NBA Hall of Fame

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We finally got out of the rain in Maine. We left on Saturday after having to extend our stay 2 days because of the storm that had come in. It really didn't hit us too hard but the area that we were traveling through, New Hampshire and Vermont, were getting some really nasty winds and rain so we decided we were better off to stay put until everything blew over. Saturday turned out to be a gorgeous sunny day and we didn't really have to travel all too far since we only wanted to make it to Springfield, MA to stay the night so that we could go to the NBA Hall of Fame on Sunday. On our way to Springfield we passed through South Deerfield, MA which is where the Yankee Candle Factory is. We of course had to stop there. This place is HUGE and has everything Yankee candle and then some. You could literally spend all day there but of course we only stayed about on hour. That was really all I needed to make my contribution to the Yankee people.

The drive there and all the way to Springfield was really pretty as the colors are in full bloom now. I tried to get some pictures of the colors but when we are driving they just don't come out so unfortunately I don't have any to share. Guess you will have to make the trip for yourselves.

On Sunday we went to the NBA Hall of Fame and for Don this was probably the highlight of the trip. He is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE fan of the Boston Celtics and has been since he was young. Basketball was also his favorite sport to play when he was young and he was quite good at it. He played through Jr. College and then he had to get serious about his school work (HA!) because he had a family to support. He still loves his Celtics though and in his mind he can still shoot with the best of them as you will see in the pictures. It was really fun to see him light up seeing all the old players and also being on the court again.

We traveled almost 200 miles after touring the Hall of Fame before calling it a night and then we got up early this morning and put in over 350 miles today. We are currently in Ohio and are hoping to get to the Chicago area tomorrow. The horse is heading to the barn and so the journey is ending. Sad to say that the blogs will be ending also. Not sure how many more will be coming. I know I will send at least one more to recap our journey. It has been a long, exciting, and educational journey for us. We have missed our friends and family more than we could have imagined and it will be good to get back home. Love & Miss you all. See you soon! 😊K

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Photos

Yankee candle Co.
Here we are getting ready to shop.

Yankee Candle Shops
This is just one side of the Yankee Candle Factory. It is probably about a half block long.

Yankee Candle
This is the outside of the Yankee Home part of the shops.

Yankee Candle
Just another view from the parking lot.

Don in Front BB HofF
Here is the boy in front of the "candy" store. (hehehe!)

John Wooden
John Wooden was a great college basketball coach. He coached at UCLA for years and recently died just shy of his 100th birthday.

Old Celtics Uniform
Here is one of the early uniforms of the Celtics.

Paul Pierce Locker
This is a replica of Paul Pierce's locker. I think Braydon Likes him too.

Jerry Sloan Jazz
I took this for you Miss Sherry for your Utah Jazz!

Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman played for Porterville HS. In the next shot it gives his bio. He is inducted as a player and a coach. He coached the Lakers and Don met him when he was coaching.

Sharman Bio up close
Here is the bio for Bill Sharman.

Jordans Nike Shoes
These are some of the shoes that Michael Jordan has helped develop for Nike. There was a whole Michael Jordan section. This man is amazing.

Bird Bio & Ball
Here is Larry Bird's ball and bio for scoring his 20,000th point. Don has a signed ball from Larry and counts him amongst his close friends. (hehehe!)

Bird Bio
Here is Larry's Bio. An amazing player.

Bird Jersy & Shoe
Here is Larry's jersey and shoe.

Don @ Auerbach
Red Auerbach was the coach of the Celtics when Don was young and he remembers that he would light up a cigar on the sidelines when they won. He is a legendary coach.

Don shooting short hoops
Don had to try his hand at the arcade hoops. He still has it.

Court of Dreams
Here is the Court of Dreams.

Don @ Ctr Court
This is Don on the Court of Dreams getting ready to shoot some hoops.

Don Slam dunk Hoffame
Don still "shooting the 3" on the Court of Dreams.

Comments

[Gloria Collins]

Didn't you just love Yankee Candle Factory. My sister and I did spend the whole day there. We shopped, ate lunch, then shopped some more. I would love to go back again.