O n a friend's suggestion I drove way up to Montgomery to try the barbecue ribs at a restaurant christened with the somewhat obvious moniker of "The Montgomery Inn". Ribs are not at the fore of my menu most days, but these were outstanding and well worth the trip. The ribs were meaty and tender, and the sauce was delicious-- the flavor was unique and I couldn't tell you why.

Reading back from this point, I feel like quite the fan-boy-- I should point out that I've received no payment of any kind for any sort of commercial endorsement. The ribs were good. That's why people go there.

Later that evening, the Reds won again. I was in the nosebleed section, about two degrees east of directly behind home plate.

Now here is a strange thing, and I'm not sure if it's part of The Lesson or just an oddity. I've been following the Reds pretty closely this year, watching who's hurt, who's been sent to Chattanooga for work, who's pretty close to being recalled.

But on Thursday the Reds announced a whole slew of trades. Today they did the same thing again. All my homework caught up, but unexpectedly I'm looking at a bunch of strangers on the field.

Is there a message therein? I think so, and by trip's end I should be able to articulate it.

Here is one message that is coming through loud and clear: the last month has left me in no shape for all the walking I've been doing. I feel a deep pain in the inner heads of both of my calves that I fear will wake me in the middle of the night with an agonizing cramp.

On the positive side, though, I did need some work on my calves. 		  I slept late on Saturday morning, not because of laziness (well, not completely) but because I knew I'd a long day ahead of me. I scouted for ribs at the Montgomery Inn across the river from me, but because I'd read the times wrong on their Web site I arrived hours before it was to open. This was a clear sign that I was meant to have chili instead, so I packed off to Gold Star.

Speaking of packing, I'd left home a couple of shirts light, intending to buy some while I was here. This seemed the opportune time, so I set off for Alexandria looking for a Biggs. I found a Wal-Mart instead; not my first choice, but they had what I wanted.

For the moment let's leave me in there looking at shirts and muttering earth-shattering profundities such as, "They call this a 2XL? It's like a freakin' robe on me!"

This will give me time to mention that in today's Enquirer I finally found the reason behind the lack of rooms at the Usual Place: there is something called "ChampBoat Racing" to be held on the river this weekend, and as the Usual Place sports a magnificent view of the river, they chose it as their host hotel.

Bastards.

I'm still digging through shirt racks so we have just a moment to talk about the rental car. It's a black Hyundai Sonata, nice enough and with plenty of pep. The only complaint I have is that the electric door and trunk locks don't work. I'm guessing it's a blown fuse, but the owner's manual is gone so there's no way to be sure.

I'm at the checkout now so let's skip the part where I fill up and figure out I'm getting about 22 miles to the gallon and go straight to the ballpark. 		 
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