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

[Captain_Oblivious]

To keep with the history theme: In the US Capitol Building they allow each state two and only two statutes for famous people from their state. One of the two Florida statutes is the inventor of air-conditioning. His name is John Gorrie.

Oddly (or maybe not so oddly), I knew two out of three of those facts (the two statues per state part and the Gorrie first developed A/C part). Additionally interesting (since we are hijacking Mark’s TR here… and that’s not that uncommon an event either) he was trying to cure Malaria at the time. He figured it was the heat and decided that cooling the rooms in his hospital would do the trick. He also noted that gauze bug nets around the beds seemed to help a might in stemming the spread, but was certain that it was the cooler air that did the trick (well.. it is called mal – aria, which does translate to bad-air).

OK… I’m done geeking out for now.
Sorry about that Mark.

But you have permission to vandalize any of my TRs whenever the mood strikes you.

I had no idea who invented air-conditioning or any of the backstory, so this is good stuff! Hijack approved.

Well, it's evident that our national leaders are people of privilege....when they draw their water from aquifers with adorned with grecian monuments and sleep in their air-conditioned log homes.

Sounds like it's time to start the Occupy Hodgenville movement.

Glad you could make that park rangers day by giving her someone to talk to. I ran into someone similar at Target the other day....a sales guy in the videogame department who wanted to tell me about all of the incarnations of the Zelda game.

Well, I'm sure that was a fascinating conversation...

"Didn't you notice that after a while, I started reading a vomit bag?"

I can't say I blame you for wanting to skip the baseball game that night. The dessert looks for more enticing!

I will stand by the decision. It was the handling of said decision that left something to be desired.

ouisville seems like a fun place to visit, but you definitely did flunk parenting 101 that evening. (like I should talk)

Love Abe's air conditioned cabin and the Rocky imitation!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Another great update, Mark. Love this picture...it just so you.

Luckily, my kids are still willing to act like idiots with me!

I'll have to disagree. I would have chosen the cake...not a pie eater at all.

More pie for me! I even request apple pie for my birthday in lieu of cake. I just think all cake tastes pretty much the same.

I definitely think you'll have to go back because poor Dave needs to go to a baseball game.

I'll have to do right by him, definitely.

Second update I have to comment on without my computer. You're really trying hard to avoid harassment, attent you?

It seems to be working!

I have been to the Lincoln birthplace. I thought it was kind of cool. You summed it up well though. Not much to it.

It was an interesting stop on the road. Good way to break up a drive.

Such a cruel Dad not to take your soon to a baseball game in triple digit temps. I'd probably chose ice cream and pie under the same circumstances too.

I think it makes more sense to adults than 7-year-olds.

I'm assuming that picture was photoshopped, because you certainly wouldn't have taken your hands off the wheel to operate a camera, now would you?

Never. Julie explained how we got the shot, but it was obviously done by trained amateurs.

And I like how the speedometer seems to glow. It's like a minivan from the future!

I need to figure out how to make the doors fly up like the DeLorean!

I'm guessing that it took 18 months, 3 committees, 7 sub-committees, 4 hearings and 19 lobbyists to come up with that name.

Sounds about right.

That thing is huge, isn't it?

Let's check the photo record:

Yes. Yes, it is.

Based on the number of people in the picture, it looks like one of you decided for the quiet contemplation.
Or she stood at the bottom of the steps, holding the camera and rolling her eyes as you screamed the lyrics to "Eye of the Tiger" while running up 56 marble steps in +100° heat.

I can neither confirm nor deny your statement.

Don't let the looks deceive you. He had a 56" flat screen and surround sound in his man cave. Which, ironically, was actually a cave, out behind the cabin.

That would only be the COOLEST CAVE EVER!

She could have been like the Grail Knight in "Last Crusade." Standing there in that monument, waiting thousands of years between visitors. Did she have a white beard a big, bushy eyebrows?

Come to think of it...

After starting out the morning in a 56° cave and ending it in 102° sunshine, I'll give you a pass on this. Classic case of "jello brain"

That's good, because the alternative is that I'm simply a jerk. And we all know that can't possibly be the case.

That about sums it up.

Sounds like we need a DISDad meet in Louisville!

You've got my number. We can be there in 7 hours. I'll even let you buy the first Hot Brown at Lynn's.

I like this idea, too!

I'm already on the edge of my seat!

That makes one of us!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

More pie for me! I even request apple pie for my birthday in lieu of cake. I just think all cake tastes pretty much the same.

This is similar to how things go in my house. Neither my son nor I are that into cake but pie shows up on the menu pretty often. Actually… it gets a bit weirder then that in relation to birthdays. For mine… the cake was actually Crème brûlée, but the winner in the alternative birthday cake category is Max who requested and got a mac-n-cheese casserole replete with birthday-candles. But then again… if you’d had the opportunity to sample my DW’s particular rendition of mac-n-cheese (which is referred to by all members of my family and throughout the neighborhood as: “Bad Mac” ‘cause there ain’t nothing in it that’s even remotely good for you heath wise), you might consider having such for dessert as well.

 

[Moira222]

Mark, great update. But I have to be totally honest here: as cool as that looks, I would rather ride TOT 100 times in a row than go in a cave there I might see a bat.

LOL Kathy!

..... And still others would think immediately of Rocky and feel the need to do a cheesy re-creation of his dash up the Philly Art Museum steps. I'll let you decide what category we fall into.

Yup, that was my guess

Then she started talking about the cabin, asked us where else we'd been, talked about Mammoth Cave, which cave tours she'd tried, which ones she'd led as a ranger, the rotations between jobs the rangers have at the Kentucky parks...

I'm guessing they don't get a lot of visitors to the Abe Lincoln birthplace, if you catch my drift. It reminded me of Bill Murray's cameo in Get Smart as the agent who never gets to talk with the other agents.

cute picture. hey, when its 102 out you don't mind chatting in the a/c for a while, right?!

But we'd strung Dave along through the day that he was pretty sure we were going. So at this point I had to break his heart.

I felt awful for him. He really wanted to go to the game. I apologized profusely. Sometimes parents mess up, too.

poor kid but really, 102 + temp or ice cream and Pie? its a no brainer!

mmmmmmm pie

While we were enjoying our dessert, we took stock of the customers. At one table, 3 Catholic priests in full garb were enjoying coffee. Right next to them were two goths covered in tattoos and piercings. They seemed comfortable in each other's company.

where's the politically incorrect joke? come on, i thought FOR SURE there would be a joke here.

 

[Flossbolna]

So, I am finally up to date with your report!! The pies look all very wonderful! And the house inside the museum seemed a bit strange. But I love quirky attractions like this one! Amazing isn#t it, that someone born in such a simple place can become one of the best known persons in history. Lincoln is certainly one of the US presidents who is even know in Europe.

I think your heavy water might rather have been a form of dihydrogen monoxide

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Nope! It's not photoshopped! It was Mark carefully driving with two hands on the wheel () and me contorting myself and the camera to take the picture. There were a lot that we deleted.

We deleted them after we reviewed them at home. Not while we were driving.

It really wasn't THAT bad! I was nervous that I would feel claustrophobic too, but it was fine - really! I'd do it again.

Good, because we still have to explore Wind Cave and Carlsbad Caverns someday.

Now we know the effect of extra hydrogen. It makes you say nice things about others who .... Thanks for the nice words.

No problem! The extra 0.6 percent hydrogen must have put me in a good mood.

After, several attempts of attempting to turn on the camera and the flash. Thankfully, you and Julie had enough patience with me to take the picture.

You're bigger than me, and could probably crush my camera in the palm of your hand. So yes, I was happy to let you work it out.

They were protesting UK not winning the NCAA Championship last year.

Mammoth cave used to have a boat tour but it is closed now. The only boat tour is about an hour south near Bowling Green - Lost Cave water tour. I have not been on that one yet as it is only an hour away from my house.

I remember Barry and his family did that one. It looked pretty cool.

Glad to be a part of the Rust Trip.

It was great to meet you!

Well, all caught up again! At least you hadn't left Louisville behind yet since I was last here so I guess I'm actually only a couple of days behind. I see I did miss wishing you a Happy Birthday on here but I'm pretty sure I caught it on FB. (so no need to go check)

Better late than never....

Lynn's sounds wonderful. Will have to try it some time. Remember our family vacation to Mammoth Cave and Lincoln's childhood home. Some great highlights but can't believe you blew off the baseball game!!!

Win some, lose some. I did take Dave to a Univ. of Delaware football game this fall, and that seemed to go well.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This is similar to how things go in my house. Neither my son nor I are that into cake but pie shows up on the menu pretty often. Actually… it gets a bit weirder then that in relation to birthdays. For mine… the cake was actually Crème brûlée, but the winner in the alternative birthday cake category is Max who requested and got a mac-n-cheese casserole replete with birthday-candles. But then again… if you’d had the opportunity to sample my DW’s particular rendition of mac-n-cheese (which is referred to by all members of my family and throughout the neighborhood as: “Bad Mac” ‘cause there ain’t nothing in it that’s even remotely good for you heath wise), you might consider having such for dessert as well.

Mac-and-cheese for dessert? Now that is truly different. But it sounds intriguing. I might need to try some. (and have pie on hand for backup)

Yup, that was my guess

She's on to me!

cute picture. hey, when its 102 out you don't mind chatting in the a/c for a while, right?!

Exactly. We weren't in a hurry.

poor kid but really, 102 + temp or ice cream and Pie? its a no brainer!

Not to a 7-year-old baseball fan, it isn't.

where's the politically incorrect joke? come on, i thought FOR SURE there would be a joke here.

Politically incorrect? Moi? I can't believe you would be looking for jokes in this sophisticated TR.

Two guys walk into a bar...


...and fall down!

So, I am finally up to date with your report!! The pies look all very wonderful! And the house inside the museum seemed a bit strange. But I love quirky attractions like this one! Amazing isn#t it, that someone born in such a simple place can become one of the best known persons in history. Lincoln is certainly one of the US presidents who is even know in Europe.

It certainly is amazing. Although I have to wonder if he would stand a chance of being elected today. In current politics, it seems like you have to come from money and look good on TV, neither of which would have been true in Lincoln's case.

I think your heavy water might rather have been a form of dihydrogen monoxide

I'll never tell.

Actually, that's a good catch--for those who didn't click on the link, the sign from Louisville is pictured next to this note:
In 2006, in Louisville, Kentucky, David Karem, executive director of the Waterfront Development Corporation, a public body that operates Waterfront Park, wished to deter bathers from using a large public fountain. "Counting on a lack of understanding about water's chemical makeup," he arranged for signs reading: "DANGER! – WATER CONTAINS HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN – KEEP OUT" to be posted on the fountain at public expense.

 

[glennbo123]

"Didn't you notice that after a while, I started reading a vomit bag?"

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

+1

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This is a useless post that will only serve to up my post count and move the next chapter to the top of the next page.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Every road trip typically has a couple of long driving days in the schedule. It's almost impossible to avoid having at least one day where you're stuck in the van most of the time. I had tried to front-load these days into the beginning of the trip when we were fresh and energized so we could enjoy more time at our destinations later on. But I still had this one day left on the itinerary which would put us in position to enjoy the last 2 days of our trip.

On the bright side, we got our final "new" state for the kids:

Interesting how that sign almost camoflages into the scenery. Can I use "camoflage" as a verb?

It took about 3.5 hours to drive across Kentucky before we hit the state line. During that time, the kids watched a movie while Julie and I saw...well, I can't exactly remember, but I'm sure it was very nice.

Right around lunchtime, we crossed into West Virginia and into the city of Huntington. Our destination was a highbrow fine dining establishment known as...Fat Patty's!

We were here to meet another esteemed member of the DIS Dads Club, Steve (GoHerd1028 on the boards). He met us there with his wife Shari, son Ethan, and daughter Lauren. They recommended this restaurant as having the best hamburgers in West Virginia. We were only too willing to test out that claim.

When we arrived, we called Steve on his cell. He told us to park across the street in a bank parking lot that had signs posted specifically saying CUSTOMERS ONLY--ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOWED. So naturally, we had to wonder what exactly Steve was getting us into here.

Any negative thoughts were quickly dispelled, however, when we entered the restaurant to find Steve and his family already there, and a plate of cheese fries waiting for us. If you want to cement a long-lasting, deep and heartfelt friendship with my family, presenting us with unhealthy food that involves bacon and cheese is a fantastic way to do it. As you can see, it worked for Barry's family, and it worked here too. Here I am with Steve and what was left of the cheese fries.

I guess we indulged ourselves a bit too much. At least Ethan found humor in our distress.

I got a nice juicy bacon cheeseburger (sharp-eyed readers might be noticing a food theme here), and it was fantastic. I haven't tried all of the burger joints in West Virginia, but I'll go ahead and validate their claim anyway. Truly a great burger, and highly recommended.

We had a great time with Steve and his family. They are some of the sweetest people we've ever met. Steve is a huge Marshall University fan and brought themed gifts for our kids--Marshall hats for the boys, a Marshall t-shirt for Sarah (which had lots of glitter on it sure to get all over everything in the next laundry load), coloring books for the long van ride, candy...it was incredibly generous of them.

I have to note here that I've never been a big Marshall fan. This stems from my days at the University of Delaware, when Marshall at the time was one of our biggest football rivals. Every year they seemed to be the team that knocked us out of the Division I-AA playoffs. So that always annoyed me, coupled with the fact that the playoff games were always held at a "neutral site" that just happened to be Marshall University's home stadium. We used to jokingly refer to the playoffs as the Marshall Invitational. But we weren't bitter or anything.

Anyway, Steve knew this, which is probably one reason why he went all out to get the kids this Marshall stuff. But still, it was very nice of him, and the kids were thrilled.

I had a fun time messing with Ethan throughout the meal as well. He was pretty shy at first, but I think I got him warmed up with some jokes. He was attacking me with bodychecks outside later on, which appears to be how kids express their affection for me.

The family units:

After lunch, Steve wanted to show us around town a bit. We took a walk across the street to...the Marshall University football stadium.

I'm pretty sure if Steve gets a cut, he bleeds Marshall green.

After that, we went back to find our van still in the bank parking lot. Which is good, because otherwise Steve would have had some extra houseguests for a while. We drove further downtown to check out Heritage Village, which is a small shopping area that utilizes an old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station. The kids immediately found the heart of the area, which involved historic trains to climb on.

I'm not sure they were technically supposed to be in there, but I'm guessing they weren't the first. Don't tell anyone, ok?

With that, our time in Huntington came to a close as we had a few more hours' driving ahead of us. Steve and Shari were incredibly hospitable, great company, and obviously very proud of their town. Plus, they know their hamburger joints! It was a joy to meet them. Thanks guys!

On the road again, Sarah found a use for her Good 'n Plentys.

And Scotty made sure Buddy Bison was well-nourished.

It became apparent to us that we were starting to enter more rural areas of the state.

Eventually, we arrived at our destination: the Holiday Inn Express of Weston, WV. I picked it because a) they had an indoor pool where we could blow off some steam after all that driving, and b) there aren't a whole lot of other places to stay in Weston, WV.

Anyway, we like the Holiday Inn Express a lot. They have nice rooms and give you free cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Dinner this evening was...

...delivered to the room by Domino's Pizza. Even Road Food couldn't find anything in Weston, WV. But the pizza was hot, we were starving, and it worked out just fine.

Coming Up Next: We go even deeper into the Middle of Nowhere. Plus, high-tech treasure hunting! And then we abandon Julie at the top of a mountain.

 

[glennbo123]

Interesting how that sign almost camoflages into the scenery. Can I use "camoflage" as a verb?

Um, I'm pretty sure you just did.

Right around lunchtime, we crossed into West Virginia and into the city of Huntington. Our destination was a highbrow fine dining establishment known as...Fat Patty's!

Very promising name!

If you want to cement a long-lasting, deep and heartfelt friendship with my family, presenting us with unhealthy food that involves bacon and cheese is a fantastic way to do it. As you can see, it worked for Barry's family, and it worked here too. Here I am with Steve and what was left of the cheese fries.

And I don't see any stains on your shirts so that's a major success story, in my book.

I have to note here that I've never been a big Marshall fan. This stems from my days at the University of Delaware, when Marshall at the time was one of our biggest football rivals. Every year they seemed to be the team that knocked us out of the Division I-AA playoffs. So that always annoyed me, coupled with the fact that the playoff games were always held at a "neutral site" that just happened to be Marshall University's home stadium. We used to jokingly refer to the playoffs as the Marshall Invitational. But we weren't bitter or anything.

No, doesn't seem like you are, or were, or anything.

I had a fun time messing with Ethan throughout the meal as well. He was pretty shy at first, but I think I got him warmed up with some jokes. He was attacking me with bodychecks outside later on, which appears to be how kids express their affection for me.

If only you'd stayed long enough for him to give you a swirley.

We drove further downtown to check out Heritage Village, which is a small shopping area that utilizes an old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station. The kids immediately found the heart of the area, which involved historic trains to climb on.

For a second I thought I was on the Universal threads....that looks like the Hogwarts Express!

It became apparent to us that we were starting to enter more rural areas of the state.

Coming Up Next: We go even deeper into the Middle of Nowhere. Plus, high-tech treasure hunting! And then we abandon Julie at the top of a mountain.

On purpose? Sounds interesting!

 

[glennbo123]

This is a useless post that will only serve to up my post count and move the next chapter to the top of the next page.

You don't know how close I was to posting "Woo hoo I'm at the top of the page " since it took you a while to get the chapter up after you posted this.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You don't know how close I was to posting "Woo hoo I'm at the top of the page " since it took you a while to get the chapter up after you posted this.

I did think about that as a possible danger...

...then I figured, "There's probably nobody reading this crap anyway."

 

[Goofy + 3]

I did think about that as a possible danger...

...then I figured, "There's probably nobody reading this crap anyway."

Don't sell youself short.. I'm reading this crap.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Country Roads, Take Me Home

Having been born in West “by God” Virginia… I have a natural right to say that I, for one, am really sick of that song.

Every road trip typically has a couple of long driving days in the schedule. It's almost impossible to avoid having at least one day where you're stuck in the van most of the time.

Can I use "camoflage" as a verb?

Our fine military has no qualms about it, so I believe you’re on solid ground here.

Our destination was a highbrow fine dining establishment known as...Fat Patty's!

The name alone should put that one in the win column.

…when we entered the restaurant to find Steve and his family already there, and a plate of cheese fries waiting for us.

I’d expect no less of a DisDad. Another “epic” Dis-meet in the books. You racked up quite the record during this trip.

I haven't tried all of the burger joints in West Virginia…

Actually… it’s possible that you have.

We used to jokingly refer to the playoffs as the Marshall Invitational. But we weren't bitter or anything.

Oh nooooooo… no bitterness at all. There’s not even a scant hit of sarcasm to be detected in that last paragraph (you’re getting soft in your old age).

He was attacking me with bodychecks outside later on…

Sharp eyed readers of this TR will notice a trend here.

I'm not sure they were technically supposed to be in there, but I'm guessing they weren't the first. Don't tell anyone, ok?

Tell… heck, I’d have been up there fighting the kids for the opportunity to be the engineer.

Most folks will snicker at that, but… I see similar signs throughout my current home state when traversing our interstates, so it’s more a normal site then a humorous one to me.

Eventually, we arrived at our destination: the Holiday Inn Express of Weston, WV. I picked it because a) they had an indoor pool where we could blow off some steam after all that driving, and b) there aren't a whole lot of other places to stay in Weston, WV.

Let’s see… Huntington to Weston…
You drove right through the capitol city of Charleston. Which means that you missed all of the sites and adventures of… oh wait… no you didn’t. It may be the capitol, but there really ain’t that much to see. Here I’ll show you around.

They have one of the most attractive capital building in the US (it was designed by Cass Gilbert, the same fellow that designed the Lincoln Memorial and US Supreme Court building).

On the same grounds is the West Virginia Cultural Center which is a small museum and performing arts facility

You could have strolled the river walk along the bank of the Kanawha

And… that’s about it. Now that you’ve seen it, you don’t really have to go back.

Coming Up Next: We go even deeper into the Middle of Nowhere. Plus, high-tech treasure hunting! And then we abandon Julie at the top of a mountain.

This should be interesting.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

This is a useless post that will only serve to up my post count and move the next chapter to the top of the next page.

That’s just crass… I mean just who would even consider doing such a thing





Hay… could one of y’all hand me one of those big ol’ rocks over there, I think there’s just a little bit more glass left in the walls of my house that needs to be busted out.

 

[afwdwfan]

Every road trip typically has a couple of long driving days in the schedule. It's almost impossible to avoid having at least one day where you're stuck in the van most of the time.

Unless you have Barry's van. Then it's a couple of hours, tops.

Can I use "camoflage" as a verb?

According to Brad Paisley, it is a color too!

During that time, the kids watched a movie while Julie and I saw...well, I can't exactly remember, but I'm sure it was very nice.

Hills and trees, Mark, hills and trees.

CUSTOMERS ONLY--ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOWED.

Hmmmm.... almost seems like Brian might have put him up to it.

I got a nice juicy bacon cheeseburger (sharp-eyed readers might be noticing a food theme here), and it was fantastic.

Mmmmmm.... bacon cheeseburger....

I'm just glad that Disney can make some good bacon cheeseburgers. I ate way too many of them when we went.

Anyway, Steve knew this, which is probably one reason why he went all out to get the kids this Marshall stuff.

Yep, Brian and Steve definitely had a talk.

He was attacking me with bodychecks outside later on, which appears to be how kids express their affection for me.

Note to self... If I ever meet Mark, body check him.

After lunch, Steve wanted to show us around town a bit. We took a walk across the street to...the Marshall University football stadium.

Yeah, but when was the last time football was actually played there?

I'm not sure they were technically supposed to be in there, but I'm guessing they weren't the first.

Unless that graffiti is Sarah's handy work, then probably not.

Plus, they know their hamburger joints!

Those are the best kind of people to meet.

Anyway, we like the Holiday Inn Express a lot. They have nice rooms and give you free cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

True story: I was eating breakfast in a Holiday Inn Express one time when a guy walked up to the counter, picked up the whole tray of cinnamon rolls and walked out the door. The lady working there that morning looked like she was trying to say something to him, but was just speechless.

Don't sell youself short.. I'm reading this crap.

I guess that makes you a nobody then.




I know, I know, I'm reading it too.

 

[GoHerd1028]

OK....I tried to multiquote little things in your update but I obviously or obliviously can't do it and had to start over LOL

It was OUR pleasure to have you here and meet you guys in person finally and further solidify the friendship between our families!!!

I am craving some Fat Pattys right now after reading this!!!

As far as the "Marshall Invitational" as you called it...we let you use the home locker room for heavens sake LOL You were officially the "home" team with home field advantage LOL

I wish we had more time to take you guys to Heritage Farm ...It is an awesome place to see! The show American Pickers broadcast a segment last week that they had recently taped there.

I personally think that Buddy Bison looks more like Marco the Marshall Mascot...just check out Scotty's hat..you will see the resemblance is uncanny LOL. The glitter in the laundry was just a little touch to help you remember your time with us once you were home.....and mowing the yard sparkling in the sunshine!!

For the record...who is bodychecking who???

He Kept talking about his new friends

Mr Harbeson even had to rescue his new little friend from the Hogwarts Express...it was just too high to get down on your own!!

I really hope we get to do this again sometime!!! We loved meeting you and your family!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Um, I'm pretty sure you just did.

Hey, so I did!

Very promising name!

I didn't bother looking for a vegetarian menu.

And I don't see any stains on your shirts so that's a major success story, in my book.

You are more right than you know.

No, doesn't seem like you are, or were, or anything.

They also had Randy Moss. It wasn't really a fair fight.

If only you'd stayed long enough for him to give you a swirley.

Don't give him any ideas.

For a second I thought I was on the Universal threads....that looks like the Hogwarts Express!

It does! I should have said that to Sarah. She's a huge Harry Potter fan.

On purpose? Sounds interesting!

Actually...yes! We abandoned her on purpose!

Don't sell youself short.. I'm reading this crap.

Thanks, Chris. Oh, and