Flying to the 'topes

We live in a relatively small town.  We boast 18,000 people and I think that number is largely due to the families that are hear from Cannon Air Force Base.  So, our population is, fluid, to say the least.  Due to population and demographics, we lack certainly things that larger communities take for granted.
We lack a Denny's (okay, some might think that is a bonus, but I like them!), we lack a variation in eating establishments, and if we have a water main break (which we do with alarming consistency) then there is no place to eat out, because the whole town shares a water co-op!
We lack an airport, our nearest being a small commuter airport in Clovis, 20 miles away.  We lack movie theaters (don't even get me started) and while we lack major shopping establishments, one has learned to find great joy in the more traditional, mom and pop owned store (may I suggest the Shabby Sheep Yarn Shoppe on 2nd.)
For all of that, I am not complaining.  Sometimes it is irritating, having to drive further for something the rest of the world seems to have at their finger tips (hello, Ross and Target), but in the end, seeing someone ride their horse into town, or stopping to chat with someone know (because let's face it, you know almost everyone) the small town life is much to be enjoyed.
But.....we lack baseball.
There is Little League and co-ed softball, but not the stadium ballpark baseball that my husband loves.  Not only does he love it, he understands it.
Why on earth would I say that? Because my dear husband was NOT born in America.  He was born and raised in Ireland.  You would think this would make him a huge fan of Man United or Newcastle, but no, he is a tied and dyed San Diego Padres fan.  Wow, where did that come from?  Working at a radio station that carried the Padres.  He learned everything he could about it.  He loves baseball.
Now, jump to this past spring.  Our boys played in their first round of Little League.  Steve could not have been a more involved Dad.  He made almost every game (the ones he missed, I had to text play by play), he even coached first base, he was at practices and he worked with the boys at home.
Okay, I was delighted.  The kids have played soccer, which I love.  I have coached, assisted with and supported.  Two kids show horses, I haul trailers, meet with the coach and push fluids in the heat of the summer.  It was wonderful that Steve was so involved with baseball.
Then the talking started.
"I wish we could take the boys to a real game."
"Yup, but there aren't any nearby.  I don't even think there are any major league teams in the state." Shows that I know very little.
"Well, there is Triple A in Albuquerque."
"Okay" Triple A? Double A, whatever, no meaning to me!
"What if I could get tickets?"
"And Albuquerque is only across the state, three and a half hours away." (insert sarcasm).
"What if I could get flight vouchers for the commuter plane?"
"You want to put our kids on a small plane?  I get to sit next to James and Caitlyn!"
In the end, I sat next to Conner, who was nervous, but far better than William.  William is not big on new things.  Or things not on the schedule.  Only the promise of a ball game got him on that plane.
He closed his eyes, gripped Steve's hand and proceeded to hate the entire flight.  With his eyes closed.
Caitlyn and James kept putting their hands in the air, like on a roller coaster.  And William had his eyes closed.  They would point out structures on the ground and at first, Conner wouldn't look, but then his curiosity took over and he was soon exclaiming over the sight.
William still had his eyes closed.
We landed with mild turbulence, which is common in Albuquerque. William had his eyes closed. Caitlyn was giddy with excitement, claiming how much she loved landing.  William opened his eyes and said that he liked landing, but for different reasons!
We hopped a shuttle to our hotel and cooled off with a plate of nachos before the game (it's all about the food).  The kids swam a little and then it was off to the ball game.
We took the shuttle, complete with a fabulous driver, to the stadium.  As far as Triple A action goes, the Albuquerque Isotopes have an incredible stadium.  The boys were in awe.  Even Caitlyn was impressed when we discovered we had clubhouse seats.  We were almost directly behind home plate.
It was a fun game with the Isotopes loosing to the Tacoma Rainier's. The Isotopes really played poorly, except for their catcher.  On the other hand, we witnessed; a double play, foul balls into the stands, several home runs, a stolen base, a broken bat and a fight between an umpire and a manager.
The only bad part was the next morning, our flight was canceled.  The altimeter was busted, and gee, you mean you need to know what your altitude is?  The air line was very apologetic, but we decided the best course of action would be to rent a car and take the long drive home.  Which we did.  And no one was happier about that than William.

And how was your day?