BBQ and Baseball

BBQ, baseball, blueberry pie, beer, and bourbon what could sound more American? For my birthday, the big 32, my amazing wife made, from scratch, a blueberry cheesecake. It was delicious and as I was stuffing my face she made mention that it was low in fat. A short pause, a shrug of the shoulders, and I continue to shove it down my throat like I have never eaten before. After I cleared my plate, seconds later, I was able to mutter the words, “I don’t care, it’s delicious.” Then I went and got a second helping. Along with the cheesecake, she also got me some new running gear and a sling-and-pulley system to hang my kayak in the garage. Later in the week her parents stopped by and with them came my presents of Makers Mark Bourbon and a single malt scotch from Glenmorangie distillery in Scotland. What a birthday it was.

the ruins of a full rack 

This past Saturday Columbus was hosting their annual rib and jazz fest that brings in backyard vendors from all over the country. When we arrived it was a row of massive trailers and signs as tall as a three story building showcasing their past awards. Over 300 internaitional wins, worlds best, 2013 champion and so they went on into the clouds. We chose to grab some of “Famous Dave’s” because they sounded good and the line was a bit shorter than some of the others. Seems a place with a shorter line wouldn’t be as good but they were DAMN good. A full rack of ribs, 2 pork sandwiches, a pound of beans and slaw, with a slice of cornbread is what we ordered between four of us. Washed it down with a cold beer and we were set. Earlier that week I got two free passes for a hospitality tent at the rib fest which included free parking, always a plus and the garage was only a block away. The tent, actually a building that is used for events and weddings, was guarded by event staff that gave us two drink tickets upon entering, free beer another plus. We dusted off those two Budweiser’s by the river chatting about whatever and letting the food settle.

Full of beer and BBQ we headed to Huntington Park to watch a Clippers’ game. Columbus Clippers is a minor league baseball team the next step up is the Cleveland Indians. After paying only seven bucks a pop for tickets we attempted to sit behind home plate before being shooed off by the usher. They were empty seats after all, I mean come on, but we moved anyway.  Moving on we were stopped by a co-worker working a concession stand who handed us a couple of Miller Lites on the house, another free beer for the night. We found some seats out on the right field line with a good view of home plate. After the game we called it a night so we headed home to sleep off the beer and BBQ.