The drive down from Nashville marked Day 4 of this Road Trip to 30. I broke up the trip with a three-hour stop in Chattanooga to stretch my legs and soak in the scenery before finally pulling into the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. I actually could have skipped the Chattanooga detour and arrived in Atlanta early enough to catch the 7:15 PM ET first pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, I intentionally took my time because I am strictly saving my Ballpark #30 entry for July 3rd.

Saving #30 for the 3rd

I want my official milestone moment to be the Dale Murphy MVP Experience during the game against the New York Mets, where I’ll get to celebrate in a private suite alongside my childhood hero. Because of my extended road trip pacing, I didn’t arrive at the hotel early enough to watch the whole game, but I still couldn’t resist walking over to The Battery to soak up the atmosphere.

Exploring The Battery

Even without crossing the turnstiles, the energy outside Truist Park was phenomenal. I took my time exploring the perimeter, wandering past the massive 2021 World Series Champions ring sculpture, walking under the glowing neon Atlanta Braves sign arching over the plaza, and checking out the imposing brick facade of the 3rd Base Gate. Catching a glimpse of the giant baseball graphic on the back of the stadium scoreboard under the twilight sky made the entire milestone feel incredibly real.

Instead of heading inside, I found a spot in the lively gathering area right outside the Chop House Gate. They have a fantastic setup with a massive screen where fans can lounge on the turf and watch the live broadcast. Sitting there on the grass, watching the end of the Cardinals matchup with fellow fans while listening to the muffled roar of the crowd from inside the gates, was the ultimate tease.

The stage is set, the ballpark is right in front of me, and tomorrow, we finally touch ’em all.