Day 27: A Grand Slam: Cooperstown, NY

Unlike the last few days, we did not venture very far from the motorhome or try to do multiple things. Our goal was simple: visit the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) in Cooperstown, NY.
Having visited Cooperstown yesterday for a brief period, we knew that the village of Cooperstown was small, simple, and slow paced. It also had 2 hour maximum parking that cost $2.50 an hour. That seems to deter tourists from staying and patronizing the shops or encourage visitors to arrive early and park in the few free spots. We scouted a few places to park so we could be prepared to leave the dogs in a shady spot close by. We had laundry as well and found a conveniently located laundromat just 2 blocks from the HOF.

We ate breakfast at a popular cafe and showed up at the HOF shortly after it opened at 9am. The entrance attendant proclaimed "batter up!" as we approached. There was hardly anyone in the museum, but that changed by afternoon and it was rather busy, but not crowded. This was the culmination of a life long dream of Kasey's. He was excited to finally be at the HOF. "Wow!" was the word of the day. Followed by "Unbelievable." Other rhetorical statements included "Is this heaven?" and "Can you believe this?"  I told Kasey that if he felt faint that he should sit down. That was followed by a quick chuckle and a hurried pace up the stairs.

The 2nd floor of the HOF is devoted to the history of the game. The game itself is apolitical but the history is woven with racism and sexism. The struggles of ball players to be accepted and integrated was well documented as was the lack of respect for the abilities of women. 

There was some repeated themes from the Women's Rights National Park museum that we visited in Seneca Falls a few days ago.

I think we took 500 pictures and so this post is going to be heavy on the pictures.

We took a break after a few hours to give the dogs a walk and swim before returning to floor 3 and 1 of the HOF. 

Kasey and I both found some of our favorite players and teams.

The jersey of Dave Stewart of the Oakland A's was there and much about A's Ricky Henderson. Both from my hometown, Oakland CA. Stewart went to my high school and coached baseball there.

Kasey found Kirby Puckett and other Minnesota Twins favorites.

We had fun with the props as well.

Baseball sure brings people together.

After 6 hours of the museum, we did laundry, picked up some souvenirs, and grabbed a beverage.

We were only supposed to stay one night at the Fly Creek Cider Mill but we were so late in the day we asked for and were granted a second night. We got dinner to go and sat and watched the dogs enjoy the open grasslands near the motorhome.