Part 2

In Part 1 of this report, we did a little exploration of the area in the neighborhood of Ontario International Aiport (ONT).  Now, we're going to explore beyond and see what the rest of the Inland Empire has to offer...

As complete and busy as Ontario is, I think I’d still prefer to stay somewhere else.  Just to the west of Ontario is the college town of Claremont.  A shady, tree lined and beautiful suburb nestled at the junction of superb transit connections surrounded by great shops, restaurants, and campuses that’ll make you think you’re in the Ivy League.  My choice here would be to stay at the DoubleTree Hotel on the corner of Foothill and Indian Hill Boulevards. 

This large hotel with expansive grounds sits right on Route 66.  The adjacent shopping center has a Trader Joe’s, a Buca de Beppo, and a nice Mexican restaurant with a patio to sip margaritas on.

A few easy blocks to the south is the Village, the heart of Claremont.  An upscale collection of shops and restaurants surround the Laemmle Theatre, where art films are shown alongside the latest blockbusters.  Before the movie, have some artisan bread at Le Pain Quotidien.  Afterwards have the awesome and expensive Back Abbey burger along with some great Belgian brew and fries in the alley behind the theater but for a more reasonable, and equally good, place for burgers and microbrews, head south a hundred yards to Eureka! Gourmet Burgers and Beer for what we consider the best burgers in Southern California.

For dessert, wander a block east to have one of the custom creations at Bert & Rocky’s Ice Cream parlor.
 

If you need to work off those calories, the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden offers miles of trails through beautiful gardens that are planted with 100% California native plant.  Those trails are also wheelchair accessible and the entrance is located at an easy-to-get-to spot on Foothill Bl., just east of Indian Hill Bl.
 

Picture courtesy of Wikimedia

Oakshade under CC-BY-SA license

Getting out of town is easy here, at the south end of the Village is the historic train depot, now served by Metrolink.  Wheelchair accessible commuter trains run through here seven days a week, providing easy access to downtown Los Angeles to the west and San Bernardino to the east.  In front of the station, the accessible buses of Foothill Transit offer more connections to points like Old Pasadena, Los Angeles, and the cities along route 66.
 

Picture courtesy of Wikimedia

Eeekster under CC-BY license

If you’re a skier, a 30 minute drive north up Mills Avenue will put you at the slopes of Mt. Baldy, the closest ski area to Los Angeles.  Water sports lovers will be a little confined at Puddingstone Lake at Bonelli Park, just a little southwest of here between La Verne and Pomona.  Gamblers might like to take in the action of horse races at the Finish Line Sports Grill in the White Avenue parking lot any time of the year for off-track betting.  It's located along the border of La Verne and Pomona.

Speaking of La Verne, locals know that this is one of the best pizza towns around. College students like to hang out at Warehouse Pizza on the corner of Bonita and D Street.  Great pizza, sandwiches, and beer can be consumed on their excellent outdoor patio.  North on D, at the corner of Foothill Blvd., is The Pizza Barn where another delicious pizza awaits you in the drafty dining hall.  For a more sit-down experience, Pizza ‘n Stuff serves another great pie in the Von’s center at the corner of Foothill and Wheeler Avenue.

While many locals have their favorite spots, for me all the La Verne pizza places are good but one rises above the rest, Joey’s Red Devil Pizza in the CVS shopping center on the north side of Foothill and Wheeler (directly across from Pizza ‘n Stuff).
 

Starting off with their worn but comfortable dining room surrounded by Mafia and rock 'n roll knick knacks, we start off with a pitcher of great Hefeweizen while watching sports on one of the five flat screens.  Not on the menu is their cheese and jalapeno breadsticks that will just melt in your mouth with the cup of ranch dressing they bring on the side.  It’s topped off with the best pepperoni, sausage, and American bacon pizza you’re likely to ever have.  The pasta carbonara is also among the best we’ve had. 

The dining room is small but there are 3 or 4 tables that a wheelchair can squeeze into.
 

At the other end of the IE, Riverside is like a faded jewel waiting for its comeback.  Centered around the magnificent Mission Inn Hotel, downtown Riverside has great restaurants sitting beside homeless encampments, government buildings and the county jail.  Not quite ready for its closeup but getting close.  One sign is that the beautiful Fox Theater has just been restored and is now hosting great events just up the block from the Mission Inn.

Heading back west from Riverside on the 60 freeway at the intersection of the 15, amid all the industrial buildings just south of the freeway is a slice of old California.  Galleano Winery still makes wine from local zinfandel grapes.

Cucamonga Valley is one of the state’s oldest wine making areas.  Developmental pressures from nearby Los Angeles has all but wiped out the local industry just leaving a couple of hardy, never-say-die old school winemakers left.

One of those is Don Galleano, who runs his family’s wine making operation.  50 acres of grapes on one side and the warehouses and factories of Riverside County on the other.  In between is the old farm with its barns, houses, and a small zoo.  The little tasting room offers plenty of great tasting wine.  We like to buy a bottle and relax under the trees at their little picnic area next to the animals.
 

It’s also helpful to pick up a coupon here and take it over to Centro Basco, about 5 miles east of here in Chino.  Another relic of the past, this Basque restaurant serves hearty European fare in their dining rooms.  Give the waiter your coupon and receive a free glass of Galleano wine.  Then sit back as course after course of delicious food is brought to your table…soup, salad, bread, pasta, pickled tongue, cheese, steak, vegetables, and French fries.
 

After this hearty and delicious dinner, we head back home to think about what we’ll do next in this unknown but fun and historic area of Southern California.

Darryl

Copyright 2010 - Darryl Musick

All Rights Reserved

TRIP REPORT: The Inland Empire, Southern California

Picture courtesy of Wikimedia

Jessie Terwiliger under CC-BY licence

 

On the OC, it was known as the 909. Growing up years ago in L.A., we knew it as the “sticks.” We now know better…

On the OC, it was known as the 909.  Growing up years ago in L.A., we knew it as the “sticks.”  We now know better…

Flying into L.A., you have several airport choices.  By far, the busiest is Los Angeles International (LAX) but if you have a choice, any of the outlying airports would be a better choice.  Forty miles east of LAX is Ontario International Airport, located in the heart of the Inland Empire.

While it’d make a great place to arrive in L.A. by itself, consider sticking around in the neighborhood to see what the area has to offer. 

The Inland Empire is the area east of Los Angeles, stretching approximately from the 57 freeway in the west, out to the hills east of Redlands and Riverside to the east.  In the north, it is bounded by the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountain ranges and continues south to Corona.

Although San Bernardino and Riverside are the two big cities of the IE, Ontario has replaced both as the heart and commercial center of the area.  Not only will you find the major airport here, but also loads of hotels, restaurants, and some major shopping areas.
 

Picture courtesy of Wikimedia

Frederick Dennstedt under CC-BY-SA licence

If you’re in a wheelchair, flying in and out of ONT is a breeze.  The crowds of LAX are not here, parking is close by…even the long term…and the baggage handlers (especially at Southwest) really know how to take care of a chair, even a heavy power chair.

There are a number of hotels in the immediate are of the airport but I’d advise you to get out into other areas for your visit.  Not far away is the huge Ontario Mills shopping center.  You’ll find the aloft Hotel, a trendy little boutique place run by some very nice people; plus the Hyatt Place and Country Inn and Suites located right at the shopping center.  All are great hotels and Ontario is not an expensive hotel city.
 

Picture courtesy of Wikimedia

Gabriel Chag under CC-BY license

If you’re a shopper, Ontario Mills is a huge, indoor mall filled with outlet stores.  There are also a lot of chain restaurants inside, plus entertainment options like Dave ‘n Busters, Edwards, and AMC Theatres.  Not far from this mall is a factory outlet for New Balance shoes, a huge Bass Pro Shops (eat at Islamorada, inside, very good), plus another more upscale outdoor mall just to the north in Rancho Cucamonga…Victoria Gardens.

Sports lovers will also like that minor league hockey and NBA D-League games take place at the Citizens Business Bank Arena just a block away. The Dodgers AAA team, Cucamonga Quakes, play just north of here at the Epicenter. The arena also hosts a number of concerts and events, such as the circus.

Part 2 where we'll venture out of Ontario to see the rest of the IE, is coming soon.

Darryl
Copyright 2010 - Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved.

FIELDS OF DREAMS: Jay Littleton Ball Park, Ontario, California

UPDATE (August 23, 2024): A fire of suspicious origin has destroyed this once beautiful field.

Out in the hot, dusty, and industrial flatlands of the Inland Empire...in a neighborhood that's more barrio than middle america...this stadium rises like a mirage.  A throwback to another era, Jay Littleton Ball Park is a relic of a ballpark, perfectly preserved and lovingly maintained.  First the facts...

Stats
Year built: 1935
Surface: Grass
Construction cost: $20,000
Capacity: 2,500
Field dimensions: Left field: 347, Center field: 402 ft., Right field: 347
Home teams: California Angels (Pacific Coast League - Spring Training) 1937-1942; Ontario Orioles (Sunset League) 1947, Chaffey High School - present
Events attended: two games

An antique, wooden stadium with covered grandstand, the park now hosts only amatuer ball but it would be a mistake to say it's seen better days.  Step through the entrance and it's like going back in time.  Cozy and relaxing, the bleachers invite fans to sit back, relax and comisserate over a game.

It's such a perfect example of an old-time stadium that Hollywood has been a regular visitor here.  "The Babe," "A League of Their Own," and "The X-Files" have all used it as a set.

For wheelchairs, there are two spots reserved right behind home plate, although just about anywhere in the front row would accomodate one.  Tickets?  Not here, if they do charge admission to anything, they weren't at the tournament we attended.  Just walk right in.

Although there is a full-kitchen installed behind home plate...underneath the old press box...a taco truck sometimes sets up just outside the gate with delicious carne asada and chicken tacos plus some very good funnel cakes.  In fact, the night we were there we declared them the best funnel cakes we've ever had.  The tacos are $1.25 each, funnel cakes, $3.99.


If the taco truck isn't there, don't worry.  Go two blocks west on 4th Street to Mi Chula Linda for great tacos and burritos to go and take with you to the game.

The only downside to this beautiful ballpark is that no local minor league or college teams use it.  It would be perfect for a D-III team like La Verne to use, especially since their stadium is about to be torn down in the next few years.  The Long Beach Armada, taking a season off in a dispute with their landlord, should consider moving here where they could make an alliance with other Ontario pro teams like the Ontario Reign hockey team.  I know I'd be a regular here if someone like that would move in.

For now, come on over just about any Saturday night during baseball season and enjoy a game by some of the proud amatuers that now play here.  Grab some tacos and a funnel cake and you're set.

-Darryl
Copyright 2010 - Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved

TRIP REPORT: Inland Empire Amusement Parks

Everybody knows about Disneyland, most people know about Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios, and many also know about Six Flags Magic Mountain.  Those make up the Big Four amusement parks in Southern California.  What most don’t know is that there are several smaller parks dotted around the region.  Today, we’ll focus on those in the area east of Los Angeles known as the Inland Empire (IE).

Besides seeing a slice of Americana you’d be hard pressed to see in the neighboring area to the west, these smaller parks have an added advantage of being at least half the price of their better known Southern California brethren.

Fiesta Village is a small park in Colton, just off of the 215 freeway at Washington Street.  A hillside location and a surplus ski lift enabled it to open up some popular waterslides in the summer, expanding on their miniature golf.  Now, they’ve added a few small amusement park rides for thrills and a roller rink for spills.  Free admission, various charges for rides and attractions.

Picture courtesy of Flickr

Lorena Javier under CC-BY license

Scandia, part of a chain of family fun centers, operates a fairly extensive park next to Interstate 15 in Ontario, between the 10 and 60 freeways.  Of note here is the Scandia Screamer, a highly rated roller coaster that will give you some real thrills as it dives through its metal skeleton.  Also featuring such standard rides as tilt-a-whirl, hammerhead, and a swinging ship.  Free admission, unlimited ride passes are $22.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids.  Individual ride tickets are also available.

The granddaddy of the Inland Empire amusement parks is Castle Park in Riverside, along the 91 freeway between the La Sierra and Polk exits.  Started as a miniature golf course in 1976, this park was the product of the imagination of Bud Hurlbut who created such iconic rides as the Log Jammer and the Calico Mine Train at Knott’s Berry Farm.  Now owned by a large amusement park company, the park has over thirty rides including three coasters.  It’s also home to a large and imaginative mini golf course and a go kart track.  Ride park admission is $21.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids which includes unlimited rides.  Separate prices for other attractions.

-Darryl
Copyright 2010 – Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved