There is so much to catch up on! Twenty-four hours without wi-fi has been quite a challenge.
After leaving Wisconsin Tuesday morning we pushed through to Austin Minnesota to see the Spam Museum. We had NO IDEA how fascinating the history of Spam was! The museum is a little jewel tucked into the far corner of the Hormel home plant. It is colorful, informative, interactive, super child friendly and free. You could easily spend 3-4 hours just working your way through the exhibits. For those of you thinking the time change has caused temporary insanity... Did you know that during WWII the Hormel company donated millions of cans of Spam to feed American troops overseas, that there was a group of women called the "spamettes" who traveled through Europe entertaining the troops or that Hawaii consumes more Spam than any other state in the US AND that Obama has a favorite Spam dish from his childhood???!!!
The children had never tried Spam before, luckily there were many places nearby with special Spamtastic choices.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
I've got it on good authority that Kerrie, Izzy & Vinny have run into some trouble along the way.
Yup, it seems they might have absconded with some contraband spam from the nearby Spam Museum (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2126) and the sherrif in Wykoff, Minnesota caught up with 'em.
It seems their high falutin gallavantin' and out of town license plate got them a room in the Graybar Motel! ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/13846)
Along with their stay in the hoosegow, they are sentenced to no internet access, and they have to straighten up the local museum. ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2136)
Bail is posted at at least 5 comments and 2 more followers on the blog!
Yup, it seems they might have absconded with some contraband spam from the nearby Spam Museum (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2126) and the sherrif in Wykoff, Minnesota caught up with 'em.
It seems their high falutin gallavantin' and out of town license plate got them a room in the Graybar Motel! ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/13846)
Along with their stay in the hoosegow, they are sentenced to no internet access, and they have to straighten up the local museum. ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2136)
Bail is posted at at least 5 comments and 2 more followers on the blog!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Mountain biking
Wow, there is a lot to catch up on! The evening of the 4th was extra special as Joe bought a JUMBO package of fireworks! The kids ran up aqnd down the hill lighting fireworks named Mad Dog, Red Devil and Yellow Jacket (FYI they TOTALLY lived up to their names). Vinny tagged it as the "best ever"...
The next day Joe bravely (?) forged ahead and took all of the children except Quinn on a canoe/kayak excursion. The children spent the evening swimming in Lake Michigan.
The "anything goes" (haphazard??) spirit of our road trip provided us an opportunity to spend a few days with our good friends in Michigan and for that, we are grateful.
We left the McKenna's this morning at 6 and headed an hour north to catch the car ferry to Wisconsin...
The car ferry across Lake Michigan was really confusing and FILLED with action. Having long term experience with the car ferry to Nantucket provided no experience of familiarity. I drove up to the Badger was told to leave the car (running) anywhere near the entrance to the boat at which point a rotating group of running teenagers drove the cars on.
The boat ride itself was packed with activities. There were two breakfast buffets, an ongoing bingo game, a massage space, face painting, an American Idol contest, a movie theater and a cruise director running around sticking boat stickers on bald men's heads! Twenty minutes before docking there was an announcement that all snack bar food had been reduced to $1 which incited a group run down the starboard side. Everyone (including my kids seemed to be having a FANTASTIC time). I was very, very tired. It was clear within seconds that there would be NO napping. After the boat docked, getting the car back was equally random. About 200 people just stood around in a large parking lot as the running teens drove cars into the lot and just left them there idling.
Once in Wisconsin it was clear that my mapquest directions had n0t accounted for a major construction detour. I stopped and asked a very nice man at a garage for help. He gave me maps and went over the new directions a couple of times with me (I am always amazed at the extreme kindness of some strangers). I thanked him repeatedly and we hit the road, unfortunately our new route was all local roads and ended up taking us six hours instead of three. On the other hand, we did see a LOT of Wisconsin...
The next day Joe bravely (?) forged ahead and took all of the children except Quinn on a canoe/kayak excursion. The children spent the evening swimming in Lake Michigan.
The "anything goes" (haphazard??) spirit of our road trip provided us an opportunity to spend a few days with our good friends in Michigan and for that, we are grateful.
We left the McKenna's this morning at 6 and headed an hour north to catch the car ferry to Wisconsin...
The car ferry across Lake Michigan was really confusing and FILLED with action. Having long term experience with the car ferry to Nantucket provided no experience of familiarity. I drove up to the Badger was told to leave the car (running) anywhere near the entrance to the boat at which point a rotating group of running teenagers drove the cars on.
The boat ride itself was packed with activities. There were two breakfast buffets, an ongoing bingo game, a massage space, face painting, an American Idol contest, a movie theater and a cruise director running around sticking boat stickers on bald men's heads! Twenty minutes before docking there was an announcement that all snack bar food had been reduced to $1 which incited a group run down the starboard side. Everyone (including my kids seemed to be having a FANTASTIC time). I was very, very tired. It was clear within seconds that there would be NO napping. After the boat docked, getting the car back was equally random. About 200 people just stood around in a large parking lot as the running teens drove cars into the lot and just left them there idling.
Once in Wisconsin it was clear that my mapquest directions had n0t accounted for a major construction detour. I stopped and asked a very nice man at a garage for help. He gave me maps and went over the new directions a couple of times with me (I am always amazed at the extreme kindness of some strangers). I thanked him repeatedly and we hit the road, unfortunately our new route was all local roads and ended up taking us six hours instead of three. On the other hand, we did see a LOT of Wisconsin...
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Burgers and cheese
A long rainy trip to Michigan was broken up by ANOTHER roadfood destination in Ann Arbor. I can't remember the exact name but Billie's Buster Burgers (???) was well worth the trip. We waited in a long line which enabled us to meet other foodies who had come to this same place through the "Diners. drive ins and dives" collective on the food network. These people had impressive organizational skills. When I mentioned an amazing dumpling place in NYC they all pulled out their i-phones and immediately jotted down the information! Anyway, the burger line was long but once you got to the front you had to quickly decide how many patties, what kind of cheese and what additional toppings you might want. The burgers were really good, memorable and greasy.
After we left Ann Arbor we had about another two hours or so to get to the McKenna's house. We arrived around dinner time. It was great to see everyone in their new Michigan setting and especially nice for me to sleep in a quiet room by myself for awhile.
This morning we headed out to a large farmer's market that had lots of good things for sale. The best stop was meeting the cheese lady. The cheese lady had a comprehensive collection of interesting cheeses and was passing out the samples quickly and with generosity.
After we left Ann Arbor we had about another two hours or so to get to the McKenna's house. We arrived around dinner time. It was great to see everyone in their new Michigan setting and especially nice for me to sleep in a quiet room by myself for awhile.
This morning we headed out to a large farmer's market that had lots of good things for sale. The best stop was meeting the cheese lady. The cheese lady had a comprehensive collection of interesting cheeses and was passing out the samples quickly and with generosity.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Driving and more driving
It was time to leave WV this morning. We hugged the cipriani's good-bye, quickly stopped in at the visitor's center so that Vinny could take the junior ranger oath and hit the road for Akron Ohio.
Referencing Roadfood once again, we learned that there was a large group of Balkan immigrants who settled in the area during the 1920's some of whom were famous for their fried chicken dinner restaraunts. We ended up eating at one called Belgrade Gardens. It was an interesting place with lots of regional foods and an unusual style of fried chicken (see photo).
On the way back to the room a woman stopped me in the parking lot (she noticed my license plate) to tell me that she and her husband were returning from a road trip to Maine. She told me that she had always hoped to go to Maine but they never found the time or the money and now that their kids were grown...I asked her how the trip went and she told me it RAINED the entire time!
Tomorrow morning we are on the road again to Michigan to visit our friends.
Thank you everyone who has commented along the way. We are always happy to hear from you and feel that much more connected.
P.S. I'm trying a new picture posting strategy, let me know what you think...
Referencing Roadfood once again, we learned that there was a large group of Balkan immigrants who settled in the area during the 1920's some of whom were famous for their fried chicken dinner restaraunts. We ended up eating at one called Belgrade Gardens. It was an interesting place with lots of regional foods and an unusual style of fried chicken (see photo).
On the way back to the room a woman stopped me in the parking lot (she noticed my license plate) to tell me that she and her husband were returning from a road trip to Maine. She told me that she had always hoped to go to Maine but they never found the time or the money and now that their kids were grown...I asked her how the trip went and she told me it RAINED the entire time!
Tomorrow morning we are on the road again to Michigan to visit our friends.
Thank you everyone who has commented along the way. We are always happy to hear from you and feel that much more connected.
P.S. I'm trying a new picture posting strategy, let me know what you think...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Bacon, battlefields and visitors
We tried to grill bacon over a campfire this morning in the civil war spirit. Many of us went to Anteitam in the afternoon for a film and guided tour. Really interesting and REALLY depressing. Jean's sister and brother in law have joined us for the evening. What an amazing thing it is to be in West Virginia and surrounded by such good company.
Now a word from vincent- We were trying to make a campfire dessert, it started to rain, and Domenico was standing over the fire for ten minutes, and he tried to protect if from the rain... they burned:( While Domenico was standing over the fire trying to protect it, he tried blowing on it to make it stronger.
P.S. Jean, I was cracking up at the news that your new name is "Deborah", although your second note did clear up a LOT of confusion!
Now a word from vincent- We were trying to make a campfire dessert, it started to rain, and Domenico was standing over the fire for ten minutes, and he tried to protect if from the rain... they burned:( While Domenico was standing over the fire trying to protect it, he tried blowing on it to make it stronger.
P.S. Jean, I was cracking up at the news that your new name is "Deborah", although your second note did clear up a LOT of confusion!
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