We’ve made it an annual tradition to do one last weekend getaway each year in early August. We try to get out of town for a weekend before the hustle and bustle of the school year starts.
With the first day of school date, August 14, circled on the calendar, we knew we needed to make plans quickly after a busy July came to a close. Lisa found a good deal on a hotel; I snagged some baseball tickets and off we went for a weekend getaway to Atlanta.
We try to do a little more than just see a baseball game, though I would be lying if I didn’t admit that our August trips are always timed to coincide with the MLB schedule.
When we head to Turner Field, we often sit on the right field or first base side. For some reason, we’re always more comfortable there. This time, however, I found a great deal on some left field seats. That put us close to an ‘attraction’ that we’ve always wanted to see up close - the gi-normous Chick-Fil-A cow at the edge of Sky Field above the left field stands.
From our seats in the lower level, it was just a quick jaunt to the escalator leading up top to Sky Field, framed by the Atlanta skyline and featuring a majestic view of the field. There is also an area where youngsters can run the bases and a cooling ‘mister’ that can provide relief to sweltering fans on a humid August day.
Fortunately for us, the temperature at Friday’s game was very comfortable. Up at Sky Field, there was even a nice breeze blowing.
Like so many other companies - Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, etc. - Chick-Fil-A is based in Atlanta. Those other companies have a presence at Turner Field
- Delta Air Lines Scoreboard in Left Field
- Large Coke Bottle at Sky Field
- Home Depot Tool Race
So, it was natural for Chick-Fil-A to have a presence as well.
We’ve been fascinated with the cow since it made its debut at Turner Field by the Delta scoreboard in 2008. During Braves rallies, the cow leads the fans in the chopping ritual (though the cow’s chopping has a much more mechanical feel to it). The Chick-Fil-A cow even shows its team spirit by wearing the colors of the home team.
So, we decided that, on this visit, we’d see the cow up close. It was quite a sight - nothing quite like an up close view of a 40-foot Holstein to get you in the mood for a ballgame (or a tasty chicken sandwich).
As for the game, itself, the Braves defeated the Houston Astros on “Star Wars Night” the night we were at the ballpark. The final score was 4-1.
We enjoyed our game and we enjoyed the rest of the weekend getaway as well. We enjoyed a little culture by attending “Much Ado About Nothing” as a part of the Georgia Shakespeare Festival at Oglethorpe University. We also enjoyed the ‘culture’ of shopping as the ladies visited an area Macy’s and also as we enjoyed a nice dinner to wrap up the trip.
Nothing, though, made a larger impression from our weekend getaway than the sight of a large bovine statue, perched high atop the left field bleachers, chopping away on a pleasant summer night.
JG
(Source: atlanta.braves.mlb.com)
Originally posted 8/6/2012
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