DIS Dads Rust Belt Road Trip (2 UPDATES--1/18)

[KatMark]

You guys better quit stealing ideas from each other before Julie ends up pregnant.

It sure seems to be going around, doesn't it?

Mark, yet another awesome update. Mark loves to stop at places like "Mike's" and we've run into some real gems and some real duds in the process.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Well, who knows what they put in those things?

Apparently, anything that's too high quality for the scrapple.

Well, we certainly don't need to take it that far. Hopefully we can still practice, though.

Well, I guess you can. But why would you want to practice throwing things in a suitcase and rushing to the hospital at 2:30 in the morning while Julie is screaming the backseat?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

For some reason, I envision you standing in front of a giant, slowly waving American flag as you speak this into one of those old timey microphones. Well said, sir. Well said.

Aw, I wish I'd have thought of that. Would have been a nice touch.

You didn't choose to eat at this restaurant. The restaurant chose to bring you to it.

Called to me, it did.

Yes, but what if those lima bean are infused with a citrus-lime reduction and tempered over a broth of Western Chilean sea grass ... with, um...some kind of...dipping sauce...or something...

I have no idea what I'm talking about.

But is there any steak?

Awesome! We honeymooned at an all inclusive resort in Aruba with several fine dining restaurants. But every day at lunch (and several dinners), Bambi and made a bee line to their snack bar for the chicken nuggets with sweet & sour dipping sauce.

That's a good woman, there. Sounds like she follows my eating philosophy, which is "If it ain't broke..."

This place is not on my "must eat as list." And I'm pretty sure Bambi would force choke me if I even asked about the hair.

Did you mean "Now on your must eat at list"? Because I'm not sure how you could resist the X-wing fighter.

And Bambi knows the Force?? Do something to tick her off so we can see this!

OK, you've twisted my arm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Mike's!

Ketchup and mustard? There's no way that would fit in my stomach. I'll have to bow out of this one.

It's a lot to ask. If you ask me, the real killer is the mayo.

Food and a pun?!? Mark, I already I'd go. You can stop convincing me now.

We aim to please.

You aim too, please. How come that sign wasn't in the bathroom?

Of course it's a word. It's on the Internet, and you can believe everything you read on the Internet.

That's a relief. I thought it was a perfectly cromulent word.

Now you're just showing off.

It was meant more as a regret, over not having ordered those pancakes in the first place.

Wow, first Brian, now you inserting horrible puns in my "honor". Geez, just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse. Then you go and do something like that...

...AND TOTALLY MAKE IT THE BEST DAY EVER!

Dumb and Dumber! +1

Any place that has a Banquet Hall/Dungeon has got to be good.

Agreed. Need someplace to put the kids.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

He's not joking. The song is REALLY bad.

It's almost defiant in its awful-ness.

This is not funny.

I thought it was funny. But then again, I get off easy with the whole pregnancy thing.

I eagerly went to the ladies room, but alas, there was nothing. NOTHING. Nada. Zilch. Just a door that opened normally, stalls with normal doors and a normal sink. I was very disappointed. In fact, this was the only thing that I found disappointing about Mike's.

For finding the fun greasy spoon that actually had good food.

I tell ya, I never seem to have the guts to try those places. I may need to get some guts. Sounds like it was a great, memorable place.

Well, some will turn out to be great, and some will turn out to be awful. I think we stop because either way, we know it'll be a good story.

I read all the rule. I think I like Mike.

Oh no, how unfair!!!

Seems like Mike needs a girlfriend to bring in some female humor... at least to the restrooms.

Better get to work, Magdalene!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It sure seems to be going around, doesn't it?

We can't allow it to happen. We're out of bedrooms.

Mark, yet another awesome update. Mark loves to stop at places like "Mike's" and we've run into some real gems and some real duds in the process.

That's all part of the fun! Either way, you've got an experience to share.

Apparently, anything that's too high quality for the scrapple.

*shudder* Well, I guess that means there aren't any hooves in there. I think.

Well, I guess you can. But why would you want to practice throwing things in a suitcase and rushing to the hospital at 2:30 in the morning while Julie is screaming the backseat?

Except for the hospital part, it'll be like trying to catch our flight to Orlando!

 

[afwdwfan]

This is not funny.

I'm sorry ... I thought it was kind of funny though.

Well, we certainly don't need to take it that far. Hopefully we can still practice, though.

Whew, that makes me feel better! I'm glad half of the equation saw the humor in it!

I thought it was funny. But then again, I get off easy with the whole pregnancy thing.

Excellent point!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Did you mean "Now on your must eat at list"? Because I'm not sure how you could resist the X-wing fighter.

Yes. I hate that they put the "T" and the "W" so close on the keyboard.
{Please don't look down to verify that there are indeed two keys between them}

I'm sorry ... I thought it was kind of funny though.

Not sure if my vote counts, but I vote: Funny.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I'm sorry ... I thought it was kind of funny though.

Don't worry. She was laughing on the inside.

Yes. I hate that they put the "T" and the "W" so close on the keyboard.
{Please don't look down to verify that there are indeed two keys between them}

When in doubt, blame Auto-Correct!

Not sure if my vote counts, but I vote: Funny.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I thought it was a perfectly cromulent word.

The Simpsons

When in doubt, blame Auto-Correct!

And I have… many times (just ask Andy )

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok, there was nothing in the last update to prompt any silly remarks about strange diseases that afflict hair follicles. But I can say, if you want waterfalls, you need to come to Oregon. In the Gorge alone there are about 40, some over 100 feet high. Oregon IS on your list, right??

I like saying Cuayahoga too. Hope I spelled that right.

Sceevy gas stations are part of every family trip. Glad you came out alive and didn't run into any guys with hammers like that one in your post.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I thought I commented earlier on this TR but apparently not!

Love it!! We have traveled with that giant bucket of cheese balls. One son actually got it for Christmas one year.

The PB&Js around the world My guys bought a couple boxes of the smuckers pre-packaged pb&j sandwiches for their drive down. The youngest one in the car was 17 - so it wasn't like it was to satisfy picky children. And they still had some left when they got down there so I was able to have some too!

Thundering Herd......"We Are Marshall" I know....not necessarily a movie quote since it is an actual school's actual mascot....but it is actually in the actual movie too

Your road trip looks like good fun with good people! Looking forward to the addition of more good people in cameo appearances.

 

[GoHerd1028]

Thundering Herd......"We Are Marshall" I know....not necessarily a movie quote since it is an actual school's actual mascot....but it is actually in the actual movie too

I love you Tanya! A fellow Herd fan/lover/ok someone who just knows who we are! Stay tuned to the trip report and there might be an guest appearance by said Herd

 

[mom3sonstt]

I love you Tanya! A fellow Herd fan/lover/ok someone who just knows who we are! Stay tuned to the trip report and there might be an guest appearance by said Herd

Gosh Steve I'm flattered!

My youngest son, who was probably in 8th grade when the "We Are Marshall" movie came out decided that was where he was going to go to college. It didn't hurt that he is a Jets fan and Chad Pennington was their quarterback at the time and a Marshall alum. My husband and I drove "by" the campus on our way back to Illinois from visiting my step-son and family in Virginia. Well, we drove by as close as the interstate would take us (which means we probably saw the tops of some buildings). We were going to detour in and visit the monument to the crash victims, but we were already late leaving and he wasn't sure where it was exactly, so we didn't. My youngest is also a hat/t-shirt addict. I know we bought him a Marshall U shirt while we were down there, but I think I also ordered in either a sweat shirt or a wind-shirt and a ball cap for Christmas. As sports illiterate as I am, if they make a tug-at-your-heart movie about a team then I know about them.

I look forward to your appearance!

 

[GoHerd1028]

Gosh Steve I'm flattered!

My youngest son, who was probably in 8th grade when the "We Are Marshall" movie came out decided that was where he was going to go to college. It didn't hurt that he is a Jets fan and Chad Pennington was their quarterback at the time and a Marshall alum. My husband and I drove "by" the campus on our way back to Illinois from visiting my step-son and family in Virginia. Well, we drove by as close as the interstate would take us (which means we probably saw the tops of some buildings). We were going to detour in and visit the monument to the crash victims, but we were already late leaving and he wasn't sure where it was exactly, so we didn't. My youngest is also a hat/t-shirt addict. I know we bought him a Marshall U shirt while we were down there, but I think I also ordered in either a sweat shirt or a wind-shirt and a ball cap for Christmas. As sports illiterate as I am, if they make a tug-at-your-heart movie about a team then I know about them.

I look forward to your appearance!

Watching them film the movie here was really cool. The whole city was visualy trasnformed back to 1970. It was amazing. The reality of the crash will never go away from the area. However, I am proud to be a Marshall Alum.. Your son still wanting to come to school here? Chad is a great guy. He is taking the season off this year to heal his shoulder and try to go at it again next year. In the meantime he and Mike D'antoni (another son of Marshall) are spearheading a fundraising campaign to help the athletic department.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Watching them film the movie here was really cool. The whole city was visualy trasnformed back to 1970. It was amazing. The reality of the crash will never go away from the area. However, I am proud to be a Marshall Alum.. Your son still wanting to come to school here? Chad is a great guy. He is taking the season off this year to heal his shoulder and try to go at it again next year. In the meantime he and Mike D'antoni (another son of Marshall) are spearheading a fundraising campaign to help the athletic department.

I bet that was cool to watch the city get transformed. Sad I am sure for the ones who were around at the time, or had family/friends involved.

Right now my son has started (3 days into it) at the local Jr. College. He is currently planning to go to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale after two years. He is an odd kid. He is very comfortable and outgoing around people he knows - to the point of being a class clown type of kid. But strangers or new places....he turns mute! Even people that he knows, but doesn't know real well, he will want someone else to intervene for him. "Can you go ask them...." For Orientation at the college he told me I needed to come. I was the only parent there My oldest son goes to Southern, so I think that is why he thinks he wants to go there. That plus they have a Sports Administration program that he wants to go into. I imagine by the time he is ready to transfer, my oldest won't be down there anymore, so who know where he will think he wants to go then. He used to also want to go to school in Chicago....no school in particular - just Chicago. Of course the kid doesn't even like driving on the interstate (we are in the middle of farm country) so I don't know how he thought he was going to handle Chicago. I'll let you know in 2 years where he winds up! At this point I am not holding my breath on any of it!

 

[Flossbolna]

Better get to work, Magdalene!

Well, sounds like Poolrat is a good candidate! She loved Mike's rules. I would never agree to the one that Mike is always right - my rule is that I am always right!!!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

I bet that was cool to watch the city get transformed. Sad I am sure for the ones who were around at the time, or had family/friends involved.

Right now my son has started (3 days into it) at the local Jr. College. He is currently planning to go to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale after two years. He is an odd kid. He is very comfortable and outgoing around people he knows - to the point of being a class clown type of kid. But strangers or new places....he turns mute! Even people that he knows, but doesn't know real well, he will want someone else to intervene for him. "Can you go ask them...." For Orientation at the college he told me I needed to come. I was the only parent there My oldest son goes to Southern, so I think that is why he thinks he wants to go there. That plus they have a Sports Administration program that he wants to go into. I imagine by the time he is ready to transfer, my oldest won't be down there anymore, so who know where he will think he wants to go then. He used to also want to go to school in Chicago....no school in particular - just Chicago. Of course the kid doesn't even like driving on the interstate (we are in the middle of farm country) so I don't know how he thought he was going to handle Chicago. I'll let you know in 2 years where he winds up! At this point I am not holding my breath on any of it!

How far are you from Sparta, Tanya? I use to live there.

 

[jason4024]

Besides enabling us to get an all-important stamp for our National Parks Passport, the store also housed an exhibit on ship-building.

This is a great report so far. I used to love the Strasburg Railroad. When growing up, my dad lived in Lancaster, so we went there quite often.

Wanted to say that I love the Passport to Your National Parks. It doesnt hurt that my first job out of college was with Eastern National, the designer. I was actually the guy that designed the very first eparks.com site. When i started there, they didnt even own the domain yet. If you ever have questions about it or the history, feel free to ask. I still have lots of contacts there.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

The Simpsons

+1

And I have… many times (just ask Andy )

I believe I may have seen some of these Auto-Incorrects...

Ok, there was nothing in the last update to prompt any silly remarks about strange diseases that afflict hair follicles. But I can say, if you want waterfalls, you need to come to Oregon. In the Gorge alone there are about 40, some over 100 feet high. Oregon IS on your list, right??

It's one of the 50 states, right? Last time I checked, it was. I have seen the Columbia River Gorge and admired its beauty, but none of the rest of my family has done so. Obviously, this needs to be rectified.

Sceevy gas stations are part of every family trip. Glad you came out alive and didn't run into any guys with hammers like that one in your post.

That guy was pretty scary-looking. I sure would hate to wake up every morning and see that ugly mug in the mirror!

No thoughts on the 5-star, white-linen restaurant we chose for the evening?

I thought I commented earlier on this TR but apparently not!

Tanya! Glad you're here!

Love it!! We have traveled with that giant bucket of cheese balls. One son actually got it for Christmas one year.

Road Trip Cheeseballs ©FreezinRafiki.

The PB&Js around the world My guys bought a couple boxes of the smuckers pre-packaged pb&j sandwiches for their drive down. The youngest one in the car was 17 - so it wasn't like it was to satisfy picky children. And they still had some left when they got down there so I was able to have some too!

Who needs Dole Whips when you have PB&--ok, sorry, I can't go that far.

Thundering Herd......"We Are Marshall" I know....not necessarily a movie quote since it is an actual school's actual mascot....but it is actually in the actual movie too

+1

Your road trip looks like good fun with good people! Looking forward to the addition of more good people in cameo appearances.

Apparently there are warm, friendly super-cool people all over this country. Who knew?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I love you Tanya! A fellow Herd fan/lover/ok someone who just knows who we are! Stay tuned to the trip report and there might be an guest appearance by said Herd

Really? I can't wait to see this!

Gosh Steve I'm flattered!

My youngest son, who was probably in 8th grade when the "We Are Marshall" movie came out decided that was where he was going to go to college. It didn't hurt that he is a Jets fan and Chad Pennington was their quarterback at the time and a Marshall alum. My husband and I drove "by" the campus on our way back to Illinois from visiting my step-son and family in Virginia. Well, we drove by as close as the interstate would take us (which means we probably saw the tops of some buildings). We were going to detour in and visit the monument to the crash victims, but we were already late leaving and he wasn't sure where it was exactly, so we didn't. My youngest is also a hat/t-shirt addict. I know we bought him a Marshall U shirt while we were down there, but I think I also ordered in either a sweat shirt or a wind-shirt and a ball cap for Christmas. As sports illiterate as I am, if they make a tug-at-your-heart movie about a team then I know about them.

I look forward to your appearance!

If your son likes hats and t-shirts, you need to visit Steve ASAP! He'll hook you right up.

Well, sounds like Poolrat is a good candidate! She loved Mike's rules. I would never agree to the one that Mike is always right - my rule is that I am always right!!!

Did you see the one where he said to keep that rule a secret from his wife?

This is a great report so far. I used to love the Strasburg Railroad. When growing up, my dad lived in Lancaster, so we went there quite often.

I always enjoy visiting PA Dutch country. I should probably try to get up there more often than I do.

Wanted to say that I love the Passport to Your National Parks. It doesnt hurt that my first job out of college was with Eastern National, the designer. I was actually the guy that designed the very first eparks.com site. When i started there, they didnt even own the domain yet. If you ever have questions about it or the history, feel free to ask. I still have lots of contacts there.

The NP Passport program is a really neat idea. Either that, or we're suckers for getting passports stamped, since we got the Epcot ones as well (and will go for the Star Tours passports whenever our next trip is).

Man, you have some good contacts! Very cool that you worked on the site.