Category Archives: Common Man

Detroit – 2016

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With the Mets playing the Tigers in Interleague Play we decided to take a short trip up to Detroit to checkout Comerica Park and take in the Motor City.

Comerica Park
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We got to the stadium early to have some time to work our way around the park as there’s a lot going on. Our seats were just to the left of home plate. The Mets didn’t fare too well but Comerica Park is by far one of the better places to see a baseball game. I’d say it’s very comparable to PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Slows BBQ, Detroit Brewing Company and Jolly Pumpkin
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In addition to baseball we spent the early part of the afternoon checking out Slows BBQ and then getting a beer across the stadium from Detroit Brewing Company. Afterwards we made our way to Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales to end the night. Jolly Pumpkin was a huge space with a wide selection of their beers.

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
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Before heading out of town we decided to make the effort to stop at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant which is the where the Model T was first manufactured. We opted for a quick tour but it was well worth checking out. The plant has an amazing selection of Model T’s.

Side Notes:
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* Julie really enjoyed the park, especially the Farris Wheel.

New York – 2016

Beacon
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After a spending a night with family in Vermont, Julie and I headed down to the town of Beacon in the Hudson Valley. We stayed at the The Roundhouse which is an old textile factory that sits above the Fishkill Creek. We choose to stay in Beacon due to it’s proximity to New York City via Metro North and there were a decent amount of restaurants and craft beer bars within walking distance of the hotel.

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The Hop was about a 15 minute walk from our hotel and had a solid regional beer selection including beers from Hill Farmstead Brewery. Before heading to the train we stopped at Beacon Bagel for breakfast. The train ride into Grand Central was simple enough, the cab driver from our hotel got us to platform with about 30 seconds to spare.

Mets – Rockies: Piazza Number Retirement
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The reason for our trip was primarily for Julie to attend the Mike Piazza Number Retirement ceremony. More importantly we got to see Professional Athlete Bartolo Colon do his thing.

Coney Island, Brooklyn
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On Sunday we headed out to Brooklyn to catch the Cyclones game to complete the weekend. Bobblehead(s) were acquired.

Side Notes:
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* We managed to make it to McSorley’s in time to see our waiter kick out a group of kids trying to play Pokemon Go without ordering a beer.  I guess this has turned into a constant nuisance for the 162 year old establishment.  Also, new for the for this drinking establishment, a television.

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** My travel partner.

New York Hockey Trip.

UntitledThis year we put together a last minute trip as best we could in New York. Due to some logistical challenges we ended up watching the Penguins – Red Wings game at Bleecker Street Bar on the Lower East Side instead of actually attending a game in person. The Pens won 7-2 in convincing fashion. UntitledUntitledUntitled
On Friday night we had a light meal at McSorley’s before closing the place down.  This is still one of my favorite bars anywhere.

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During our stay we spent the morning at Grant’s Tomb where we had one of the more in depth conversations with the Ranger and then had a light lunch at Dinosaur BBQ before heading to Brooklyn for the evening.

Side Notes:
1. The Penguins played the Rangers Sunday night, this was our original plan.
2. Our numbers were thinned this time around, but we should continue moving forward.
3. Previous Hockey Trips: Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago,