I'm the cat with the Base and drum.

Setting sail for home

Mission Control, here.

It’s been an exciting few days, with the setback in Seattle and the push for Oakland, but Base is ready to sleep in his own bed. Chasing teams is tough work, and with road conditions, construction, and the dangerously unpredictable weather this season, Base has decided to make his way home. He’s not rushing but will conquer a few hundred miles at a time.  He’s literally on the other side of the country, and there’s a lot to see.

He wants you to know he’s had fun when he wasn’t stuck in traffic or dealing with the incredibly rude staff at Safeco Field (we see you Seattle and we aren’t impressed) because his passion is driving and baseball and games and meeting new people.  I wanted him to push on, at least to next Friday when he was due in the Great Lakes anyway, but you know what – this isn’t my adventure.  I’m not the one behind the wheel for 12-hours at a time, driving unfamiliar roads and dealing with uncooperative apps (we see you too, WAZE).

Andy Rooney Dog is riding shotgun and they’re ready for one more adventure.

Co-Pilot, Andy Rooney Dog

As Dr. Suess said, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” I’ll do both, thank you very much.

I’m still Misson Control until he pulls in the driveway, and there may yet be a few more stories and pictures left on this trip, so don’t go far.

On the road to Boise

Mission Control, here.

With Game 1 in the books (Rockies vs Reds), Base booked it to Laramie, WY for some well-deserved sleep. Today is a travel day where he’ll travel to Boise, ID to overnight, so he’s already got an early start. It’s 700 miles and a 10-hour trip, so delays are out of the question if he wants to get a good night’s rest. There may a post-game report on last night game as soon as Base settles in for the evening, or he may dictate from the road. The day is young, so we’ll see.

He’ll be taking the most direct route – 80 to 84. There’s some construction on 84, but he’s got Sirius XM in the car so he’ll be well entertained.

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At Butt o’Clock in the Morning, the Southwest Chief Rolls North

Hello, Mission Control, here!

Even the station has the sense to be asleep this early

The Base is rolling. He is trained and heading for home. Some people asked why a train instead of a plane, which is considerably quicker. The fact is, neither of us fly. Yes, the train takes longer – this is a 41 hour trip home – but if you’ve never traveled by train, I don’t think you can understand how integral it is to the journey. While the train wasn’t an initial part of Base’s trip, it’s a fitting end to this one. The frenetic driving and gas stops have given way to relaxing lounging and whistle stops. Base believes as do I, that train travel is one of the last great ways to see America. Nevermind the highways that get you there with congestion and accidents – trains take you through small towns and back yards and along the route some people never stop to consider, not even for a moment. People still wave at passing trains, and you know what? We wave back.

Also, he has a concussion, and the pressure and altitude we believe are legitimate concerns.

Once again, on behalf of Base, I’d like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It’s been a trying week, and not how we would have liked this adventure to end, but there will always be a next time. That’s what makes dreams so incredibly cool. Dreams never give up.

There is still magic in this idea, and it pulls at the soul like baseball and summer and frozen lemonade during a homestand.

Get out your lucky hats and your rally towels.

Dateline: Flagstaff, AZ

Hello – Mission Control here.

Base is settled into his motel room in Flagstaff, AZ.

Earlier this evening he was rear-ended by a driver who somehow failed to notice the 2011 Chevy HHR was waiting at a stop sign to make a turn. The impact flattened both rear tires and shattered the glass in the rear door. Base smacked his jaw pretty hard on the steering wheel and his back is bothering him, but he is otherwise fine. We suspect bruises and other pains will surface as time goes on.

We have business to tend to tomorrow and hopefully we can get him on a train out of Flagstaff in the next few days. He’s a little disappointed that he couldn’t complete his adventure, but is still certain is can be done.

As a aside, the Arizona Diamondbacks won this evening’s game 14-5, due largely because Base couldn’t make it to the game to jinx then (the other 4 home teams lost with him in attendence).

Sorry Marlins.

Again, from both of us, thank you for the well wishes! He can’t wait to tell you everything upon his return to Michigan.

And now, we bid you – adieu …

Hello – Mission Control here.

Unfortunately, the Adventure has come to an end. Details are still coming in, but BaseIsLife should be heading home in the next few days.

Stupid fortune-telling signs.

I can tell you that Base will not be making the game tonight in Phoenix, or any of the subsequent games, as he was rear-ended this evening in Winona, AZ, outside of Flagstaff. As of this writing, he is in Flagstaff Medical Center, being looked after. He may have a concussion and/or whiplash, but we’ll know more in a few hours. They’re running CT-scans and he’s feeling pretty much like he got rear-ended. He hurts, he’s tired and he would very much like to come home, as soon as they release him.

Mission Control will be responsible for getting him home, though I haven’t figured out how just yet. I’ve got an evening and a few days of phone calls and information gathering ahead of me.

On his behalf, thank you all for your well wishes on his trip. It meant a lot to him to know that so many people were excited for him. Now we’ll work on bringing him home.