Baseball journey begins

With trips to two Major League Baseball stadiums May 21-22, a 32-year-old Chico man began his goal of seeing a baseball game at every major league field.
Dan Reidel invited his brother David Powell and Powell's girlfriend Carolina Herrera to a game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles.
Angel Stadium
Reidel met Powell and Herrera at the stadium Saturday, May 21, after meeting some friends in Los Angeles for lunch.
The three explored the stadium before the game and found their seats about fifteen minutes before the first pitch.
"It's a pretty good view even from up here," Powell said of the upper deck seats. "Better than a football game, you can still see what's happening."
Herrera was uncomfortable with the height, but settled in for the game.
Reidel spent the first couple innings trying to figure out a scorebook app on his phone.
"I screwed up the scoring at first, but I think I got it now," he said in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The trio rooted for the home team, but a 3-run homerun by Baltimore's Matt Weiters spoiled the Angels' 1-run lead in the ninth inning.
"Aw well, it was fun," Powell said after the game.
A fireworks post-game show held the crowd captivated, watching the explosions of light in the night sky.
Reidel spent the night with friends in Pomona, while Powell and Herrera drove back to Lake Isabella that night. Powell sent Reidel a text to let him know they made it home safe.
A new breakfast experience
Before riding to San Diego, Reidel's friends Mark Rojas and Lindsay Ivins took Reidel to the restaurant The Filling Station in Orange.
Upon their suggestion, Reidel tried eggs benedict for the first time.
"It was rich and kind of creamy," Reidel said. "The different flavors mixed well. That might be my new go-to breakfast dish."
They took some pictures at the restaurant and Reidel goofed around before saying goodbye and heading south.

A photo posted by Dan Reidel (@dan_reidel) on May 22, 2016 at 10:50am PDT

Photo by Lindsay Ivins 

Petco Park
After a stop at Big 5 Sporting Goods for a scorecard book Sunday, May 22, Reidel rode into downtown San Diego just as the Padres began playing the Dodgers.
He was able to find motorcycle parking close to the stadium and found his seat.
Luckily for the Chico resident, being a little late to the game didn't mean he missed any baseball because the contest went into extra innings.
"I only stayed 12 (innings), but it went 17," Reidel said. "It was just too long to sit in the sun. Plus I ran out of room on the scorecard."
A quick trip to Mission Bay to eat dinner and a ride along the coast later, Reidel headed north that evening, the first part of his epic baseball journey complete.
"I don't think I'll finish this for another 10, maybe even more years," he said. "But so far, it's been really fun."

Successful grad photo shoot

Martin Ayala poses Wednesday in front of Kendall Hall at Chico State. (Photo by Dan Reidel)

A Chico State graduate got a photo shoot he liked Wednesday at the university in Chico.
Martin Ayala, a graduating senior at Chico State, posed for photos at various locations on campus to showcase his upcoming achievement.
Ayala and his girlfriend, Julie Mitchell met Dan Reidel in front of Kendall Hall to take pictures. Reidel asked Ayala if he would help because Reidel said he doesn't take many portraits and he would like to improve his photo portfolio.
Ayala agreed and Reidel told him he was welcome to bring Mitchell.
The soon-to-be former student posed on the Kendall lawn and in the George Petersen Rose Garden, both alone and with Mitchell.

Julie Mitchell and Martin Ayala on Wednesday at Chico State. (Photo by Dan Reidel)

"I didn't realize there would be so many people also taking grad photos," Reidel said. "There was a line just about at every classic location."

After the photo shoot, Reidel connected his iPad to the Eye-Fi card in his camera and showed the couple the pictures he liked best.

"How did you sort through them so fast?" Ayala asked.

Reidel explained that he set the images he liked as protected, and then when he connected the iPad to the card, it uploaded those ones directly to the tablet through an app.

Mitchell gave an actual audible gasp as they swiped through the photos.

"Wow, I really like all of those," she said.

After showing them the photos, Reidel promised to edit and send them via email before heading to Trivia Night at Woodstock's Pizza.

The last photo he showed Ayala and Mitchell, Reidel said wasn't his favorite, but Mitchell thought was "cute."

The couple was smelling a flower in the rose garden, which Reidel said he thought was kind of cheesy, but that he was glad Mitchell liked it.

Martin Ayala and Julie Mitchell inhale the fragrance of a rose together Wednesday at the George Petersen Rose Garden at Chico State. (Photo by Dan Reidel)

3 go to Oakland, 1 returns

Chris Kerston drives Tuesday on Interstate 80 to reach the Oakland Airport with Kelsey Maben and Dan Reidel. (Photo by Dan Reidel)

CHICO >> Three people drove Tuesday from Paradise to Oakland and only one returned to Butte County.

Dan Reidel took Kelsey Maben and Chris Kerston to the Oakland Airport as the two began a 21-day trip that will see them stop in at least five countries.

Kerston and Maben start their journey with a flight on Norweigan Airlines to Scandinavia, where they will begin filming a documentary for the Savory Institute, the company that employs Kerston.

"I'm excited, I've never really traveled like this," Maben said with a smile as the trio ate lunch in Marysville.

Kerston explained their itenirary, saying he would hit seven countries including Zimbabwe, South Africa, France, England and Turkey, while Maben would travel with the film crew and wouldn't visit France or England.

Maben and Kerston weren't excited about the Finnish weather report, which included freezing rain and snow, and Kerston said it was troublesome packing because they will be carrying camera equipment and only have carry-on baggage for their personal luggage.

"I just have a couple puffy jackets and some cheap gloves," he said. "I'll have to layer up. Hopefully it will be enough."

Reidel explained his upcoming motorcycle trip, telling his friends he would be riding to San Diego and Anaheim where he see a Padres game and an Angels game over the weekend.

As they drove through Oakland, Reidel said the residential areas so close to industrial areas in the city was interesting.

"I don't understand urban living," Kerston said.

Reidel couldn't imagine living in such a crowded city and said the sight made him grateful to live in Chico.

They found the Delta Airlines terminal quickly and Maben communicated with the rest of the crew to make sure everyone would arrive on time. Reidel said goodbye and left them at the terminal.

"The traffic sucked on the way back, and Chris' car doesn't have (air conditioning) but it wasn't too bad," Reidel said. "I hope they have fun, but I know they'll have to work hard the entire trip."

Dan Reidel, left, takes goofy pictures Tuesday on Interstate 80 while Kelsey Maben looks up flight arrivals and departures for a crew member's delayed flight. (Photo by Dan Reidel)

Windscreen removal, catching up

A man removed his motorcycle windscreen Sunday, and he visited some old friends.

Motorcycle experiment

Dan Reidel watched a YouTube video about removing a Honda Goldwing 1500 and replacing it with a taller, aftermarket screen.

"I don't understand why people want bigger windshields on their bikes," Reidel said. "It's too damn hot."

Citing the Chico heat, Reidel said he wanted to try riding without the windscreen.

"I rode my boss' dual sport which doesn't have a thing in front, a windscreen, and the air really flowed through my helmet," Reidel said.

Using two screwdrivers and the knowledge gained from YouTube, Reidel easily removed the clear shield on his motorcycle in about 15 minutes.

"It was easier than I thought it'd be," he said.

Although Reidel didn't quite like the way his bike looked without the windscreen, he said he didn't want to stop the experiment based purely on aesthetics.

"Riding the bike though, it's like a whole new experience," Reidel said. "I don't think I like it."

Over about 35 mph the wind pushes the rider's body back, and at 55 mph, Reidel said it felt like he was holding onto the handlebars just to stay on.

"Maybe it's the upright riding position, maybe I'm just not used to it, but I think those Honda motorcycle designers knew what they were doing," he said.

Reidel plans on putting the windscreen back on soon, but said he would research the possibility of a shorter windscreen.

The old apartment

Reidel also visited friends who used to be neighbors Sunday afternoon, staying and talking for about half an hour.

"It was good to see Tim (Stucki) and Brandon (Delacruz) again," Reidel said. "It's been too long, but you know, people are busy with life and stuff."

The 32-year-old man showed off his motorcycle to his friends and said they were appreciative of the coolness of the bike.

Stucki told Reidel he and Delacruz would be moving soon.

"It's a house at Seventh and Hazel," Stucki said.

Reidel was also introduced to Stucki's girlfriend.

"She seems nice," Reidel said of Brae.

Stucki and Delacruz were both excited their upcoming move, and the duo had some boxes already packed and ready to go in the corner of the apartment.

The three men reminisced about when Reidel had lived two doors down in the apartment complex and Stucki said he was glad Brae met Dan, so she would "know who I'm talking about" when he tells stories about Reidel.

Delacruz told Reidel he had stopped smoking, which Reidel thought was great news.

Stucki said he had been purchasing new furniture for the new house, including a gazebo for the back yard.

The proud gazebo owner discussed plans for a barbecue, or a fire pit or possibly a pool under the gazebo's roof. He also talked about the chances of getting another gazebo.

Reidel imagined a backyard full of gazebos, and decided it would be a good thing if his friend made the decision to become a gazebo collector.

After hanging out for a while, Reidel went home, where he had split pea soup cooking in the crock pot.

"It was a pretty good Sunday," he said.