Stories along the Road less travelled
Bernie’s Bucket List
Naguib Sami Kerba
On a chilly, damp March day, as I longed for summer's warmth, I received a call from Bernie Fishbein. He shared that he'd always wanted to visit the Blue Jays during spring training in Dunedin, Florida, but the perfect chance had never come. Instead of leaving it to chance, he asked if I'd join him to tick this off his Bucket List.
Bernie, who retired nearly five years ago, is a perfect example of someone fully embracing retirement. He eagerly explores his passions—whether it's photography, history, or hiking. He's also engaged in his community, serving on the local ratepayers’ association boards and Habitat for Humanity. Having been a good friend for over twenty years, I happily accepted the opportunity to join him. Plus, enjoying some sunshine and crossing an item off my Bucket List was tempting.
On March 23, we braved a snowstorm to reach the airport, only to land three hours later in the warm 28°C sunshine of Tampa Bay.
That
first evening in Florida, we explored Dunedin and its baseball park to get
familiar with the area. We’d heard that arriving early would allow us to watch
the players practice, and I was determined to make this a memorable experience
for Bernie.
At the
park, I left Bernie in the car while I visited the media centre. There, I met
Mal Romanin, the Baseball Information Communications Manager for the Toronto
Blue Jays. After hearing about Bernie’s Bucket List dream, Mal kindly invited
us back in half an hour.
When we
returned, Mal greeted us with two guest passes and took us onto the field. I
enjoy baseball, but Bernie is truly passionate about it. As we stepped onto the
field, Bernie’s face lit up with pure joy. Not only was he at Blue Jays spring
training, but he was right in the action. The crack of the bat signalled that
summer was on its way, and it was music to our ears. We spent the next thirty minutes exploring and taking photos. Bernie
even got to visit the Jays' dugout, his excitement palpable. Watching the Blue
Jays practice and witnessing their camaraderie was a thrill. As we left, Mal
gave Bernie an autographed baseball. After our field visit, we enjoyed the game
between the Jays and the Braves.
Bernie was so excited by the day that he would have been happy if the trip had ended then. But there was more to come. Each day seemed to bring its own special moments.
We met wonderful people, engaged in fascinating
conversations, and gained a new appreciation for Florida’s attractions. Before
heading back to the cold, we explored the Salvador Dalí Museum and the
Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, went on an eco-tour of Tampa Bay and
visited its Aquarium, and spent time with friends at Lettuce Lake Resort in
Port Charlotte. We also took photography excursions to the Mary Selby Gardens
and Fort De Soto National Park. By the end of the trip, we had both checked off
attending Blue Jays spring training from our Bucket Lists. Thanks to the
Toronto Blue Jays, Mal Romanin, and especially Bernie for making this
opportunity possible.
AND NOW FOR THE REST OF
THE STORY…
Bernie
is a genuinely kind and thoughtful person. He's also quite the sport. After our
first trip, I submitted our story and some photos to Mississauga Living
magazine, where it was published. At the time, the magazine was available in
print and online, and the article was titled "Bernie’s Bucket List."
The story quickly made Bernie a local celebrity among friends and neighbours.
As a dedicated practical joker, I saw a perfect chance for some fun.
Inspired
by the article's success, we decided to recreate the experience, which led to
many more memorable road trips. I’ll share more about those adventures later.
Our “Boys Trips” included two more spring training visits to Florida, a trip to
Fenway Park in Boston to see the Red Sox, and a journey to Nashville. We even
embarked on a "Route 66" themed trip that took us through Chicago,
Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Memphis.
We
embraced Bernie’s good nature by starting a tradition that involved complete
strangers in our antics. While I took the lead, others quickly joined in the
fun. I’d walk ahead, spot an approaching stranger, and ask if they were up for
a little prank. They would then approach Bernie and playfully ask him why he
looked so familiar, only to discover he was the “Famous Bernie from the online
Bucket List story.” No one ever refused the chance to join in the prank, and it
was a fantastic way to connect with new people.
Here are
a few of my favourite moments:
In Punta
Gorda, at a restaurant, the manager waited until our group of ten had received
our meals. She then came out with a printed copy of the article, apologized for
the interruption, and asked Bernie for his autograph. She wanted to frame the
article and hang it alongside other famous patrons on the wall.
Another memorable moment was at a Best Western hotel in Georgia. The management and staff, recognising Bernie’s celebrity status, eagerly took photos with him and greeted him every time he entered the lobby.
One of
my personal favourites happened at Fenway Park. We sat in the front row of the
Loge section when a man in Red Sox gear approached Bernie, claiming to know
him. Also thinking the man looked familiar, Bernie went through a list of
possible connections, including baseball, scouting, and volunteering.
Eventually, the man realised he had read about Bernie online and recognised him
as the "Famous Bernie from the Bucket List story." This led to a
playful punch on the shoulder from Bernie.
During
the 2012 spring training at the Baltimore Orioles’ complex, Bernie went to get
a coffee. When he returned, many of the Baltimore section began chanting
“Bernie, Bernie,” creating quite a spectacle.
We’ve
had many other memorable moments like these, and I’ll share more about our
famous road trips in future blogs.
As a
teaser, here are some of our road trip rules:
·
We’re not rushing to reach our destination. The
aim is to discover something special each day that others might overlook in
their hurry.
·
We limit driving to six or seven hours each day.
As the main trip planner, I estimate the total driving time and divide it by
six. For example, if the journey is thirty-five hours long, we spend six nights
on the road and have time at our destination.
·
Each driver is limited to a maximum of a two-hour
shift behind the wheel at a time.
·
We leave after breakfast, stop for lunch, and make
sure we’re checked into our hotel before dinner. We then have dinner and maybe
play some games.
This is
part of the stories on the Road Less Travelled. There are a few more actual
stories in this series coming your way.
https://www.nkerba.com/blog/bernies-bucket-list?rq=berni
The
Website
The
Book:
Ordinary
People, Extraordinary Lives
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
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Interesting post. No travel for me, though.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story, making unforgettable memories for Bernie. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete