Clearwater to Ft. Myers to Orlando

It was a long drive to Ft. Myers from Clearwater. It was nice to have Google directions because we were able to find a Starbucks right off I-75 in the middle of nowhere.

I guess it says something about the target audience at these games, but the urinal screens at Hammond Stadium, spring home of the Minnesota Twins, advertise Flomax and a urologist's office.

Best PA announcement of the trip: "If your car has Tennessee license plate number _______, your car is the dirtiest car in the parking lot. And Johnson's auto detailing is offering you a free Spotless Car Wash."

Today's game was a bunch of Phillies substitutes against most of the Twins regulars. It was a surprisingly well played game, though one ball got lost in the very bright sun and there were 2 crazy innings. The Phillies scored 6 runs on errors, minor misplays and a huge 3-run homer by a guy trying hard to make the opening day roster. The Twins scored because Matt Anderson, a former all-star trying to make a comeback, could not control his 96 mile per hour fastball and walked two hit a batter and threw 2 or 3 (I can't remember- the ball was just flying everywhere).

We were listening to MLB Network on the way down, and they were saying how the Twins' park is particularly beautiful, and we couldn't disagree. The park itself was very nice and the area was beautifully landscaped. It had an actual parking lot, unlike the makeshift arrangements at the first two places. The concessions were unusually good, including a real charcoal barbecue with burgers, sausages and chicken. The people working there were very friendly, which has been the norm here in Florida. Everyone has been very friendly and helpful in every circumstance. The only not great thing about the stadium is that it has a lot of metal bleacher type seats (with backs, but still…).

After the game we got Matt Anderson's autograph and then left for Orlando.

Here's my review of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach:

This is a very nice hotel any way you look at it. It is located to the left of the traffic circle where the causeway ends. This part of the island has the minor disadvantage of a road between the hotels and the beach, but it has the advantage of having the so-called Beachwalk, which was a nice place to go for a walk or run. The hotel has a parking lot where you can self-park or valet. If you self-park, you take an elevator to the 2nd floor of the hotel and then  access the guest rooms by another bank of elevators or the front desk down a flight of stairs. When you exit the parking lot you have to make a u-turn to get back to the causeway.

On the second floor there is a cafe/bar and the restaurant. We did not use either of those during our time there, but the cafe was pleasantly busy-looking day and evening and you could exit directly down some stairs to the beach from there. Clearwater Beach, by the way, is one of the best beaches in the US. Beautiful wide soft sand and and nice shelling.

I had originally reserved two connecting rooms, but when I called to confirm this (I have found that calling the hotel front desk directly on the day of arrival is extremely useful if you have any sort of room requests. No other representatives at any other time can do as much to accommodate you) they said they could not even assure us of being next to each other. When I expressed my concern the agent said that she could combine our two reservations and give us a two bedroom suite instead, which we jumped at. This suite was actually kind of ridiculous. It was 1600 square feet, large enough to house 8 comfortably, and the living room by itself was probably bigger than any hotel room I've had previously.

The bedrooms were large, one with a full closet and one with an armoire, both with flat screen TVs (there was a 3rd larger TV in the living room) and the beds were comfortable. Once in the bedroom there was no door on the bathroom. The only bathroom with a door is off the living room. Yes, it's a two bedroom, three full bathroom suite, an amenities collector's heaven.

The pool is on the 8th floor and has a bar with a great gulf view for the sunset. I met some pleasant locals who came up there just to have a drink and enjoy the view.

Every service person at the hotel was as nice as could be. I would certainly recommend the hotel to anyone who does not require being able to step out the hotel and directly onto the beach. For them I would recommend the Sandpearl, which is about a mile north and of similar high quality.