Take Me Out to the Ball Game

September 2026
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Joe Benning

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Roll Out Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer—First recorded by Nat King Cole in 1963.

So yesterday on July 4^th,in the spirit of Nat King Cole, we went to a baseball game—the visiting Boston Red Sox vs. the Washington Nationals—the home team. In a word, Boston crushed Washington. Just crushed them.

Washington DC — July 4, 2025. Crowd Forms a Line to get into the the Ball Park.

Mark Twain is reported to be the author of the remark that Wagner’s music is “better than it sounds”. Not even that type of excuse was available to the Nationals. The final score was 11–2, Boston. Boston had 16 hits—including a 2 run homer—as compared to Washington’s 2. And the Nationals had 4 pitchers by the end of the 6^th inning.

Washington DC — July 4, 2025. The Red Sox Mayer prepares to take a swing.

Washington DC — July 4, 2025. The Washington Nationals on the field. They had 4 pitchers by the end of the 6th inning.

Nevertheless we had great seats and a wonderful time. There is nothing quite like going to a major league baseball game, especially when you consider that the Nationals won the World Series in 2019 and the Red Sox won it in 2018.

Washington DC — July 4, 2025. After a disappointing game when the Nationals were shellacked by the Red Sox (11-2), the crowd heads back home via the Wash Metro.

All photos were taken with the iPhone 16 pro.

—JFB

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Joe Benning

Washington Nationals on the 4th of July

What better way to spend the Fourth of July than to go to a baseball game? So we went to see the Washington Nationals play a home game against the Miami Marlins. The Nets beat the Marlins 5 – 2. Root for the home team.

Sanchez on the mound for the Nationals v the Marlins on July 4.

Mat Adams, 1st Baseman for the Washington Nationals, takes a swing.

Rivera at the Plate for the Nats v Marlins in July 4,

Parra at Bat — Washington Nationals v. Miami Marlins

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Joe Benning

Glorious Day for a Race

Saturday May 27—a glorious day to kick off the summer season with the 41^st running of the Spring Lake 5 mile race. About 12,500 runners participated in this 40^th anniversary of the original race, first run in 1977. The rain that threatened the night before didn’t show, but blue skies did.

JFB

Spring Lake NJ, USA — May 27, 2017 A trail of discarded water cups on the street as the race begins to wind down. Editorial use only.

Spring Lake, NJ USA — May 27, 2017 Runners race down Ocean Avene in the annual Spring Lake 5 mile Race. Editorial Use Only.

Spring Lake, NJ USA — May 27, 2017 Three competitors in the annual Spring Lake 5 mile race sprint down Ocean Avenue. Editorial Use Only.

Spring Lake, NJ USA — May 27, 2017 Runner takes an early lead in the annual Spring Lake 5 mile race. Editorial Use Only.

Spring Lake, NJ USA — May 27, 2017 Female joggers out for a morning run on the boardwalk in Spring Lake. Editorial Use Only.

Discarded water cups in the wake of the runners

Spring Lake, NJ USA — May 27, 2017 A police barricade blocks off a street. Editorial Use Only.

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Joe Benning

Spring is Here

Springtime is finally here. It’s still a bit chilly, and it’s pretty gusty. But today is the first day of the fishing season in Spring Lake, the lake has been restocked, and the fisherman showed up to try their luck. And the Cherry Blossoms are out. The trend looks good.

Anglers come to Spring Lake for the opening day of the fishing season

Some fisherman fish, and some relax

Cherry Blossom by Spring Lake

Young fishermen try thier luck in a fishing contest on the first day of the season

Fisherman on the banks of Spring Lake for the beginning of the new fishing season

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On the West Side of Maui

Aloha

It’s getting close to the end of our trip so we decided to book into one of the resort hotels on the West side of the island for a couple of days. Needless to say, the views were spectacular. Among other things, we were able to sit on our deck and watch the whales go by and an occasional porpoise. The sunsets (and moonsets) were stunning as well. Not only that, we could watch the boats and Kayakers float by. Finally, we got to watch the divers leap off Black Rock into the waters below. Not something I would try.

We’ll be back soon to enjoy the springtime snow in New Jersey. Photos below (of Hawaii).

Mahalo

Joe