Day 4: Bel Cielo Farms, Brawley, CA 180 miles

Day 4 – Bel Cielo Farms, Brawley, CA

It was a slower day for us today, as we wanted to rest up a bit before heading across the border tomorrow. It only took us about 3 ½ hours to get to Brawley. Along the way, we stopped at a Grocery Outlet to pick up a few supplies.

We arrived at our Harvest Host, Bel Cielo Farms, and quickly got set up. It was already 95 degrees when we pulled in, with the high expected to reach around 100.

Tad and Comet enjoyed wandering  and exploring their new surroundings.

 Eventually, the heat caught up with all of us, and we gave in to a well-earned siesta. Janice, Tad, and Comet retreated into the motorhome while I stretched out on the dog bed and let the afternoon drift by.

Later in the day, I did my annual Fantasy Baseball draft for the upcoming season.

 An hour before the draft, the system randomly assigns the draft order for the 10 teams. Last year, I drew the 10th pick, but this year, I landed the first pick. It all evens out, though, because it’s a “snake” draft, so the 10th pick also gets the 11th, and this year, I had picks 1, 21, and 22, and so on.

I’ve loved following baseball since I was a kid, playing the game and watching and listening to it with my Dad and Grandpa.

I’ve been in the same fantasy league for years now, with dear friends and my son Nick. It’s always fun competing together, exchanging banter, and sharing in the ups and downs of the season.

I often think about listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio with my Grandpa at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. He called me his “sidekick.” We fished for catfish using trotlines in the lake,catching shad with a throw net, baiting the lines, and cleaning the fish together. I would not be the same person I am today without the love and care of my grandparents.

I also have fond memories of listening to, watching, and attending Minnesota Twins games with my Dad. He was an avid Twins fan, and it was nearly impossible to pull him away from a game. I remember my sister Lynn and me once setting his watch ahead by 40 minutes so we wouldn’t be late for a movie at the theater.

During the Twins’ championship years of 1987 and 1991, we had so much fun watching the games together. Baseball has been a special and enduring part of my life.