tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275147541178676952023-11-16T07:37:31.020-05:00Adventures of a trapped 300 pound manEntertaining my inner obesity through food, Ohio festivals and fun.Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-84002430158781750692012-11-02T07:47:00.000-04:002012-11-02T07:47:09.967-04:00An ending and a beginning.<br />
When I started this blog back in 2009, its purpose was originally to...<br />
<ol>
<li>recount my adventures at festivals</li>
<li>deal with my relationship with food (as well as staying fit).</li>
</ol>
<br />
Well, by the time 2011 rolled around, my <a href="http://ohiofestivals.net/" target="_blank">Ohio Festivals</a> website launched and all my festival adventures migrated there. <br />
<br />
And, although this blog did deal with other travels, food adventures and the like, the blog title continued to only confuse people...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
..<i>.is this guy really 300 pounds?</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWWOvFZWDaMG383ObTVNm7PcThyphenhyphennptQjPc46itZ_O5jC-CJJw_PSMfwrC5EwpB0tcp6jHcJiRRVb4yPbxjWr-9lk_gIvKnw6D7KIyxUgrCpehdAbo9L5ZXwB_DvaDNAa7HDNggl3FBno/s1600/mangiamo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Therefore, I've decided to put this blog to rest and give birth to another...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mangiamoh.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWWOvFZWDaMG383ObTVNm7PcThyphenhyphennptQjPc46itZ_O5jC-CJJw_PSMfwrC5EwpB0tcp6jHcJiRRVb4yPbxjWr-9lk_gIvKnw6D7KIyxUgrCpehdAbo9L5ZXwB_DvaDNAa7HDNggl3FBno/s640/mangiamo.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...called <a href="http://mangiamoh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>man-gi-am-OH!</b></a></div>
<br />
The name plays off the Italian word <i>mangiamo </i>("let's eat) with a little Ohio (OH) reference and it will <i>more clearly</i> deal with my food-related adventures in Ohio and beyond.<br />
<br />
There will still be plenty of foodie fun pics, fantastic writing and that good-feeling sensation you feel after each of my posts.<br />
<br />
It will just be under a blog title that will be far easier to remember. :-)<br />
<br />
So please subscribe and check in regularly.<br />
<br />
I'll be waiting for you! (Vi aspetto!)<br />
<br />
- Kristian<br />
<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-71741021379008784062012-07-30T11:18:00.006-04:002012-07-30T14:01:51.596-04:00Heaven in Hell, Michigan<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4n0U3S-Yix4MdqGXLFTuec_NzO2SzK_Y0_BbNV53Laji9mKkmtqdo9RpoUmYRTxsdDi_c18L7uCVDgGhUmPXdH5uqvfSVYUgolzwBm9dAj2KtC4yy_ImALfRf8jimi2GhyZfMsuRZr8R/s1600/IMG_5901.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4n0U3S-Yix4MdqGXLFTuec_NzO2SzK_Y0_BbNV53Laji9mKkmtqdo9RpoUmYRTxsdDi_c18L7uCVDgGhUmPXdH5uqvfSVYUgolzwBm9dAj2KtC4yy_ImALfRf8jimi2GhyZfMsuRZr8R/s400/IMG_5901.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770987494740351938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After visiting the <a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orecchio_di_Dionisio" target="_blank">Latomia del Paradiso</a> (quarry of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Heaven</span>) in Siracusa (Sicily) and the church of San Michele (also called Purgatory or the Church of the Souls of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Purgatory</span>) in Tropea (Calabria), one Italian cousin told me I had only one place left to visit...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCBxzQmVQGGNjifQVTkg2I5zRy-FrBnVaOCMcFKASRq3qBKzLRqApPfzWxoT7fsiUbUw9ldtw1rC2BX5BCP5wGvCyjFppf3ZRI4S4K9P8ZRKybXtf2FKoHpVZEjPtGHAfaV-G3q3pNP6u/s1600/IMG_5888.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCBxzQmVQGGNjifQVTkg2I5zRy-FrBnVaOCMcFKASRq3qBKzLRqApPfzWxoT7fsiUbUw9ldtw1rC2BX5BCP5wGvCyjFppf3ZRI4S4K9P8ZRKybXtf2FKoHpVZEjPtGHAfaV-G3q3pNP6u/s400/IMG_5888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770984747560503570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hell</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, during this past weekend in Michigan, Julia and I took a very quick side trip so that I restart with a clean slate...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioEH0lTexuj7wm5ujSHySs7vWBCHXdBIXSCWWeSqRDuowygQNDVREFh73vN9bhoxEgNJnClHQUXB4TNSXQuXaxzCym0kArFgJqDB9vx4YFkENj2TYIijssW7HgBZ4TRjONH6w1EN9MVzY/s1600/IMG_5889.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioEH0lTexuj7wm5ujSHySs7vWBCHXdBIXSCWWeSqRDuowygQNDVREFh73vN9bhoxEgNJnClHQUXB4TNSXQuXaxzCym0kArFgJqDB9vx4YFkENj2TYIijssW7HgBZ4TRjONH6w1EN9MVzY/s400/IMG_5889.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770984751523829378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it was heavenly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIND5aLBJ0tzqpv-S8i3p0A_T-4zV_xgHYfP0BhKHwxswrazmDLPJYtjooAv6DdvzM74bLUuGBTslQ28PyUM_hChz5LORJeTs97Yeh8v2JeGWnB5Po03w2Psu8Fj8eLDTbsBk1F8Y-MzLA/s1600/IMG_5895.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIND5aLBJ0tzqpv-S8i3p0A_T-4zV_xgHYfP0BhKHwxswrazmDLPJYtjooAv6DdvzM74bLUuGBTslQ28PyUM_hChz5LORJeTs97Yeh8v2JeGWnB5Po03w2Psu8Fj8eLDTbsBk1F8Y-MzLA/s400/IMG_5895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770986088635958066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Named way back in 1841...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GvFmvYP2BMYWWqESVscUpQAsgClZBurkZ7Z-3qFvfHl-SwY10DD0DJtaXDybYm03080HkCEBizZHYfxQP_QS3_TYiFKPlsmqM7brY-u1Bc-Gr8xhyGOYaLIYqy6rBSA1g5jpa5X97FZx/s1600/IMG_5890.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GvFmvYP2BMYWWqESVscUpQAsgClZBurkZ7Z-3qFvfHl-SwY10DD0DJtaXDybYm03080HkCEBizZHYfxQP_QS3_TYiFKPlsmqM7brY-u1Bc-Gr8xhyGOYaLIYqy6rBSA1g5jpa5X97FZx/s400/IMG_5890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770984757890023474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...this unincorporated community is currently popular with both bikers (who love the Dam Site Inn Restaurant/Bar)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHTjspjUYpyBVkOXSgJ6x_WiHgestGEomqH4V8IRAqt1S2objmu4XBnrMqxt6gIPRK01D2JphyHy6VGU5bVIoNfHVobye33HiSUzG2msf-t-19Q46Puwqy32tY8IjVkxL0zv1_D0vISvb/s1600/IMG_5891.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHTjspjUYpyBVkOXSgJ6x_WiHgestGEomqH4V8IRAqt1S2objmu4XBnrMqxt6gIPRK01D2JphyHy6VGU5bVIoNfHVobye33HiSUzG2msf-t-19Q46Puwqy32tY8IjVkxL0zv1_D0vISvb/s400/IMG_5891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770984763925103602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and tourists with a budget (check out the price).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaVQQyrFdV3_BrJBN5VtmS4A8xL0h9HwNO4Htn_hO1M0xR-KjHquduQLPO8MLJhSSlBQ57debHQ00wIas_wTXB9CilJ4JA74riZYolq4peTNcKWoghNrmrLYx-ruG7V1MdTrmeKF6euj5/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaVQQyrFdV3_BrJBN5VtmS4A8xL0h9HwNO4Htn_hO1M0xR-KjHquduQLPO8MLJhSSlBQ57debHQ00wIas_wTXB9CilJ4JA74riZYolq4peTNcKWoghNrmrLYx-ruG7V1MdTrmeKF6euj5/s400/IMG_5900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770987485142092114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There's also a chapel...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzdaiFeT3F6CZ_sJXf8zNVdrIVlGkw7l3F27yyf_aP56wovyAAK2HQycaLeaG9fo_7694yDwarwrGi6QlI4rDt3c55i2tuUf5juXdtO2Cbx-VRMtfJ4JMVOm0I0kRDQsXqRB699waf342/s1600/IMG_5899.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzdaiFeT3F6CZ_sJXf8zNVdrIVlGkw7l3F27yyf_aP56wovyAAK2HQycaLeaG9fo_7694yDwarwrGi6QlI4rDt3c55i2tuUf5juXdtO2Cbx-VRMtfJ4JMVOm0I0kRDQsXqRB699waf342/s400/IMG_5899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770987480334756194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where couples can get married...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdaEPbhMGraoMAnhS4jFoOp6C9-o0Kw_Y4pymY2szfcsJ9c6GnoAT-fHbXd051attEAheU75el0ZaZxlKM9f2x2NrGZ6JLBELSwwZHzrK8KPWdHCCR6RNdeX1wRTT4KTSdNN6BQSkW_sF/s1600/IMG_5898.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdaEPbhMGraoMAnhS4jFoOp6C9-o0Kw_Y4pymY2szfcsJ9c6GnoAT-fHbXd051attEAheU75el0ZaZxlKM9f2x2NrGZ6JLBELSwwZHzrK8KPWdHCCR6RNdeX1wRTT4KTSdNN6BQSkW_sF/s400/IMG_5898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770987475505546258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and start a new life together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, there are also a lot of people who come all this way for the simplest of reasons...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XfAPv1NcQr4j8RnVxcbs0zkpkLyqCsAPn30uQZvwVz_gsoMqb9ZRYQYEFJJvOWp4FnMIqu_-lpjcesYRLgrOoBEYfx6sSdBEuG-Ymeq8pjzDtJyKAEYYuspW2va5bv_rRhEdPpxBIPjN/s1600/IMG_5902.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XfAPv1NcQr4j8RnVxcbs0zkpkLyqCsAPn30uQZvwVz_gsoMqb9ZRYQYEFJJvOWp4FnMIqu_-lpjcesYRLgrOoBEYfx6sSdBEuG-Ymeq8pjzDtJyKAEYYuspW2va5bv_rRhEdPpxBIPjN/s400/IMG_5902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770987495621391170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...like a Hell postmark from the little post office inside the ice cream shop (Scream's).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQu04po6Tn1xJ3mvyCwcI19Un2zZSUVfvprNvFm_w3C8j31K9R7p9fbTxanUiBOYsMPwaS975cVmPMDmPJgUMbNZB2b15GPP7G5zCD7A2j9vltt0CLzx5QZtzcT8P2zyq8b6oginWnqQR/s1600/IMG_5894.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQu04po6Tn1xJ3mvyCwcI19Un2zZSUVfvprNvFm_w3C8j31K9R7p9fbTxanUiBOYsMPwaS975cVmPMDmPJgUMbNZB2b15GPP7G5zCD7A2j9vltt0CLzx5QZtzcT8P2zyq8b6oginWnqQR/s400/IMG_5894.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770986073895195330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But, for me, I fell in love with all the decorative touches...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn4GHEsK2lFA4J0hyphenhyphenGsOY52342QrrfPmwM8m-8MGhVrFEqD0zNbmwZIlVr6ubWaQHh8KEWgFizrV3AgY4xiPlm6eMtMOUDMrY3hmY8WiK6PRCiHdUBUV6WI26pePwRhTyO0fqDq3FMM-6/s1600/IMG_5896.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn4GHEsK2lFA4J0hyphenhyphenGsOY52342QrrfPmwM8m-8MGhVrFEqD0zNbmwZIlVr6ubWaQHh8KEWgFizrV3AgY4xiPlm6eMtMOUDMrY3hmY8WiK6PRCiHdUBUV6WI26pePwRhTyO0fqDq3FMM-6/s400/IMG_5896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770986093430634914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CRNZ8_pKyUc9V-c_X9GPhwzoUqWbJtiteHm5WaK3O3Q4BoC5pq6PaOMWg1kMO4b2xv186L2K-UkvG3euAIYJRUoppH5O-9Q29Qcm2ZqBByArnTK7kxPvOT7f9ErfdijrPQzZqt8va62/s1600/IMG_5897.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CRNZ8_pKyUc9V-c_X9GPhwzoUqWbJtiteHm5WaK3O3Q4BoC5pq6PaOMWg1kMO4b2xv186L2K-UkvG3euAIYJRUoppH5O-9Q29Qcm2ZqBByArnTK7kxPvOT7f9ErfdijrPQzZqt8va62/s400/IMG_5897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770986098076469714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...including the creative bean bag toss boards...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fDwulv-K5Iflc4P9zadyCNN_zbFXoq5pa7N0cAHhLLd1mCAKFEaSYow52ffmIngtT1wvTAtufwJNFA8fwZYaXcwMoxuqsFtt_QsMuFKRiDCP42HRkW4Rx_Oml9RwJwsntpAlFmKMO7MA/s1600/IMG_5893.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fDwulv-K5Iflc4P9zadyCNN_zbFXoq5pa7N0cAHhLLd1mCAKFEaSYow52ffmIngtT1wvTAtufwJNFA8fwZYaXcwMoxuqsFtt_QsMuFKRiDCP42HRkW4Rx_Oml9RwJwsntpAlFmKMO7MA/s400/IMG_5893.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770986073129152338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and the various photo-ops.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEPyP1c7Ytq61GVRkx4NvaH9J13P5uK-HASAHjGZYNmaAYaIJv5xqspYVajp7DGq53vZvwXGeZJKDYfMqbYAoVrIWxxgBqyIn1C5GTK0qTrUhnmLzkOOJUZ0jlV__uoaz91zJ6J8n-C0/s1600/IMG_5892.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsEPyP1c7Ytq61GVRkx4NvaH9J13P5uK-HASAHjGZYNmaAYaIJv5xqspYVajp7DGq53vZvwXGeZJKDYfMqbYAoVrIWxxgBqyIn1C5GTK0qTrUhnmLzkOOJUZ0jlV__uoaz91zJ6J8n-C0/s400/IMG_5892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770984779500837810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was difficult not to participate.<br /><br /><br />(For more info, click <a href="http://www.gotohellmi.com/home" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-75503905142109938462012-07-16T11:07:00.007-04:002012-07-16T14:43:52.434-04:00Why and How to Enroll Yourself into the Cancer Prevention Study 3<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r_QMSDCiYkdzbHXabZ1rHRKEvs59mhIxtCr9187kr7OUqdrSUCbAEqCovfMbt2vnenaBEhjC6C9CUyUgm7UuK5EPblJQ9Jz1yypF43Ur3SKBXUMfvJwDPR5d03PfB2tObdFDcAkRhEN5/s1600/cps3jpg-1113ebb1902dbcb1.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r_QMSDCiYkdzbHXabZ1rHRKEvs59mhIxtCr9187kr7OUqdrSUCbAEqCovfMbt2vnenaBEhjC6C9CUyUgm7UuK5EPblJQ9Jz1yypF43Ur3SKBXUMfvJwDPR5d03PfB2tObdFDcAkRhEN5/s400/cps3jpg-1113ebb1902dbcb1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765787082565909282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />........................................................................<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In these upcoming months, the <a href="http://www.cancer.org/" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a> is launching a new research study to better understand and prevent cancer.<br /><br />It's called CPS-3 (Cancer Prevention Study - 3) and, like its predecessors, it will follow a generation of adults through periodic surveys (of every few years) to see if there are links between cancer and our lifestyle choices.<br /><br />Whereas CPS-1 and CPS-2 helped the world understand the dangers of tobacco use, hormones and obesity (among other things), CPS-3 will more closely look into environmental and lifestyle exposures that may be negatively affecting us...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...because knowledge is power and that powerful knowledge can save the lives of both us and our loved ones.<br /><br />But if you want to better understand this study before continuing, please click <a href="http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/Epidemiology-CancerPreventionStudies/CancerPreventionStudy-3/cps-importance" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />...................................................................<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are certain criteria set for this study.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To enroll, you must...</span><br /><ul><li>be between the ages of 30-60 years old</li></ul><ul><li>be willing to complete a survey every few years over a period of 20-30 years</li></ul><ul><li>never have been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer)</li></ul><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">To enroll, you will simply need to schedule an appointment (see below), fill out an enrollment survey (online version explained below) and show up for your appointment in order to give a waist measurement and a small blood sample.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Also, I should let you know that there is no cost to take part in this study and all information supplied is strictly confidential.</p><p>...........................................</p><p>If you qualify and are considering enrollment, you can find a location throughout the United States by clicking <a href="http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/Epidemiology-CancerPreventionStudies/CancerPreventionStudy-3/cps3-locations" target="_blank">here </a>for a list.</p><p>If you are in Lorain or Cuyahoga County, you can click <a href="http://acsgld.org/clevelandcps3/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>...........................................</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">In order to help make the enrollment process easier, I have decided to give you a step-by-step on how to schedule an appointment and fill out your online enrollment survey.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>recommend doing this online so that you don't have to do it during your appointment. In fact, if you do it online, your scheduled appointment may take only 20 minutes. Then you'll only have to wait a few years for your next survey.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The online registration deadline for Lorain/Cuyahoga County is July 23rd!</span><br /></p><p>........................................................</p><p style="text-align: left;">Okay...now if you don't mind, I can guide you on how to schedule your appointment and do your survey.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">You can thank me later!</p><p style="text-align: center;">........................................................</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Go to the main page and select your location:</span> </span> Lorain/Cuyahoga County volunteers can go to <a href="http://acsgld.org/clevelandcps3/" target="_blank">http://acsgld.org/clevelandcps3/</a> while all others can click <a href="http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/Epidemiology-CancerPreventionStudies/CancerPreventionStudy-3/cps3-locations" target="_blank">here </a>to find their location.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEyLQpte9H01bjM_U1Eqnkx29FzAnPLFsP0Ey9ACjGHJnERVMmlv-CAeDQN8X4VSxHm762UiAIB7zHDFcbdpjH1XdAOZgZKXroocGCzfW5XKwm9wFZwkVHcoOYTtnh-zVGIlMnsfzqvC2/s1600/Main+Site+Page.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEyLQpte9H01bjM_U1Eqnkx29FzAnPLFsP0Ey9ACjGHJnERVMmlv-CAeDQN8X4VSxHm762UiAIB7zHDFcbdpjH1XdAOZgZKXroocGCzfW5XKwm9wFZwkVHcoOYTtnh-zVGIlMnsfzqvC2/s400/Main+Site+Page.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784595195981106" border="0" /></a></p>Once here, you will notice various locations on the right-hand side...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ttJCp82tRkF8VV5hfpJHjtGrnWmw_UgvzZ_QH5cPv7g37DyRLF9tWDLqXs1fe2ycR0Bm2eHkoPQidvwkIIGrQk6jfGEKhUcZqUlsN1w_aLRjvcBEH8W94VXFNd_IVySiMvz6qkY7Kdwh/s1600/Locations.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ttJCp82tRkF8VV5hfpJHjtGrnWmw_UgvzZ_QH5cPv7g37DyRLF9tWDLqXs1fe2ycR0Bm2eHkoPQidvwkIIGrQk6jfGEKhUcZqUlsN1w_aLRjvcBEH8W94VXFNd_IVySiMvz6qkY7Kdwh/s400/Locations.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784455883256242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...these locations should have a link you can click.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_SzelLsCWkG5lIrDVUS0HZl2oCAXNV3CBXOEwpc6jWrgqxVUv7mfN8BYiHv-vgHnrgFs2exbe8sVKGcT8XBZNnGGxXvzf2GKGpHQzl3spumCOr4sRUqU8E_fTi2hkdy9WSq40f2W7bvl/s1600/Schedule+Appointment+1.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_SzelLsCWkG5lIrDVUS0HZl2oCAXNV3CBXOEwpc6jWrgqxVUv7mfN8BYiHv-vgHnrgFs2exbe8sVKGcT8XBZNnGGxXvzf2GKGpHQzl3spumCOr4sRUqU8E_fTi2hkdy9WSq40f2W7bvl/s400/Schedule+Appointment+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784600618386322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The link will take you to this page where you will have to click "Schedule an Appointment" up above...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkcCgkbxuA-z14euX6MBjlqK0YHMKtw4yFukHg5m9Yl3WUsZCouFjVD31zLsRzs0TVaVe6E7Cocdb0uzdG3M6ef9Ddgw6ueub3e74hI8HC1o5Qyf70wwFEJoj1ournmHpygoGzutm4cvS/s1600/Schedule+Appointment+2.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkcCgkbxuA-z14euX6MBjlqK0YHMKtw4yFukHg5m9Yl3WUsZCouFjVD31zLsRzs0TVaVe6E7Cocdb0uzdG3M6ef9Ddgw6ueub3e74hI8HC1o5Qyf70wwFEJoj1ournmHpygoGzutm4cvS/s400/Schedule+Appointment+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784604764173730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...or down below.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gc8J-jcprU91pmhbToN4Q-wNhX_6BpAeC97NhFnDM4IF8fX5lnyk0iz7rlXJy6cPL_qK89vLAsTu34wDcjyUQb55WN2SuMa_LAtRMT5Itwo5Ooxy5pIUlRr6XCKVuvcLxeyb8MGiV3wS/s1600/Select+Location.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gc8J-jcprU91pmhbToN4Q-wNhX_6BpAeC97NhFnDM4IF8fX5lnyk0iz7rlXJy6cPL_qK89vLAsTu34wDcjyUQb55WN2SuMa_LAtRMT5Itwo5Ooxy5pIUlRr6XCKVuvcLxeyb8MGiV3wS/s400/Select+Location.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784607912926914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now you are given the available locations, which you can mark before clicking "Continue."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once at the next page...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-FdvdBy7Ywe-SPcM1j887TG3_qOthwH0j2WOG58piLpdSClB5ihjtTkZHK0i6_1PHOwOGP73aUDy7Cba57SyIKnME0Uc6GdeEsmz-ggoolH6JytE2e6ngbJiAFe5AtnYjrWw8ECGk-He/s1600/Form.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-FdvdBy7Ywe-SPcM1j887TG3_qOthwH0j2WOG58piLpdSClB5ihjtTkZHK0i6_1PHOwOGP73aUDy7Cba57SyIKnME0Uc6GdeEsmz-ggoolH6JytE2e6ngbJiAFe5AtnYjrWw8ECGk-He/s400/Form.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784454190470962" border="0" /></a><br />...you can fill out the form, click "Save & Continue"...<br /><br />...and an email will be sent, confirming your appointment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you wish to do the enrollment survey during your appointment, you are done until then.<br /><br />BUT, if you wish to fill on the enrollment survey online, carefully look to your email confirmation...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR0zjLbvXzOw8Qc_0WlQkSrHVBO68FB8-RWHRUzbp3fUSJJwN7zKvGxUVa6szYH6id_G2p5iAS5x8OXvBE9d_TLtWWxrPoRC-Qhz2rktMNBhw0HXEA79ITm3W0WDoc_qzdZ4TvuszYoIg/s1600/Survey+link.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR0zjLbvXzOw8Qc_0WlQkSrHVBO68FB8-RWHRUzbp3fUSJJwN7zKvGxUVa6szYH6id_G2p5iAS5x8OXvBE9d_TLtWWxrPoRC-Qhz2rktMNBhw0HXEA79ITm3W0WDoc_qzdZ4TvuszYoIg/s400/Survey+link.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784761697576626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and click the link found here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_5QHL7d_6ePMN6rlyYX7ybys0UV3vGFDnidth5vhPJ6LZjJQDmkcDhhhNU5kWHKm2va9YMb-N0ZsI6Odm5OcKEekphMfeKyWRf6PWp7W7Egu3DX7NE_WN9LwSkFEjdz3qI36KKlIfQL-/s1600/Survey.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_5QHL7d_6ePMN6rlyYX7ybys0UV3vGFDnidth5vhPJ6LZjJQDmkcDhhhNU5kWHKm2va9YMb-N0ZsI6Odm5OcKEekphMfeKyWRf6PWp7W7Egu3DX7NE_WN9LwSkFEjdz3qI36KKlIfQL-/s400/Survey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784770623974866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You will be brought to this page that's titled "Participation Setup Process" and you want to click that link in the middle of that spiral.<br /><br />Basically, what it will do is magically fill the 7-digit participant Login ID...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7CMha9w2omjNelzpJn0v5vYMJi2TE1PtU7xaS-N9pgjLO7gGzMIrxkJFbwE8JLTN0KaweoPliEBXSM17Vbz8-EMJvyE2BLCXkrR-T1YzrG3Ogg9KlEJaU_not_e3Yw-BdpoLgrBXgrM8/s1600/Magical+Number.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7CMha9w2omjNelzpJn0v5vYMJi2TE1PtU7xaS-N9pgjLO7gGzMIrxkJFbwE8JLTN0KaweoPliEBXSM17Vbz8-EMJvyE2BLCXkrR-T1YzrG3Ogg9KlEJaU_not_e3Yw-BdpoLgrBXgrM8/s400/Magical+Number.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784463201112386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which you can <span style="font-style: italic;">almost </span>see added here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Afterward, the process is self-explanatory...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tdmJ17k3Id37HVDiPF3dnrNqBrDy3uM6-0MhbUHc2XZOOrtxmD4-BtWOb24QRO10VBtj201wHVy5dCZzX14Gv45-HRUGAkZ50qxsZYMRUT3HI-Cq2hF-7hkXbhNcVO9fublr2JtRzg6T/s1600/Survey+Sections.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tdmJ17k3Id37HVDiPF3dnrNqBrDy3uM6-0MhbUHc2XZOOrtxmD4-BtWOb24QRO10VBtj201wHVy5dCZzX14Gv45-HRUGAkZ50qxsZYMRUT3HI-Cq2hF-7hkXbhNcVO9fublr2JtRzg6T/s400/Survey+Sections.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784766066798722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...making all these red incomplete categories...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F_HpH1pnC1aths6BOkWS-uub77gXVk_5DPPdQ2i9sBI1svZ5Zy6dl49SaKwHScfb9Ji1eii3v1hovcCbHlIymxhtUkiMB6L9P4o93T5VfjTz0NfjJnSjuiEEaffqi3v5YKtd8xx00OVM/s1600/Submit+questionnaire.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F_HpH1pnC1aths6BOkWS-uub77gXVk_5DPPdQ2i9sBI1svZ5Zy6dl49SaKwHScfb9Ji1eii3v1hovcCbHlIymxhtUkiMB6L9P4o93T5VfjTz0NfjJnSjuiEEaffqi3v5YKtd8xx00OVM/s400/Submit+questionnaire.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784612010954546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...eventually become green complete categories before submitting the questionnaire...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsPcmPlsAJhQsrLotlPmAN5gMDSn6_5-mlo-JLvjAH1bHVzFCrl1xJTOfEJ-UyCkIBj4jh5XVCQbmhzK7yPJpidsxNAqqb1XyQdRa2wcKqi0Dk0rItwLSFSskWgq5ilV_L-cPdsQbB2JJ/s1600/Barcode.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsPcmPlsAJhQsrLotlPmAN5gMDSn6_5-mlo-JLvjAH1bHVzFCrl1xJTOfEJ-UyCkIBj4jh5XVCQbmhzK7yPJpidsxNAqqb1XyQdRa2wcKqi0Dk0rItwLSFSskWgq5ilV_L-cPdsQbB2JJ/s400/Barcode.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765784446522946706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and getting your own bar code and number to print out so that you can bring them to your scheduled appointment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I truly hope you will consider taking part in this rather important study.<br /><br />I know I am.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-57686927203835351622012-06-28T13:55:00.015-04:002012-06-29T08:05:55.065-04:00Our Big Day in Put-in-Bay - June 24, 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRue54sJlA8u6t3LAr_Uiy0g2o7Tj-9CBku7dlxh_9Ybz24O9iBQfvaJYoru9oyMJdgENupefDJA5MbDrPhMEekW_Hnkfkv7khblF5tGsWh_ZUBBHZ6IIknBjjLa1KQ1VFf7wirqzcgl20/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRue54sJlA8u6t3LAr_Uiy0g2o7Tj-9CBku7dlxh_9Ybz24O9iBQfvaJYoru9oyMJdgENupefDJA5MbDrPhMEekW_Hnkfkv7khblF5tGsWh_ZUBBHZ6IIknBjjLa1KQ1VFf7wirqzcgl20/s400/IMG_5666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759238535392330434" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">With plans to visit the Pyrate Fest in Put-in-Bay (<a href="http://ohiofestivals.net/18-pyrate-fest-put-in-bay-june-24-2012/" target="_blank">blog post here</a>), Julia and I decided to head out for a full-day mini-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babymoon" target="_blank">babymoon</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVB8KIb3GwdDcnDB5QdhVE6-7Yai8GkGA67_1TGee6juRrPSfT04jNsqjciUA4rsxdyLwRWMseMn14X3wqt5BEFCBZtK_NJ4z5WLe_yAtQws3HL6SuXRcXDv9vxAJ7n9s3wiQNxGq1nFn/s1600/DSCN1098.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVB8KIb3GwdDcnDB5QdhVE6-7Yai8GkGA67_1TGee6juRrPSfT04jNsqjciUA4rsxdyLwRWMseMn14X3wqt5BEFCBZtK_NJ4z5WLe_yAtQws3HL6SuXRcXDv9vxAJ7n9s3wiQNxGq1nFn/s400/DSCN1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152256957103890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...grabbing a <a href="http://www.millerferry.com/" target="_blank">Miller's Ferry</a> in Catawba (Port Clinton)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4szTnIM6grqmLKqKvN7MGJrsaj4R5HgxjcMW19RznrUmilV8BHZ7O7gxakT8idm4RKQjSsembiGKsJZaahheqzXnJjSz4zRLY8j5EhJ7S3v-8Cyl62Tidd7zLrQbeFifHHe4L2JGuSRU/s1600/DSCN1095.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4szTnIM6grqmLKqKvN7MGJrsaj4R5HgxjcMW19RznrUmilV8BHZ7O7gxakT8idm4RKQjSsembiGKsJZaahheqzXnJjSz4zRLY8j5EhJ7S3v-8Cyl62Tidd7zLrQbeFifHHe4L2JGuSRU/s400/DSCN1095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152244265789106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and cruising across Lake Erie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As we enjoyed the cool air off the water and the warm sun from above...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthyphenhyphenC7K9kTzKnhEwvswFwm-hfj8k3ewlsk7KWZtASpzNjZJ31f7-mwhbwPr8Wx-wEmsD-seYjCsFY6Fgp49QZarLBWZJVLVoYMbCXZSPKMK9_VYmad-I0c27HlXLCWxIp3AztfkO1x4Rvd/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthyphenhyphenC7K9kTzKnhEwvswFwm-hfj8k3ewlsk7KWZtASpzNjZJ31f7-mwhbwPr8Wx-wEmsD-seYjCsFY6Fgp49QZarLBWZJVLVoYMbCXZSPKMK9_VYmad-I0c27HlXLCWxIp3AztfkO1x4Rvd/s400/DSCN1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152258795794402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...we were near South Bass Island within a half hour...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHVd5Ne5VgHgblzkckyHX97a56ULT5u6m6DHA05QeUicqJyddKuOYaSn1JQeqwsBsyQo9F-_FuZLf22DhCfOB8O9pfwWqMmmqJjm0RGOY5W5KxC3rIsNirmOTBFm5Oln6AMKMXFE0kMRL/s1600/DSCN1101.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHVd5Ne5VgHgblzkckyHX97a56ULT5u6m6DHA05QeUicqJyddKuOYaSn1JQeqwsBsyQo9F-_FuZLf22DhCfOB8O9pfwWqMmmqJjm0RGOY5W5KxC3rIsNirmOTBFm5Oln6AMKMXFE0kMRL/s400/DSCN1101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152261903114754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and docking shortly after.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb3R2nqGgTH-0PHwSjcpIoiNTpJmkpKON1mChgZQCcLQvl8kCoUqb3AZuYYCYmqh1bhyR1mfN_WYxpdpSRiAIsMDQ0TEllzNZ7sDJAuBi3fcjJs_y7rCxe6ZNDrkyl8WMp7o1c2Z_-_Ly/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb3R2nqGgTH-0PHwSjcpIoiNTpJmkpKON1mChgZQCcLQvl8kCoUqb3AZuYYCYmqh1bhyR1mfN_WYxpdpSRiAIsMDQ0TEllzNZ7sDJAuBi3fcjJs_y7rCxe6ZNDrkyl8WMp7o1c2Z_-_Ly/s400/DSCN1162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155021993378866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We were equipped with a fancy electric golf cart...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qKFjbUMLcFmNvU37gp8j7oqkvd-SgxCPp-dGfPYNTSNqzn6j7LWxnWfSmKZ_wFR85ymhe1ZdSPLUKMb2MOU_52stPuJqqIDMiMZt2n6Fjy-C4G3kBIYEvwRNtbDK41dzdvOVbu4_TFRS/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qKFjbUMLcFmNvU37gp8j7oqkvd-SgxCPp-dGfPYNTSNqzn6j7LWxnWfSmKZ_wFR85ymhe1ZdSPLUKMb2MOU_52stPuJqqIDMiMZt2n6Fjy-C4G3kBIYEvwRNtbDK41dzdvOVbu4_TFRS/s400/DSCN1157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759154424276210642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINp25FPZJULQtR6DliFaC0KabAxXckTQXdVA24AjbdN2q3DnS5W5hHAUVqg__IN5zFVOFiNdVncxtPWrNh2jDfIQrBjVKBeuH6QZXpMIlkf6xDDLMCMpoRP8HGLIh0SCgIWt-I3YWxJaa/s1600/DSCN1156.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINp25FPZJULQtR6DliFaC0KabAxXckTQXdVA24AjbdN2q3DnS5W5hHAUVqg__IN5zFVOFiNdVncxtPWrNh2jDfIQrBjVKBeuH6QZXpMIlkf6xDDLMCMpoRP8HGLIh0SCgIWt-I3YWxJaa/s400/DSCN1156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759154418530421298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which we used to check out interesting accommodations...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnKlD_MvZl7u8JUb9VPccwDhZmj66BKcPvVSWRtMNpXtpd3nPOmcT3jjbiFHTKJ41P9Y2xY0pLfc0Ed0DFkRQrza5HB_QjzUvZ_XAyvVnItG4g0R_Xid_BM_3afhLu-fuINh0wk0lh4Cf/s1600/DSCN1201.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnKlD_MvZl7u8JUb9VPccwDhZmj66BKcPvVSWRtMNpXtpd3nPOmcT3jjbiFHTKJ41P9Y2xY0pLfc0Ed0DFkRQrza5HB_QjzUvZ_XAyvVnItG4g0R_Xid_BM_3afhLu-fuINh0wk0lh4Cf/s400/DSCN1201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759415337807104594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a wooden carousel...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBefoer9R0Q9BEf_qCFp1R9WaS2yjUBv7y6DcI4wlPSVwsJl5NL3tIy40I49oiDo9zvVuv5oKETTtG2MiwF_GYjV8I1NgqzckWUZBIkpkIBNE1lOeuCgZTfMQ-rvbja3FhEoY7gTySPTS/s1600/DSCN1155.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBefoer9R0Q9BEf_qCFp1R9WaS2yjUBv7y6DcI4wlPSVwsJl5NL3tIy40I49oiDo9zvVuv5oKETTtG2MiwF_GYjV8I1NgqzckWUZBIkpkIBNE1lOeuCgZTfMQ-rvbja3FhEoY7gTySPTS/s400/DSCN1155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759154411519508850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...restaurants with awesome names (<a href="http://www.thegoattavern.com/" target="_blank">Goat Soup and Whiskey</a>)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeW7Dsy_16GHioiFWonFXQcTKmtSHz9F6nV0GP1FcpOTi8Cddjj0S8jcpvEDPB4coBL2AL5ptgquInTiK5IAC7zmhX9buvyIkQqBTXwL9Owbsz2FP4ZHjLXmP0MPY7etgq1UZRlyqf35K/s1600/DSCN1146.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeW7Dsy_16GHioiFWonFXQcTKmtSHz9F6nV0GP1FcpOTi8Cddjj0S8jcpvEDPB4coBL2AL5ptgquInTiK5IAC7zmhX9buvyIkQqBTXwL9Owbsz2FP4ZHjLXmP0MPY7etgq1UZRlyqf35K/s400/DSCN1146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759153493496193330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and the cart-filled town of Put-in-Bay.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1q4eua-Es2rXEyGkVqu9nSoF8kL4bQxcUkZI9TjEs9O3Plu6FpNlnnxIdVPJ-0j25wECpuCj6VOIcGkysk0z1IBmeTUzfzWkz7VHa-237uadRLWzEWQoAE7tJQYKrkg7uVhoLNDzxxLE/s1600/DSCN1103.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1q4eua-Es2rXEyGkVqu9nSoF8kL4bQxcUkZI9TjEs9O3Plu6FpNlnnxIdVPJ-0j25wECpuCj6VOIcGkysk0z1IBmeTUzfzWkz7VHa-237uadRLWzEWQoAE7tJQYKrkg7uVhoLNDzxxLE/s400/DSCN1103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759412995585556018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After taking some time to experience the Pyrate Fest...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJfof5XxOQmrkW6fcLC_CvrHDVkIki-EOqYK341wjheHThUomrGVZpof7oMmDtypsZVmdFBY5egC-LyDHfeseLAfrhyphenhyphenFmtCsEC-9Lux92rIOjypRPDCnZoLr1gHvjr2yX7aIoAK5v15dj/s1600/DSCN1135.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJfof5XxOQmrkW6fcLC_CvrHDVkIki-EOqYK341wjheHThUomrGVZpof7oMmDtypsZVmdFBY5egC-LyDHfeseLAfrhyphenhyphenFmtCsEC-9Lux92rIOjypRPDCnZoLr1gHvjr2yX7aIoAK5v15dj/s400/DSCN1135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152961728606274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...we walked around town to find a place to eat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Put-in-Bay is filled with tons of restaurants and bars to enjoy...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v5feL4nSTNb1oHsAKREHs63kV8Z6LNYi2wQ4cV14cj68SFvJReXWFNwXNi9_UsFKNhyF-ODirlLMpVRM7oTDeu49zteOCx8yJ9OWtSTIlu0VxTPFBfD5EMILU5ccHUaarjfTV9K_rAmv/s1600/DSCN1149.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v5feL4nSTNb1oHsAKREHs63kV8Z6LNYi2wQ4cV14cj68SFvJReXWFNwXNi9_UsFKNhyF-ODirlLMpVRM7oTDeu49zteOCx8yJ9OWtSTIlu0VxTPFBfD5EMILU5ccHUaarjfTV9K_rAmv/s400/DSCN1149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759153503000050594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...including <a href="http://www.pasqualescafe.com/" target="_blank">Pasquale's</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF9wU17WMhCK-EGal6qmAWX_t1WLN7JM-ky_-fx8xdZgykYT6fBpyLiFjXh5ydFI6464_Oz5bp6RiMw9AmHe8Smbg4nfWrEOhoGCQB7v2s39jRzn6KZ8E90nFXEEh5HMu8gJrBm9bTrcc/s1600/DSCN1154.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF9wU17WMhCK-EGal6qmAWX_t1WLN7JM-ky_-fx8xdZgykYT6fBpyLiFjXh5ydFI6464_Oz5bp6RiMw9AmHe8Smbg4nfWrEOhoGCQB7v2s39jRzn6KZ8E90nFXEEh5HMu8gJrBm9bTrcc/s400/DSCN1154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759154407662608786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the <a href="http://www.boathousepib.com/" target="_blank">Boathouse</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP7m92hu6jfKGNIxxVowYer2OazDRMJpz20tLX-BGKRyZG2RbRfNVxg_gaeg66SJmUe9OhzOR0QyLBPWiqBuTEqLHc8slIN0a3yn4EEDwNcL_wEQoy7FrzwkS8-ppbTtppWFtjfJ558pZ/s1600/DSCN1137.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP7m92hu6jfKGNIxxVowYer2OazDRMJpz20tLX-BGKRyZG2RbRfNVxg_gaeg66SJmUe9OhzOR0QyLBPWiqBuTEqLHc8slIN0a3yn4EEDwNcL_wEQoy7FrzwkS8-ppbTtppWFtjfJ558pZ/s400/DSCN1137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152971900895714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the <a href="http://www.beerbarrelpib.com/" target="_blank">Beer Barrel Saloon</a> (with the world's longest bar)...<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9baChvnI2T8Y9Ygv7AzyBpXVPnVbnhVyQRBJgEmqPJFbmyiiXYoL81KxTAj8ifX7ZCH8PXG4gb5e8uqakxCbJfc5TMZUhlAcltxBOSMGiJXh-q8h1b6vszpqq5jfBVr5geEpBGDGQDYuE/s1600/DSCN1143.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9baChvnI2T8Y9Ygv7AzyBpXVPnVbnhVyQRBJgEmqPJFbmyiiXYoL81KxTAj8ifX7ZCH8PXG4gb5e8uqakxCbJfc5TMZUhlAcltxBOSMGiJXh-q8h1b6vszpqq5jfBVr5geEpBGDGQDYuE/s400/DSCN1143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759153487570393810" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MITK-3RYCijt5ZeTQTwXAozAwGTtAw2qPdWNgglq9e_ExNklKZPTMxuqQYUTAsxlRHJtGqf2XAp76-jvnDRkMxfOLuDTFXu0xWi_De_31f_xxg_gfjK0VZmCm8II-Ue8Xh6Ggj1wUVCb/s1600/DSCN1148.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MITK-3RYCijt5ZeTQTwXAozAwGTtAw2qPdWNgglq9e_ExNklKZPTMxuqQYUTAsxlRHJtGqf2XAp76-jvnDRkMxfOLuDTFXu0xWi_De_31f_xxg_gfjK0VZmCm8II-Ue8Xh6Ggj1wUVCb/s400/DSCN1148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759153500198935314" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT1TWbXDKJeLnNa7ZP037G_r3E7xlsya-8A23m7F8LOeubDUVJBoQXSa_uxOSqLbTrLtqcZkwXrWr4l7cmeeablSQZSvKMkM_mZpCUpUkPJN1pOuTXdO8HQdxirGofJiJNEdRy2dJGkUZ/s1600/DSCN1138.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT1TWbXDKJeLnNa7ZP037G_r3E7xlsya-8A23m7F8LOeubDUVJBoQXSa_uxOSqLbTrLtqcZkwXrWr4l7cmeeablSQZSvKMkM_mZpCUpUkPJN1pOuTXdO8HQdxirGofJiJNEdRy2dJGkUZ/s400/DSCN1138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152976430285426" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdewKKqjSR6uoqskH8lJr9BivqooOqT7vlEgsO5uaCdGEOa1Lc1zMHbfYCvRphhZd8Mk0KQ3uoHXCiOta38ef2XUG8OEGm9Innus_xjOOlygLjxjvXsTq2lECAO_OksUR8s59_49ADnUw/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdewKKqjSR6uoqskH8lJr9BivqooOqT7vlEgsO5uaCdGEOa1Lc1zMHbfYCvRphhZd8Mk0KQ3uoHXCiOta38ef2XUG8OEGm9Innus_xjOOlygLjxjvXsTq2lECAO_OksUR8s59_49ADnUw/s400/DSCN1153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759153510570272770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and many, many more.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In the end, Julia and I decided to get lunch with a nice lake view...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc0nPRihZQBkUbuWZY7ovRXj7qVuvn3n_YlLWrZR2QzyEbDE6PTxTuyb1M-ufUmCtfrONPYA0j_bGeCho6CaF6_Y9C6wm_BPZ-Igh7sPk9ZzEGuPX0KEjqNEYLliXXJtu2L83KBXzbV4z/s1600/DSCN1134.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc0nPRihZQBkUbuWZY7ovRXj7qVuvn3n_YlLWrZR2QzyEbDE6PTxTuyb1M-ufUmCtfrONPYA0j_bGeCho6CaF6_Y9C6wm_BPZ-Igh7sPk9ZzEGuPX0KEjqNEYLliXXJtu2L83KBXzbV4z/s400/DSCN1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759152957016878978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...here at the <a href="http://www.the-boardwalk.com/pdscms/" target="_blank">Boardwalk</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0NT3SRrwovWwQfCR6gdDNDVdBSdtb75zv1fHXAh5_O8Xh8er9JUjdsXPacEtKUrFRJMUFpeLJ5UXnZcVTqy1hta2_DtkvPtcZQnxoqUg8ElvWcdM4rgN3-K0gmtsZoG2ana9fXpnjjv_/s1600/IMG_5678.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0NT3SRrwovWwQfCR6gdDNDVdBSdtb75zv1fHXAh5_O8Xh8er9JUjdsXPacEtKUrFRJMUFpeLJ5UXnZcVTqy1hta2_DtkvPtcZQnxoqUg8ElvWcdM4rgN3-K0gmtsZoG2ana9fXpnjjv_/s400/IMG_5678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759415331168921794" border="0" /></a></div></div><br />...where a rich lobster bisque almost makes you forget that Lake Erie is not the ocean, after all.<br /><br />(Although all those lobster and seafood dishes keep making you think otherwise.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Afterward, we drove around some more until we eventually found our way...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vEAQSbVLnY6Pu38SB-5U055CZDAQtDxZjVSssxwioPZ23zDJsnM9rWdsQYLjdUdkDhTmIAviOTK8knWE8y2RSZyv3cQiAT5sCluInL_gLqqr-npY8aCBubtPewkbmPt1_FpXfJbuJ0lG/s1600/DSCN1166.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vEAQSbVLnY6Pu38SB-5U055CZDAQtDxZjVSssxwioPZ23zDJsnM9rWdsQYLjdUdkDhTmIAviOTK8knWE8y2RSZyv3cQiAT5sCluInL_gLqqr-npY8aCBubtPewkbmPt1_FpXfJbuJ0lG/s400/DSCN1166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155031605382674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...to the <a href="http://www.perryscave.com/" target="_blank">Perry's Cave Family Fun Center</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxru3Cj8TYoA9K23s6I9sFxZ4D8YYEQTB4ekNIE4aHrEU5Q4HBri-uwOCNNtiQ0Z4t5y2CbloEl4lLQT5wqYLLlNFBl5sNC9CQGI3kd6svfxn98I-XNptx2iga51lUSbB1Gu8T9_BacfaD/s1600/DSCN1168.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxru3Cj8TYoA9K23s6I9sFxZ4D8YYEQTB4ekNIE4aHrEU5Q4HBri-uwOCNNtiQ0Z4t5y2CbloEl4lLQT5wqYLLlNFBl5sNC9CQGI3kd6svfxn98I-XNptx2iga51lUSbB1Gu8T9_BacfaD/s400/DSCN1168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155598282866514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where visitors toured the cave underneath this shop...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVELmx6P1R6pej3e60NYt1SBwHGEEl4WnNFsVK5To06_WDIgj8Zg7Yggx9bZ09fJKKcoJSqIByyHymIfrd6mSDvfEyjW1ZuEV3LvrZlDUo5f_dcc-AQoT6FCKUzY-7a66L1cR1EAIzD4i/s1600/DSCN1165.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVELmx6P1R6pej3e60NYt1SBwHGEEl4WnNFsVK5To06_WDIgj8Zg7Yggx9bZ09fJKKcoJSqIByyHymIfrd6mSDvfEyjW1ZuEV3LvrZlDUo5f_dcc-AQoT6FCKUzY-7a66L1cR1EAIzD4i/s400/DSCN1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155023922352722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...mined for gems in the running waters...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSgzbY1-wcJAt4UFg_1O8lyF-8u3cC5w4FPp-U0xSnN3l4X4EWFkAT7fvM1PfJl77FuoV1hgvedLPwNwznS8C2fo00StSs99LZoJpn5mceGG3oZ9MaV9kMVA1MfoT5sv1OEdYaT231cXO/s1600/DSCN1160.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSgzbY1-wcJAt4UFg_1O8lyF-8u3cC5w4FPp-U0xSnN3l4X4EWFkAT7fvM1PfJl77FuoV1hgvedLPwNwznS8C2fo00StSs99LZoJpn5mceGG3oZ9MaV9kMVA1MfoT5sv1OEdYaT231cXO/s400/DSCN1160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759154426426541842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and tried their putts at some miniature golf.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny-cy-FajbzdoabzGRI1q0e1A1gSUu9BkkCEXSYRsimZX-kpbt4EN3CQ4GK9nUHwZVA4Umm5wDSalpLDrpi9zgjoYE1MAZQXt2oUHCIcakaofIoc7U2dZKuXJeyTccuzRSdL3x_nDEnd1/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny-cy-FajbzdoabzGRI1q0e1A1gSUu9BkkCEXSYRsimZX-kpbt4EN3CQ4GK9nUHwZVA4Umm5wDSalpLDrpi9zgjoYE1MAZQXt2oUHCIcakaofIoc7U2dZKuXJeyTccuzRSdL3x_nDEnd1/s400/DSCN1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155018881711714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Julia and I decided to try our navigational skills at the Fort A Maze'n...<br /><br />...but couldn't find the "A" in the end (you punch a card with hidden letter punchers to spell "MAZE") and eventually gave up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Fortunately, any disappointment brought on by our unsuccessful letter punching...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnVat3p7BlF0pxWTABw-tw9GUSm0FDiHKGH3bOAuv1a-HqXxMaMkDZxADLCJU1xin3aNooTZCNScbj3ySiSRJKLcxuoqZpihjK-l9HoRNtIVyl-TqkTcYpk6WPUA_1CQCpiLrDz21mAyU/s1600/DSCN1167.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnVat3p7BlF0pxWTABw-tw9GUSm0FDiHKGH3bOAuv1a-HqXxMaMkDZxADLCJU1xin3aNooTZCNScbj3ySiSRJKLcxuoqZpihjK-l9HoRNtIVyl-TqkTcYpk6WPUA_1CQCpiLrDz21mAyU/s400/DSCN1167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155039869851026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...was soothed by the Butterfly House...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUyvJG7Eqv2Cx0Ow1VlQ2Fan0KIpdN-000b1aiabFb-TebrUk7K2NSqQVdmZUrcYduESe4gP0f1la063cmj8d_jo7amwdlOtS1LA5Lje-TjgQbVgcSnd7dBnf-S8wWYV35AqNWeITiBbG/s1600/DSCN1169.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUyvJG7Eqv2Cx0Ow1VlQ2Fan0KIpdN-000b1aiabFb-TebrUk7K2NSqQVdmZUrcYduESe4gP0f1la063cmj8d_jo7amwdlOtS1LA5Lje-TjgQbVgcSnd7dBnf-S8wWYV35AqNWeITiBbG/s400/DSCN1169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155603031167170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where caterpillars slept soundly...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGESoTUXsE7iPHYTHI7y7ifofs0qiNZ1HRQLlfRT-ZFyeIUqncutxEDO9XtWE4pb4B_pWbxPL_xXYS7-564_dwuOKK0XnC63MmnMB_zOx0QoEo2gXMLf4rRPkfDYtp6R497eH-UUlvgV1/s1600/DSCN1172.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 349px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGESoTUXsE7iPHYTHI7y7ifofs0qiNZ1HRQLlfRT-ZFyeIUqncutxEDO9XtWE4pb4B_pWbxPL_xXYS7-564_dwuOKK0XnC63MmnMB_zOx0QoEo2gXMLf4rRPkfDYtp6R497eH-UUlvgV1/s400/DSCN1172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155604570315090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...until reborn as beautiful butterflies...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-Szhioei5maA3Ji8r3pbxEdsSgRk6knnrSGC9QKmF0nuUWN_WdrrlCcIF6fD_ledUQvskus4SNhrZenJfLcUPtA5DjUNUPyS7FTGEZC3Obbqmkzkjjfmg5D-Qbirmzbd9drr8Fj027tF/s1600/DSCN1174.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-Szhioei5maA3Ji8r3pbxEdsSgRk6knnrSGC9QKmF0nuUWN_WdrrlCcIF6fD_ledUQvskus4SNhrZenJfLcUPtA5DjUNUPyS7FTGEZC3Obbqmkzkjjfmg5D-Qbirmzbd9drr8Fj027tF/s400/DSCN1174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155612198365618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...only to spend the rest of their lives playing, fluttering...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoap5rmyN1-PV9PdBvOuUtXy9DHMERPQZYeIujijf09-zidzkqNifK2uk2BkThNCqFQTU7II42vAo54v4TGEHHxkKiIC8TOAmSyWrqvV57bSK6i6xNaWyHWXkHunA5MRhBEg3wAZIU3SWP/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoap5rmyN1-PV9PdBvOuUtXy9DHMERPQZYeIujijf09-zidzkqNifK2uk2BkThNCqFQTU7II42vAo54v4TGEHHxkKiIC8TOAmSyWrqvV57bSK6i6xNaWyHWXkHunA5MRhBEg3wAZIU3SWP/s400/DSCN1175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759155619499277058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and eating.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmjSiggLPebvXHk3Sxp39spW2bNtijfcuC_P3LAFIhLI-u6XbjoM3yZMv1XJE0G1mj_y9Wb08852cv6eK1P2EsBLb284ipB-AbG24SaneqnESD4YBR1iCsxr1blDbwiIeNSeZ-KgIRaEh/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmjSiggLPebvXHk3Sxp39spW2bNtijfcuC_P3LAFIhLI-u6XbjoM3yZMv1XJE0G1mj_y9Wb08852cv6eK1P2EsBLb284ipB-AbG24SaneqnESD4YBR1iCsxr1blDbwiIeNSeZ-KgIRaEh/s400/IMG_5687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759415345590527778" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ98Q-Y74R-fOKUyE4BicYMvjpTv4ILcV1kBhYOVH5wcqzFHWplBr4U7yggePXn7k4BCyHbkOU0mg3YYKjkS-sEIRGHQeu_UmWgded7VtqOn2WKlLNLKoCthw_ECxgN2x80yURB9ZfC0H/s1600/IMG_5688.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ98Q-Y74R-fOKUyE4BicYMvjpTv4ILcV1kBhYOVH5wcqzFHWplBr4U7yggePXn7k4BCyHbkOU0mg3YYKjkS-sEIRGHQeu_UmWgded7VtqOn2WKlLNLKoCthw_ECxgN2x80yURB9ZfC0H/s400/IMG_5688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759415353853377378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A handy guide even helped you learn who was who...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUdhHFGjhZTl9VS7jTb9OjTBk2kloOvjJ2jX70kyuzlRReesqK7tMwSJMVNg5BtJq6KrXi8dgX8H7iZOatFWlYlXrUcsYtK1LWVY2M49mSeBi8UlXVCfMySPdLbwroC4JVmhXb1dfu2oe/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUdhHFGjhZTl9VS7jTb9OjTBk2kloOvjJ2jX70kyuzlRReesqK7tMwSJMVNg5BtJq6KrXi8dgX8H7iZOatFWlYlXrUcsYtK1LWVY2M49mSeBi8UlXVCfMySPdLbwroC4JVmhXb1dfu2oe/s400/DSCN1173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759238533163512306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...like this Owl Butterfly, for example.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And although it was really warm inside, we stayed there as long we we could.<br /><br />Because it really was an amazing experience to be there...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EA5H2mS93Qk?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EA5H2mS93Qk?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />...as all those butterflies flew around you...<br /><br /><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uycia9FeqRQ?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uycia9FeqRQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />...and sometimes rather close.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I should also point out that the Butterfly House gift shop sells Little Debbie <a href="http://www.littledebbie.com/products/oatmealpies.asp" target="_blank">Oatmeal Creme Pies </a>and <a href="http://www.littledebbie.com/products/StarCrunch.asp" target="_blank">Star Crunch</a>es for $0.50 each.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">They brought a nice babymoon finish to the day to say the least.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***Author's Note: A special thanks to Miller's Ferry for helping with the transportation and activities. If it wasn't for you, we could have possibly missed out on such a great time on the perfectly weathered day. Thanks again!***<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-56638903883460580942012-06-25T07:13:00.015-04:002012-06-25T13:29:31.677-04:00The 2012 Chalk Walk - Oberlin<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQ_G1jJ-3OISxA7epOIV2b6TRc-NmRZDW4GLwbhgLLhclr1At27BWZiF9cnY9B_oXMhiBbe4PNBr-0EDOHE9X29hkljvruCX2JLTEUCHm0GocbYPqXX82DMqmecGEvbBmetHplmQPJKFE/s1600/IMG_5651.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQ_G1jJ-3OISxA7epOIV2b6TRc-NmRZDW4GLwbhgLLhclr1At27BWZiF9cnY9B_oXMhiBbe4PNBr-0EDOHE9X29hkljvruCX2JLTEUCHm0GocbYPqXX82DMqmecGEvbBmetHplmQPJKFE/s400/IMG_5651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757941928988230066" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />While I was out and about, checking out local festivals, Oberlin residents and visitors hit the pavement with a spectrum of free chalk.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.oberlinchalkwalk.com/" target="_blank">Oberlin Chalk Walk</a> is an annual event where the downtown comes alive with artists of all skill levels, the people who love watching them draw, and local merchants who take part with sidewalk sales and activities.<br /><br />It's actually a lot of fun to walk around town during the event - artist or not.<br /><br />For me, being that I didn't get home until the event was over, it was nice to take a very long and indirect walk to <a href="http://www.lorenzospizza.com/" target="_blank">Lorenzo's Pizzeria </a>for a ball of dough (we made pizza at home Saturday night) and check out all the artwork in its finished form.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIh6TQBdeoKI3AMhSuZV1NHiO4A-GQQ72_YmFuLIy7aHt3zP7fD4c8nMx5EbcErx0EzfOTod5DyqJotktTkFV8XK2d15UahjEgmB-dlWQ79_PQJb5pxDKh41C-DhmSKuB3rJZRfkiswfj/s1600/IMG_5637.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIh6TQBdeoKI3AMhSuZV1NHiO4A-GQQ72_YmFuLIy7aHt3zP7fD4c8nMx5EbcErx0EzfOTod5DyqJotktTkFV8XK2d15UahjEgmB-dlWQ79_PQJb5pxDKh41C-DhmSKuB3rJZRfkiswfj/s400/IMG_5637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757939414868239202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yWzyt55IDoGRYUBsGPRzcZOQIombBbUKa2JojUBiIt6shw6dC18cOLgsrQ26nTFWMlPz_GrzDnHqGAKi1g84aAzlKLjkHKBrybbym2tplxFtyk6xPkz_xwUaiRIWDIppsdfUXH19ZDIJ/s1600/IMG_5643.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yWzyt55IDoGRYUBsGPRzcZOQIombBbUKa2JojUBiIt6shw6dC18cOLgsrQ26nTFWMlPz_GrzDnHqGAKi1g84aAzlKLjkHKBrybbym2tplxFtyk6xPkz_xwUaiRIWDIppsdfUXH19ZDIJ/s400/IMG_5643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757940426720806658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The downtown sidewalks were brightly decorated...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ka7SRjUm7H5r2d8oNpm3pJ9OlszxF_5O1pLiH8s2e9kn6mEPZj1SIIxXW7sVBlzbNLhqJPdBm6OQT01v7Ev-WMhNsDknjihBR2iN3sNeckqVYtdzTQig1E4lqmMI-44_nb_HdaOSFx4s/s1600/IMG_5622.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ka7SRjUm7H5r2d8oNpm3pJ9OlszxF_5O1pLiH8s2e9kn6mEPZj1SIIxXW7sVBlzbNLhqJPdBm6OQT01v7Ev-WMhNsDknjihBR2iN3sNeckqVYtdzTQig1E4lqmMI-44_nb_HdaOSFx4s/s400/IMG_5622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757932363973451762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with messages...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWF6LcC7WC4FEEi41X0vO6LYk879PnzXsil2aKYZ-O5Z_Zr2K6JtuWa7CXRQMuYDxl0WKGGCWMz5CwKpZoBGrovurnUrD5ESIezdPPLs1ohvnnHhjCNB4bssX0X9U64oujlRiqZWphm6P/s1600/IMG_5621.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWF6LcC7WC4FEEi41X0vO6LYk879PnzXsil2aKYZ-O5Z_Zr2K6JtuWa7CXRQMuYDxl0WKGGCWMz5CwKpZoBGrovurnUrD5ESIezdPPLs1ohvnnHhjCNB4bssX0X9U64oujlRiqZWphm6P/s400/IMG_5621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757932918288394946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...dedications...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Pt544xsbCDLlE8mLVPoSCvW6d0mgKCtQEu7PYu6Djp-nPI23JZknBiZ3lQWj7g2oBQVrtdOOZuQ2aIDe2LzNor-ELJBv9-PtPdjnD-xMRziMTzEavNaPoYseUz8EziIgWtjf8SFFhph/s1600/IMG_5652.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Pt544xsbCDLlE8mLVPoSCvW6d0mgKCtQEu7PYu6Djp-nPI23JZknBiZ3lQWj7g2oBQVrtdOOZuQ2aIDe2LzNor-ELJBv9-PtPdjnD-xMRziMTzEavNaPoYseUz8EziIgWtjf8SFFhph/s400/IMG_5652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757941938644526866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...political endorsements...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey_uiJUdwSozfdayHsl-zDzF16RBjI_4Yl_0FgLfutvQgY-XSCUg8n-R3KfkdzHU-oYsjoW98wVSBjg-Hojb3QzmjK101HLzfHpSE1cVBqSho-otDWy0rEOuuHNKPXpdKs8-xmb9HsWoV/s1600/IMG_5645.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey_uiJUdwSozfdayHsl-zDzF16RBjI_4Yl_0FgLfutvQgY-XSCUg8n-R3KfkdzHU-oYsjoW98wVSBjg-Hojb3QzmjK101HLzfHpSE1cVBqSho-otDWy0rEOuuHNKPXpdKs8-xmb9HsWoV/s400/IMG_5645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757940440531691090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...religious metaphors...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5AvJmxV3liRgV1yAhTNGuI4KegAd9gowHH76UOz48CFW6k0HlUdqqh-8muMtPwUgEkiz6PgPC0CFm67hcejcY4_nc0RNGNnNYkp11MvXPlKjLkS8fNSfvD-SYImSEXfBKe8L5szB8Abd/s1600/IMG_5657.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5AvJmxV3liRgV1yAhTNGuI4KegAd9gowHH76UOz48CFW6k0HlUdqqh-8muMtPwUgEkiz6PgPC0CFm67hcejcY4_nc0RNGNnNYkp11MvXPlKjLkS8fNSfvD-SYImSEXfBKe8L5szB8Abd/s400/IMG_5657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943290223185090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...<a href="http://www.thefeve.com/" target="_blank">local business </a>advertisements...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghicqM2Q_rmL0ZmR83mpkqkO-xPjpmTGMh47Kx-CwIjEtUaSyD-t_idkJHsVYXqoBENbjIq26W_rlGS7X8k-MCdqqrMJqjpndm0vRJ2-BpsyqpFBIp-ZfMd_piVZgn1abO1M4HqOX3Nqqg/s1600/IMG_5661.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghicqM2Q_rmL0ZmR83mpkqkO-xPjpmTGMh47Kx-CwIjEtUaSyD-t_idkJHsVYXqoBENbjIq26W_rlGS7X8k-MCdqqrMJqjpndm0vRJ2-BpsyqpFBIp-ZfMd_piVZgn1abO1M4HqOX3Nqqg/s400/IMG_5661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943687529180002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and laser-eye Lully Lizards.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of lizards, there were various other critters too, like...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfja2FisRnYXNDYW898movaczsghJdujvwdgIE3ZVerD8DrSnlLNGYhV-lvDSfw_qEW6dk2sav4CPxXZgHy1R2Ro6awPfYtng6fYPqC0yCHHe6CBD4FmgT8RcAV4Pm2y_Gr0GzZ10BrPVI/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfja2FisRnYXNDYW898movaczsghJdujvwdgIE3ZVerD8DrSnlLNGYhV-lvDSfw_qEW6dk2sav4CPxXZgHy1R2Ro6awPfYtng6fYPqC0yCHHe6CBD4FmgT8RcAV4Pm2y_Gr0GzZ10BrPVI/s400/IMG_5655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943275314576850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...fairy-luvin birds...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UY3Ve3vIysj1FLuV5yZQnJA1_DpLLf4tqCGlFcDlHLxDG6z7IeBuVqQIJZj4wIeXnIoSOpUarwzLaJrY5UUTSaBcPkwDjxBXEo6Jq6PbQz3ce7bkB6_JZVn6K5KXyH4pIKtoJQZ0hBCH/s1600/IMG_5648.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UY3Ve3vIysj1FLuV5yZQnJA1_DpLLf4tqCGlFcDlHLxDG6z7IeBuVqQIJZj4wIeXnIoSOpUarwzLaJrY5UUTSaBcPkwDjxBXEo6Jq6PbQz3ce7bkB6_JZVn6K5KXyH4pIKtoJQZ0hBCH/s400/IMG_5648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757941915431115298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...tree-luvin goats...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUIHDlGylBik4MHT_7mMimlNDgUgGic_-4rI9DWzw0o7gA9G2Ob_TBtP52IvwfgrmKDKbhgajEzy2us7unuK6U8UnumcMqxaziSp-rv9wYIghQfZj1fPQ7KGBgeochePgr9Cxw-F5Mae6/s1600/IMG_5631.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUIHDlGylBik4MHT_7mMimlNDgUgGic_-4rI9DWzw0o7gA9G2Ob_TBtP52IvwfgrmKDKbhgajEzy2us7unuK6U8UnumcMqxaziSp-rv9wYIghQfZj1fPQ7KGBgeochePgr9Cxw-F5Mae6/s400/IMG_5631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757938380267734386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...<a href="http://youtu.be/QH2-TGUlwu4" target="_blank">Nyan </a>cats that fly...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpRBGczZ4MzvA3dRD8WLD9II4Yk1tr8gAcGTqcBvYquyDSCSrl-RHCKLT8qAPThKFE5t-9TcznSclIkx7-eB1ndEYtM_XOlARVFHJxuVDKWrYBgOmpGEp3sLbVbjUWBV1y3g7DXwSKLmy/s1600/IMG_5629.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpRBGczZ4MzvA3dRD8WLD9II4Yk1tr8gAcGTqcBvYquyDSCSrl-RHCKLT8qAPThKFE5t-9TcznSclIkx7-eB1ndEYtM_XOlARVFHJxuVDKWrYBgOmpGEp3sLbVbjUWBV1y3g7DXwSKLmy/s400/IMG_5629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757934318633801378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...bunnies that breathe fire...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGK8t6siAlJkCusI0cx4Agdy5Li3Ofc-6yNqobkhvP1GQKazAVayWzoky3Yl6WzdQCHEwAgyYPRHTP2WhGKYyvkCGrkSORyx5JCBz9SXBAZepv9hMKOkRW9Xhu6ZN9Uan3G5GWWoue-40/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGK8t6siAlJkCusI0cx4Agdy5Li3Ofc-6yNqobkhvP1GQKazAVayWzoky3Yl6WzdQCHEwAgyYPRHTP2WhGKYyvkCGrkSORyx5JCBz9SXBAZepv9hMKOkRW9Xhu6ZN9Uan3G5GWWoue-40/s400/IMG_5620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757932352922253794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...unicorns that <span style="font-style: italic;">catch </span>fire...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineWkqfaka1Z1JgHDjEbmwhj1m7yE6cR907Xnn1A1gB1jGC6h3cmqDJzMhrgG4iJ4i-s8O7c7_0HLY_44R7yXq0WJvxMG6PxWizj7T3eIHCNxHB1rhijcIfxzdhjBM_KAeWykQQ52S7LmV/s1600/IMG_5644.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineWkqfaka1Z1JgHDjEbmwhj1m7yE6cR907Xnn1A1gB1jGC6h3cmqDJzMhrgG4iJ4i-s8O7c7_0HLY_44R7yXq0WJvxMG6PxWizj7T3eIHCNxHB1rhijcIfxzdhjBM_KAeWykQQ52S7LmV/s400/IMG_5644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757940429866096450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfohYWaRslzBZgfQBl_qVEHshl2WJhi8bihvIUkaNR4xaX48MuCsrd3jwG49dWf7K0dQ4uHHpG16hcyNjjJlk11iHsn2KFdnxapC68wLsELdv3-5Y-PQDZUsmwhsWX0jTAE1gYbZnlnqo/s1600/IMG_5640.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfohYWaRslzBZgfQBl_qVEHshl2WJhi8bihvIUkaNR4xaX48MuCsrd3jwG49dWf7K0dQ4uHHpG16hcyNjjJlk11iHsn2KFdnxapC68wLsELdv3-5Y-PQDZUsmwhsWX0jTAE1gYbZnlnqo/s400/IMG_5640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757939435129703458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Pooh bears (traditional and Disney)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib19gHPI0naT2gYqM3S8ssbAUL5hFt7G50qiLkC5onLaiG_r2x_OZIsXI7hMEHL2_8pqhylRDabQOxXpcj4C9tZqj6GJg7F4FpWe5iMRo8g7djtYl39RB0iPhGtD3cK0l0Su50wRW2W7Nj/s1600/IMG_5642.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib19gHPI0naT2gYqM3S8ssbAUL5hFt7G50qiLkC5onLaiG_r2x_OZIsXI7hMEHL2_8pqhylRDabQOxXpcj4C9tZqj6GJg7F4FpWe5iMRo8g7djtYl39RB0iPhGtD3cK0l0Su50wRW2W7Nj/s400/IMG_5642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757940420721335074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and octopus-walloping yellow-haired monkeys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC1KKIU8ppABWHuYmxElepl8KoiutjkqyuFziA04fMa1hP7at4cvkgQEqwBTFsjcWXvWFqyI5tyDzkS7uahBxb4jm5_IS2RXLikDOb1WH6dI2uHLibIbnQiq3aZkZvE6eBoMbtIRUc62_/s1600/IMG_5656.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC1KKIU8ppABWHuYmxElepl8KoiutjkqyuFziA04fMa1hP7at4cvkgQEqwBTFsjcWXvWFqyI5tyDzkS7uahBxb4jm5_IS2RXLikDOb1WH6dI2uHLibIbnQiq3aZkZvE6eBoMbtIRUc62_/s400/IMG_5656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943283240217026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There were also ancient cities...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u39moP3a-GDZo9RXFwWfHypiiKE0p5_tL70HaJyp-9CHC9fjs11T7elrgbioRYK_GfVk3z5pDsVw9MBftTWsYzz_qYXEQo5wkS636cE0MyTulosfzjAQHu1o8L1i3yaHD9031dU0v9bV/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u39moP3a-GDZo9RXFwWfHypiiKE0p5_tL70HaJyp-9CHC9fjs11T7elrgbioRYK_GfVk3z5pDsVw9MBftTWsYzz_qYXEQo5wkS636cE0MyTulosfzjAQHu1o8L1i3yaHD9031dU0v9bV/s400/IMG_5649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943268152016402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...fallen superheroes (I think)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkg6BQbydL2OH5t3MAUDeK0YL5GZwheCefr-SP54EMatitotVDCTFB2-jogv6jLLxSKSkvLR86u0FxHo6rTvlSntsT0qbyQ1qcVmFtUQMVOgH60c0uKQ4lT_QroZA71oDIGLmf_1V-GAN/s1600/IMG_5628.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkg6BQbydL2OH5t3MAUDeK0YL5GZwheCefr-SP54EMatitotVDCTFB2-jogv6jLLxSKSkvLR86u0FxHo6rTvlSntsT0qbyQ1qcVmFtUQMVOgH60c0uKQ4lT_QroZA71oDIGLmf_1V-GAN/s400/IMG_5628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757934315928425810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...mustache trees...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODVkaPzYkAmyzhNeXRgIYBKXyNyM9sgL_66DW93cApaK4SmX3w0fSvyhiTdifrQh505hoCch-owCsJjxDJqT3dCl6DtbHHCFuRp7RuvDzJLQgQWwgWc0FsKfOw5qzi6OJpvxtwduz0X_o/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODVkaPzYkAmyzhNeXRgIYBKXyNyM9sgL_66DW93cApaK4SmX3w0fSvyhiTdifrQh505hoCch-owCsJjxDJqT3dCl6DtbHHCFuRp7RuvDzJLQgQWwgWc0FsKfOw5qzi6OJpvxtwduz0X_o/s400/IMG_5646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757940443578722466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the Beatles...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyc0hzqlY-7ukRd3f_CnosS8kKhM1TViAP8Sl8WGHVCGYpHS-000pgjZn8cYjzn84Rhaz2q-CKwOVxX0-3KA8PBTdFcSzZ8pIOMy2qquPG7JHrwsbzycrUSxgDTWjpwV0u2pfFOoLpuTe/s1600/IMG_5638.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyc0hzqlY-7ukRd3f_CnosS8kKhM1TViAP8Sl8WGHVCGYpHS-000pgjZn8cYjzn84Rhaz2q-CKwOVxX0-3KA8PBTdFcSzZ8pIOMy2qquPG7JHrwsbzycrUSxgDTWjpwV0u2pfFOoLpuTe/s400/IMG_5638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757939424115057394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...toilet demons...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8QaacWvPRMiS5M5uH3LWYtthAy8DDvFNyt1VImFgfs5r_7qZBw81DzQO917SvpR2ZdOGMJjOZCY9eNRiOLze5WInMi-oCtO2jCjnJMNTfMof-mdqAePFht3q_-wFWKzO-0oipcWgmM6g/s1600/IMG_5635.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8QaacWvPRMiS5M5uH3LWYtthAy8DDvFNyt1VImFgfs5r_7qZBw81DzQO917SvpR2ZdOGMJjOZCY9eNRiOLze5WInMi-oCtO2jCjnJMNTfMof-mdqAePFht3q_-wFWKzO-0oipcWgmM6g/s400/IMG_5635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757938390838531842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and more.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see, during that walk, I took plenty of pics...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7d2p2-26tQlGD5DLZgFbJdlBtBpYflXelYvEAMyjtrI-qECnYTsvwAuEydYWFP_2HMeZWMqHzMhyphenhyphen4tVdNpI65WFBxtpSFf8bUwuIRSMDgajyXZxdyJlwzDzNOTyUNZc_bdFtfNE13u5/s1600/IMG_5632.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7d2p2-26tQlGD5DLZgFbJdlBtBpYflXelYvEAMyjtrI-qECnYTsvwAuEydYWFP_2HMeZWMqHzMhyphenhyphen4tVdNpI65WFBxtpSFf8bUwuIRSMDgajyXZxdyJlwzDzNOTyUNZc_bdFtfNE13u5/s400/IMG_5632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757936315661424626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...as did the others who walked around town that evening.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And as most of us stepped around these art pieces that also included...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lhAxYLB5jsZ1R2dXCdoEjtvQTcK4PQouG9G3RfkhXuJn5I7GCxLC22VcdAoZbse3ZPaRqNS4Mjcvme7QtM8J5T3kbynIyWDhhZBd2EtJjq845v_3ElQwAuy9wUZHth_QGKW4TCqxBJ5/s1600/IMG_5634.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lhAxYLB5jsZ1R2dXCdoEjtvQTcK4PQouG9G3RfkhXuJn5I7GCxLC22VcdAoZbse3ZPaRqNS4Mjcvme7QtM8J5T3kbynIyWDhhZBd2EtJjq845v_3ElQwAuy9wUZHth_QGKW4TCqxBJ5/s400/IMG_5634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757936328769884050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Noah's Ark...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVoBCYhoeFLTLxXIMCOiTzs2f2HkjSqtxIg_gvk9z8bWMYJjg6L9mdc-vDi0UKjqgHGkbxssufsUd2Do005TPDdPCc1LXihbLBryhwUtH8nlr229vM6GmcsCWH7bkwy3sjLXmEZxX3z_/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdVoBCYhoeFLTLxXIMCOiTzs2f2HkjSqtxIg_gvk9z8bWMYJjg6L9mdc-vDi0UKjqgHGkbxssufsUd2Do005TPDdPCc1LXihbLBryhwUtH8nlr229vM6GmcsCWH7bkwy3sjLXmEZxX3z_/s400/IMG_5641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757939438530070194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_Time" target="_blank">Adventure Time</a>, cupcakes...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU41DwlK0ryrfLoQaqIBbtohBMeWkbTdchvo-okEYM08IVu9E5i-iN46nq-3AXEAmYW3KowTcF9i8r_hRxg403vP_N9sfQk8XizucTaHWGvt14qcfxZT-UEiTRZj3m2S3ikCTpVMY0LHe/s1600/IMG_5636.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU41DwlK0ryrfLoQaqIBbtohBMeWkbTdchvo-okEYM08IVu9E5i-iN46nq-3AXEAmYW3KowTcF9i8r_hRxg403vP_N9sfQk8XizucTaHWGvt14qcfxZT-UEiTRZj3m2S3ikCTpVMY0LHe/s400/IMG_5636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757939406700416322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and little red dragons...<br /><br />...there <span style="font-style: italic;">were </span>the occasional pieces that fans refused to part from...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjs0emP7VgP7QihFX3FMf7jqD82Xar5LtMqC0ui3xgUhvzFmPgEF3Y8uFN1lUchFX5oU4TPhZdnyT0XOLGQ3xBxy8JhkD5naMpUeUPC7kLTRBpSHiWygUnkj6VsQrdrRnNVla0kveuP1k/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjs0emP7VgP7QihFX3FMf7jqD82Xar5LtMqC0ui3xgUhvzFmPgEF3Y8uFN1lUchFX5oU4TPhZdnyT0XOLGQ3xBxy8JhkD5naMpUeUPC7kLTRBpSHiWygUnkj6VsQrdrRnNVla0kveuP1k/s400/IMG_5663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757943679189974994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...no matter how many times the parents begged.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-75615977498214953702012-06-11T20:07:00.007-04:002012-06-11T20:45:41.450-04:00A Flash in the Pan Update ...and more!Okay, I admit...things are crazy busy.<br /><br />Sometimes too busy to be doing this blog about my life while...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1.) ...festivals are keeping me busy at <a href="http://ohiofestivals.net/" target="_blank">OhioFestivals.net</a><br /><br />2.)...we're getting ready to move into a new house in July...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nlm5wCD7otEP-NDrEUd88DqSxFSIGcGW54cphGrDM9bzW90AoRvKj04ysZ9ttC7oN2uXD2EQI5jC0NHT15MxNen7iXSivpLjoOHcnTrbOGY-WiVGTFY5lX7VwGo1xJiT0tqDk1LuWJ9C/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nlm5wCD7otEP-NDrEUd88DqSxFSIGcGW54cphGrDM9bzW90AoRvKj04ysZ9ttC7oN2uXD2EQI5jC0NHT15MxNen7iXSivpLjoOHcnTrbOGY-WiVGTFY5lX7VwGo1xJiT0tqDk1LuWJ9C/s400/IMG_5510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937208768517682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">3.) ...I'm packing up the house in Lorain, now that it's sold...<br /><br />4.) ...we're prepping for the baby (which is a boy, by the way)...<br /><br />(Whoo hoo!!!)<br /><br />5.) ...and I'm even considering a new blog with a new name to ween off of this one.<br /><br />(I wanted "mangiamangiamangia" but it was taken.)<br /></div><br style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suggestions are appreciated!</span><br /></div><br />So, anyways, this doesn't mean that life has stopped.<br /><br />Oh no!<br /><br />I've been doing plenty of other things in between of all of this. So that's why I'm writing this post...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...just to catch you up!<br /></div><br />Here's what I've been doing during all the small pockets of free time...<br /><br /><br /></div></div>1.) I've finally tried a durian...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjuZzifBTXSRyz7zS0EIq_fRSpzvzoL1ilHY8_AWATAFIwn-WG8qYqWxgg4XzAhoIoZuevklSyUzCI-P9zI2oTCjrqOyuUjlj-7viYGfi-CjmbkYblMyA-MNGLg3rYTPkRD__MLwyLIRm/s1600/IMG_5447.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjuZzifBTXSRyz7zS0EIq_fRSpzvzoL1ilHY8_AWATAFIwn-WG8qYqWxgg4XzAhoIoZuevklSyUzCI-P9zI2oTCjrqOyuUjlj-7viYGfi-CjmbkYblMyA-MNGLg3rYTPkRD__MLwyLIRm/s400/IMG_5447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936871174662962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...thanks to an Oberlin friend who brought it back from a trip out of state.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZphxF3yt0khHuaqqbRlHedrYRQ2KnEpog877tflNI033WSZVOmf9YtxynqE7JhhBnmAEgWuOUmww4QipPfQJibpGPUo88sNLd1FremjNck3SaIHD0fsrXiow6Vaws5XxHcz40BAA76_W/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZphxF3yt0khHuaqqbRlHedrYRQ2KnEpog877tflNI033WSZVOmf9YtxynqE7JhhBnmAEgWuOUmww4QipPfQJibpGPUo88sNLd1FremjNck3SaIHD0fsrXiow6Vaws5XxHcz40BAA76_W/s400/IMG_5449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936873864068018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She showed me how a durian was prepared...<br /><br /><object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cjPZHzRt-SU?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cjPZHzRt-SU?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />...which was something out of Alien...<br /><br /><object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I12sMyHMjaw?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I12sMyHMjaw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />...and I got to taste it as well.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">2.) I got to try <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-Frost-Donuts/162749277904" target="_blank">Jack Frost Donuts</a> for the first time...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2l9xMtNzkVs-ohVIcfDxPrOTwBlZPA8zZD4LZuJ2lysYLtU5aQ8GtuqFK5gzdxyHhSB91Ys4bDN1dVsajj79ffgWPmXvoa4_i5DAEMpUPjc7QWm0ogwZ1id5tB5IoIMXYpZ7faia0aD0/s1600/IMG_5441.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2l9xMtNzkVs-ohVIcfDxPrOTwBlZPA8zZD4LZuJ2lysYLtU5aQ8GtuqFK5gzdxyHhSB91Ys4bDN1dVsajj79ffgWPmXvoa4_i5DAEMpUPjc7QWm0ogwZ1id5tB5IoIMXYpZ7faia0aD0/s400/IMG_5441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752935879684098706" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk5Qyxmgv3oZj7Y7lXz5S_gnp4XV8-s-3UolcRczhyphenhyphenpVbNEmrh8BAe1ZnbfhCx2TCirwfx6dMahEIMUcF7k3hHXMmudaUKSZqm5sQQ1kUsbZc24IPtlfp9G3kvr64PIQQm-W3Js_oy96v/s1600/IMG_5440.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk5Qyxmgv3oZj7Y7lXz5S_gnp4XV8-s-3UolcRczhyphenhyphenpVbNEmrh8BAe1ZnbfhCx2TCirwfx6dMahEIMUcF7k3hHXMmudaUKSZqm5sQQ1kUsbZc24IPtlfp9G3kvr64PIQQm-W3Js_oy96v/s400/IMG_5440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752935874061749362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and was happy to find - in this little shop...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtEHAOEepDsL9NvJjZsw8zUXgjXYxwR33fQJjc0W3e7fxza2CSoLulLCRriRNlIzk5JEHDbWEO38aLKsrzE0Wf8RU8f8GFF2rMSFshD3WrROVGzlDHFTd5-me2n142PsMTpNVpQI4XlYw/s1600/IMG_5445.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtEHAOEepDsL9NvJjZsw8zUXgjXYxwR33fQJjc0W3e7fxza2CSoLulLCRriRNlIzk5JEHDbWEO38aLKsrzE0Wf8RU8f8GFF2rMSFshD3WrROVGzlDHFTd5-me2n142PsMTpNVpQI4XlYw/s400/IMG_5445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936077674270626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a very decadent series of treats!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">3.) I learned stuff from the streets...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1fhmL17HkWGPz9h7KUu37811aRievxvMUuQNRj6p3ZQJT51STIEjn-bnaWrid7MYdlRgEWQuxutekM4IvNdno2qMYvyDLOeAr0RRC_HotpKAqE6BW2RqGs6IRE9ZOr_p4k9wEaR1LQCS/s1600/IMG_5463.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1fhmL17HkWGPz9h7KUu37811aRievxvMUuQNRj6p3ZQJT51STIEjn-bnaWrid7MYdlRgEWQuxutekM4IvNdno2qMYvyDLOeAr0RRC_HotpKAqE6BW2RqGs6IRE9ZOr_p4k9wEaR1LQCS/s400/IMG_5463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936879764815682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it couldn't be truer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">4.) I got to take my nephew to <a href="http://sntfun.com/">Swings n Things</a> in Olmsted Falls...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGRQmIwcpzch8v0F6PBXJPcRsh6_9efgnoN0ARzv3c9WjBmBXMb_j4g_PLo693XxLKnhd7BI7GVpDp3VEyyrJ4OsjzAZdPVxYbRplFbEz-OYlqfUYSba4Mukw0PM9HQ7mFqi9vHsuDMwl/s1600/IMG_5483.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGRQmIwcpzch8v0F6PBXJPcRsh6_9efgnoN0ARzv3c9WjBmBXMb_j4g_PLo693XxLKnhd7BI7GVpDp3VEyyrJ4OsjzAZdPVxYbRplFbEz-OYlqfUYSba4Mukw0PM9HQ7mFqi9vHsuDMwl/s400/IMG_5483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937190270225778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where he conquered the rookie cars...<br /><br /><object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YTbdW2hVZn4?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YTbdW2hVZn4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />...bumped through the bumper boats...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfZRK5DyUDu1TCnlSd16VM1zxYzwjP_NICMf9EaCCcmUpK_rhyphenhyphen9nSFe7Sk49lim8xEx6IBbkFnkqJmV45EBsNrcyaaEfweIhWlm_LkF2eSfQ7hxudlqZG9Y7DN5b99Ym1DzvDmdMWdIvM/s1600/IMG_5497.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfZRK5DyUDu1TCnlSd16VM1zxYzwjP_NICMf9EaCCcmUpK_rhyphenhyphen9nSFe7Sk49lim8xEx6IBbkFnkqJmV45EBsNrcyaaEfweIhWlm_LkF2eSfQ7hxudlqZG9Y7DN5b99Ym1DzvDmdMWdIvM/s400/IMG_5497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936889383719266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...meticulously attempted the Dinosaur Crane...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7rL8h45dLBfGy-eP_ZxVmvl1qF16LdqUOljuWa9l56vu_MJbg4hJiY11XHH0H6x4BtFSy0QnR3yp4qQ3VZCDfqMUf_T_d3qTqlEuKtFQ7ghDyvdhjWdh8rNW4t4VKH6wFlqsytDcrWeZ/s1600/IMG_5500.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7rL8h45dLBfGy-eP_ZxVmvl1qF16LdqUOljuWa9l56vu_MJbg4hJiY11XHH0H6x4BtFSy0QnR3yp4qQ3VZCDfqMUf_T_d3qTqlEuKtFQ7ghDyvdhjWdh8rNW4t4VKH6wFlqsytDcrWeZ/s400/IMG_5500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937193375969666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and happily enjoy a nice dinner afterward at <a href="http://liwahrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Li Wah</a>'s.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac2GvSjUrv0QnbipdCThzJXU3iVzn8uIbNjo8EyQjrf9uGFq8iiHkkClB4gThhQVX2xZh-rxNuTiR1HZqYprs9flf7H5_z1_W9Z8TdraWtTR0VWcewUlYIFk4UTyaQ6jNipaTf3GoBNyy/s1600/IMG_5507.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac2GvSjUrv0QnbipdCThzJXU3iVzn8uIbNjo8EyQjrf9uGFq8iiHkkClB4gThhQVX2xZh-rxNuTiR1HZqYprs9flf7H5_z1_W9Z8TdraWtTR0VWcewUlYIFk4UTyaQ6jNipaTf3GoBNyy/s400/IMG_5507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752936883493333522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I even introduced him to some dragons.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">5.) I took serious advantage...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMikLAHmvsAvh__0D8wY7L3PFZOpGg2_SRCfolM5isglLp11PGc3w9DEw-ZUe1sIhXph09MLZEtptnGaK-XaZoOUUui5c0O8QHz7d7F04MgompVzr4twEVFQBqmsqhfDTG0H-X_C-i4_6y/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMikLAHmvsAvh__0D8wY7L3PFZOpGg2_SRCfolM5isglLp11PGc3w9DEw-ZUe1sIhXph09MLZEtptnGaK-XaZoOUUui5c0O8QHz7d7F04MgompVzr4twEVFQBqmsqhfDTG0H-X_C-i4_6y/s400/IMG_5530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937196139489186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...of the Speedway frozen coke machine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">6.) I bought new sunglasses...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyFznblKjPEfMlxt5XsUVVvzNue8935f8vhCocaCz25PoIVEzXXKLfgomxM4AHgPregR1vvrQy69X-EPA_7bwH-r1KZSQ8gX52yiiGGU2r-GYUdHJTnMssX0wmaT9ymETRIFo6Qplu-ok/s1600/IMG_5531.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyFznblKjPEfMlxt5XsUVVvzNue8935f8vhCocaCz25PoIVEzXXKLfgomxM4AHgPregR1vvrQy69X-EPA_7bwH-r1KZSQ8gX52yiiGGU2r-GYUdHJTnMssX0wmaT9ymETRIFo6Qplu-ok/s400/IMG_5531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937206551170594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...that are polarized.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">7.) I visited the Marblehead Lighthouse...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm9ZQ0qlMhTRTj0fVOeJhC4xS90ub2mVdsXH_qbEKCkhjBVel_W1bMFcTylfQyruf9CJg8jMCNUF2MzSQZc9kKDu-hGJrDNyQg-f0v-cq1xOvfekoWzaN6m0g38kWX_CUdq1lycF36cem/s1600/DSCN0940.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmm9ZQ0qlMhTRTj0fVOeJhC4xS90ub2mVdsXH_qbEKCkhjBVel_W1bMFcTylfQyruf9CJg8jMCNUF2MzSQZc9kKDu-hGJrDNyQg-f0v-cq1xOvfekoWzaN6m0g38kWX_CUdq1lycF36cem/s400/DSCN0940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937533579223682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...on a rather beautiful day...<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUwiFnMjjS0PYdaBwB8maXSmFRc34Qot0sSRaIVmkS-1qkf5gBL9bVgq68_fENVYIoS4JRX1_gpnHekTObCopGaPJSfQFGmYCL5N9583lbI5PLZ7Thq1UnotwTiuaNCjcDvux0XHIJ9A9/s1600/DSCN0943.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUwiFnMjjS0PYdaBwB8maXSmFRc34Qot0sSRaIVmkS-1qkf5gBL9bVgq68_fENVYIoS4JRX1_gpnHekTObCopGaPJSfQFGmYCL5N9583lbI5PLZ7Thq1UnotwTiuaNCjcDvux0XHIJ9A9/s400/DSCN0943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937537548997922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and walked up all those stairs.<br /><br />It was worth it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">8.) I went to my niece's ballet recital...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-Ut-qEkUjXetsSWj4O6De_2769RRb1yAGxV6OeFYS3iivXI9z4_Vqt2grtsjaim6y4Cobwp7ZbUy-kOyI98AS-fdxYwXPptUPwrKt5W61P939qlcW5JrYnz04BNAca_3JY4DDFntrfbg/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-Ut-qEkUjXetsSWj4O6De_2769RRb1yAGxV6OeFYS3iivXI9z4_Vqt2grtsjaim6y4Cobwp7ZbUy-kOyI98AS-fdxYwXPptUPwrKt5W61P939qlcW5JrYnz04BNAca_3JY4DDFntrfbg/s400/IMG_5566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937558893779010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where she waved to us from the stage...<br /></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50pzJE-bny74IANos_lKLtkaKd35DQsT6rewUoRdQxRDxPsFEshm2cvEaOdODXWfp-wmYR2A5gB6DHwYQfTEOQGyLzGA7xDVkNbgDkd35omQYx-w7uCj-c__WO1osZo1jtREMEbKaG7gN/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50pzJE-bny74IANos_lKLtkaKd35DQsT6rewUoRdQxRDxPsFEshm2cvEaOdODXWfp-wmYR2A5gB6DHwYQfTEOQGyLzGA7xDVkNbgDkd35omQYx-w7uCj-c__WO1osZo1jtREMEbKaG7gN/s400/IMG_5574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937552030390658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and gracefully accepted flowers and posed for pics afterwards. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">10.) I hung out with Catwoman...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc0lxI5VXEK9UrvJjIRu8qpW4C6OKVAKy_nMG-njiB121529PgmyKhBHfL052gePhFpUEOfe5UsBu8pT_J7OazZghVO-9SxYTiWTqDzOuXRrNw1DbQmsxjFL5_CMzssjCWMa9yK0NNHPe/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc0lxI5VXEK9UrvJjIRu8qpW4C6OKVAKy_nMG-njiB121529PgmyKhBHfL052gePhFpUEOfe5UsBu8pT_J7OazZghVO-9SxYTiWTqDzOuXRrNw1DbQmsxjFL5_CMzssjCWMa9yK0NNHPe/s400/IMG_5535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937543625622354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...because she rocks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">11.) I found another reason...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauuUs_6jISRYKCkD2yu1jQuqlmyfRU04GnvYu_4nEKIV_HG7XnQOuVPVbbjrYb3zI4_ZOJbAd4c7fCERvSyGrsKqcM51qqwdm72vj41i6tc1ZJFebIKiM_qwzC1BFw9rSvB4bd41mCw9e/s1600/IMG_5548.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauuUs_6jISRYKCkD2yu1jQuqlmyfRU04GnvYu_4nEKIV_HG7XnQOuVPVbbjrYb3zI4_ZOJbAd4c7fCERvSyGrsKqcM51qqwdm72vj41i6tc1ZJFebIKiM_qwzC1BFw9rSvB4bd41mCw9e/s400/IMG_5548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937805912359698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...that I'm happy not to be Amish.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">12.) And, finally, I found out...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj0ujPjADUOVee8TVxC_f527loDnPy8ThaIH6qJLY7UEpf2RBRynLgQ5Fr4Gc-XRXbwt-jcZV_FKKgVqs6HoEfjMWFRptxrcp3JJ6oCcjUgkREC7KYv0MlwjVfUW5Z-I3z6J0lnRBvKKi/s1600/IMG_5578.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj0ujPjADUOVee8TVxC_f527loDnPy8ThaIH6qJLY7UEpf2RBRynLgQ5Fr4Gc-XRXbwt-jcZV_FKKgVqs6HoEfjMWFRptxrcp3JJ6oCcjUgkREC7KYv0MlwjVfUW5Z-I3z6J0lnRBvKKi/s400/IMG_5578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752937813134770978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...that I really liked <a href="http://mizusushiparma.com/" target="_blank">Mizu</a>'s in Parma.<br /><br />I think I'll be back there soon!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-78963132276083357182012-05-25T09:11:00.007-04:002012-05-25T09:55:49.189-04:002012 Silver Spoon Awards PartyThanks to an opportunity given by the fabulous social media peeps at <a href="http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/Default.asp" target="_blank">Cleveland Magazine</a>, I was able to win two tickets to this year's Silver Spoon Awards Party...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvkNiglkQm-tOOJ2JYAswcAd2JwbbOai-hqGgZlbFuMha8w9T9ZKVOo8G7jewzr-eAU362SGZIawv682RCJXrEhrpQnlWt4GxAPnt7uRtK3flhS6sAr1ppykdDB-uL-jIaDUKN2rs5D9/s1600/01+024.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvkNiglkQm-tOOJ2JYAswcAd2JwbbOai-hqGgZlbFuMha8w9T9ZKVOo8G7jewzr-eAU362SGZIawv682RCJXrEhrpQnlWt4GxAPnt7uRtK3flhS6sAr1ppykdDB-uL-jIaDUKN2rs5D9/s400/01+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746460596688095250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where local restaurants set up stations...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdz3CY0aSsYR0xvu579Uk1ZRyS0Xhevad_qARbjGVxPPizotZafdW5RgIM3lNGObGl4N7Zt1B_6QPIhGam81chjNfup-QtHIn-ysElVarhLAXY7kUjJNO4xAMn00ohIfYz_wnodO5eik8/s1600/01+015.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdz3CY0aSsYR0xvu579Uk1ZRyS0Xhevad_qARbjGVxPPizotZafdW5RgIM3lNGObGl4N7Zt1B_6QPIhGam81chjNfup-QtHIn-ysElVarhLAXY7kUjJNO4xAMn00ohIfYz_wnodO5eik8/s400/01+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746461082867672434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and put out plenty of grub for hungry people like me to grab.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And, boy-oh-boy, did I grab quite a bit of it, although I should apologize for the photos in advance.<br /><br />Being that I was starving and trying to eat one plate before getting another at the following station, I rushed with the picture-taking. And I didn't realize that my phone camera was set to flash instead of auto.<br /><br />My apologies.<br /><br />In my defence, I would like to point out that there was reason to move rather quickly in this process...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eSKuwfntHs?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eSKuwfntHs?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />Readers, please meet the other hungry food grabbers.<br /></div><br />But I did want to share all the photos of the food I ate (save the nachos, which Julia ate) so that you can be amazed at my ability to eat so many dishes in an hour's time and still feel absolutely wonderful.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeJvAAQOX8FFf6_VAexBGQZy0i_064BXVcCEWZ-0_xNlwJuuiu_oSlKwOMBbUPw2o9yEV7_6xfUeGHIphAg9p8nkVwObcL1QxnP22Nw442iaUosHxuPUbF9l_Kozl1F91PJZVjW7wPl_X/s1600/01+006.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguQzbP9yyoq1ELUxfzVFTYJg2TXAfvISLywTlXtQq55jMthZrpM2rFPqYVC0HhgBwQAxgeweah1AVKLKwnhNaBioOxFFnvdJPhktUcqlNRUh0QdAAa-2d5qXL4xwvRUdLhpQVi5sLRvpk/s400/01+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746458564991772946" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrIXMAA4YCHPL9moKKOWLVSHOfEQv03WzqyDzM514DtkwPV4OOzpwSnvFPBYPBGH8IkmNiaNYmk5sUQsTMrbvsMBXMkeXabcPOoqrk7euelBIhAfZrKLwneLlhmS933Weg0zk7nqHH49i/s1600/01+011.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrIXMAA4YCHPL9moKKOWLVSHOfEQv03WzqyDzM514DtkwPV4OOzpwSnvFPBYPBGH8IkmNiaNYmk5sUQsTMrbvsMBXMkeXabcPOoqrk7euelBIhAfZrKLwneLlhmS933Weg0zk7nqHH49i/s400/01+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459144134795890" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFRQTrKPWoHQm3MGrm8OLAs6lRRK6aEqhBU-2qixYMHOORHkoxHtbE6GRxglJ7dF8gu08V-9G5uJ26Cv68u916cco5zzp2fJvf8gPEhA3o1wnYV958vgaHSZuZVNDUXrrN983BFQ6rmpg/s1600/01+012.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 193px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEykyFhQUch1-RNeBZs52uF9XkuTJ5joXhiJUNpyMDznuSpCBdoLgdfxYZ4G-Nl9n9mbf_ZKYDe8ouLCTRbrKgDDRHIWc-letKWpuXxD3WlLvta6tgHdQ2Ax0tyhrb_K8AmwfcdnnOv4VP/s400/01+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459164164851506" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8hdcjQZbugykqeDh-2grnDlUNFxaTKDKte-vN_MIcOqVengTnBiLWKEtAIk6k6FPSu1afsasPhHhT3pimRY5dFEm7o2Kd5POT278M2aHe_YirRznlVTV_TqXARfHUb5iNfWvNFE5zz0y/s1600/01+019.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8hdcjQZbugykqeDh-2grnDlUNFxaTKDKte-vN_MIcOqVengTnBiLWKEtAIk6k6FPSu1afsasPhHhT3pimRY5dFEm7o2Kd5POT278M2aHe_YirRznlVTV_TqXARfHUb5iNfWvNFE5zz0y/s400/01+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459993252930002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcDM3A3AEUu09Hf_3TvU9CGg3kLMA77VLVkenTXjO4QQ_xnZ0hDRyoqbthr-IwxmjUA9mNY3bZKPTmtBL8BhBqQ3FMM2kY1TtHiTp8C0gLyowx9DmXiF5M0n2taKAF1qydE-zJqfmcHwC/s1600/01+016.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcDM3A3AEUu09Hf_3TvU9CGg3kLMA77VLVkenTXjO4QQ_xnZ0hDRyoqbthr-IwxmjUA9mNY3bZKPTmtBL8BhBqQ3FMM2kY1TtHiTp8C0gLyowx9DmXiF5M0n2taKAF1qydE-zJqfmcHwC/s400/01+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459168706972658" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoQeGvFI1fFMcZYOBbWn4nwMCtjcp5ThFLWPp-us_eWLjeAIW7H3jA3vUmPxiLFEufxMGjrhlqUZrOi3Fx2KjAGteTvMGrzI6-JOV1WvjqnvWGWCI0VsBzUvNdyxIislJsh-luaU6D-f_/s1600/01+017.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoQeGvFI1fFMcZYOBbWn4nwMCtjcp5ThFLWPp-us_eWLjeAIW7H3jA3vUmPxiLFEufxMGjrhlqUZrOi3Fx2KjAGteTvMGrzI6-JOV1WvjqnvWGWCI0VsBzUvNdyxIislJsh-luaU6D-f_/s400/01+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459979779170770" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5hB8gICPcPoKMiNSCGGuBMbveyb-LtOZfSk-HxyVI_HgYS6mawg2f-nGUQnbEWev1aKAz5_NjVgkyQVPA3QCHRiRl2ahPptQj6nfYm2FqMJfSoe9wOZXvJK6Ga1-kSQljb6KsP9QaUQo/s1600/01+018.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5hB8gICPcPoKMiNSCGGuBMbveyb-LtOZfSk-HxyVI_HgYS6mawg2f-nGUQnbEWev1aKAz5_NjVgkyQVPA3QCHRiRl2ahPptQj6nfYm2FqMJfSoe9wOZXvJK6Ga1-kSQljb6KsP9QaUQo/s400/01+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459981646051730" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXK9kRV4BdqflhGOF6ufS5AKaJMFojAnZ4EIZ8LYopa9vycpg5D7Id90dv5_8iYFNtPR2JXEZn6PqFMlRFgcA8VE-U69sZgyi0q5UtKlcOhz9mROSAJDQfBJ4HVXFRPb_iyPH3wLr0-gm/s1600/01+020.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXK9kRV4BdqflhGOF6ufS5AKaJMFojAnZ4EIZ8LYopa9vycpg5D7Id90dv5_8iYFNtPR2JXEZn6PqFMlRFgcA8VE-U69sZgyi0q5UtKlcOhz9mROSAJDQfBJ4HVXFRPb_iyPH3wLr0-gm/s400/01+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746459997830487298" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjza3XQiRbkbbQIb-yRmxp6Dw0lzh84KQWcXjv2qs_BmEQAQlCOTGDQTGANeQWuORq7JI29TtjEtHmPTj-Vm1BmDNban5JMW3TAyN9BzlZVQyU2Sea1yiQeYipkzYv-s8nSKnYWB83DG4/s1600/01+021.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjza3XQiRbkbbQIb-yRmxp6Dw0lzh84KQWcXjv2qs_BmEQAQlCOTGDQTGANeQWuORq7JI29TtjEtHmPTj-Vm1BmDNban5JMW3TAyN9BzlZVQyU2Sea1yiQeYipkzYv-s8nSKnYWB83DG4/s400/01+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746460003363550418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Impressive, huh?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh yeah...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KkGn8-sYiXZLjedAUejcSG8RP28Rsi25VAv1TPgfKcwVcUVkvNhtnaWfBC9UXj2j_3tgv7a-zwq3UQ65uiQpSfQuiHPi4yoEA4iqCyWzwuk62vW6VKgIwGLwdDSTFRL4PLpH3LYENve7/s1600/01+023.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KkGn8-sYiXZLjedAUejcSG8RP28Rsi25VAv1TPgfKcwVcUVkvNhtnaWfBC9UXj2j_3tgv7a-zwq3UQ65uiQpSfQuiHPi4yoEA4iqCyWzwuk62vW6VKgIwGLwdDSTFRL4PLpH3LYENve7/s400/01+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746460592282154562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...there was also dessert.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author's Note: </span> I've decided not to credit any of the restaurants because the photo quality is simply so bad. I would like to say that I enjoyed <a href="http://www.selectrestaurants.com/pier/index.php" target="_blank">Pier W</a>'s scallop over quinoa. I would also like to say that I was looking forward to <a href="http://www.s-melissa.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Melissa</a>'s petit fours, which were nowhere in site! Fortunately, they had a good chocolate chip cookie (but don't make that cannoli filling anymore...bleh).<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-56636717432963611352012-05-12T22:07:00.008-04:002012-05-14T14:41:16.402-04:00Complaining and Praising - exercising balance<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthPeYydvAlaN6IiolVCSNqVNhxLVGzaMAVF4tV_99XW31FjlY2okYoWyxMxzdeZfE8-ocM6RcFYycz-Zc7ouOM1Zkh4Ijf8rwfdvashIR62uyAm0_egkvAnUZ_grp7xB3qbAvOqiPm9xN/s1600/IMG_0552.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthPeYydvAlaN6IiolVCSNqVNhxLVGzaMAVF4tV_99XW31FjlY2okYoWyxMxzdeZfE8-ocM6RcFYycz-Zc7ouOM1Zkh4Ijf8rwfdvashIR62uyAm0_egkvAnUZ_grp7xB3qbAvOqiPm9xN/s400/IMG_0552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742446662066627602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just like Catwoman is demonstrating in the above pic, it's always best to direct yourself toward the brighter things in life.<br /><br />Today's been a weird day where I've found myself annoyed, frustrated, angry and stressed. Such a crazy combination (although they are all of close relations).<br /><br />I'm actually feeling a lot better as I write this and this is great because I want to be fair about a gripe I've had recently with a restaurant in Bowling Green called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/urakusushi" target="_blank">Uraku</a>.<br /><br />When the restaurant first opened back in 2001 or 2002, it was absolutely fantastic! I was a grad student at the time and many of the rolls then were incredible with fresh ingredients, good portions and interesting combinations.<br /><br />I remember how one roll had eel and pear...it was phenomenal!<br /><br />Other rolls were made at the hands of an artist with either caterpillar or dragon shapes, thanks to the use of shrimp or pieces of fruit.<br /><br />They were a blogger's dream come true!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">______________________________________<br /></div><br />But when I took Julia there last year, I noticed that the place had changed. Apart from the interior being completely different, it became hard to find rolls that sounded great because 90 percent of them contained the dreaded crab stick.<br /><br />Actually, if we look at the special roll menu together...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxUT4qH8NbWWoB5n13GSyU7uatUi64F1KBTJpXD3eQOaNAQH1Nc4A07VRWZGTOi7SHzKl0eBT0rKBJQzQxEJ7DYpDs7PWiJLyuWqaLSW91yD3KD8rN1llNuOgEXwUiyoQgXUV43WvIoG/s1600/Uraku.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorxUT4qH8NbWWoB5n13GSyU7uatUi64F1KBTJpXD3eQOaNAQH1Nc4A07VRWZGTOi7SHzKl0eBT0rKBJQzQxEJ7DYpDs7PWiJLyuWqaLSW91yD3KD8rN1llNuOgEXwUiyoQgXUV43WvIoG/s400/Uraku.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742451978084067314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...we can see it's actually 83% - 20 out of 24 rolls...<br /><br />...although many have crab sticks <span style="font-style: italic;">twice</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Still, I recently decided to give the place a second shot after a road trip of festivals.<br /><br />One roll had crab stick and the other did not...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oK9xIuqKs6oFgrLwlFgLfcKfPL_fg87zVHlNgR9ebn_A4DGszmZzttwfRD_54Dkgzpoaa6updEY0FZ663R4MjAlHr5lLNEAcJu9i8GdWUR8NeLqlGrEPddx8Y2vE3GgZrfHrpkmrhWqA/s1600/IMG_5349.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oK9xIuqKs6oFgrLwlFgLfcKfPL_fg87zVHlNgR9ebn_A4DGszmZzttwfRD_54Dkgzpoaa6updEY0FZ663R4MjAlHr5lLNEAcJu9i8GdWUR8NeLqlGrEPddx8Y2vE3GgZrfHrpkmrhWqA/s400/IMG_5349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741834114226385506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it looked okay at first (although this wasabi is an old batch...really hard).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But, as I ate, I started to examine more closely.<br /><br />I ordered two rolls: Spicy Mango and Blue River.<br /><br />Spicy Mango has crab stick, cucumber, avocado, white tuna, mango and sauce...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignUVuo9rUBXk3XhgdcDFeWR0D-EOKUdSOvG0r2cBEqctnnxqZYYGesac_zmqcw6Mf1DtLG9N8G27wMtnW_c_BUj1gEfREnt778GQPCV5ZigasgYEBWoIpyxleTKKPngOCtueUu3M2JIkI/s1600/urakua.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignUVuo9rUBXk3XhgdcDFeWR0D-EOKUdSOvG0r2cBEqctnnxqZYYGesac_zmqcw6Mf1DtLG9N8G27wMtnW_c_BUj1gEfREnt778GQPCV5ZigasgYEBWoIpyxleTKKPngOCtueUu3M2JIkI/s400/urakua.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742454677100244514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but looks like this.<br /><br />Portions of all ingredients were small, white tuna was unnoticeable and the mango wasn't yet ripe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Blue River says it has eel, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado and sauce...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPQ-ltccLeVg5rfW75NYy9Zc6cUieHHSxv75bqwkE7r7BpuvpPuc7ZkbbXHGmZnB9-XxVobYTXjeUcIjfcC8BO50Aiduemw64Ykvv13f_IF9ZijIJ67lL36h2IyLQFB_SROFoQS6JoIc0/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPQ-ltccLeVg5rfW75NYy9Zc6cUieHHSxv75bqwkE7r7BpuvpPuc7ZkbbXHGmZnB9-XxVobYTXjeUcIjfcC8BO50Aiduemw64Ykvv13f_IF9ZijIJ67lL36h2IyLQFB_SROFoQS6JoIc0/s400/IMG_5348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741834105733976482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and although I'm happy mine came with shrimp...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj54WoVUqJM2qRf68dBCeZiBNp-ztEyOQN6DyonScNqH1vkbuEof7a9yy4L2Y63LVaiQQkFAztD-dVjFF9WtG5DiO4-F6UxtkNB7p6MScuAj4wYLVjlitRq6yi4aLJTFUwnBO4opcmWTC/s1600/uraku2.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj54WoVUqJM2qRf68dBCeZiBNp-ztEyOQN6DyonScNqH1vkbuEof7a9yy4L2Y63LVaiQQkFAztD-dVjFF9WtG5DiO4-F6UxtkNB7p6MScuAj4wYLVjlitRq6yi4aLJTFUwnBO4opcmWTC/s400/uraku2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742454687220997474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...portions of ingredients were still small while not having any cream cheese or cucumber at all.<br /><br />Maybe they gave me the wrong roll completely, but that still doesn't justify how little fillings there were.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, there was so much rice involved in these rolls that I started poking out the middle...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe6uEmLH7nuhUfAlNzue8FN_b4Og5sgANQYO37ZDgvcxTaXARnvNXoKeELvS4r2WNUy0xDkTucGxE45lIyijv79TTHMze4AwRpESrC-EbB9tv5u_8jh9sHokMpttbbfxbcVp_1rLCc6YT/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe6uEmLH7nuhUfAlNzue8FN_b4Og5sgANQYO37ZDgvcxTaXARnvNXoKeELvS4r2WNUy0xDkTucGxE45lIyijv79TTHMze4AwRpESrC-EbB9tv5u_8jh9sHokMpttbbfxbcVp_1rLCc6YT/s400/IMG_5350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5741834120661841298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and ended up with this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe I should have eaten sushi in Toledo or Findlay instead. Or perhaps I should have guessed this was more steak-country...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jeAsjtUnUdP_NlurRsI1YgSomMT7xqRxeqj75cMj11vM4tEjYuJq0OBoDAxHSjEAgdQ4IV13ryXfoNj_ICJ77IpVoj35hvyE2ycHk3eLNPfO2EjQxgm2SoDTR4M9TR1SzhyphenhyphenhzDh0RV9I/s1600/DSCN0432.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jeAsjtUnUdP_NlurRsI1YgSomMT7xqRxeqj75cMj11vM4tEjYuJq0OBoDAxHSjEAgdQ4IV13ryXfoNj_ICJ77IpVoj35hvyE2ycHk3eLNPfO2EjQxgm2SoDTR4M9TR1SzhyphenhyphenhzDh0RV9I/s400/DSCN0432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742447235657131634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...especially after seeing this cool bull statue in Gilboa.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I may have let this go if I thought Uraku was having a bad day, but I really don't think that was the case. I think it's just how they make sushi and that just makes me sad, especially when I think of how great it used to be!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________________<br /></div><br />But I don't want to end the post this way. I want to learn from Catwoman and see the brighter things in life as she does.<br /><br />That's why I want to touch on the great restaurant experience I had yesterday (on Mother's Day), when I took Julia to <a href="http://www.indiagardencleveland.com/" target="_blank">India Garden</a> in Lakewood.<br /><br />Here, we have always...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...<span style="font-style: italic;">always</span>...<br /><br />...had a great meal.<br /></div><br />And although I'm not generally fond of buffets, I must say that the lunch buffet we had here...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeCxTg1xpLUxoIed_BNwr5BoiMVxI3ug15gis-uqMvEvIzfYG_ZT4Xlc5Cwe7bOsLvkur0ffRqsCgFNGvy9G_kgiI-L1en_WKeOnlVWHB9Wdx6SlO1lcqeSlDTukwRiIbmzDS6ssrPEnj/s1600/IMG_4612.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeCxTg1xpLUxoIed_BNwr5BoiMVxI3ug15gis-uqMvEvIzfYG_ZT4Xlc5Cwe7bOsLvkur0ffRqsCgFNGvy9G_kgiI-L1en_WKeOnlVWHB9Wdx6SlO1lcqeSlDTukwRiIbmzDS6ssrPEnj/s400/IMG_4612.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742446677134653938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...was incredible.<br /><br />So, if you like Indian food and have never been there, get your butts out there and split some naan!<br /><br />I mean it! ;-)<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-47715653955651852842012-05-10T08:08:00.000-04:002012-05-10T08:09:03.625-04:00A graduation, some birthdays, and a reason to diet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So let me start off by saying that I did NOT lose last year's festival weight by springtime.<br /><br />Since Christmastime, I've attempted to diet, only to find myself eating out more often than desired, celebrating something via yummy food, and just not exercising as vigorously as I could.<br /><br />But this last week was a tipping point...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCXetyuP1PWZ9nHIJwyVVz3Kyc-umBJVE-3heIlnqFjzmkwEcPP5a9w_vXI7-2PuISitpQYBY-e6MhglzkD1ebbiFEwkVNsfFMh_KqkasB-fDtjjrLkfCDbrYGx7waSVSJgMMG6FTDeTf/s1600/IMG_5316.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCXetyuP1PWZ9nHIJwyVVz3Kyc-umBJVE-3heIlnqFjzmkwEcPP5a9w_vXI7-2PuISitpQYBY-e6MhglzkD1ebbiFEwkVNsfFMh_KqkasB-fDtjjrLkfCDbrYGx7waSVSJgMMG6FTDeTf/s400/IMG_5316.JPG" border="0" height="299" width="400" /></a><br /><br />...with a weekend in foggy Chicago...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqCYRhROJSt5Va-sdGCUh6h5aK0ODWXO2JDB-_bJpokWlSXptIsbFrlZ_BT0AlOvyOvrIRai_ZoNVPZW1utVSNUy3ZsvecJgkH9EtU-9J6-7SPUYm-pfKlt5gXyxLpcDCS8S968nbYWyn/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqCYRhROJSt5Va-sdGCUh6h5aK0ODWXO2JDB-_bJpokWlSXptIsbFrlZ_BT0AlOvyOvrIRai_ZoNVPZW1utVSNUy3ZsvecJgkH9EtU-9J6-7SPUYm-pfKlt5gXyxLpcDCS8S968nbYWyn/s400/IMG_5312.JPG" border="0" height="299" width="400" /></a><br /><br />...where we celebrated Julia's sister's graduation from Columbia College (Go Becca!)...<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ZSO3z9s_gEoBjaoHmzBopz0a8SqpO-4NPNVNcPBn68DwsZVBbtoB0NaX1hwXN66eksUhBz7FTnZK69ANQOzpRbk-lA95BZLST7cTbZxccN4HPltl3lQV0dkItaKLwIgt4tsLc8Erf8z/s1600/IMG_5314.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-ZSO3z9s_gEoBjaoHmzBopz0a8SqpO-4NPNVNcPBn68DwsZVBbtoB0NaX1hwXN66eksUhBz7FTnZK69ANQOzpRbk-lA95BZLST7cTbZxccN4HPltl3lQV0dkItaKLwIgt4tsLc8Erf8z/s400/IMG_5314.JPG" border="0" height="299" width="400" /></a><br /><br />...with musical performances...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1pnJRmTgGRMIXCDhF49RCOCKDqreqqyF35T_0pfqkwx9acUAr85CU4fREsRSpjG6Q8LfHUdNMfgMF__A2DjWta7wCjDYOlHEmLRGZYFs5HHeqiFMDVlyvOTwQBq9ernQUX837PmPABDv/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1pnJRmTgGRMIXCDhF49RCOCKDqreqqyF35T_0pfqkwx9acUAr85CU4fREsRSpjG6Q8LfHUdNMfgMF__A2DjWta7wCjDYOlHEmLRGZYFs5HHeqiFMDVlyvOTwQBq9ernQUX837PmPABDv/s400/IMG_5315.JPG" border="0" height="299" width="400" /></a><br /><br />...art...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GJKiAahbZK-Jo2WqWyN-n71oBCXml43fu8tzw7bbDWav0ZF90qXfBonqodMmU6fgMP3I1HOGVJ3U72adui5TmBp7bJgwyHFlSNOFDLRfZ3CBq3D-Yet3VRYIiHjYJSZs7XVBTtTfs8zm/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GJKiAahbZK-Jo2WqWyN-n71oBCXml43fu8tzw7bbDWav0ZF90qXfBonqodMmU6fgMP3I1HOGVJ3U72adui5TmBp7bJgwyHFlSNOFDLRfZ3CBq3D-Yet3VRYIiHjYJSZs7XVBTtTfs8zm/s400/IMG_5311.JPG" border="0" height="400" width="362" /></a><br /><br />...and decadent food...<br /><br />...like <a href="http://www.geminibistrochicago.com/" target="_blank">Gemini Bistro</a>'s giant chocolate chip cookie in a skillet with homemade caramel, hot fudge, candied walnuts and ice cream.<br /><br />Oh my God - was this <span style="font-style: italic;">good!</span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, I somehow managed to have chocolate chip cookies at least three times this weekend - the others being from McDonald's en route to Chicago and from one of the exhibitions at Columbia College.<br /><br />If there's one thing I realized this weekend, it's that I <span style="font-style: italic;">love </span>chocolate chip cookies!<br /><br />Of course, it didn't stop with cookies.<br /><br />I also had...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFUtdRFuZWpLxkx0dNQXbJTiERtscQWDgY7eWhztgWFhApNaAloY-HzOXkAjvmZCJbSqmQaRh9W6QDYJAfhBKIEGwGrcv6Dms-nhmmEFKdeC9tsgzHRYdHOorK1PDkB2q1qoeZhKT8qBq/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFUtdRFuZWpLxkx0dNQXbJTiERtscQWDgY7eWhztgWFhApNaAloY-HzOXkAjvmZCJbSqmQaRh9W6QDYJAfhBKIEGwGrcv6Dms-nhmmEFKdeC9tsgzHRYdHOorK1PDkB2q1qoeZhKT8qBq/s320/IMG_5320.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...this Salmon BLT from <a href="http://www.wildechicago.com/" target="_blank">Wilde</a>'s...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_XGRbIbd3uJyZIu71RNz6IhAK74Rmk1TvDAVU_5I_mfAiZkIsOIeu6RlYMtYFnG2SER1Av9t74p7iRyi7feYpB4fiZZewE5jfS8bRgUFPw0OaymGYsMK94B2CSS_bONRTq-lmTpLq2VE/s1600/IMG_5323.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_XGRbIbd3uJyZIu71RNz6IhAK74Rmk1TvDAVU_5I_mfAiZkIsOIeu6RlYMtYFnG2SER1Av9t74p7iRyi7feYpB4fiZZewE5jfS8bRgUFPw0OaymGYsMK94B2CSS_bONRTq-lmTpLq2VE/s320/IMG_5323.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...and this sundae with homemade chocolate-covered honeycomb from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margie%27s_Candies" target="_blank">Margie's Candies</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By the time I returned, I already felt a bit bloated, but it was pointless to diet just yet...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...there were two birthdays to celebrate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For my brother's birthday, we headed to Cleveland...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-gYvoxhJ1iI-0AOy4sI7_tckbWHEYkc8kF9C57Z4uWR0xSBSNGlhwJieZ1bM0iel7ldCQ62CIBhqi7qsXrhvhse1-x534zbNSGGshG8j-HwbHrfJCwC9oNJ4e4b4rNVmQPCUugYszXOy/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-gYvoxhJ1iI-0AOy4sI7_tckbWHEYkc8kF9C57Z4uWR0xSBSNGlhwJieZ1bM0iel7ldCQ62CIBhqi7qsXrhvhse1-x534zbNSGGshG8j-HwbHrfJCwC9oNJ4e4b4rNVmQPCUugYszXOy/s320/IMG_5325.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="239" /></a><br /><br />...for a fine drink at the <a href="http://www.velvettangoroom.com/" target="_blank">Velvet Tango Room</a>...<br /><br />...and then to dinner at <a href="http://cowellhubbard.com/" target="_blank">Cowell and Hubbard</a>...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0rylo5T8D4WxqeJjT7DW9AGYumiUmWHKkEqwjI8iT0m_cX_Jwipina2jHgCdkEKGWoyw-ZRIb1u2-ZOmGn461uIS154OOwVJcvlK9cGfCob0yFjAbr2L91aATorijKQ8-QSmmbPnVygI/s1600/IMG_5326.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0rylo5T8D4WxqeJjT7DW9AGYumiUmWHKkEqwjI8iT0m_cX_Jwipina2jHgCdkEKGWoyw-ZRIb1u2-ZOmGn461uIS154OOwVJcvlK9cGfCob0yFjAbr2L91aATorijKQ8-QSmmbPnVygI/s320/IMG_5326.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...where I got some delicious beef ceviche with mango, corn, fried shallots, and other things...<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EZQMj30EqbTAd0w3QACPsei5gQXJhwFaJENKmo-Pmz_UnmyY2vBIU8xTjxdVkp0XC0AO_2Fh6ZMOpasAN9aSF_fsHEjvF7nmel5451OT86iWNDX4DMd4XaQIHpNTX_ZjatbhHcFb-hRG/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EZQMj30EqbTAd0w3QACPsei5gQXJhwFaJENKmo-Pmz_UnmyY2vBIU8xTjxdVkp0XC0AO_2Fh6ZMOpasAN9aSF_fsHEjvF7nmel5451OT86iWNDX4DMd4XaQIHpNTX_ZjatbhHcFb-hRG/s320/IMG_5328.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...and some HUGE pieces of sweetbreads.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uU1S943Eo-4HeS8F6e5XIcrTysMoFLt5gwnvew0DoVb1WAgrCHAY4y4DkbFRP3vBq8pkrZvnz5YPNQCIa5bEKd58ovZRU6669FKiOTwJnYTqrSmj8PDC4FKXe550yoDi9qWIqGwAYD1o/s1600/IMG_5327.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uU1S943Eo-4HeS8F6e5XIcrTysMoFLt5gwnvew0DoVb1WAgrCHAY4y4DkbFRP3vBq8pkrZvnz5YPNQCIa5bEKd58ovZRU6669FKiOTwJnYTqrSmj8PDC4FKXe550yoDi9qWIqGwAYD1o/s320/IMG_5327.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="239" /></a><br /><br />My brother went for the marrow...<br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCM7XiY4tvih79Ooni9i_z8gX2EnCMYGbltQwyigGwo1vCQU1ygGLSfrDok1qPZ4QFJb5TWNTEBDaxByInVvecJBU_SC88PJxsZ-lyOMzVBZrQlb0e-v4ZxDvU0vVC2GJUe6waNN_RuWs/s1600/IMG_5329.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCM7XiY4tvih79Ooni9i_z8gX2EnCMYGbltQwyigGwo1vCQU1ygGLSfrDok1qPZ4QFJb5TWNTEBDaxByInVvecJBU_SC88PJxsZ-lyOMzVBZrQlb0e-v4ZxDvU0vVC2GJUe6waNN_RuWs/s320/IMG_5329.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...and veal.<br /><br />All rather tasty although the marrow was a bit bloody and I had a chewy/stringy piece of veal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The following day, Julia and I took my mom (and aunt) out for her birthday at <a href="http://thegreenhousetavern.com/" target="_blank">Greenhouse Tavern</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zV_7KO2DX1nW4j4X2W71WX6tgwLM6aAbJABPrJhl-54aJDBQbYoRi8b5i_3VBAMgIA4eISflQ15uLHM5ONtPtZjxgKzJh1BFbIOHGL4IYSPoYjERQMs07lCbhBFvpprwQazA7_Ltco2d/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zV_7KO2DX1nW4j4X2W71WX6tgwLM6aAbJABPrJhl-54aJDBQbYoRi8b5i_3VBAMgIA4eISflQ15uLHM5ONtPtZjxgKzJh1BFbIOHGL4IYSPoYjERQMs07lCbhBFvpprwQazA7_Ltco2d/s320/IMG_5330.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...where I went with the decadent goat cheese raviolini with morels and asparagus...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87UhN4U3PPfznrAVW6gWpc4rkBqmuA9joVXGWUAtBd0o_UlKdMA5W52zrRoOaWfsv123si03AyZ41uUretqGQd0OCIk0-3bJSv9ycz1d1qEpM0Q0V7UzFzWrMTQ15dx6MKpFkc0JzH-0s/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87UhN4U3PPfznrAVW6gWpc4rkBqmuA9joVXGWUAtBd0o_UlKdMA5W52zrRoOaWfsv123si03AyZ41uUretqGQd0OCIk0-3bJSv9ycz1d1qEpM0Q0V7UzFzWrMTQ15dx6MKpFkc0JzH-0s/s320/IMG_5331.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...a delicious beef tartar dish (I've been into raw meat lately, I guess)...<br /></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYyHw2Y-90_Vb7EBd57vbqWnJejR0H2PNkRmclrIRFFiOsg8tOYtCiZYEwTH_8-Cme5lFiGjZDxAmkE_ItuOrVM18eO_0QzbpFhkmlc9Pgg-AaNBXbc-xqdclUMPHm59HRrspdiCXaQZK/s1600/IMG_5332.JPG" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYyHw2Y-90_Vb7EBd57vbqWnJejR0H2PNkRmclrIRFFiOsg8tOYtCiZYEwTH_8-Cme5lFiGjZDxAmkE_ItuOrVM18eO_0QzbpFhkmlc9Pgg-AaNBXbc-xqdclUMPHm59HRrspdiCXaQZK/s320/IMG_5332.JPG" border="0" height="239" width="320" /></a><br /><br />...and a rather interesting dessert playing off "ants on a log" (celery sticks, peanut butter and raisins).<br /><br />With nuts and poached raisins in the middle of the plate, the squares consisted of a mild peanut butter flavor and a celery gelatin (gelee) on top that was really really different.<br /><br />Definitely an experience.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But even now, as I write this, I feel as if these decadent ways are being purged from me through my typing fingertips...at least for the time being.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I am eating healthier foods with more raw veggies and leaner meats.<br /><br />I am pushing myself to exercise more and burn more calories.<br /><br />I am taking in more water and flushing those toxins.<br /><br />And I WILL lose weight before the festival season overtakes me completely.<br /></div><br />Because who knows when I may need to look my best in the near future...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UeAaPwH_8RQ?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UeAaPwH_8RQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />...especially if I can get myself on TV more often.<br /><br />(fingers crossed!)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-77627946235013008712012-04-25T12:13:00.001-04:002012-04-25T12:17:25.593-04:00A Little Plum and the Big AppleYou know you've been away too long when the blogging template changes on you...<br />
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...thanks a lot, Google.</div>
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What I used to enjoy about Blogger was the easy manipulation of image sizes. Now I'll really have to play around with new features and mess even more with html code.<br />
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But with this all aside, I guess I should apologize for the recent blogging inactivity...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4M7XGvTBVkODBM3fVJ9uEYURoAt3yl1bl8K0xfZH8aCAaUZl_pSwJ3j9fTUrwlqx7IbdjF6nwnzaOjWJtOIFWHXT11sleBmW202VCjWHeAd5c1c5NXfbAOdMUoO-0cgsFbFsQGvLnSze/s1600/IMG_5215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4M7XGvTBVkODBM3fVJ9uEYURoAt3yl1bl8K0xfZH8aCAaUZl_pSwJ3j9fTUrwlqx7IbdjF6nwnzaOjWJtOIFWHXT11sleBmW202VCjWHeAd5c1c5NXfbAOdMUoO-0cgsFbFsQGvLnSze/s320/IMG_5215.jpg" width="239" /></a> </div>
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...allowing entire holidays to pass on by and not share this freaky pic with you. </div>
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Truth is - things have been rather busy with a whole bunch of exciting developments coming about...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAP98Mpu3P9Y483dyYX3_ytZzxElDWdh1AUgia9quta4yyP__bV7vrhsqvJPJao_VFuW2EqurQeg1t0ZYkTVZfJ1WBeJalqA6-XFr-R_p35Hf4drDjA4SxwqCC7ID31iosdkyqQofFteM/s1600/IMG_5287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAP98Mpu3P9Y483dyYX3_ytZzxElDWdh1AUgia9quta4yyP__bV7vrhsqvJPJao_VFuW2EqurQeg1t0ZYkTVZfJ1WBeJalqA6-XFr-R_p35Hf4drDjA4SxwqCC7ID31iosdkyqQofFteM/s400/IMG_5287.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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.<i>..especially this one!</i></div>
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Due around October 28, this little plum (soon to be a full-sized baby) has been a centerpiece for discussion for a few weeks now and I don't doubt you'll see more of him or her in time. Lord knows that I'll be taking plenty of pics!</div>
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So get ready!</div>
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Now that I have your attention, let me tell you about one of my more recent adventures. <br />
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Two weekends ago (April 13-15), Julia and I headed to New York. We arrived (very) early Friday morning and made our way to an international art show that Julia was in at the <a href="http://www.acfny.org/">Austrian Cultural Forum</a>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ_7ted7alyrXgKE3MqTJ2pSVfTqdnUgD7R6lDXqf0Tz-bp6jluJsOsrregsst2zvIBxYmzP8TQ3QdHMM2HVW0PuAhZpihXf1QfK4Q3UebQusR5Zwdhz-_PPwbbUoQAqLTYUxHZr5194F/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ_7ted7alyrXgKE3MqTJ2pSVfTqdnUgD7R6lDXqf0Tz-bp6jluJsOsrregsst2zvIBxYmzP8TQ3QdHMM2HVW0PuAhZpihXf1QfK4Q3UebQusR5Zwdhz-_PPwbbUoQAqLTYUxHZr5194F/s400/IMG_5233.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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...titled "It's the Political Economy, Stupid."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EGQdlN1lt1P4dFkktO0YdlqCgWN3hBtzvn14-McQx6Z-JRM-MwNBSxv_Ccm155oRHKFRqLHnkZkq9IiPVPTRSO6ZXk9ZUSjvzOcxmTnMkqurUSnI7-NTzLJ1kqXkM8k69rvEVtFL4I1J/s1600/IMG_5230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EGQdlN1lt1P4dFkktO0YdlqCgWN3hBtzvn14-McQx6Z-JRM-MwNBSxv_Ccm155oRHKFRqLHnkZkq9IiPVPTRSO6ZXk9ZUSjvzOcxmTnMkqurUSnI7-NTzLJ1kqXkM8k69rvEVtFL4I1J/s400/IMG_5230.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Here, Julia's photographs were set up as a slide show piece on a digital monitor... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2qwApwJ_URxb7eWpsr-W360A7nwH0yCfrBZiWAmmMWAV9A6c2QTCIyw4cOAEFx6t4_EHh419WRY92Tn1RZCdcv3bXkmGYxXYDofp36MAzxMDnYD_p7MdvSW3yEOo7SYKO394Spcwo0q2/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2qwApwJ_URxb7eWpsr-W360A7nwH0yCfrBZiWAmmMWAV9A6c2QTCIyw4cOAEFx6t4_EHh419WRY92Tn1RZCdcv3bXkmGYxXYDofp36MAzxMDnYD_p7MdvSW3yEOo7SYKO394Spcwo0q2/s400/IMG_5231.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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...and I must say I was rather impressed with l'artista.</div>
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It definitely was a beautiful weekend to be in New York City. We walked around all day Friday to admire... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQVTdarvfg-ZLK8td0d5TnpqBOKE4dZQE1yU9GHILoq4IGXZ08gN5S6VzG00UYl7ekzhpfLRrr2tHGJen6oo1o3X23jyAseUYA7UdtFCA-bJrbKdXojSCuC9ZzdG5hSUpx4BIh9sW65Cp/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQVTdarvfg-ZLK8td0d5TnpqBOKE4dZQE1yU9GHILoq4IGXZ08gN5S6VzG00UYl7ekzhpfLRrr2tHGJen6oo1o3X23jyAseUYA7UdtFCA-bJrbKdXojSCuC9ZzdG5hSUpx4BIh9sW65Cp/s400/IMG_5236.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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...the blossoming trees... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme9lfiIYES_IHco7mcTjfzSPtXdI9YbQBph0YBp6Bv2JKtSVZGi1fxzSlgTi120BhLbN2sssnLzvO1De9AH-l8kSwoK8r0a_7H2UDrdvpu3AGGDJgtlWpO-5-3DcfIXDMfNVF2Xu-0VSX/s1600/IMG_5237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme9lfiIYES_IHco7mcTjfzSPtXdI9YbQBph0YBp6Bv2JKtSVZGi1fxzSlgTi120BhLbN2sssnLzvO1De9AH-l8kSwoK8r0a_7H2UDrdvpu3AGGDJgtlWpO-5-3DcfIXDMfNVF2Xu-0VSX/s400/IMG_5237.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...the hanging flower vines... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Zy6BUEIWg-MTCAgf1mviESsahNfAZmMLzEGQNnRuJSqI7TeoVQT56Y4L2_QViTBYmxO-355160oRBhQR7B8von48vo6OOVUtYcIx0irmz_mAnVreG1IDJtCAi0F56ozDi4NDxypU0G3/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Zy6BUEIWg-MTCAgf1mviESsahNfAZmMLzEGQNnRuJSqI7TeoVQT56Y4L2_QViTBYmxO-355160oRBhQR7B8von48vo6OOVUtYcIx0irmz_mAnVreG1IDJtCAi0F56ozDi4NDxypU0G3/s400/IMG_5235.jpg" width="298" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and even the inflated rubber tree in Columbus Circle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On Saturday, Julia had to go out of the city and left me to explore the island at will. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started the day meeting my cousins for breakfast at the <a href="http://www.brooklyndiner.com/">Brooklyn Diner</a>...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfFKdBOa6MTF1B8XRP-z6_VnA8EX9QazbWEExzmp-d6LyAV9wObyBC_cnOP4JhZA5i1HtZwHfgz0DlM-obknllEQMkr2UH47_UubX4U_NYUubZFBtPiT9D7UYDxJFCHKKXm0cStOCuYG/s1600/IMG_5244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfFKdBOa6MTF1B8XRP-z6_VnA8EX9QazbWEExzmp-d6LyAV9wObyBC_cnOP4JhZA5i1HtZwHfgz0DlM-obknllEQMkr2UH47_UubX4U_NYUubZFBtPiT9D7UYDxJFCHKKXm0cStOCuYG/s400/IMG_5244.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...where I had a delightful dish that included challah toast and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugel">kugel</a>... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...later followed by a nice stroll...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UxNUvj00dcrTdekUjDhEh3tD9BqOBDpiv-BgvATCGWgBfvmNhr70zOPJxCM1ME4g2pUKsRARyaJLXZigFE23PpZqitJdo-W53BtcNIKAmHUWnfskVZGSTXO_Pvzag9SEOn-K6aGJz0GH/s1600/IMG_5246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UxNUvj00dcrTdekUjDhEh3tD9BqOBDpiv-BgvATCGWgBfvmNhr70zOPJxCM1ME4g2pUKsRARyaJLXZigFE23PpZqitJdo-W53BtcNIKAmHUWnfskVZGSTXO_Pvzag9SEOn-K6aGJz0GH/s400/IMG_5246.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and a hand scrub at <a href="http://sabonnyc.com/">Sabon</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Afterward, I continued walking... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP9VJ1KJDlC5cXnWgPmqk_bSRUYDrGCnKCi18ZnX8SRM40lkd4y5DC2OFgEtmxUqWz9Ok18BMM2cZ8jYAJinUf0kL064I5NQY6r30AA8665vtBqFmJRgegS7dGnf_h9U40ofpFG735iXU/s1600/IMG_5247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsP9VJ1KJDlC5cXnWgPmqk_bSRUYDrGCnKCi18ZnX8SRM40lkd4y5DC2OFgEtmxUqWz9Ok18BMM2cZ8jYAJinUf0kL064I5NQY6r30AA8665vtBqFmJRgegS7dGnf_h9U40ofpFG735iXU/s400/IMG_5247.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...checked out a flea market...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKOy7H4vNWAk0ivZhVBVlGy4y2vhHeq0sPod8vqcA86jFMaIX6rDW_pgP-iDdqfowHOHkwS-d6i9IVaON8uTIotX5rQPJWkEp2SaRFVNWRUx2HJz-W5_cIYGLjjLuhAkkxNsdwQ6aP8IH/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKOy7H4vNWAk0ivZhVBVlGy4y2vhHeq0sPod8vqcA86jFMaIX6rDW_pgP-iDdqfowHOHkwS-d6i9IVaON8uTIotX5rQPJWkEp2SaRFVNWRUx2HJz-W5_cIYGLjjLuhAkkxNsdwQ6aP8IH/s400/IMG_5248.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...got some sushi...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi052_8K1Z4xIe97vwvUudF3Y9AjXeLFQob6SXs5pVfveE8AE2bWHmkoJH2B_pD6nqp8iSMRHa6nCwGYlOBS5xUH-Nk8QryZi0VcceCkn2CNXqxce2efFmC-AJMpT5KCX-dlhLjzpIijqSA/s1600/IMG_5275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi052_8K1Z4xIe97vwvUudF3Y9AjXeLFQob6SXs5pVfveE8AE2bWHmkoJH2B_pD6nqp8iSMRHa6nCwGYlOBS5xUH-Nk8QryZi0VcceCkn2CNXqxce2efFmC-AJMpT5KCX-dlhLjzpIijqSA/s400/IMG_5275.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...felt nostalgic about some familiar sites...</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o_BeAsvJNZamyitfycAoScmMkCnv78TxoEQK3wsUhc8waq_YFSuye2WZdSzZwH7WczLzwNr7tE0VOy2a3bIEuNQanhUx2DHTc9XHCq5HI1bGjfWy9XpTonGFKTbpYOm7NHYSWGI5_Jqh/s1600/IMG_5250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o_BeAsvJNZamyitfycAoScmMkCnv78TxoEQK3wsUhc8waq_YFSuye2WZdSzZwH7WczLzwNr7tE0VOy2a3bIEuNQanhUx2DHTc9XHCq5HI1bGjfWy9XpTonGFKTbpYOm7NHYSWGI5_Jqh/s320/IMG_5250.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and even noticed some new ones.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hadn't been in Times Square in years. YEARS!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Usually, when in New York, I made a habit of avoiding this area completely.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But since I had the day free and nowhere to go, I decided to check it out where I came across all these costumed photo-ops.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I stopped to snap some pictures of them with my phone, they approached me and wrapped their fuzzy around around me...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6G3AmteqjH29QOGkz-ET2GW-rcIrk7qvoxh8koiqYuXheB8AYz4PBx7heRHhfC7chKyYokGAoEu72sU1fwMr0H-my1uBIhujyQTu-toG8192mHguPGkLdkBXys9I6WCv94j4RrsoFRIp/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6G3AmteqjH29QOGkz-ET2GW-rcIrk7qvoxh8koiqYuXheB8AYz4PBx7heRHhfC7chKyYokGAoEu72sU1fwMr0H-my1uBIhujyQTu-toG8192mHguPGkLdkBXys9I6WCv94j4RrsoFRIp/s320/IMG_5251.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf2_F3wqz20FIFqo2KxA554f-f4QU_DKQ7EdjnrpqCMkIzPIcQwO-ltzEpjD0d2AAyXdY0qyHYCT_R9-j_iO0nVdZUl84uwPRf-aI5eTyJP34A6WKKGG_l5D8_f3L6WgakWeduk44sU3n/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf2_F3wqz20FIFqo2KxA554f-f4QU_DKQ7EdjnrpqCMkIzPIcQwO-ltzEpjD0d2AAyXdY0qyHYCT_R9-j_iO0nVdZUl84uwPRf-aI5eTyJP34A6WKKGG_l5D8_f3L6WgakWeduk44sU3n/s320/IMG_5252.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf2_F3wqz20FIFqo2KxA554f-f4QU_DKQ7EdjnrpqCMkIzPIcQwO-ltzEpjD0d2AAyXdY0qyHYCT_R9-j_iO0nVdZUl84uwPRf-aI5eTyJP34A6WKKGG_l5D8_f3L6WgakWeduk44sU3n/s1600/IMG_5252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...so I took advantage of the photo-op for myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once the photos were taken, both the Elmo and Cookie Monster characters turned to me and lifted a hanging accessory that I hadn't noticed before...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6jX_pd4d7js9QLrBDGwGmPglO62Q2gALPbbs4ZrpJ5y-WrMPVOZzDgW6PHnca6pRpncQ7n1nh9snLpaXuTgxY9PhGEctjuhqyI_7wNsV7syJw0tnIsEnUNUiNNjmYiyt4FzrvNbw-CKJ/s1600/IMG_5253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6jX_pd4d7js9QLrBDGwGmPglO62Q2gALPbbs4ZrpJ5y-WrMPVOZzDgW6PHnca6pRpncQ7n1nh9snLpaXuTgxY9PhGEctjuhqyI_7wNsV7syJw0tnIsEnUNUiNNjmYiyt4FzrvNbw-CKJ/s320/IMG_5253.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
...a shaggy bag that hung around their shoulders.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They repeated a word with an Asian accent as they shook this bag: <i>Donation</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I warned them that all I had was some loose change, dropped some dimes and quarters in each of their bags, and then took off before their friends had a chance to also pose with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I headed west to escape the crowd...</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BCziS-vRh_3Dfo9fwYGuYhy4F0ybguUUj9mJzVOSrwNLzywnepIPblK7aPjSORZZkgcUspumIHbZk4Y176cOHrm9iMu5tPOqfY-YKWPcECVt9pCdjaWGeetqA8dZxypsax59E0gYIWFv/s1600/IMG_5257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BCziS-vRh_3Dfo9fwYGuYhy4F0ybguUUj9mJzVOSrwNLzywnepIPblK7aPjSORZZkgcUspumIHbZk4Y176cOHrm9iMu5tPOqfY-YKWPcECVt9pCdjaWGeetqA8dZxypsax59E0gYIWFv/s400/IMG_5257.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and noticed people lining up along the street...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9nDgj7eTw3TbiL2WzZ-SLVFK116N4sPcjCeo1pivsCJxBOuN3hVsp_WpQKiUKM8N5tL_b_6pot3Uqjh535sP9W_tXqfYcjdUzt08mt2HmdaOW0vwyXblnwW-W3I6wOTpXcbt8hQAzO8r/s1600/IMG_5263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9nDgj7eTw3TbiL2WzZ-SLVFK116N4sPcjCeo1pivsCJxBOuN3hVsp_WpQKiUKM8N5tL_b_6pot3Uqjh535sP9W_tXqfYcjdUzt08mt2HmdaOW0vwyXblnwW-W3I6wOTpXcbt8hQAzO8r/s200/IMG_5263.jpg" width="250" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRi85TWicLrC3acwKT3LI2o7SqVx0jBabqeECg-_e1jQX2HgZfKl5lEtLsfUSsk0tb3YdLInyNBjrkRHLGM0PaYliJTHAiNW1qHIP2g0wqgkz2yNPLY6PxqNqGQ1VkTDuyv3ih-zeadel/s1600/IMG_5267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRi85TWicLrC3acwKT3LI2o7SqVx0jBabqeECg-_e1jQX2HgZfKl5lEtLsfUSsk0tb3YdLInyNBjrkRHLGM0PaYliJTHAiNW1qHIP2g0wqgkz2yNPLY6PxqNqGQ1VkTDuyv3ih-zeadel/s200/IMG_5267.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...so I lined up with them right before the Scottish Parade started by.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here are some video clips so that you can too...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FE7o2JvvxIc?version=3&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FE7o2JvvxIc?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mGqcjla300?version=3&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mGqcjla300?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course, there were other little trips and sites through the rest of this weekend, but I really don't have that much more photographic evidence to show you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Therefore, allow me to end this post with another announcement and a photo...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ANNOUNCEMENT</b>: I will be on <a href="http://fox8.com/category/on-air/new-day-cleveland/">New Day Cleveland</a> on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 to talk about festivals. Please watch the show, DVR it and share this news with friends!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>THE PHOTO:</b> I just wanted to finish with this tasty breakfast that I made a few weeks ago consisting of a slice of toast, garlic mayo, lox and a perfectly cooked egg.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I admit...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Jo7Tg2ibA0QCyrO5_mrObPbHOoA7pnoonQwdE9aCI55ZMwm_YGen_pg_T5hC5LhWJT8W1O5ZuFd0eNB5vgRoPdiiaKKLqf6eRNLPzW-VcNU_Fue89Wjli5kpVxOMEGVb4zRcKM1gD2o/s1600/IMG_5214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9Jo7Tg2ibA0QCyrO5_mrObPbHOoA7pnoonQwdE9aCI55ZMwm_YGen_pg_T5hC5LhWJT8W1O5ZuFd0eNB5vgRoPdiiaKKLqf6eRNLPzW-VcNU_Fue89Wjli5kpVxOMEGVb4zRcKM1gD2o/s320/IMG_5214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...the light really makes it look so heavenly.</div>
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</div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-73860328356959662592012-04-03T08:40:00.000-04:002012-04-03T08:40:14.572-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Conclusion<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4: Monday, March 19, 2012</span><br /></div><br />I checked in at my hotel near the Kansas City airport and got ready to go out for my last meal at a good barbeque joint.<br /><br />Of course, being Kansas City, there were plenty of good barbeque joints and some with such long histories and adamant fans that it was difficult to determine where I should go.<br /><br />Eventually, I went with the advice of my uncle and drove into town for a little <a href="http://www.gatesbbq.com/GeneralInformation/Menu.aspx" target="_blank">Gates Bar-B-Q</a>.<br /><br />Ordering was a little tricky because I didn't see anything on the menu that read as a half slab. Instead, there were "short end" and "long end" ribs.<br /><br />I felt lost and confused.<br /><br />Fortunately, no one was in line behind me and the girl patiently suggested that I get the short end.<br /><br />"Are they babyback?" I asked.<br />"No," she answered. "But they're meatier than the long end."<br /><br />But now that I have a computer, I can explain the difference to you. Here, in fact, is a quote from <a href="http://www.amazingribs.com/recipes/porknography/pork_cuts.html" target="_blank">AmazingRibs.com</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;"><strong>Short end ribs </strong>and<strong> long end ribs. </strong>In many rib joints you can order a half slab, and you never know which end you'll get. In restaurants in Kansas City you can usually specify the end you want. On a slab of spareribs, the bones on one end are longer than on the other. The first six ribs from the shoulder back are the long end ribs. The short end has the last seven or eight bones. The short end is slightly meatier and slightly more tender. The short end typically costs $1 more there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRpKX_e_otuH5OIF_4-UtDifBEkXVVe_0lUae1NcFqRU6l4bqGdvxW9e2sbt3u3UfZYhy9bsaL4P1ol4PcXaxyTnLTRPZG9sQ134JLamP6JvaBgGBOgIln_6g2EPCyyxPOOdCp1dy97Tt/s1600/IMG_5157.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRpKX_e_otuH5OIF_4-UtDifBEkXVVe_0lUae1NcFqRU6l4bqGdvxW9e2sbt3u3UfZYhy9bsaL4P1ol4PcXaxyTnLTRPZG9sQ134JLamP6JvaBgGBOgIln_6g2EPCyyxPOOdCp1dy97Tt/s400/IMG_5157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727142408589975746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the short end ribs and a small sweet potato pie I got.<br /><br />And were they ever good!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, as I started eating the ribs...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaDqZ9PeX5LCl7B_b9193C_OvkKLrHeLxK_KqCAHx7koE0B8qWxn28EMdX0yq-a69jrD-RQBhHh2tUBcV3P0jAOIMeNetYifraHdMIZU8KqhlJMDWtTyAf6ftIrDEkNqG5GKvkRJIWI0M/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaDqZ9PeX5LCl7B_b9193C_OvkKLrHeLxK_KqCAHx7koE0B8qWxn28EMdX0yq-a69jrD-RQBhHh2tUBcV3P0jAOIMeNetYifraHdMIZU8KqhlJMDWtTyAf6ftIrDEkNqG5GKvkRJIWI0M/s400/IMG_5158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727142416279189586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I noticed that the bread underneath was garnished with pickles...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvIlodH5g7hcp4JtzUoLlgL5GiFxCYslovZ1vHPPXr8RdbUg-XAYCJj4u_yxPDmsyGVu4c0rdGXuOHjaN0JtSnDQhE6fG94qs01oC0egGoUCzDBKPiIti26olSIeLJAZt4GP_1KlURBzX/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvIlodH5g7hcp4JtzUoLlgL5GiFxCYslovZ1vHPPXr8RdbUg-XAYCJj4u_yxPDmsyGVu4c0rdGXuOHjaN0JtSnDQhE6fG94qs01oC0egGoUCzDBKPiIti26olSIeLJAZt4GP_1KlURBzX/s400/IMG_5159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727142428700541266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I pulled some meat off the bone and added some sauce for bread tacos.<br /><br />My final meal in Kansas City was a great success!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">..........................................<br /></div><br />By the time I returned the car the next day, I had easily driven 1,200 miles...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qU5OXXN44MMven9aIAoXsDaneWfLu48n5hbpMn217OP0uyo4PqMnegD4iRfUhxpHhIX9aGloP5rls8z28YCr1O8vKoXhXQQn2fQDQNEcHD6JJuyA5og9tHsX2tlUJ8Dm5HaO3tQjyLNP/s1600/final+map.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qU5OXXN44MMven9aIAoXsDaneWfLu48n5hbpMn217OP0uyo4PqMnegD4iRfUhxpHhIX9aGloP5rls8z28YCr1O8vKoXhXQQn2fQDQNEcHD6JJuyA5og9tHsX2tlUJ8Dm5HaO3tQjyLNP/s400/final+map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727142432004881170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...in a figure 8 route through America's Midwest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was an incredible 4 days (YES - only 4 days!) and one that only made me want to travel more.<br /><br />In fact, if you can go out and travel, whether locally or internationally, get out there and have a blast!<br /><br />Talk to the people. Eat the local food. Learn the history. Be open. Be spontaneous. Have fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And just explore!<br /></div><br />I hope, by reading my adventure, there's a part of you that, even now, is contemplating an adventure all your own.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-51953960194692205602012-04-02T07:25:00.003-04:002012-04-02T07:58:21.338-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part VIII: The Great Hotel Museum<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part VIII: The Great Hotel Museum</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><div style="font-style: italic;" class="quotecontent"> <span class="body">From Nelson county we went to Logan county to see some relatives we had there, and after staying until the middle of October, I returned alone to my home in Missouri.</span> </div><br />- Jesse James<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Day 4: Monday, March 19, 2012<br /></div><br />In the above quote, Nelson county is a county in Kentucky that houses my wife's hometown of Bardstown, where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James" target="_blank">Jesse James'</a> cousin worked at the jailhouse...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZPvYkDhGdh8rsuW-4s8PXJw-kxKyxp8fDa0QyAFLx2WqjXL0wxxnIIiP_EQ8xhwOJc7wT1n8Mzaz1zqWTx5j1h9WHTHWaRUzTDWw3QGv5U715D_7qA_kPNCKkrWspWXZvZ19-ts3of1M/s1600/DSC05708.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZPvYkDhGdh8rsuW-4s8PXJw-kxKyxp8fDa0QyAFLx2WqjXL0wxxnIIiP_EQ8xhwOJc7wT1n8Mzaz1zqWTx5j1h9WHTHWaRUzTDWw3QGv5U715D_7qA_kPNCKkrWspWXZvZ19-ts3of1M/s400/DSC05708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726102803596043346" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> ...which was conveniently next door to the <a href="http://www.talbotts.com/" target="_blank">Talbott Tavern</a> where he hung out (and put a bullet in the wall upstairs).<br /></div><br />Therefore, since I already needed to make it back to Kansas City for my flight the following day...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE4oYism6xFR699_hEpzi7x5MmsgopQqLea160kGyZSuw2Eb7Hg1FIymZr4EaEhrJufCu-Golm5gi80h8W5RDrZkNir0noyx4rHQ8dsXGwdoRhRBKem_bez7IDR4v6MAdiEG28YgAx0_P/s1600/saint+joseph.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE4oYism6xFR699_hEpzi7x5MmsgopQqLea160kGyZSuw2Eb7Hg1FIymZr4EaEhrJufCu-Golm5gi80h8W5RDrZkNir0noyx4rHQ8dsXGwdoRhRBKem_bez7IDR4v6MAdiEG28YgAx0_P/s400/saint+joseph.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726166437396390338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...it made sense to make a short stop in Saint Joseph, Missouri...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H1oN5dFRneOG-iKBR_hfY1pgiJkj1zBeS-6GIsBs5fGlweE7-ALUmStllNqyC8Qap6t8dwILuHNLKul7mjtl0sCROBFHKeKIamNTUuMiT4sHF3oMfoUHvU15HNQ23pOGVI7MWZwTIwvP/s1600/DSCN0360.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H1oN5dFRneOG-iKBR_hfY1pgiJkj1zBeS-6GIsBs5fGlweE7-ALUmStllNqyC8Qap6t8dwILuHNLKul7mjtl0sCROBFHKeKIamNTUuMiT4sHF3oMfoUHvU15HNQ23pOGVI7MWZwTIwvP/s400/DSCN0360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725675943903090546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and see the house* that James moved to before being killed by fellow gang member Robert Ford.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, the house itself was closed that day, but visitors were welcome to visit the neighboring museum...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFHVa4duN87os85R7P6vDD0u4BvBtu96OZa7eUPJ3JzISTUUT4BgL3keLMipobsKwm03fntsgZBCof2w6jpt_-Hon0NAcRB_3ke_hMo-d_yaEBW-8qGlqjsgE5v-4_Lt3TyWkfZ9HHVcf/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFHVa4duN87os85R7P6vDD0u4BvBtu96OZa7eUPJ3JzISTUUT4BgL3keLMipobsKwm03fntsgZBCof2w6jpt_-Hon0NAcRB_3ke_hMo-d_yaEBW-8qGlqjsgE5v-4_Lt3TyWkfZ9HHVcf/s400/IMG_5155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725678623963898514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the <a href="http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/patee/index.php" target="_blank">Patee House Museum</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Patee House was opened in 1858 as a luxury hotel...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PxKT2r7Xw7Av_2hFhaa3R5kPQEAH6AuCsgFyQKOWKMaCv4omf6zc3yh-khPbyvbmHpm8vUw1uh1P7_Ahc0kS9ZgfHwF_x6lL9XOPP_pzDIBx98mdnhbdEYntc02YOxprcq6Rextqpa-k/s1600/DSCN0338.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PxKT2r7Xw7Av_2hFhaa3R5kPQEAH6AuCsgFyQKOWKMaCv4omf6zc3yh-khPbyvbmHpm8vUw1uh1P7_Ahc0kS9ZgfHwF_x6lL9XOPP_pzDIBx98mdnhbdEYntc02YOxprcq6Rextqpa-k/s400/DSCN0338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725669643239862242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with a classy front desk...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjI66IgThNkqylgFIWVjqqCIUHA1BUv-U5kQ8uRANp_HKi2i9WuW1o72OBolHPYcLdhuu7uOTClpPdlz2yMeMhAHCc8_DfpqPrfgqVJzhsbV6enil5s18ypINMRocxnKx4TjCF-9VeB2a/s1600/DSCN0357.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjI66IgThNkqylgFIWVjqqCIUHA1BUv-U5kQ8uRANp_HKi2i9WuW1o72OBolHPYcLdhuu7uOTClpPdlz2yMeMhAHCc8_DfpqPrfgqVJzhsbV6enil5s18ypINMRocxnKx4TjCF-9VeB2a/s400/DSCN0357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725673366107453506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a ballroom...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL2cgNopCQELY1xwkFfpAHiI62qgIyo9vxzHEcxoq5rLi__Ww3dq4qnyl-9f0VXbnG5rzigLzEQ7NPVB2qaeZpXeNUEr5iA-cHMstzelJFQQUh23ltYVjuEaWfiYm3_mEn6Wb9JbObR9N/s1600/DSCN0358.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL2cgNopCQELY1xwkFfpAHiI62qgIyo9vxzHEcxoq5rLi__Ww3dq4qnyl-9f0VXbnG5rzigLzEQ7NPVB2qaeZpXeNUEr5iA-cHMstzelJFQQUh23ltYVjuEaWfiYm3_mEn6Wb9JbObR9N/s400/DSCN0358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725675933293923410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and great looking rooms.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But, from 1860-1861, it was also the headquarters to the Pony Express...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvAvVREpNEb-AVqSIkaznsSaxCxFMMcJDFJDbkNrlxW6ZiWTlpGXODyrockoTSlIugSlHuHnOHKeIwMpKn4Od8xaSFBoUwRGPCr0kR-7zKnMelAC2B8Fjf0yyxSG4U7ZtRf1n7YgKmxMU/s1600/DSCN0361.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvAvVREpNEb-AVqSIkaznsSaxCxFMMcJDFJDbkNrlxW6ZiWTlpGXODyrockoTSlIugSlHuHnOHKeIwMpKn4Od8xaSFBoUwRGPCr0kR-7zKnMelAC2B8Fjf0yyxSG4U7ZtRf1n7YgKmxMU/s400/DSCN0361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725675949214188802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...(which had their stables just down the street)...<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tnppEOAf0vfJ1S83gxM_4aiDDu1CjXDyCSpbq8Nwi1L4ggn_0Ci1RM6nPQGbDovGe0WH9L0Et683LUtTNpcC0cMVIIqPKD8Gqzbv8TOqmtRVE9XJZlOIItpl6RXTM3UCuaHChfOdeH1w/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tnppEOAf0vfJ1S83gxM_4aiDDu1CjXDyCSpbq8Nwi1L4ggn_0Ci1RM6nPQGbDovGe0WH9L0Et683LUtTNpcC0cMVIIqPKD8Gqzbv8TOqmtRVE9XJZlOIItpl6RXTM3UCuaHChfOdeH1w/s400/IMG_5141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725675956416955554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a Provost Marshall's office, a female college and many other things throughout the years.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, before arriving, I had thought that the Patee House was simply a house, not a hotel...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXLacpxZiFyQZfPEEtMatdDQS_qpy_ePpMZzVF4JtdorJtvoDTGofn6XqE-_kZekqt1CNiyST1rA-c4GF7OZAS6SSdnoCXvyFyHhnofIdhc6mSNtZ_ujiA9TBAZkVltr0ruOBfkNz1hMh/s1600/DSCN0337.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXLacpxZiFyQZfPEEtMatdDQS_qpy_ePpMZzVF4JtdorJtvoDTGofn6XqE-_kZekqt1CNiyST1rA-c4GF7OZAS6SSdnoCXvyFyHhnofIdhc6mSNtZ_ujiA9TBAZkVltr0ruOBfkNz1hMh/s400/DSCN0337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725669639763361250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I had no idea how big the museum would be.<br /><br />But it was.<br /><br />It was absolutely HUGE!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One wing alone...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMnUL7qEnye-idRmq_y_B1fdPMMDA58LDNILvEa80mJt2hOY1JkTvddRMzZcxHxuUy5YlBSZOo49qald8X8RBLRK0XQPJzcearay0D5jeuwWnY0AqhVXGk91P0-G5zPBp4dGU8Hf4C8Ov/s1600/DSCN0339.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMnUL7qEnye-idRmq_y_B1fdPMMDA58LDNILvEa80mJt2hOY1JkTvddRMzZcxHxuUy5YlBSZOo49qald8X8RBLRK0XQPJzcearay0D5jeuwWnY0AqhVXGk91P0-G5zPBp4dGU8Hf4C8Ov/s400/DSCN0339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725669648989924002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...replicated an old fashioned street...<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yaa1lK8EyUhqnIx4AFlOMv2UvOPPEKVqVxS6kJkFLb9K0gzQZAWYFegnWnhndxPmTQv0LgM7DN_asJ9kcgAeuU2vzrGbcECyY-f4GvWp9jibgiIMwJlTmd5B_G3aBHFg-2PyH-kSMM94/s1600/DSCN0341.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yaa1lK8EyUhqnIx4AFlOMv2UvOPPEKVqVxS6kJkFLb9K0gzQZAWYFegnWnhndxPmTQv0LgM7DN_asJ9kcgAeuU2vzrGbcECyY-f4GvWp9jibgiIMwJlTmd5B_G3aBHFg-2PyH-kSMM94/s400/DSCN0341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725669654734381282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with plenty of shops...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykyxaKFoGlUOV8i_1uBM8or5kfX3_Ir9E7HF56bhz6OwDfGsoMGxocJOPX-RKbdJBCbbTkqtw5llkZPcc-pe4IWp1V2JlV8sXfsmx5TF9J-KusAmj8x7JPPBXCRXDJjK16H2KX7i6qB18/s1600/DSCN0344.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykyxaKFoGlUOV8i_1uBM8or5kfX3_Ir9E7HF56bhz6OwDfGsoMGxocJOPX-RKbdJBCbbTkqtw5llkZPcc-pe4IWp1V2JlV8sXfsmx5TF9J-KusAmj8x7JPPBXCRXDJjK16H2KX7i6qB18/s400/DSCN0344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725672491996684194" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuk6AadbkyCEaHx6VM7ylc_lNhzFBqUU7rqoFtx6yMQEAPKxmH_QytdAH7iFGAc7Gu2y-T_5rlcVVjFexzlAXbQL6NS2ZStnYB5W66RIx8NHZeLw8GxX4FAGS49aFkSNOwQX2r6BOEKqn/s1600/DSCN0343.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuk6AadbkyCEaHx6VM7ylc_lNhzFBqUU7rqoFtx6yMQEAPKxmH_QytdAH7iFGAc7Gu2y-T_5rlcVVjFexzlAXbQL6NS2ZStnYB5W66RIx8NHZeLw8GxX4FAGS49aFkSNOwQX2r6BOEKqn/s400/DSCN0343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725672484812350546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...that you could explore...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVr4WICoDZypaQTBC4JKwTScX8MK49IG2knBzuJaAJiQEQWOm-TLeNhV5u6ORL_bQaYW3Hphp_W7HiErw_VX9GoWz0l7GW9iHHFJ_ebBAnpZL-PBObP6FyG71TujVy81N27z3w6qhpsZp/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVr4WICoDZypaQTBC4JKwTScX8MK49IG2knBzuJaAJiQEQWOm-TLeNhV5u6ORL_bQaYW3Hphp_W7HiErw_VX9GoWz0l7GW9iHHFJ_ebBAnpZL-PBObP6FyG71TujVy81N27z3w6qhpsZp/s400/IMG_5144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725677369978781714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and kids could get cards from the front desk...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pqTje5kVOzLdzugY2vY3uD5lSKlzGStA4SwdoBi1yLdRFt4MoTDQT8jpyJWbFvgs-sf6TTxZ-4P9GZKXXCwjTvUwjXOEpxS1YqO0IJ9sGdA0Q__vay_xeWuhan_20SJfDSH2Rty6va9G/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pqTje5kVOzLdzugY2vY3uD5lSKlzGStA4SwdoBi1yLdRFt4MoTDQT8jpyJWbFvgs-sf6TTxZ-4P9GZKXXCwjTvUwjXOEpxS1YqO0IJ9sGdA0Q__vay_xeWuhan_20SJfDSH2Rty6va9G/s400/IMG_5143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725677365799819522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and find things that didn't belong with the rest of the display.<br /></div><br />And elsewhere in the museum, consisting of two floors, the curators took advantage of all the space they had...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZYxMOQFtOUZo_rVX3PbN4c3VUgXFx8bu5R4WoLo2293PXljSPa44Sz-SoHA-A4bbVJX2s0e8cLUDwtzKvuvhQivDabsp_bQ13dZ9grzfhPahDr2YthOBO3DHYq8daJw5vxkTLERMl0zH/s1600/DSCN0355.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZYxMOQFtOUZo_rVX3PbN4c3VUgXFx8bu5R4WoLo2293PXljSPa44Sz-SoHA-A4bbVJX2s0e8cLUDwtzKvuvhQivDabsp_bQ13dZ9grzfhPahDr2YthOBO3DHYq8daJw5vxkTLERMl0zH/s400/DSCN0355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725673359633891330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with children's toys...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7HVlaE4ggbmKQCJU_odNrJsKMs-37O2FXq_OugTLWg44lbh7L7cOyWZD17qYUVUNaBVhYFbFJNdkiIuoaP3InWpif0TMwcoNVgGIIVrCIwCjz9mN9jzVvI48Vf5LBm47E_wIjFeNYHPe/s1600/DSCN0353.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7HVlaE4ggbmKQCJU_odNrJsKMs-37O2FXq_OugTLWg44lbh7L7cOyWZD17qYUVUNaBVhYFbFJNdkiIuoaP3InWpif0TMwcoNVgGIIVrCIwCjz9mN9jzVvI48Vf5LBm47E_wIjFeNYHPe/s400/DSCN0353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725673352609453442" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhDWR8Etx3qilqtfwA8Ad1iULR6LqW2n-rqUYwUMNXnKhhufiDrYC756KRarn_Sm_1yRKSVPg8uJYdxiCYGraRWNuxcjjevGdmuFBGLsiMzuopc11zs7dd1q45bJ0OnGSIe5fviCsJkIU/s1600/DSCN0350.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhDWR8Etx3qilqtfwA8Ad1iULR6LqW2n-rqUYwUMNXnKhhufiDrYC756KRarn_Sm_1yRKSVPg8uJYdxiCYGraRWNuxcjjevGdmuFBGLsiMzuopc11zs7dd1q45bJ0OnGSIe5fviCsJkIU/s400/DSCN0350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725673337883588690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a carrousel...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40eZcvbYtwrgsO3sbV0j6oX5xVH7gfX6HL1nQdKhATKkNOzFC67Em9qynmpRE4Bix4uo8GoDtUMCMgAsmqFOr8BHPknT9FqeJx1RyBvQuLIjzaeuwXJ4MLwNEL6pWYETZSZNPjZ4uIeDO/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40eZcvbYtwrgsO3sbV0j6oX5xVH7gfX6HL1nQdKhATKkNOzFC67Em9qynmpRE4Bix4uo8GoDtUMCMgAsmqFOr8BHPknT9FqeJx1RyBvQuLIjzaeuwXJ4MLwNEL6pWYETZSZNPjZ4uIeDO/s400/IMG_5148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725677405889029522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...period displays...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFohYGiqZxm3LiE8AqRgqXAlUg5Pe0QqjoY8KsVkzwoAqKbz_R2NhuJiY2Otij6FsfiEsxGEz6EJJ1TwtIzzQefG2fKQScvC3Y0DFRoplDt5Nocsol3Pp3iyvFqsXoOqNNzRRpWz_HxZih/s1600/IMG_5149.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFohYGiqZxm3LiE8AqRgqXAlUg5Pe0QqjoY8KsVkzwoAqKbz_R2NhuJiY2Otij6FsfiEsxGEz6EJJ1TwtIzzQefG2fKQScvC3Y0DFRoplDt5Nocsol3Pp3iyvFqsXoOqNNzRRpWz_HxZih/s400/IMG_5149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725678594498459154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a beaver...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvStZ7iwxYrtNkEQqr18CtbtbxtBBAZ4wpa26bhs3XzXz4r8ran9-Sp5EcZcIzKLdSAxlmxyLBuZAhfwx31grHONqAqpRdxD5PEjNOrcByHXo5UboQ9kFo0kUOGcTRrX-TONGXvA5IBBXB/s1600/DSCN0359.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvStZ7iwxYrtNkEQqr18CtbtbxtBBAZ4wpa26bhs3XzXz4r8ran9-Sp5EcZcIzKLdSAxlmxyLBuZAhfwx31grHONqAqpRdxD5PEjNOrcByHXo5UboQ9kFo0kUOGcTRrX-TONGXvA5IBBXB/s400/DSCN0359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725675941587213314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...TV and radio equipment...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuh50ZcRlu5rjQlrD1V0mC-EF7OZOkvR9CN7y5Gk4LFlQ7MuhQZnU9MI_-hylaY0Gk58sv1xyXnjBtquoVh0tsoRtjCDesKzwBhs50CTX6Hk2NMwyofswIuNcUT27_IkQB9v4ypM3-cLR/s1600/DSCN0349.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuh50ZcRlu5rjQlrD1V0mC-EF7OZOkvR9CN7y5Gk4LFlQ7MuhQZnU9MI_-hylaY0Gk58sv1xyXnjBtquoVh0tsoRtjCDesKzwBhs50CTX6Hk2NMwyofswIuNcUT27_IkQB9v4ypM3-cLR/s400/DSCN0349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725673331931328962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a huge ball of twine...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGPdb_h4-BnENe8HgElnNGwD3Q5hfVfoql8M5vzsOSy7diXJcpAgK0W_CoQhpOYSkjNH5TzKa-3XjoKNp7Wg55vvhOp8GqOizp9oqDqHNIz9k15QP2qrDQZIHDWDll_suMGYhBhxzP6c/s1600/DSCN0347.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlGPdb_h4-BnENe8HgElnNGwD3Q5hfVfoql8M5vzsOSy7diXJcpAgK0W_CoQhpOYSkjNH5TzKa-3XjoKNp7Wg55vvhOp8GqOizp9oqDqHNIz9k15QP2qrDQZIHDWDll_suMGYhBhxzP6c/s400/DSCN0347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725672502675750418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and even a train.<br /><br />A <span style="font-style: italic;">train!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, outside...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubuSyoSPR5JuYb2RbM3-Kc2BSLhVAFs2cB6p0bNRUgyTh7jfJqE0uAyf39Q6OsN4z9U8yggi3CJ_02qZ-to-F3dziOGzGoMeC06kjDQVNIqGgxfYDLvwCBSXOUEcfdyjUFbf9nKaagbtq/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubuSyoSPR5JuYb2RbM3-Kc2BSLhVAFs2cB6p0bNRUgyTh7jfJqE0uAyf39Q6OsN4z9U8yggi3CJ_02qZ-to-F3dziOGzGoMeC06kjDQVNIqGgxfYDLvwCBSXOUEcfdyjUFbf9nKaagbtq/s400/IMG_5147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725677397449732882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the rain beat down like crazy...so I just took my time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I eventually came across a door that led me down a staircase...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif96keGw4xGy2XK2oPFgDCZLP_zOaTGwCK7CyRQkPiumrl7E3W4J4BSosrT8IiWAt3lD9UHAMgiVMo60jFRNNp6uH8AaJETkyYSsSItk8qLMr6t3SODREnb09mEIGjtqDZfC18c_nRwO09/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif96keGw4xGy2XK2oPFgDCZLP_zOaTGwCK7CyRQkPiumrl7E3W4J4BSosrT8IiWAt3lD9UHAMgiVMo60jFRNNp6uH8AaJETkyYSsSItk8qLMr6t3SODREnb09mEIGjtqDZfC18c_nRwO09/s400/IMG_5153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725678615600292610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and brought me to this room of impressive artwork...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM1NPgMmb7Y_tj4JHH_PWWfyp84s4B7L908GpAtWf9IMmarAZ9-UbXZBcLqA4BpH9_HyzCr_Bnw503p89bWIjcrx3HtLCGc2T9zA02rqnxtktZPut_YBk8qZiLU3PovQXbZKEMqFdorSS/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM1NPgMmb7Y_tj4JHH_PWWfyp84s4B7L908GpAtWf9IMmarAZ9-UbXZBcLqA4BpH9_HyzCr_Bnw503p89bWIjcrx3HtLCGc2T9zA02rqnxtktZPut_YBk8qZiLU3PovQXbZKEMqFdorSS/s400/IMG_5151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726184620995765474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where I read about important figures like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamity_Jane" target="_blank">Calamity Jane</a>...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDINP1J4AVKkwksQKiIMh1hwwg-f258_a_y6bPlhcM0DHSEGfTPhZAWFagIkLiFeQI7vRVVT8xN3RGygIDE-R7vgzxsukut1ReAQ09G03HYcWiV5zVLDi1fcEbEyBGYxq2TWScFDBOm6d/s1600/IMG_5152.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDINP1J4AVKkwksQKiIMh1hwwg-f258_a_y6bPlhcM0DHSEGfTPhZAWFagIkLiFeQI7vRVVT8xN3RGygIDE-R7vgzxsukut1ReAQ09G03HYcWiV5zVLDi1fcEbEyBGYxq2TWScFDBOm6d/s400/IMG_5152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725678608932639490" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9haeJJxcVQYvzf-ncVc9A_VtbJVDaKQduFOM_u1jOj83_m0iPWBzXllSB_EjmkhSid88UgSFfjXrpirRJTtnQqdRxHXMI2X5c7yReVKRijZ7vMZC6rpKNg1glbHxyg8-sP6QmK2YavF7/s1600/IMG_5150.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9haeJJxcVQYvzf-ncVc9A_VtbJVDaKQduFOM_u1jOj83_m0iPWBzXllSB_EjmkhSid88UgSFfjXrpirRJTtnQqdRxHXMI2X5c7yReVKRijZ7vMZC6rpKNg1glbHxyg8-sP6QmK2YavF7/s400/IMG_5150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725678601506769186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and Ohioans <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Oakley" target="_blank">Annie Oakley</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Quantrill" target="_blank">William Quantrill</a> (leader of a Confederate guerrila group of which Jesse James and his brother were members).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By the time I finished reading all the plaques, the museum was getting close to closing.<br /><br />Now that the rain had slowed, I didn't have to get too wet as I made my way to the car...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLLiEfLZOU-atZ5HEqmVNKAxr_CG5vM6Hn3toInKnD5TUnex2HDiKKqJ1mdjTYEdG7WeWPk-_GnFIXXnWZ8LBjlQc74QIrAWUk5z9Hyn6w9_99t-fst7MlHNb_NlhgrS1psPJAdZq_9EH/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLLiEfLZOU-atZ5HEqmVNKAxr_CG5vM6Hn3toInKnD5TUnex2HDiKKqJ1mdjTYEdG7WeWPk-_GnFIXXnWZ8LBjlQc74QIrAWUk5z9Hyn6w9_99t-fst7MlHNb_NlhgrS1psPJAdZq_9EH/s400/IMG_5156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726184623248135442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and drove the last leg to my hotel in Kansas City.<br /><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span>* - Jesse James' house was relocated behind the Patee House Museum. It was originally a few blocks down the street<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-3639461133785587632012-03-29T14:46:00.003-04:002012-03-29T15:02:53.825-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part VII: Lincoln<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part VII: Lincoln</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I make road trips fun.</span><br /><br />- Kristian Campana, festival, food and travel blogger<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4: Monday, March 19, 2012</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things I liked about researching Omaha was all the restaurants it had.<br /><br />Of course, I only had one evening in town so I decided to get breakfast there as well (it helped that the hotel did <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>offer a complimentary breakfast), which I got at the <a href="http://www.farmhousecafe.com/" target="_blank">FarmHouse Cafe & Bakery</a>.<br /><br />By their website alone, I imagined one of those organic earth-to-table restaurants filled with hipsters, hippies, and hip-replacement recovery patients.<br /><br />Instead, it was pretty much like a <a href="http://www.bobevans.com/" target="_blank">Bob Evans</a>, but a little more greasy spoon.<br /><br />When I didn't order immediately, the waitress quickly disappeared and didn't reappear until a while later. But once I started to feel frustrated by her vanishing act, she reappeared, smiled and offered me the sports section of the newspaper to read.<br /><br />The food was decent overall...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbwQffCpqMDov7Eh9uUs8s-qEIuYATttolF0NL5oIDtthfPoTKgTdMEXYSqOEs1Pzt5x65mSAjXz0kxbYWF0shk-TOZBiwzNMgaZI5vWzHgsbT4uK7kNQULcxb0qKmRpIJOazINPs82mR/s1600/IMG_5127.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbwQffCpqMDov7Eh9uUs8s-qEIuYATttolF0NL5oIDtthfPoTKgTdMEXYSqOEs1Pzt5x65mSAjXz0kxbYWF0shk-TOZBiwzNMgaZI5vWzHgsbT4uK7kNQULcxb0qKmRpIJOazINPs82mR/s400/IMG_5127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725303399436707842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with some potatoes that were a tad undercooked and bland...<br /></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQP6IhNDl71S57I9Bvu8i_wKcGNa4N6b6DwI4BoS7RXey08g0xidGgr303oKeacvd7HXO077OZNr1qUtH_O8H9itWo-aYylG7rZ28wFq1eoAzOOD82eVgu5LkF1hm_3hytoqQhftEaru4/s1600/IMG_5128.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQP6IhNDl71S57I9Bvu8i_wKcGNa4N6b6DwI4BoS7RXey08g0xidGgr303oKeacvd7HXO077OZNr1qUtH_O8H9itWo-aYylG7rZ28wFq1eoAzOOD82eVgu5LkF1hm_3hytoqQhftEaru4/s400/IMG_5128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725303407256009618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but with some gourmet delicious jelly for the pancakes (I asked for it)!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I downed the last bite, my waitress pulled off another Houdini bit on me and I watched the clock tick-tock away until I couldn't take it any more and I sought her out.<br /><br />Unfazed by my impatience, she cashed me out and offered me a nice tall take-away cup of coffee.<br /><br />Obviously, this woman knew how to get my sweet spot.<br /></div></div><br />With the tall cup of coffee in hand, I got in the car and headed to Lincoln...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwWYQX5J5lceIyqjIBjJRyU4M_oXudb_38lVVEFQjFPIKHWHrUauO1eGFKv-jafw3ShHAnVJGLFDGpeC2U0LVWf6HZcedCQ96S3A2xjLjGUmrGdD86-J9vmWgkgs2dQn6lxa0jxTWkQ1x/s1600/IMG_5129.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwWYQX5J5lceIyqjIBjJRyU4M_oXudb_38lVVEFQjFPIKHWHrUauO1eGFKv-jafw3ShHAnVJGLFDGpeC2U0LVWf6HZcedCQ96S3A2xjLjGUmrGdD86-J9vmWgkgs2dQn6lxa0jxTWkQ1x/s400/IMG_5129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725303416555625490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...only to notice a strange cloud formation southwest of me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At first it seemed a considerable distance away...<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6QSkVCZjKPqHtzbWW9gGDv-9CE5EgYdBxgTcRPc2qm62YTrJhu-gR-88x7HsxI3M1m7XL_DwXniJ_RDI0mf2vzpkoUlFdHHN3rSr04hhovTnCOOMRWCmzmMsoDRQJL7PgVGstVLe9JCB/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6QSkVCZjKPqHtzbWW9gGDv-9CE5EgYdBxgTcRPc2qm62YTrJhu-gR-88x7HsxI3M1m7XL_DwXniJ_RDI0mf2vzpkoUlFdHHN3rSr04hhovTnCOOMRWCmzmMsoDRQJL7PgVGstVLe9JCB/s400/IMG_5130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725303419329346946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but then the highway began to turn into it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Fortunately, the threat had disappeared by the time I arrived in downtown Lincoln's <a href="http://lincolnhaymarket.org/about/" target="_blank">Haymarket District</a>...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAbTFPmN591tuGMVthKnBfyPP88n7e-JPi-kj3IeLxoGxfZ5y3zqx-Jg2aVGUEhRrYuKDvlZw7EODVLOjBQDMQxf5EFH_W0RgGgT2K2FmQ8Lr-MaA48Z6E5Wth0Qa9GUEQMJPkNRpNsDv/s1600/DSCN0307.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAbTFPmN591tuGMVthKnBfyPP88n7e-JPi-kj3IeLxoGxfZ5y3zqx-Jg2aVGUEhRrYuKDvlZw7EODVLOjBQDMQxf5EFH_W0RgGgT2K2FmQ8Lr-MaA48Z6E5Wth0Qa9GUEQMJPkNRpNsDv/s400/DSCN0307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725299918227607218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where things seemed relatively peaceful.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had some time to stroll about...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1JGjsZZghs8UJaKi1tSApaXuBWKYneDuQfj9qKziQCQwwLlrCjhkyGu2Ol46QKIr1UeGNNtRJ7AFdMpemFefxxMJbkkDAvA2hvCUdQN5puZwCpo8W168Py4KyQwK-W2DqhU9RKjF_tZy/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1JGjsZZghs8UJaKi1tSApaXuBWKYneDuQfj9qKziQCQwwLlrCjhkyGu2Ol46QKIr1UeGNNtRJ7AFdMpemFefxxMJbkkDAvA2hvCUdQN5puZwCpo8W168Py4KyQwK-W2DqhU9RKjF_tZy/s400/DSCN0306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725299924776703202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...checking out the train...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemATtNuKz9SI03OLT9nBeApK-B5xdUsCn_2sMf9iDB2ywqhqfwvKrNF7OdH2DVGdqYY6JIh013AeeRQT4Sw6cI9Lq8V4pi_mNvTb5HIHnYfet19hh1W-RoNLF_XTW-1QRw8N-888OeYSp/s1600/DSCN0308.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemATtNuKz9SI03OLT9nBeApK-B5xdUsCn_2sMf9iDB2ywqhqfwvKrNF7OdH2DVGdqYY6JIh013AeeRQT4Sw6cI9Lq8V4pi_mNvTb5HIHnYfet19hh1W-RoNLF_XTW-1QRw8N-888OeYSp/s400/DSCN0308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725299943113378354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the train wall sculpture...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Mk5HMPGz5ZcmZafbqzMLh66S9W1PxDGmk7ERgWhFiOBeXI5Eiuy10-D_rUb88BKgrwN7gQ8MdU8U6XxT7VIFaIWOX9Q3YQGExZYANBI6EDPCt1ptPVUWPfmGXUhZgf4l9tfeoJbe9_U/s1600/DSCN0303a.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Mk5HMPGz5ZcmZafbqzMLh66S9W1PxDGmk7ERgWhFiOBeXI5Eiuy10-D_rUb88BKgrwN7gQ8MdU8U6XxT7VIFaIWOX9Q3YQGExZYANBI6EDPCt1ptPVUWPfmGXUhZgf4l9tfeoJbe9_U/s400/DSCN0303a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725299936310657810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and various art that decorated building walls...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV2AJlW9mjIbtu1O_Kcqrl_BdRgQgco_KB_PEAQBxyGwGI1lCx8MkTblAmfZ0tfkp1IYTvHpuJBpFaNaZU_JlmZUtiyBESWwEeENcV9UlX2cpYpGU5RTjixQRtAdWeu2tGzFn3T4ynW3L/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV2AJlW9mjIbtu1O_Kcqrl_BdRgQgco_KB_PEAQBxyGwGI1lCx8MkTblAmfZ0tfkp1IYTvHpuJBpFaNaZU_JlmZUtiyBESWwEeENcV9UlX2cpYpGU5RTjixQRtAdWeu2tGzFn3T4ynW3L/s400/IMG_5131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725304883005766626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and sidewalks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made my way to <a href="http://www.licoriceinternational.com/licorice/pc/home.asp" target="_blank">Licorice International</a>...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i6oigFG7dww-IPoFvgyuIl1pxWKoBw06hu_bm0IZnHcOHCfNQEG3avkrRYWeBBVqSnsey31qE3GexOXF7a1LXFulLYuE-GBkjxaRakA1MUb4ODAlkuCVkCHWVzvVs23K_YqYiuR_wOsS/s1600/DSCN0304.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i6oigFG7dww-IPoFvgyuIl1pxWKoBw06hu_bm0IZnHcOHCfNQEG3avkrRYWeBBVqSnsey31qE3GexOXF7a1LXFulLYuE-GBkjxaRakA1MUb4ODAlkuCVkCHWVzvVs23K_YqYiuR_wOsS/s400/DSCN0304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725299932213418002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which had a wall of baskets filled with various types of licorice...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb42AH6jGVrNPo1tTvFY0D0AXO-ENYMmEx_MpoaysUjcr1dyY4rzd4vd22dXu80yKBNWmWO7R4sA-f4iaQ5nHSbhplTqg9wDdFEylKeZ2v0TeLqhTovBtETjMDL3v0S85IeVZ2vycp6g1/s1600/IMG_5133.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb42AH6jGVrNPo1tTvFY0D0AXO-ENYMmEx_MpoaysUjcr1dyY4rzd4vd22dXu80yKBNWmWO7R4sA-f4iaQ5nHSbhplTqg9wDdFEylKeZ2v0TeLqhTovBtETjMDL3v0S85IeVZ2vycp6g1/s400/IMG_5133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725304909086186226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...from Germany...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D-X6ghgRWFa_Sny7kIM9zKNOdg0wkufoeKQWvbQEkL-WIX8MvHgF8twpfBeLX9Tgi9Xw_N9Zb6aJRNPs6AX73il1kD-ebSlD_1mKOdc92kbqleam8TVsnCDuvAHvIK8yA62zXmCf5eiK/s1600/IMG_5132.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D-X6ghgRWFa_Sny7kIM9zKNOdg0wkufoeKQWvbQEkL-WIX8MvHgF8twpfBeLX9Tgi9Xw_N9Zb6aJRNPs6AX73il1kD-ebSlD_1mKOdc92kbqleam8TVsnCDuvAHvIK8yA62zXmCf5eiK/s400/IMG_5132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725304892697007378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Italy...<br /><br />...and many other countries around the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One thing to know about the store is that there's a sampling bag in each basket that you can taste from (with the assistance of an employee) before any purchase.<br /><br />It's definitely a black licorice lover's dream come true!<br /></div></div><br />My next quick stop brought me here...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIBsC3vlfy9lnn0zStlHMjB9gyxFYKZL7dMLadMoadntjBLsdzSXwWvMr_-k-GCTtFJ3CA0US2kYls17pOa6CvMSjTU38VYNuIwy6_zVIM32BG0uR1XwNrWVSCVsqcqwWPKLoFO1qWDQ7/s1600/DSCN0309.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIBsC3vlfy9lnn0zStlHMjB9gyxFYKZL7dMLadMoadntjBLsdzSXwWvMr_-k-GCTtFJ3CA0US2kYls17pOa6CvMSjTU38VYNuIwy6_zVIM32BG0uR1XwNrWVSCVsqcqwWPKLoFO1qWDQ7/s400/DSCN0309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725300561362242418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...to the <a href="http://capitol.org/" target="_blank">Nebraska State Capitol building</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x8L4ej8bRHpMJ3NQan03mTYaD16DDjkoo2DYfgLsXNZJdxtdlAXFA8VHVSestfoC2s_4Vr0F_AC2yyQwzPUW_g_MKJMruhxKZZ1vpVlMDdyomIVlHqbfebD3l2mf7KQdQDRAmgjMc8tp/s1600/DSCN0311a.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x8L4ej8bRHpMJ3NQan03mTYaD16DDjkoo2DYfgLsXNZJdxtdlAXFA8VHVSestfoC2s_4Vr0F_AC2yyQwzPUW_g_MKJMruhxKZZ1vpVlMDdyomIVlHqbfebD3l2mf7KQdQDRAmgjMc8tp/s400/DSCN0311a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725300573927109858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where I walked around to take a few photographs...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaSnh7kurcdserZupeWKFKblLxbR4bjyki4YuiAdv7nRrhJPdNQhX12swwu2Z84znOoV_zjstbAWY01JA4wpa6CMT0tQIc64KViE0Ov0NLQZxhfKCb9HeQFU4MeLy2Q_afCRC5Uvq6xr/s1600/DSCN0314.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaSnh7kurcdserZupeWKFKblLxbR4bjyki4YuiAdv7nRrhJPdNQhX12swwu2Z84znOoV_zjstbAWY01JA4wpa6CMT0tQIc64KViE0Ov0NLQZxhfKCb9HeQFU4MeLy2Q_afCRC5Uvq6xr/s400/DSCN0314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725300591260968034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...of this huge structure considered the heaviest capitol building of North America.<br /><br />Interesting fact, right?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But the more I looked around, the more I realized that other nearby buildings were big as well.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YOSw2yXhQjQ-cGGsXGYlBlk1V6itEb6tDPLHCe377rxYJhWJM4kmBru7w0_2AdxseDi7vuEKT6DidK0x7Rf95oFJ2Ft-Prx2yaWolj6Ej0_CMpFwi-W1aeJq3gfZFa-fzyIlDQ6sG3oW/s1600/DSCN0313.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YOSw2yXhQjQ-cGGsXGYlBlk1V6itEb6tDPLHCe377rxYJhWJM4kmBru7w0_2AdxseDi7vuEKT6DidK0x7Rf95oFJ2Ft-Prx2yaWolj6Ej0_CMpFwi-W1aeJq3gfZFa-fzyIlDQ6sG3oW/s400/DSCN0313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725300586047723858" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-a_KAauWFs_Jd9k01pmownzlJMao5pHzeDnzVFL-xbGrBEVpMvEWuTdSaMSFNcfMMBEb_nCoMqIk51wMwR4LlgvpC7uqpNgyDPvlhwqX-dX89jWPZ6JuDQJdE9ijmge9-w-Ssm8lVtq4/s1600/DSCN0312.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-a_KAauWFs_Jd9k01pmownzlJMao5pHzeDnzVFL-xbGrBEVpMvEWuTdSaMSFNcfMMBEb_nCoMqIk51wMwR4LlgvpC7uqpNgyDPvlhwqX-dX89jWPZ6JuDQJdE9ijmge9-w-Ssm8lVtq4/s400/DSCN0312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725300575573222482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Even the churches across the street were huge!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After seeing both the capitol building and the churches, it seemed the most logical followup visit would be where all people are eventually humbled...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD034GxsIovYhclkWLh-54UJ5tutWBRQk3ipDuucn72Dnn2PZRAnv9GTxmz9dJLo6Jhki_xKjLJ00L7l_eIfxfz5wKtMNKAhFlQHXvAQobPDzz9RrymJTJwaBXSz21grNAsODkWL5lAwIg/s1600/DSCN0319.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD034GxsIovYhclkWLh-54UJ5tutWBRQk3ipDuucn72Dnn2PZRAnv9GTxmz9dJLo6Jhki_xKjLJ00L7l_eIfxfz5wKtMNKAhFlQHXvAQobPDzz9RrymJTJwaBXSz21grNAsODkWL5lAwIg/s400/DSCN0319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725301517489056594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...like at the <a href="http://wyuka.com/" target="_blank">Wyuka Cemetery</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was really hoping to see something similar to Cleveland's <a href="http://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/index.php" target="_blank">Lakeview Cemetery</a>, which is filled with fascinating headstones sculpted by Italian immigrants, interesting historical characters and many varieties of trees and vegetation.<br /><br />Although my expectations may have been a little high...<br /></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVra1asGlCKn2lUOYtmAlmgYfrf-q1G49v7Rs8r1tMvm1jBme5OeQVjIkbHgrouMdh32x5cWDcUi9LDAzp2o_C5vvWWqqDx0-h-RJS0sgrhAGKCrqA1wIYLhX3gfrl7KVQ8yyB2h7UbyP/s1600/DSCN0317.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVra1asGlCKn2lUOYtmAlmgYfrf-q1G49v7Rs8r1tMvm1jBme5OeQVjIkbHgrouMdh32x5cWDcUi9LDAzp2o_C5vvWWqqDx0-h-RJS0sgrhAGKCrqA1wIYLhX3gfrl7KVQ8yyB2h7UbyP/s400/DSCN0317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725301504183525074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the cemetery was fairly beautiful...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVJGu2VH2pdKkRg7uc8FjiENfmKJGdsgmVsJ2gEVDcwSkA0GZliiddSzW4OMSvuI5YYZKbJMk4vGU6E4ze_vu_MqLebkYO8Jk8Mf5Qw9LrSvK_Dl_HuJp8g77rpdZWxQUyrhwkEntk_lB/s1600/DSCN0316.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVJGu2VH2pdKkRg7uc8FjiENfmKJGdsgmVsJ2gEVDcwSkA0GZliiddSzW4OMSvuI5YYZKbJMk4vGU6E4ze_vu_MqLebkYO8Jk8Mf5Qw9LrSvK_Dl_HuJp8g77rpdZWxQUyrhwkEntk_lB/s400/DSCN0316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725301499285281986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with a gorgeous church near the entrance...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTjIjEijHRfPh0P9F1sTnmTUO5pkkA7Uyut_TOBmmvWBaToGQ4mYpWMwFfcx3odMl8SzS_OwlnCs14epdY-ukbDMbDLPwWrBgHfBpScxRKafyIc3PXIb3iBi0G-FbrhqEIhKtx2PDjKxF/s1600/DSCN0323.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTjIjEijHRfPh0P9F1sTnmTUO5pkkA7Uyut_TOBmmvWBaToGQ4mYpWMwFfcx3odMl8SzS_OwlnCs14epdY-ukbDMbDLPwWrBgHfBpScxRKafyIc3PXIb3iBi0G-FbrhqEIhKtx2PDjKxF/s400/DSCN0323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725301531852441330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and an impressive memorial to the state's firefighters.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I ventured southeast of there, I arrived at the location that really brought me to Lincoln...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhOwahaFKCP6SxGCOYlSSwyiKo2Xvl842_hBsm2HN9UJs3QY_kPpCv3IqJil1mfAYv0rO8pkQ6TPQWmOskNEYHNgM4Nu2h5ldQaq1as3XdQchVl6u-6wdbQa6oWHSUq7WlQOVuIPunSHW/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhOwahaFKCP6SxGCOYlSSwyiKo2Xvl842_hBsm2HN9UJs3QY_kPpCv3IqJil1mfAYv0rO8pkQ6TPQWmOskNEYHNgM4Nu2h5ldQaq1as3XdQchVl6u-6wdbQa6oWHSUq7WlQOVuIPunSHW/s400/IMG_5136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725304918035718530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the <a href="http://www.rollerskatingmuseum.com/" target="_blank">National Roller Skating Museum</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although I'm not much of a roller skating fan myself...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/geftwymCNwM?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/geftwymCNwM?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...my cousin Marc Goohs was (and is) pretty darn good at it...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt1WQ9CORxtGEtQbkJXvgUVTPaseWK7CuKZyK2_givyaJrWPAj0JKkiKA5UNSSRgzpzlV29bHYMKvpZPJ_OL9T5FDUwdgUpzxagt7OJCZi-slg4jVLthYr_k48f-SRA7ea_Jwkq8Nd6AA/s1600/DSCN0324.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt1WQ9CORxtGEtQbkJXvgUVTPaseWK7CuKZyK2_givyaJrWPAj0JKkiKA5UNSSRgzpzlV29bHYMKvpZPJ_OL9T5FDUwdgUpzxagt7OJCZi-slg4jVLthYr_k48f-SRA7ea_Jwkq8Nd6AA/s400/DSCN0324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725302387881430610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I was secretly hoping to catch his name in the (literal) hall of fame...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbartsTDmCnMjXN7H9a-zYUDaVuFCBF_msXDMaubXehCdgDXJzXW3q4LJh0bH1A-l4QVc-0R7aY-CA6VZ6shFXLvATrIymxNM7xCpVjVxjtEOIjykze9I9btRzeg1XStTeEi85mzWbqoE/s1600/DSCN0325.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbartsTDmCnMjXN7H9a-zYUDaVuFCBF_msXDMaubXehCdgDXJzXW3q4LJh0bH1A-l4QVc-0R7aY-CA6VZ6shFXLvATrIymxNM7xCpVjVxjtEOIjykze9I9btRzeg1XStTeEi85mzWbqoE/s400/DSCN0325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725302395976911746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...or his picture at the museum.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although I didn't find any trace of him...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrhHFgkQzpUoJTCWFEZmHA3JJdpGVtyrcp8W5gaBbVxZDkOVNMFsitbgUvjd-FxIkXmNb5q_aXR-4O7LRfId36Pzbm0RkRCAmzfstsn2z889Z34_kLH1_9EYaV7tv5SHLJSoheho8LHGZ/s1600/DSCN0326.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrhHFgkQzpUoJTCWFEZmHA3JJdpGVtyrcp8W5gaBbVxZDkOVNMFsitbgUvjd-FxIkXmNb5q_aXR-4O7LRfId36Pzbm0RkRCAmzfstsn2z889Z34_kLH1_9EYaV7tv5SHLJSoheho8LHGZ/s400/DSCN0326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725302401870522754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I did see some old skates...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyM1QsjghKpQhBZlaHobizz3E752gGH2Fuj1wYrGxit-TDxre7RWiYk_DS_M93dQFB57R3-1UyuMFYS0M70BIbCGmVmZu5sEe5a9YZCcSJ_BhNwoL5BA1cFqLSfNYIAHjkgv_eWGBy64s/s1600/DSCN0329.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyM1QsjghKpQhBZlaHobizz3E752gGH2Fuj1wYrGxit-TDxre7RWiYk_DS_M93dQFB57R3-1UyuMFYS0M70BIbCGmVmZu5sEe5a9YZCcSJ_BhNwoL5BA1cFqLSfNYIAHjkgv_eWGBy64s/s400/DSCN0329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725302405762259026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...learn about the father of the modern skate, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Leonard_Plimpton" target="_blank">James Plimpton</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHANH-5i-ipHkjxW7b1nlM7R3buOH5_m7xkaGgO7ej0hFc-c7G2UiMYd4fxTfxyKBt1GZLp1L0_yHhjvDxKGQro7MwDMUZVO-J9vASIkI8Mk3neY_tqcm12TSweftZAxEj2PRp9oOfWEP/s1600/DSCN0332.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHANH-5i-ipHkjxW7b1nlM7R3buOH5_m7xkaGgO7ej0hFc-c7G2UiMYd4fxTfxyKBt1GZLp1L0_yHhjvDxKGQro7MwDMUZVO-J9vASIkI8Mk3neY_tqcm12TSweftZAxEj2PRp9oOfWEP/s400/DSCN0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725302412618839186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-722rMse1ntV8TpDGlJ06i-Tbr-WCOZcc2JBWF0H8brS-A7xn9MYLfl5PYleaYs00LBsy9Do2Y7M0Y9O_YG1p3SaaPiGDitYCRPjHwEUcfE-RdypwnzwZoOPSHIlCyUJMKnrzaSqj-K7/s1600/DSCN0333.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-722rMse1ntV8TpDGlJ06i-Tbr-WCOZcc2JBWF0H8brS-A7xn9MYLfl5PYleaYs00LBsy9Do2Y7M0Y9O_YG1p3SaaPiGDitYCRPjHwEUcfE-RdypwnzwZoOPSHIlCyUJMKnrzaSqj-K7/s400/DSCN0333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725303392737578530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and notice plenty of outfits.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At that point, I checked the time and realized that I should start heading back toward Kansas City.<br /><br />But, before leaving the state of Nebraska, I felt that I owed it to myself to eat at a local fast food chain called <a href="http://www.runza.com/" target="_blank">Runza</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtx-LVYv1gIOfi0yPndanrDa-JbYyC4fqHmht2E17PiG1Cn08-ZCar1Vru8Zqiwfgke_-B0oRy-ywP8f5VB7cuaa1Mu1Zulv05miFlB04x3ms6vSV_CAckB5D7QoagiHsrgvRdq9tY9BW/s1600/runza.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtx-LVYv1gIOfi0yPndanrDa-JbYyC4fqHmht2E17PiG1Cn08-ZCar1Vru8Zqiwfgke_-B0oRy-ywP8f5VB7cuaa1Mu1Zulv05miFlB04x3ms6vSV_CAckB5D7QoagiHsrgvRdq9tY9BW/s400/runza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725383322607223394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where they made a freshly baked roll <span style="font-style: italic;">stuffed </span>with a ground beef and cabbage mixture.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNVHo9LAeaoRZBFOZ4Vse1xq9Pc3k8Z-MLnIQO2c8Z3oXEi0UolPMabLapsOmtVQqAsub21cHNOU5Nht9FuGD1yKgZogfmDcZLTSne_6L8U3wn3jN2nVJcJ_mhNVNoDtYGwZkt9IZrLCA/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNVHo9LAeaoRZBFOZ4Vse1xq9Pc3k8Z-MLnIQO2c8Z3oXEi0UolPMabLapsOmtVQqAsub21cHNOU5Nht9FuGD1yKgZogfmDcZLTSne_6L8U3wn3jN2nVJcJ_mhNVNoDtYGwZkt9IZrLCA/s400/IMG_5137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725304929695086018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My particular sandwich looked good at first...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2HKmrfBeKHyfLFDvBOwl3ya9aj_8AMpz6zn9XTWPCHhPswJCcEyPdUmn8hxR0SFv5SiBJWprjUnJ5m5OX30RzYaWZRdCfks4-KwWSc4vXDnK_Csmu2XnG8aCDEX8-pTwIWXazVb5_lH4/s1600/IMG_5138.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2HKmrfBeKHyfLFDvBOwl3ya9aj_8AMpz6zn9XTWPCHhPswJCcEyPdUmn8hxR0SFv5SiBJWprjUnJ5m5OX30RzYaWZRdCfks4-KwWSc4vXDnK_Csmu2XnG8aCDEX8-pTwIWXazVb5_lH4/s400/IMG_5138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725305987724786178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...until I realized it was both sliced and scarcely filled (not stuffed at all).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOr4GgVpssJbJDfQ4gZwCi0WQQoXpEUKTRloGPsQmcm9EQFHH-NB7EN-tn1cHmOCvYh4t74g2dh_l_4a-HFbnrw37-0sQi_HrX7WrGKMkHKjs6A5A67Ick7CaFDzWYEop4_BTIbUY_0sb/s1600/IMG_5139.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOr4GgVpssJbJDfQ4gZwCi0WQQoXpEUKTRloGPsQmcm9EQFHH-NB7EN-tn1cHmOCvYh4t74g2dh_l_4a-HFbnrw37-0sQi_HrX7WrGKMkHKjs6A5A67Ick7CaFDzWYEop4_BTIbUY_0sb/s400/IMG_5139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725306001325367058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But I simply pushed the filling to one end and added mustard to improve the experience.<br /><br />Just call me Mr. Problem Solver.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-66762067381770430902012-03-28T10:50:00.003-04:002012-03-28T12:45:57.726-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part VI: Blessings, Toasts and Half Price Miracles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7IiEATjOAjV_CDb8ImhyMc-wLDeSR1AIy1CAwKyZbDqfmv6sgJsnR42BXuqDkSN-iJPgEjbnhnTd6SktqmuPsfzPKMUlM2Sj496ggagUUdIpBw2FcuHXrW0RQb7rCzj4As9kGl2GUhtI/s1600/DSCN0285.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part VI: Blessings, Toasts and Half Price Miracles</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="body">One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.</span> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div>- Thomas Jefferson<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Day 3: Sunday, March 18, 2012<br /></div><br />After spending over an hour at the Kanesville Tabernacle, I hopped in my car, crossed the Missouri River and entered Omaha, Nebraska.<br /><br />I initially tried to drive a bit around downtown, but some one-way streets and pre-game traffic confused me enough to make a wrong turn back onto the highway.<br /><br />It wasn't a big deal because I could come back after my first stop...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Gl7PQ6LyWP1xt8jAekGTMxnDmcQE7fdE7gMn3wqHzVJxkzBAX8ht-15L6SiJ7y1L44DxheamGGrpO4KE07pu1-Hqtd2uioRQg4C4LtA2Su3jq8YFKj-F0QQiHHSt33RLrfU1l79IJEi/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Gl7PQ6LyWP1xt8jAekGTMxnDmcQE7fdE7gMn3wqHzVJxkzBAX8ht-15L6SiJ7y1L44DxheamGGrpO4KE07pu1-Hqtd2uioRQg4C4LtA2Su3jq8YFKj-F0QQiHHSt33RLrfU1l79IJEi/s400/DSCN0278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724917276546027794" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfm-xf7ZRs2ov0OG8APM3RCXCD7535md_CoEigeGtxVtF3juJ5-7fLxrcuwyLSlE3Qga65kAwz4q_7bcLgt4FUnP9LcEHsTof-PGgaTWyx5fGk76vKXedVOSBAVzHyzx83zEL62bEZyhw/s1600/DSCN0279a.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfm-xf7ZRs2ov0OG8APM3RCXCD7535md_CoEigeGtxVtF3juJ5-7fLxrcuwyLSlE3Qga65kAwz4q_7bcLgt4FUnP9LcEHsTof-PGgaTWyx5fGk76vKXedVOSBAVzHyzx83zEL62bEZyhw/s400/DSCN0279a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724917283009351202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...at <a href="http://www.stceciliacathedral.org/" target="_blank">St. Cecilia Cathedral</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inside the cathedral...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5nYbc3Qgyv6xC-ERiPqhvI7OUf1c3mn-rJ5RQ2IKNnXphEaqJ8TZEgctGtG2m-EPlqNTKvN7U_-GBG_flxDxmNH1nvqvi29vYZeRdXSyNyzqKi5MZfbr89s6lzdYN6aBFLt4Lzm-lGUW/s1600/DSCN0284.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5nYbc3Qgyv6xC-ERiPqhvI7OUf1c3mn-rJ5RQ2IKNnXphEaqJ8TZEgctGtG2m-EPlqNTKvN7U_-GBG_flxDxmNH1nvqvi29vYZeRdXSyNyzqKi5MZfbr89s6lzdYN6aBFLt4Lzm-lGUW/s400/DSCN0284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724917288490479426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...things were quiet and peaceful...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMewtIN-bNjoipC5Pp8tZ5ICl2Fyk96c5A_P7KmqlKOf0MwIexQ_ljgKHp6Ev3wK_El26t_njvMbYr6QUskdCcVXRVfDmg4W5I1UO_0JxLRXV1MiFyoSjLHVe7byOzcTfW3aXhEA_PU0J/s1600/DSCN0286.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMewtIN-bNjoipC5Pp8tZ5ICl2Fyk96c5A_P7KmqlKOf0MwIexQ_ljgKHp6Ev3wK_El26t_njvMbYr6QUskdCcVXRVfDmg4W5I1UO_0JxLRXV1MiFyoSjLHVe7byOzcTfW3aXhEA_PU0J/s400/DSCN0286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724917306789827138" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7IiEATjOAjV_CDb8ImhyMc-wLDeSR1AIy1CAwKyZbDqfmv6sgJsnR42BXuqDkSN-iJPgEjbnhnTd6SktqmuPsfzPKMUlM2Sj496ggagUUdIpBw2FcuHXrW0RQb7rCzj4As9kGl2GUhtI/s1600/DSCN0285.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7IiEATjOAjV_CDb8ImhyMc-wLDeSR1AIy1CAwKyZbDqfmv6sgJsnR42BXuqDkSN-iJPgEjbnhnTd6SktqmuPsfzPKMUlM2Sj496ggagUUdIpBw2FcuHXrW0RQb7rCzj4As9kGl2GUhtI/s400/DSCN0285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724917297234418946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...allowing me to appreciate some of the church art...<br /><br />...and perhaps send off a prayer or two.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Afterward, I started my way back to downtown Omaha...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecdzMwDP1_Zo48XDrqPYuZnLMVUnOoa672cgSwNzHSie_znBH0fuA9A1LJlPAPaydJIRJnvJMzjDf0CnUfQfloCB7Uv-XFaBDe0wYH3HEC_aEGmbF_nzGrrY97mmnc0tFDGbP7kAOVbE2/s1600/IMG_5103.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecdzMwDP1_Zo48XDrqPYuZnLMVUnOoa672cgSwNzHSie_znBH0fuA9A1LJlPAPaydJIRJnvJMzjDf0CnUfQfloCB7Uv-XFaBDe0wYH3HEC_aEGmbF_nzGrrY97mmnc0tFDGbP7kAOVbE2/s400/IMG_5103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724920130708899426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but couldn't resist staring at some of the neighborhood homes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskPlx7GUityksS7k1LjNSDV0ohBQup_2MzKfsVsH5CwMHmxJw1G5fjL5FPye4isFU8u7hfILHgUjgWOYl-rpn7xYNtuAkcuhTM2KjNSKPo8MkEHrL7d84flt7gSrh54y4vrhlN8TguiEw/s1600/IMG_5100.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskPlx7GUityksS7k1LjNSDV0ohBQup_2MzKfsVsH5CwMHmxJw1G5fjL5FPye4isFU8u7hfILHgUjgWOYl-rpn7xYNtuAkcuhTM2KjNSKPo8MkEHrL7d84flt7gSrh54y4vrhlN8TguiEw/s400/IMG_5100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724920120351046594" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-r_t2lhfZ7cV7NOFM81w2frDW8KNCf2IKOX2PpFhETp2DmNMtgxFgQdE7XpcHugXnL515xfWJcSRyVPu_ranxZTsA-5xjlI-qNz2i0lLHNvYjkcwbaI0YaRoNPnhFJvsvmaIfyR4H_pa/s1600/IMG_5104.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-r_t2lhfZ7cV7NOFM81w2frDW8KNCf2IKOX2PpFhETp2DmNMtgxFgQdE7XpcHugXnL515xfWJcSRyVPu_ranxZTsA-5xjlI-qNz2i0lLHNvYjkcwbaI0YaRoNPnhFJvsvmaIfyR4H_pa/s400/IMG_5104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724920138338884946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(I obviously couldn't resist taking pics of them either!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNzSOrUb7xB66rHVqdl-4JVto1VvkQg6_eGQODH3K2aXEeUltMx941qdxSTUrHCPzo3lpLxG83QXa_0JaXQqhqJV3tgadURln7XTN9LFRVXmefSeei112uCYnKVkn8ZOtf0APvcXtJc8q/s1600/DSCN0287.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNzSOrUb7xB66rHVqdl-4JVto1VvkQg6_eGQODH3K2aXEeUltMx941qdxSTUrHCPzo3lpLxG83QXa_0JaXQqhqJV3tgadURln7XTN9LFRVXmefSeei112uCYnKVkn8ZOtf0APvcXtJc8q/s400/DSCN0287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724918161564256354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I got back to downtown Omaha...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXjRK400HY-H3ddKUxt6_XAwHNR9Vg9Mq168F532qlmOBP9zPo3xuPYiNILyJOaOeFfeEsMN5gIN5OHtoSG6aCXnoPcjpZ3LyvIksWEtjgBTbV0VDW8NsD7SNxXsEkymj5teCwa-geZ-l/s1600/DSCN0288.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXjRK400HY-H3ddKUxt6_XAwHNR9Vg9Mq168F532qlmOBP9zPo3xuPYiNILyJOaOeFfeEsMN5gIN5OHtoSG6aCXnoPcjpZ3LyvIksWEtjgBTbV0VDW8NsD7SNxXsEkymj5teCwa-geZ-l/s400/DSCN0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724918165176832418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I parked the car and strolled around Old Market...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRNKaJGIIOW5iCrrazJSR__380nLrJ9GAA2iPzbWevFqxqfbvlmZrG5daVPEGhWC0GfCBaZFh833W1upbGJSzhUReAW1jkzVms5UsxtSWpteI3tuKUXcpdM2udsyfpMwNavRnVM6yCJQV/s1600/DSCN0289.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRNKaJGIIOW5iCrrazJSR__380nLrJ9GAA2iPzbWevFqxqfbvlmZrG5daVPEGhWC0GfCBaZFh833W1upbGJSzhUReAW1jkzVms5UsxtSWpteI3tuKUXcpdM2udsyfpMwNavRnVM6yCJQV/s400/DSCN0289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724918175281631666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a neighborhood filled with shops...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpAi6Pmq80txpWZGObEY9XkaZoV0u09rrxPAzHGAJwflyQDY234hh2rcEnbno3M6InV24d_CneteduuDsKggEVjHfY4VLNmoHevEqW4h0sU6CmsoQSgAmgkbXTZjERzcYsnExXN1YA7vM/s1600/DSCN0293.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpAi6Pmq80txpWZGObEY9XkaZoV0u09rrxPAzHGAJwflyQDY234hh2rcEnbno3M6InV24d_CneteduuDsKggEVjHfY4VLNmoHevEqW4h0sU6CmsoQSgAmgkbXTZjERzcYsnExXN1YA7vM/s400/DSCN0293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724919000220319394" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXlvEjQKVH2_A4ZLfW8wHZNF8MmWE76b-OK0k7EMGNSDMEmTWjRkHVOK4AEhFwmzC6EJsOeM5JWgGTl1yx-yzzzSISisbToqR9f_htIDslj1-MV-9t_NimRQaTQSqjJa6nPUm_INy8b6r/s1600/DSCN0292.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXlvEjQKVH2_A4ZLfW8wHZNF8MmWE76b-OK0k7EMGNSDMEmTWjRkHVOK4AEhFwmzC6EJsOeM5JWgGTl1yx-yzzzSISisbToqR9f_htIDslj1-MV-9t_NimRQaTQSqjJa6nPUm_INy8b6r/s400/DSCN0292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724918994802420402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...restaurants...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzwX3-rGOmPEhhr2yPOxAdnrEAj5lqEPhJ8BgC_T6uOBkaWAzk6BY-im3NbHi79dYLy-WtXq34-85jvfJW1xyUxeQ13cijNzlCcs_xhVyNfkZ5o6XViZCeQBMuR1CIHnK1uIG85JXULAl/s1600/DSCN0290.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzwX3-rGOmPEhhr2yPOxAdnrEAj5lqEPhJ8BgC_T6uOBkaWAzk6BY-im3NbHi79dYLy-WtXq34-85jvfJW1xyUxeQ13cijNzlCcs_xhVyNfkZ5o6XViZCeQBMuR1CIHnK1uIG85JXULAl/s400/DSCN0290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724918182827613154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and even carriage rides.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One of the more interesting stores I visited was <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://www.shopcitylimits.com/">City Limits</a>...<br /></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXgtPWSeNXk7r1KTQd5Ye-9cx26oyOweFh12ByfXGBRYZi08cp4XytBDzX4ULxSn85V_DUYQXfp2ooaV98zpN1mau5_sPI_82PLMfnIKxA62TZWLdCmS1qHAEqzKsL6YlFYdLlTgatJgU/s1600/IMG_5110.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXgtPWSeNXk7r1KTQd5Ye-9cx26oyOweFh12ByfXGBRYZi08cp4XytBDzX4ULxSn85V_DUYQXfp2ooaV98zpN1mau5_sPI_82PLMfnIKxA62TZWLdCmS1qHAEqzKsL6YlFYdLlTgatJgU/s400/IMG_5110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922041839553906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />... with plenty of saints to make my church visit complete...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB00fdEMKJHP-ECq1XV3raetn4m5XtQVbTOh0o3QubyC9QQ_n7XmcGNjxP6bmzPKYb0Z-0pu2IVBlkMN0bxCMfMU-AFYCME9qohnewqMlbYX77VX7Xgj4FjjlNIwxD18kcA-cX64ZwL9qw/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB00fdEMKJHP-ECq1XV3raetn4m5XtQVbTOh0o3QubyC9QQ_n7XmcGNjxP6bmzPKYb0Z-0pu2IVBlkMN0bxCMfMU-AFYCME9qohnewqMlbYX77VX7Xgj4FjjlNIwxD18kcA-cX64ZwL9qw/s400/IMG_5109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922031292324434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxQbHyzSxh92ng_JaD-2LA0nh73C0k0rEkF_UQVUJwChWiL1cDgb2UZeS9FtZUnspAi57QoUBGwCtJ1FbME2UHvBGzOviFPsaNx9uSP1d3N1MG0Q9kKojrE53uXSsQwmDZ5qN1b2Zpnmq/s1600/IMG_5108.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxQbHyzSxh92ng_JaD-2LA0nh73C0k0rEkF_UQVUJwChWiL1cDgb2UZeS9FtZUnspAi57QoUBGwCtJ1FbME2UHvBGzOviFPsaNx9uSP1d3N1MG0Q9kKojrE53uXSsQwmDZ5qN1b2Zpnmq/s400/IMG_5108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724920143741021842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...along with various other novelty products.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Before leaving the area...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnPggih7_1fgu5Q_Ly4jxNjLGXnRt0wLAb2sc0wgA3DJzHVHXtAVCF9LBMGn9rqqw-cCWw9Z-OtuadTqfLY19LvhXuNKmszoJE6cB6YH8yJOpFgWj5yO0DugBoyFdoHedfjDlPM98UWJ/s1600/DSCN0297.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnPggih7_1fgu5Q_Ly4jxNjLGXnRt0wLAb2sc0wgA3DJzHVHXtAVCF9LBMGn9rqqw-cCWw9Z-OtuadTqfLY19LvhXuNKmszoJE6cB6YH8yJOpFgWj5yO0DugBoyFdoHedfjDlPM98UWJ/s400/DSCN0297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724919003120860978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I stopped at <a href="http://www.mrtoadspub.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Toad's Pub</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88MI-fhU1Dsbq_FRL8NkmhJPEHIRb4UVhEcghTSBis5p8ym5QQjPRLY9gn9CTvNsT6rIB5FHIGUYB82Ez2irQV_MwKTDOFejvmDWDKEIXNAPIEjcPNRw45ZDIcpJnwmoE1WAToIS_-QFl/s1600/IMG_5115.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88MI-fhU1Dsbq_FRL8NkmhJPEHIRb4UVhEcghTSBis5p8ym5QQjPRLY9gn9CTvNsT6rIB5FHIGUYB82Ez2irQV_MwKTDOFejvmDWDKEIXNAPIEjcPNRw45ZDIcpJnwmoE1WAToIS_-QFl/s400/IMG_5115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922044127209122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...for the Guinness I didn't get to have the night before.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I chatted with some locals...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPDSc1TY3u56-oVkGx2gtGlTZt4_ojBWLB8DP-R5p0UYEzjoB0ktvy32OJE52dBi0R9KtrLWIzLLx99PqkCQdiMEL98OVzOm8Yb8DT7ni1z6iG_pPCynDDUI-pYtnbJu-OoQuKZ6Fdooq/s1600/DSCN0298.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPDSc1TY3u56-oVkGx2gtGlTZt4_ojBWLB8DP-R5p0UYEzjoB0ktvy32OJE52dBi0R9KtrLWIzLLx99PqkCQdiMEL98OVzOm8Yb8DT7ni1z6iG_pPCynDDUI-pYtnbJu-OoQuKZ6Fdooq/s400/DSCN0298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724919013892471586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...checked out the library in the back room...<br /><br />...and then went off to find my hotel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Later that evening, I decided to eat at <a href="http://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/" target="_blank">Blue Sushi</a> (different location than the pic above) and I couldn't believe how crowded it was.<br /><br />Fortunately, the place was big...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhsVdrbKc-0ONdOGI-PEm8TzkjMtj-j56CiVWy1FFvChYzbdJMeGnXFzlpbTply4DDeOtP7ciLEeZF-Oz3br8BNPuW4XQEjf-bg8BX5F3teO-R1ILkNFqS1XdkqmWeAa2obKS9RZxWXR5/s1600/DSCN0301.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhsVdrbKc-0ONdOGI-PEm8TzkjMtj-j56CiVWy1FFvChYzbdJMeGnXFzlpbTply4DDeOtP7ciLEeZF-Oz3br8BNPuW4XQEjf-bg8BX5F3teO-R1ILkNFqS1XdkqmWeAa2obKS9RZxWXR5/s400/DSCN0301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724920116330857682" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYLjExLGLVrWG5NcAIMqHTIdehkmpREs1zbgg4vsa_-gaU9KuTtJfcGTmOYo62NAZwqSVHedsaMvlpjuQ28uMc99WtWdH-SMFR7hUSbEA8A0tIXZrjmOCGewZjL0qfOBe-dk8Hjvq813A/s1600/DSCN0300a.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYLjExLGLVrWG5NcAIMqHTIdehkmpREs1zbgg4vsa_-gaU9KuTtJfcGTmOYo62NAZwqSVHedsaMvlpjuQ28uMc99WtWdH-SMFR7hUSbEA8A0tIXZrjmOCGewZjL0qfOBe-dk8Hjvq813A/s400/DSCN0300a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724952886588240226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...as this was only one side of the bar (the other side was the sushi bar)...<br /><br />...and I got a table in mere minutes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I looked over my menus (because there were many given to me when I sat down), I eventually picked out some rolls...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWBsIn31SuY_QIAcZMmSzb7ca643UIt1WaZLnZR5h6p1S97eaM5pUGdTJnZ80zSWrUZCJ2buP9d2tBuO9XdAJ5XafsHeLIRuQ8lLRN32Mva0wujbNdy7jkPah27Q4cCD2jC55oshe_T-S/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWBsIn31SuY_QIAcZMmSzb7ca643UIt1WaZLnZR5h6p1S97eaM5pUGdTJnZ80zSWrUZCJ2buP9d2tBuO9XdAJ5XafsHeLIRuQ8lLRN32Mva0wujbNdy7jkPah27Q4cCD2jC55oshe_T-S/s400/IMG_5122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922697054881362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and then noticed this.<br /><br />This, my friends, is a half price happy hour menu!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't know whether to credit this miracle to the religious visits I made that day or just count it as a coincidence, but I whispered a big <span style="font-style: italic;">Thank You</span> all the same and added an extra roll to my order...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaLHkwEwgZ_GQRKB6wid8BmowbBR5WTrSIAz2IIZo3mmtT4yvRr7dXP1eDFLjVZzkcS9cfn3hpFMNTAWd9p9-aW_zf3weg2ANzsteo2iNEgzB90K7mC1dPjfLxXy50XY330f3_yqJ7YlJ/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaLHkwEwgZ_GQRKB6wid8BmowbBR5WTrSIAz2IIZo3mmtT4yvRr7dXP1eDFLjVZzkcS9cfn3hpFMNTAWd9p9-aW_zf3weg2ANzsteo2iNEgzB90K7mC1dPjfLxXy50XY330f3_yqJ7YlJ/s400/IMG_5126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922692080761506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which involved salmon nigiri, a south pacific roll (eel, cream cheese, pineapple), a snow white roll (crispy sea bass, avocado, lettuce, creamy sauce)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSb4-NbzOpLRkuL98Hg_vI-klQbxLBbG6mQlY5EwRALnRD_OBa9cjyvAq-JGCB-IGWlHhqFd7OL30v2Kb4651EMQFk4Ett_wPy1Jo56L3jyjWJk2pJ-pr7UlvyDTQMQttdFfM_PgiLQ9Zb/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSb4-NbzOpLRkuL98Hg_vI-klQbxLBbG6mQlY5EwRALnRD_OBa9cjyvAq-JGCB-IGWlHhqFd7OL30v2Kb4651EMQFk4Ett_wPy1Jo56L3jyjWJk2pJ-pr7UlvyDTQMQttdFfM_PgiLQ9Zb/s400/IMG_5125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724922054802910514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and a hawaiian roll (salmon, crab, mango, mango puree).<br /><br />Everything was all delicious!<br /><br />Thanks, Omaha!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-1693425809843217462012-03-26T11:12:00.011-04:002012-03-27T11:43:46.203-04:00A Short Intermission - Cleveland International Film Festival Blogger's Reception<div style="text-align: center;">BEFORE CONTINUING WITH KRISTIAN'S INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE, LET'S TAKE A SHORT INTERMISSION SO THAT I CAN PRESENT YOU WITH SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...........................<br /><br />Sunday, March 25, 2012<br /></div><br />A little over two weeks ago, I was invited to the <a href="http://www.clevelandfilm.org/" target="_blank">Cleveland International Film Festival</a>'s Blogger Reception for some snacks, drinks and two complimentary passes to a film showing that evening.<br /><br />Having Sunday free and loving 1.) blogger gatherings 2.) snacks and 3.) films, I obviously said yes.<br /><br />Since Julia wasn't able to attend, my mom jumped at the opportunity, but she asked if we could go earlier since she hadn't been to Tower City in a long long long loooong time.<br /><br />So we did...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCpPMIeVfMdF5Sd_OPfW0wEow9hgWsmCb7QHZVDwBqosJ9YKdpFXGZhB4R-I1x7Hv0miPTv7u1GYSyEivzk97qAhD5z0S31DX4OMp9VFe5mIrGo1sCCPnKlxVZsAOQUySJaCUOUdom5HY/s1600/IMG_7808.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCpPMIeVfMdF5Sd_OPfW0wEow9hgWsmCb7QHZVDwBqosJ9YKdpFXGZhB4R-I1x7Hv0miPTv7u1GYSyEivzk97qAhD5z0S31DX4OMp9VFe5mIrGo1sCCPnKlxVZsAOQUySJaCUOUdom5HY/s400/IMG_7808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224293488985138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and wouldn't you know that Tower City also had an arts festival going on?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Only a week before, I had removed this arts festival listing from the <a href="http://ohiofestivals.net/2011-festival-schedule/" target="_blank">Ohio Festivals Schedule Page </a>because I couldn't find info on their <a href="http://www.towercitycenter.com/eventscalendar" target="_blank">website </a>(I just checked again while writing this).<br /><br />I decided not to worry about it and we strolled around Tower City a bit before heading up...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik61f7LtHVXakVDTpPE9ks-FAz2MU4WFJ8bt2CvUVIIzCl9kzBM4SxtDxn9ZEy9icKclsVw4p0_HxpgbbpmWBDG2wlSUj2TUpRQzzl5Uj4n_i57FTh-15v1OutX_opvgT6CLuOfcExnBKb/s1600/IMG_9020.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik61f7LtHVXakVDTpPE9ks-FAz2MU4WFJ8bt2CvUVIIzCl9kzBM4SxtDxn9ZEy9icKclsVw4p0_HxpgbbpmWBDG2wlSUj2TUpRQzzl5Uj4n_i57FTh-15v1OutX_opvgT6CLuOfcExnBKb/s400/IMG_9020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224430286577922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...to the Cleveland International Film Festival's Blogger Reception.<br /><br />Yay!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was a nice event where bloggers got to mingle...<br /></div></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXua9hI9_COEFMKCZeiQuS9daTRE0VPgOp8rOnB4uovDq_BfGUeBMTMVVJzFUS8GlMi9aQ-XMbIk6z65wBqACnTtAdwBGzW2E5DxGliKumbH3mf-AfoQzf-uJ4vHfLT-Q7XJcnlCT8rxpL/s1600/IMG_9899.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXua9hI9_COEFMKCZeiQuS9daTRE0VPgOp8rOnB4uovDq_BfGUeBMTMVVJzFUS8GlMi9aQ-XMbIk6z65wBqACnTtAdwBGzW2E5DxGliKumbH3mf-AfoQzf-uJ4vHfLT-Q7XJcnlCT8rxpL/s400/IMG_9899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224439524723922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...get some tasty grub (this was a veggie sandwich with a side of rice/peas/cheese)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP8RcnduYQ7cRbEhJ_HjWdM4aEwC9XxHOudpPGPzfQG0DI5_QS-9EPX7jEn38CZL2jLEkHiyY9BniCELVwT8zWgJ4wAu97N-O0tZxTQQGzC4bOIQmGsFbozpfk5nnLRZ8QgQiq-ePY2JL/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP8RcnduYQ7cRbEhJ_HjWdM4aEwC9XxHOudpPGPzfQG0DI5_QS-9EPX7jEn38CZL2jLEkHiyY9BniCELVwT8zWgJ4wAu97N-O0tZxTQQGzC4bOIQmGsFbozpfk5nnLRZ8QgQiq-ePY2JL/s400/IMG_3571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224429421829218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and even talk to filmmakers, like Katie Dellamaggiore...<br /><br /><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgOAp7qSUeM?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgOAp7qSUeM?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315"></embed></object><p>...who directed the film <a href="http://www.brooklyncastle.com/">Brooklyn Castle</a>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Then, if you wanted to be a little creative...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0a0Nk1JBVdxeVOHpZMG7Yv-sDRhVZiRirLh_9ob_6GQCVT8nj-6F4vzkaX1nMGO6mkuGbKpjAj9QZBRBXbvfiQSyUnTdSy2BSmIkwBXDK6zMB64QOsQf-UwhemLDjImg8AVVaSUq_bYw/s1600/IMG_4323.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0a0Nk1JBVdxeVOHpZMG7Yv-sDRhVZiRirLh_9ob_6GQCVT8nj-6F4vzkaX1nMGO6mkuGbKpjAj9QZBRBXbvfiQSyUnTdSy2BSmIkwBXDK6zMB64QOsQf-UwhemLDjImg8AVVaSUq_bYw/s400/IMG_4323.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224283716191730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...you could head beyond that smoky glass...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjMCcWAGu7-rZdju1fF7NwQXmLx-tdu3yYH7LCyjYwyhhlKxqwf1Fx94HKzUngwZLmcJ7jpHHTvXm817OUN3HY46b-jmSO3ps3VrWrAiOzljaVmBObV5ZzEhpRlRv13CwRjFsxWR18mrV/s1600/IMG_5760.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjMCcWAGu7-rZdju1fF7NwQXmLx-tdu3yYH7LCyjYwyhhlKxqwf1Fx94HKzUngwZLmcJ7jpHHTvXm817OUN3HY46b-jmSO3ps3VrWrAiOzljaVmBObV5ZzEhpRlRv13CwRjFsxWR18mrV/s400/IMG_5760.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224293765843986" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...and pretend you were a superhero behind the clouds.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I tried to pretend that I was...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV1HxrU-DA9IXemhYsc3CGdPQ_ONf0URnD5sLlzlR86MwVJt2hcsJ5x9AB_O3h8LYM_KTU1RoQHULUuNxtjxbf0nMYwft-qwi89c2pCjXtnXpx5RHFCvqRosxvpThs8RDWBjHUktQ6luv/s1600/kris5.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV1HxrU-DA9IXemhYsc3CGdPQ_ONf0URnD5sLlzlR86MwVJt2hcsJ5x9AB_O3h8LYM_KTU1RoQHULUuNxtjxbf0nMYwft-qwi89c2pCjXtnXpx5RHFCvqRosxvpThs8RDWBjHUktQ6luv/s400/kris5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724271111486817730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...a crazy surfer (I have the crazy part down pat)...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PLZVGDiUk7dAiXcBU8RlsjDWg9QqtNHJguJhpJFHrdvitB27UQMCfGYCSVnUqzxNSJXmNqcdOH09dFvEOGEXJ0IGTJIbjYSqlWZtszN5gkDiKViA4n4sq_N1Sg32901aeCi6muokXGwV/s1600/kris2.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PLZVGDiUk7dAiXcBU8RlsjDWg9QqtNHJguJhpJFHrdvitB27UQMCfGYCSVnUqzxNSJXmNqcdOH09dFvEOGEXJ0IGTJIbjYSqlWZtszN5gkDiKViA4n4sq_N1Sg32901aeCi6muokXGwV/s400/kris2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724271120440279474" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...and a graduating high school senior.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Laura Watilo Blake, Social Media Manager of the Cleveland International Film Festival, was the photographer of the above pics and a real pleasure to talk to. As well as a professional photographer, she's also a graphic designer and writer with a wonderful blog called...</p><p style="text-align: center;">...<a href="http://www.farflunggallery.com/" target="_blank">FarFlung Gallery</a>...<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">...which you should check out!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">...................</p><p style="text-align: left;">After the reception, my mom and I went down the film festival...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bVxCTrjhrBCzlY63dUiIkahPgAz_y49evW34PbbvZU7Zl0FATI1cEvql-QElrEqw2d6UFGWNhofA7ZbQlFIcVU6TfQoUaxUx-qsjW9fy76X3vuZPGTaQSIXMms5jWEe5ln4vuaqkCRv_/s1600/IMG_1861.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bVxCTrjhrBCzlY63dUiIkahPgAz_y49evW34PbbvZU7Zl0FATI1cEvql-QElrEqw2d6UFGWNhofA7ZbQlFIcVU6TfQoUaxUx-qsjW9fy76X3vuZPGTaQSIXMms5jWEe5ln4vuaqkCRv_/s400/IMG_1861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724224273129079746" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...and got in line for the film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1886502/" target="_blank">Corpo Celeste</a>...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SDebk4adN1I?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SDebk4adN1I?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315"></embed></object></p><p style="text-align: center;">...which was a little slow, yet interesting, Italian film.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Afterward, with our ticket stubs in hand, we were able to validate our parking ticket, which basically waived our parking fees. This is an important tidbit of info because the last time I had been to the Cleveland International Film Festival was back in the 1990's.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Not that I don't like films (I love them!)...but I do remember the parking fees being something that discouraged me way back then.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And now that I know the parking is free (with validation), I'm looking at the festival with <span style="font-style: italic;">fresh</span>, new eyes.</p><div style="text-align: left;">The festival is still going on through April 1...<br /></div><br />...who knows how many films I'll be able to fit in until then?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-19044470291484564532012-03-26T10:22:00.000-04:002012-03-26T10:32:56.204-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part V: If you build it...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part V: If you build it...</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Is this Heaven?</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's Iowa.</span><br /><br />- from movie Field of Dreams (1989)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3: Sunday, March 18, 2012</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2fn1OQbycg1E7cHhGfukBbJZvgE_JZO9VuX1fmSJjxqKPU7FAH_ZNTk2kmznn32zG3McdsEc6b-rxltbb1Nn_WxZbDkZnCgfx9IgNSUPPwsZ8Np8uVrNmaVHcTOGmJXU-1HADQXwTImi/s1600/iowa.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2fn1OQbycg1E7cHhGfukBbJZvgE_JZO9VuX1fmSJjxqKPU7FAH_ZNTk2kmznn32zG3McdsEc6b-rxltbb1Nn_WxZbDkZnCgfx9IgNSUPPwsZ8Np8uVrNmaVHcTOGmJXU-1HADQXwTImi/s400/iowa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723885869131547986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With a full day of stops planned for Iowa - plus some time needed to spend in Omaha...<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjapmNNWcPIJs-BRj1r-lCkbXcqZ5LxbYmozS1Qha8CU-PRceHVPAS3t-rjI89p5fB7aD_n5_Nhw6_b9rBhbzAzZ_U6Kwfyze47aaw4SS8HkYhg6MIQQtpKolNz7HHnn-PxeZjCafMd5G/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjapmNNWcPIJs-BRj1r-lCkbXcqZ5LxbYmozS1Qha8CU-PRceHVPAS3t-rjI89p5fB7aD_n5_Nhw6_b9rBhbzAzZ_U6Kwfyze47aaw4SS8HkYhg6MIQQtpKolNz7HHnn-PxeZjCafMd5G/s400/IMG_5074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723585784181273218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I decided to get up early and have a big ole breakfast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My drive through Southwestern Iowa was definitely an interesting one. Although my radio selection was <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>at an all-time low...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9EGUlukCEih2VkV7TfdY3VCiR-7V2-6ltt8M4-0pYF86wvywKHw8PW_umjsB4pa6HRJurSN9FtFOtaK5VdSLo1trZ6bSx-2L9MnHFnHdS51jfKgEVeK61LUujYrTIKV-rB6536c3WNXK/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9EGUlukCEih2VkV7TfdY3VCiR-7V2-6ltt8M4-0pYF86wvywKHw8PW_umjsB4pa6HRJurSN9FtFOtaK5VdSLo1trZ6bSx-2L9MnHFnHdS51jfKgEVeK61LUujYrTIKV-rB6536c3WNXK/s400/IMG_5076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723585789086695618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the sky had a mystical quality to it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For as I drove through the Iowa's hilly areas, the sun peaked through hundreds of breaks in the fast-moving clouds.<br /><br />This made the shafts of light hit the ground like spotlights that meticulously searched for something. At times, it even looked like the sections of bright light were alive and that they were gently caressing the landscape.<br /><br />Seeing so many areas of light moving along the earth around me was really incredible and made for a delightful Sunday drive through the state. In fact, it even made the evangelical radio a little more tolerable.<br /><br />I guess it even moved me.<br /><br />I tried to capture this phenomenon with my cell phone, but it's not so clear...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShQKH80vroE?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShQKH80vroE?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...so try to enlarge the video and use a little imagination.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As concerns my various stops, they all involve visiting a particular thing that had been <span style="font-style: italic;">constructed</span>, such as a home, monument, structure or congregational hall.<br /><br />For that reason, I think the title of this posting fits:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If you build it...he will come</span> - just like in the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/" target="_blank">Field of Dreams</a>.<br /></div><br />But, in this case, <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm</span> the one who came and now I'm going to present these things to you in the same order as listed in the above-posted map...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.) Clarinda</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YIj0LHs-Xg5PWcpaDjsOwzOq39TachXrq1UxJEPjQnbffEHjQyHhE3BNNk4qmizF-4yWCk4nHpHakoWBbBDmXvk9M4yukA1KhyphenhyphenKisIIC4sDWTsx4ySN91zqeIz1y4Jary1CMBvZFDI5_/s1600/DSCN0221.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YIj0LHs-Xg5PWcpaDjsOwzOq39TachXrq1UxJEPjQnbffEHjQyHhE3BNNk4qmizF-4yWCk4nHpHakoWBbBDmXvk9M4yukA1KhyphenhyphenKisIIC4sDWTsx4ySN91zqeIz1y4Jary1CMBvZFDI5_/s400/DSCN0221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581203103556514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I pulled up to the <a href="http://www.glennmiller.org/" target="_blank">Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum</a>, it was only 9 o'clock (opening hours were 1-5).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But, fortunately for me, there was someone outside doing some yard work who offered to show me around when I told him I was only passing though.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLB1H-wzbQ8b7mBhg7r_cGgb8rRMRdnmZwZV9hKy40IxvE1LX-Ji4HGhuUuWV9mQ38lhnTsXKabj1hG2d2AsjAbmsJCh0xl80DXoiSn-z5xdqpbUZ_VUX-eOpnFHVL6GLJwRHXlZAVTEE/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLB1H-wzbQ8b7mBhg7r_cGgb8rRMRdnmZwZV9hKy40IxvE1LX-Ji4HGhuUuWV9mQ38lhnTsXKabj1hG2d2AsjAbmsJCh0xl80DXoiSn-z5xdqpbUZ_VUX-eOpnFHVL6GLJwRHXlZAVTEE/s400/DSCN0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581212841192690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Inside the museum...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUy3Tia19jz7pS4XOatgcemOBzSKjt5E57Ip0UcswhO1G5g1s3boav1VPm07nZ0CN6EHyURddXF0jHtGYARhz2mvcOiC__1zUP-yxLBRXh7bkQxNbLUwABQeVrGSkTs5KTAJIXFs0H1us/s1600/DSCN0223.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUy3Tia19jz7pS4XOatgcemOBzSKjt5E57Ip0UcswhO1G5g1s3boav1VPm07nZ0CN6EHyURddXF0jHtGYARhz2mvcOiC__1zUP-yxLBRXh7bkQxNbLUwABQeVrGSkTs5KTAJIXFs0H1us/s400/DSCN0223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581214453849298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...there was a small room with various Glenn Miller artifacts...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCMT3oKnXCSvzkEKMdlAI52Mx-Z1tTbFyrk5la41R_t1evfhxOiVo_2QRXSo0D4Q4ZpGxnxkbUjehAdS_jDNFmFjf98KyDK-Icb_HPUPkmrjJ-N2xavL6N4BpGbFdaw7B7qs8RdRfPF7Z/s1600/DSCN0225.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCMT3oKnXCSvzkEKMdlAI52Mx-Z1tTbFyrk5la41R_t1evfhxOiVo_2QRXSo0D4Q4ZpGxnxkbUjehAdS_jDNFmFjf98KyDK-Icb_HPUPkmrjJ-N2xavL6N4BpGbFdaw7B7qs8RdRfPF7Z/s400/DSCN0225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581227551587250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and a much larger room with info...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8j4FoCXf16LvLnrjn3ayfSRzxWI_sWgTmBWkO15HTlCT7zR8zj9PPFhPlhs1Fmg714RXu6B8LfnMJ7awjx6643aI_LNrVEqL8SS0g4CqmOMweC-kyLF_cMKMcH1Lqp0TQhieELb3XU9g/s1600/DSCN0226.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8j4FoCXf16LvLnrjn3ayfSRzxWI_sWgTmBWkO15HTlCT7zR8zj9PPFhPlhs1Fmg714RXu6B8LfnMJ7awjx6643aI_LNrVEqL8SS0g4CqmOMweC-kyLF_cMKMcH1Lqp0TQhieELb3XU9g/s400/DSCN0226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723891695179926562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...photographs...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQhRFl8SoYkRNhrhbR_TaohslI-k2vEaFfhwGFGys-GcdOQMgJDK7gtp3gLn85rkmr8CB0oI4lV3vOiVYtwPMUVxOnRtt9CyEsbd9S6lywsz35QEnx0TvcLo6EGNZTSX0EHT71hlTkPjd/s1600/DSCN0224.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQhRFl8SoYkRNhrhbR_TaohslI-k2vEaFfhwGFGys-GcdOQMgJDK7gtp3gLn85rkmr8CB0oI4lV3vOiVYtwPMUVxOnRtt9CyEsbd9S6lywsz35QEnx0TvcLo6EGNZTSX0EHT71hlTkPjd/s400/DSCN0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581219891621554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDTFClCdzwuM8n-1Ambs6iTxBJrfzAps11LlEBTE-aW6p5ghNVCgYV4diDo041dwoVJ9Hky-sUwAjpTvOgWJO8XwYaNIR5jrLyfujRU6Iwmc5SliNFtBd5sMmG-iA-jLYuMyJDOAIEznS/s1600/DSCN0228.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDTFClCdzwuM8n-1Ambs6iTxBJrfzAps11LlEBTE-aW6p5ghNVCgYV4diDo041dwoVJ9Hky-sUwAjpTvOgWJO8XwYaNIR5jrLyfujRU6Iwmc5SliNFtBd5sMmG-iA-jLYuMyJDOAIEznS/s400/DSCN0228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581624355851058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and even some instruments.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just to the side of the museum...<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillixDrjQtOcG_xtFq3a4woMEs0BDEtFxDFZ3CyLOD-pDyDEDGvTAfG0ngMrxwrhNPMUgKWT6x9eOZ6LzYH9lJL025zu14mZpMVgKSk_Ytcmj6Qg0EaoeXbz7LQ6Bt3j8XxzRL97aTnOyc/s1600/DSCN0241.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillixDrjQtOcG_xtFq3a4woMEs0BDEtFxDFZ3CyLOD-pDyDEDGvTAfG0ngMrxwrhNPMUgKWT6x9eOZ6LzYH9lJL025zu14mZpMVgKSk_Ytcmj6Qg0EaoeXbz7LQ6Bt3j8XxzRL97aTnOyc/s400/DSCN0241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581931264736850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...was Glenn Miller's birth home...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwWsIXwNE2xynKH5LshmTjFN5RLKdNId_A0xAHUbyclGljZSlGIs4m0t4w-v17oo4EOhmrnch7YGcPES4jZlIWY0tFelC4iusFP_6nFbJJEMrjpcjpdXNUqo4XwCUu-s1aoR0pdF4hgGo/s1600/DSCN0231.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwWsIXwNE2xynKH5LshmTjFN5RLKdNId_A0xAHUbyclGljZSlGIs4m0t4w-v17oo4EOhmrnch7YGcPES4jZlIWY0tFelC4iusFP_6nFbJJEMrjpcjpdXNUqo4XwCUu-s1aoR0pdF4hgGo/s400/DSCN0231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581633293786002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where the museum tried to keep true to the period.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Keep in mind that Glenn Miller was only here for the first few years of his life...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZcnyY4af9VKdGG9iqiBjYOidJOoj9-fz2MmRjnxpoMFO_VV-GtC_bEyJGQj2jvjapCBEhNhUhVXHe6L5Buq24iqBmBFUkXqj9q53i4ONOofOt05t56KKWp1JDxyVwhNdoEC0cqGT8wO2/s1600/DSCN0235.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZcnyY4af9VKdGG9iqiBjYOidJOoj9-fz2MmRjnxpoMFO_VV-GtC_bEyJGQj2jvjapCBEhNhUhVXHe6L5Buq24iqBmBFUkXqj9q53i4ONOofOt05t56KKWp1JDxyVwhNdoEC0cqGT8wO2/s400/DSCN0235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581640492403650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but it was really interesting to see the detail in the kitchen...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EB5QWfJ0_Y0v6x28kDlDo9RSAjxy_4ToFDtWLfLxg-AZ8Rayi8L91RXGhB-mN0grCq_QVi3CESxuTuZUB4_nVio7aKu6sf75ZlrEkIflBr7VmZsa_lOLi7rYlTeQ60r5GzcaeGZXyjyY/s1600/DSCN0232.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EB5QWfJ0_Y0v6x28kDlDo9RSAjxy_4ToFDtWLfLxg-AZ8Rayi8L91RXGhB-mN0grCq_QVi3CESxuTuZUB4_nVio7aKu6sf75ZlrEkIflBr7VmZsa_lOLi7rYlTeQ60r5GzcaeGZXyjyY/s400/DSCN0232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581635521828754" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoIVJSPp2EhVGpgPxoN4sTPc9Pb2on3R-qVg8mkgrgVJ54lhdgpXzyeZ7e66tfIDDp_BZXTcIfnEKR2DeIl8Qo1F1kJwKeWTNLwpwjYVsmt6irJLGzicmTZ6KZqMZhD-GUCkQ9upZYL24/s1600/DSCN0233.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoIVJSPp2EhVGpgPxoN4sTPc9Pb2on3R-qVg8mkgrgVJ54lhdgpXzyeZ7e66tfIDDp_BZXTcIfnEKR2DeIl8Qo1F1kJwKeWTNLwpwjYVsmt6irJLGzicmTZ6KZqMZhD-GUCkQ9upZYL24/s400/DSCN0233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723895684883498546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the bedrooms...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzrIssPBYvk-XxcMdKzDZkNP-_224ZSyk0BhKovNTEJyQjbetOAWBR7TSW7PTiaGkkObCia15Ngy_yAUTuFzPlpn_NVBSWc6V1in5B0CMBry1oC9Cxofhms7Rgu5yXvLEfFp4hBeYrTwW/s1600/DSCN0240.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzrIssPBYvk-XxcMdKzDZkNP-_224ZSyk0BhKovNTEJyQjbetOAWBR7TSW7PTiaGkkObCia15Ngy_yAUTuFzPlpn_NVBSWc6V1in5B0CMBry1oC9Cxofhms7Rgu5yXvLEfFp4hBeYrTwW/s400/DSCN0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581643242218082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and the private bath.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) Stanton</span><br /><br />If you ever watched American TV in the 1960's, you are probably familiar with the Mrs. Olson of the <a href="http://www.folgers.com/" target="_blank">Folgers </a>advertisements...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_DyW1-XhgKU?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_DyW1-XhgKU?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...but here's if you're not.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The reason I'm sharing this is that the actress playing Mrs. Olson, Virginia Christine, was born here in Stanton and, as a result...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQj7PVvsfdO6k79mpRqHkaPcmLmWDEoxa0YI0llwdfwefts39THhUp4ihjBmTjZnRGGLlcn051o3ykyRE2WOVIXUbIq9o_rrZ1XQbunYK_pLlUeri6GItSbrw6idMJKAYpvnPVQqR2nLj/s1600/DSCN0242.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQj7PVvsfdO6k79mpRqHkaPcmLmWDEoxa0YI0llwdfwefts39THhUp4ihjBmTjZnRGGLlcn051o3ykyRE2WOVIXUbIq9o_rrZ1XQbunYK_pLlUeri6GItSbrw6idMJKAYpvnPVQqR2nLj/s400/DSCN0242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581935893803330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the town honored her with a rather interestingly-shaped water tower...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9fSQ-sMQpDsL6ym7I17RKPj2cbjHhX2ufCFliWv84U76YNOeAqkBJBQazEsWb55VthmIFIWKqmrPCjT9FEK7hVKAOkLFdy026V5GDSWKax4-hMaIoCesqkMZdUqoHQflysWGb5gpfJi3/s1600/DSCN0243.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9fSQ-sMQpDsL6ym7I17RKPj2cbjHhX2ufCFliWv84U76YNOeAqkBJBQazEsWb55VthmIFIWKqmrPCjT9FEK7hVKAOkLFdy026V5GDSWKax4-hMaIoCesqkMZdUqoHQflysWGb5gpfJi3/s400/DSCN0243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581943479358594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the largest Swedish coffee pot in the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On the other side of town, there's a second water tower built more recently...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkc5qnb3q2aNakoYpyia1iadWoYdcQ6XrbXAzwe_MxXZ2NghIkiOO2-VgClagb-Fz_MP8jKusQGp71suJgV_5HsJ1LQYU-SyTf2L9zQN-myVfjFhHVXC1YWqOcG3yVWnGkz6l_lHlF-4U/s1600/DSCN0245.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkc5qnb3q2aNakoYpyia1iadWoYdcQ6XrbXAzwe_MxXZ2NghIkiOO2-VgClagb-Fz_MP8jKusQGp71suJgV_5HsJ1LQYU-SyTf2L9zQN-myVfjFhHVXC1YWqOcG3yVWnGkz6l_lHlF-4U/s400/DSCN0245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581945378997058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it's shaped like a coffee cup.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The town of Stanton is a rather small one...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUEwcIxfOmqV7ACjbFvCh4bwcAmXa_hp0JHLyfi4EjyZfLSbCm0DEPhKgLFaKPc6jZxN4SCLb3B_WMIwwGcrfu8bvNKFdUR0LubmqfenQr2AdlALeoMWpug1r4NlLLI_NSIF5rvTnqJV-/s1600/DSCN0246.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUEwcIxfOmqV7ACjbFvCh4bwcAmXa_hp0JHLyfi4EjyZfLSbCm0DEPhKgLFaKPc6jZxN4SCLb3B_WMIwwGcrfu8bvNKFdUR0LubmqfenQr2AdlALeoMWpug1r4NlLLI_NSIF5rvTnqJV-/s400/DSCN0246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723581949686476962" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn5F7K_Uqv1SmxGSBlV2LIkPLsqqDAe1dCUChdd-WyytveaYf841oHMi840HtnamIdzG5cXBOyPVAEgQH0o4ZNj9VMrgEQObHfPgXHZbBMrQy64direUqXVQeKkkBKfybOECPisIzb0z_/s1600/DSCN0247.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn5F7K_Uqv1SmxGSBlV2LIkPLsqqDAe1dCUChdd-WyytveaYf841oHMi840HtnamIdzG5cXBOyPVAEgQH0o4ZNj9VMrgEQObHfPgXHZbBMrQy64direUqXVQeKkkBKfybOECPisIzb0z_/s400/DSCN0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723582613549123346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but I did enjoy the building decor enough to take some photos.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.) Corning</span><br /><br />Another birthplace town...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKZDWQMZLTWEoA95WQIhabSnA9zvPQjEPkFpVG8sgcjro5AYUZ_72zLdgUpTadWCJjM4EZMp-UI0AYT3eNtmwUDfNoGWRGbB2QIuUeeIT3RmjoXBtCsNqaAxxlaDKJ82YgGp99ympeVQF/s1600/DSCN0252.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKZDWQMZLTWEoA95WQIhabSnA9zvPQjEPkFpVG8sgcjro5AYUZ_72zLdgUpTadWCJjM4EZMp-UI0AYT3eNtmwUDfNoGWRGbB2QIuUeeIT3RmjoXBtCsNqaAxxlaDKJ82YgGp99ympeVQF/s400/DSCN0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723582624649060114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...this time for Johnny Carson.<br /></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFlHDUdpPQfvZRIvCHZUfFJKluqz_qDAeFgNvaiKLUe5UlsWbbmBJSudrvrlfPA6Vo8QqafcrQdmW7x55uxnzpWEp02iSSe_5fnm81Hj6oqpLi-APrRsW1zLmtrTHEXrNvO6y2tilGm2J/s1600/DSCN0251.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFlHDUdpPQfvZRIvCHZUfFJKluqz_qDAeFgNvaiKLUe5UlsWbbmBJSudrvrlfPA6Vo8QqafcrQdmW7x55uxnzpWEp02iSSe_5fnm81Hj6oqpLi-APrRsW1zLmtrTHEXrNvO6y2tilGm2J/s400/DSCN0251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723582621785628338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's his home from the front.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk8mg3EJVd9lMzIXFONycd98WQAmD8eKMkLM21O8rpORMBVxcQJ7G_nUd4OsaJ14Mi7ET_GZkmfArCrUtUZA6hnQzsu0O2UOJcMqEVKYATqo3AHboBV0rH81b0eIgqcmDA5AA11I2PGa3/s1600/DSCN0250.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk8mg3EJVd9lMzIXFONycd98WQAmD8eKMkLM21O8rpORMBVxcQJ7G_nUd4OsaJ14Mi7ET_GZkmfArCrUtUZA6hnQzsu0O2UOJcMqEVKYATqo3AHboBV0rH81b0eIgqcmDA5AA11I2PGa3/s400/DSCN0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723582614372970642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's his home from the side.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.) Elk Horn</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kimballton</span><br /><br />Probably the most tourist friendly of all the towns on this trip...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdQKUBRXuNjDfjpQD9YSBX8vUapKZfqjmZfyqZ7OXhd2ympdC88I6fH03O2aGMd8vLiMNHzQ9SP_IWjkwicSilpPWrX7orn9ChNT_IsvSdm4CMRYv5RkmEBRrqX7CYO1dWfyPmg2PQKL3/s1600/DSCN0259.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdQKUBRXuNjDfjpQD9YSBX8vUapKZfqjmZfyqZ7OXhd2ympdC88I6fH03O2aGMd8vLiMNHzQ9SP_IWjkwicSilpPWrX7orn9ChNT_IsvSdm4CMRYv5RkmEBRrqX7CYO1dWfyPmg2PQKL3/s400/DSCN0259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723583512519832722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Elk Horn is home to an authentic Danish Windmill...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ9TUFY_t8tk-JOuY-M1G7svcNgDRH5BKEzmVb1Ftrk_Ay86H6F7NyHa2nXuim56vpQFg6BPqnYGsCohUafFKekqjn9mdWpp5HAWT3Wy_u04sQb9HQNWbw3SOrGKXmCeZR-AJzxEhltLr/s1600/DSCN0258.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ9TUFY_t8tk-JOuY-M1G7svcNgDRH5BKEzmVb1Ftrk_Ay86H6F7NyHa2nXuim56vpQFg6BPqnYGsCohUafFKekqjn9mdWpp5HAWT3Wy_u04sQb9HQNWbw3SOrGKXmCeZR-AJzxEhltLr/s400/DSCN0258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723583500206081490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it's actually very beautiful and well-maintained.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inside the windmill is a museum and visitor's center...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4q-t0LURKDCGreRkE94SU_7SNkMQt652vDzN_P7jQPGHylfz79i2kDOEXtC2mkKLgzRb0n2R1AvZ5NU_mzqhyRZOmDib8NJ9E8d1AiwuP6cEYqGy_K0otsfGp8vrnvSypC38dCoyf06A/s1600/IMG_5093.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4q-t0LURKDCGreRkE94SU_7SNkMQt652vDzN_P7jQPGHylfz79i2kDOEXtC2mkKLgzRb0n2R1AvZ5NU_mzqhyRZOmDib8NJ9E8d1AiwuP6cEYqGy_K0otsfGp8vrnvSypC38dCoyf06A/s400/IMG_5093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586319866216258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where you can stock up on all your Danish gifts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just down the street is where I decided to pick up lunch...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBaRXroHc4J3gDup0UKYUAqxuqEHaCEHNiSM3AEPZrPhfM5dCWHTVYSLePheERJWmskx9cirjth3XJN871Ci1VjnS6kb_hwafStvukIH_lUf28_TRfO2veRD1jur4XNUmSdC0BzTxPTMk/s1600/DSCN0254.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBaRXroHc4J3gDup0UKYUAqxuqEHaCEHNiSM3AEPZrPhfM5dCWHTVYSLePheERJWmskx9cirjth3XJN871Ci1VjnS6kb_hwafStvukIH_lUf28_TRfO2veRD1jur4XNUmSdC0BzTxPTMk/s400/DSCN0254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723583493286523538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfpPRtzVf_rqRI8Kx8KX9gj69Wxr-qm6gHzEEVau9lb60gNWI4kjr79PXNXmiVwr4fB510KpQXEwRo0dTPWYXyPWMB85STCBj8vB4GfiGnHA2diQ1SY-DNMWtbSzP0OuotZ5Ziu2oL9uq/s1600/DSCN0255.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfpPRtzVf_rqRI8Kx8KX9gj69Wxr-qm6gHzEEVau9lb60gNWI4kjr79PXNXmiVwr4fB510KpQXEwRo0dTPWYXyPWMB85STCBj8vB4GfiGnHA2diQ1SY-DNMWtbSzP0OuotZ5Ziu2oL9uq/s400/DSCN0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723583495795918642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...at the <a href="http://www.danishinnrestaurant.com/">Danish Inn</a>...<br /></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbcMnYkzveTd_MdAt19Hiz8FguG_S84M7yni_2QLuZ0cNvhfcVOWF8x1MbKrW70fCRHf6hvsKF734p_eT_hawl3lSjZMBFsFXJ9O6IVoGjMNDispHdmpheseLSONpEqm5tDFOvAZbcLvh/s1600/IMG_5082.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbcMnYkzveTd_MdAt19Hiz8FguG_S84M7yni_2QLuZ0cNvhfcVOWF8x1MbKrW70fCRHf6hvsKF734p_eT_hawl3lSjZMBFsFXJ9O6IVoGjMNDispHdmpheseLSONpEqm5tDFOvAZbcLvh/s400/IMG_5082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723585796362337490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where the Sunday buffet was in full force...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd3AikRWtHFbYOuQKh1jqzAs1-l7tkN0fEMQitLVsBzMtoJWB_rKMeGzjPJTaJqdtYPmbcJqO1co8RR32B40AyQ5JIUC50q7aF3gPsbB8Y62ZKnuHkgrxFNdHxGqy0bGG5dvs-SRrTVHa/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd3AikRWtHFbYOuQKh1jqzAs1-l7tkN0fEMQitLVsBzMtoJWB_rKMeGzjPJTaJqdtYPmbcJqO1co8RR32B40AyQ5JIUC50q7aF3gPsbB8Y62ZKnuHkgrxFNdHxGqy0bGG5dvs-SRrTVHa/s400/IMG_5083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723585799691693154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with typical salad bar products...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIv_hnYSFdkheQlUPrp2gwT9nMJFiEdFVjSC0w0jHjRDzL3-d4BWhje7ZsMqLmN5Jj6Qd8VfAA665cVzFEQOefwlMFWWPDqICieo3jG4BvCDHnXlj_LhT2CuCUHn4a-2XgxUlwOCTmskdr/s1600/IMG_5085.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIv_hnYSFdkheQlUPrp2gwT9nMJFiEdFVjSC0w0jHjRDzL3-d4BWhje7ZsMqLmN5Jj6Qd8VfAA665cVzFEQOefwlMFWWPDqICieo3jG4BvCDHnXlj_LhT2CuCUHn4a-2XgxUlwOCTmskdr/s400/IMG_5085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586129270949090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...vegetable, egg and marshmallow-laced salad dishes...<br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfpPRtzVf_rqRI8Kx8KX9gj69Wxr-qm6gHzEEVau9lb60gNWI4kjr79PXNXmiVwr4fB510KpQXEwRo0dTPWYXyPWMB85STCBj8vB4GfiGnHA2diQ1SY-DNMWtbSzP0OuotZ5Ziu2oL9uq/s1600/DSCN0255.JPG" target="_blank"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvp4JW85hDEIE9MaFh-CqeLIrnKQpmpLUx9bl1i8pqxjrc68fKGVJ_nGgglEKCCooAHHFzAJZ2Gnpvq_7dFuoSDH9_rI3bdteJZmG046Rqe3j-RSb49VKahfFgA3zd9cEOhLBKYAjmIaM/s1600/IMG_5086.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvp4JW85hDEIE9MaFh-CqeLIrnKQpmpLUx9bl1i8pqxjrc68fKGVJ_nGgglEKCCooAHHFzAJZ2Gnpvq_7dFuoSDH9_rI3bdteJZmG046Rqe3j-RSb49VKahfFgA3zd9cEOhLBKYAjmIaM/s400/IMG_5086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586132554527106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and then you had your meats galore.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsKoPEFrjXq2EpTUlFFJi5BAShnCgalQZg-fg3klVs2xObAoO5_lNDMbUtGARzO1Or2aZBvp2ACCcpLw6H2k00hZNwnDmdpqstNY-Yxjt1JgjN1SxT24f0dmVECC5CDSguS9bJcw3Oorj/s1600/IMG_5087.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsKoPEFrjXq2EpTUlFFJi5BAShnCgalQZg-fg3klVs2xObAoO5_lNDMbUtGARzO1Or2aZBvp2ACCcpLw6H2k00hZNwnDmdpqstNY-Yxjt1JgjN1SxT24f0dmVECC5CDSguS9bJcw3Oorj/s400/IMG_5087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586139870076434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My first round was pretty tasty with the red cabbage, bean salad, potatoes, potato salad, delicious ham, meatballs and sausage enhanced with cloves and other spices.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegl_FHVtalccwqi_uuKV_j07EUKa8w0JnxYposudj-xKpF35t7AQUvGHnMvuBwtMb2Qypd6gIpLbuR4b9PHFu8_G8ZQUbZ6GntLe6y1x8EvI2tpEYX19WkklbPicis5xGZjPyjygTLsrW/s1600/IMG_5089.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegl_FHVtalccwqi_uuKV_j07EUKa8w0JnxYposudj-xKpF35t7AQUvGHnMvuBwtMb2Qypd6gIpLbuR4b9PHFu8_G8ZQUbZ6GntLe6y1x8EvI2tpEYX19WkklbPicis5xGZjPyjygTLsrW/s400/IMG_5089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586141911511506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Round two added some beets, fried chicken...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSdUfTbJy5M7KbNmBn_4z86Iz5Osq9ClPFs3gY1gnV6tgJUSJkJHd27dr_XsTSUB4PZFS7pnMo56M6997rvpVkVpBxk1d5-HezOdR6AXBpBE552JF_DSWZwAX13jf4585ZrJsXoWVCDNz/s1600/IMG_5084.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSdUfTbJy5M7KbNmBn_4z86Iz5Osq9ClPFs3gY1gnV6tgJUSJkJHd27dr_XsTSUB4PZFS7pnMo56M6997rvpVkVpBxk1d5-HezOdR6AXBpBE552JF_DSWZwAX13jf4585ZrJsXoWVCDNz/s400/IMG_5084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586122966392882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and samples from each of these rather frightening dishes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I really couldn't tell if the brown mixture was chocolate pudding with bacon or liver mousse with bacon. But when I asked and the woman assured me that it was chocolate mousse with candy pieces, I tasted it to double check and it was rather delicious (very creamy and whipped).<br /><br />The green jello, on the other hand, was spit back into my napkin.<br /><br />Stay far away from it.<br /><br />For dessert (included in the buffet price), I was given a choice from three desserts and I went with the cake.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnclTWWwIgMkVS3mhx1WKO7sYnjGE218bD8M1F5-xg1YwjltFsMq8OVe__HH-dwAE1apOOjJW6PTbX-UeBFubGerhyWIozuGnkCwOshUTHCME-tc9wwAlH0Hnu41HpPgEemhpPgKEt5eKu/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnclTWWwIgMkVS3mhx1WKO7sYnjGE218bD8M1F5-xg1YwjltFsMq8OVe__HH-dwAE1apOOjJW6PTbX-UeBFubGerhyWIozuGnkCwOshUTHCME-tc9wwAlH0Hnu41HpPgEemhpPgKEt5eKu/s400/IMG_5091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723586314565772562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was superb!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kimballton</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YzQ3vA12yJrcp_3NAR-sDjPY4W9OqU9y8ptRLJm1JSKINkDzzpOpt4soxKmMMIEBjRMryxGGZ6ZGJwea1oa9ArUFve4NSxUFrjjrfqI9qODDeAmkfVvo2fJ0ta9ZhUs3CcQ7N_6UNFkZ/s1600/DSCN0261.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YzQ3vA12yJrcp_3NAR-sDjPY4W9OqU9y8ptRLJm1JSKINkDzzpOpt4soxKmMMIEBjRMryxGGZ6ZGJwea1oa9ArUFve4NSxUFrjjrfqI9qODDeAmkfVvo2fJ0ta9ZhUs3CcQ7N_6UNFkZ/s400/DSCN0261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723583524026507490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just north of Elk Horn, I only stopped here for the mural...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BKMHtuGDqF3bsG_2jxWpWrthVok51aj1nT83C4NxuH8rMEBUkcPW6GVCJApYXG-J7qQxS_F3c-UGzQn-ouqRr1thHwNfgSaRVavOII4faYkxmnfG3VbYIniees8LLgO0dy7ro1a64el_/s1600/DSCN0264.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BKMHtuGDqF3bsG_2jxWpWrthVok51aj1nT83C4NxuH8rMEBUkcPW6GVCJApYXG-J7qQxS_F3c-UGzQn-ouqRr1thHwNfgSaRVavOII4faYkxmnfG3VbYIniees8LLgO0dy7ro1a64el_/s400/DSCN0264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584321428999586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and the Little Mermaid fountain.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.) Audubon</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> Considered the world's largest bull...<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgYD0AoQAeaTyG1VwgUgJVBF68bSVRW88b5nw0X0egYu0zksuppCh_xH9ZQbRmoas5Rmlvf07PIc5220dO1q3RWdIY_Z3QnINEsuGT0IUDOMJIgeTQVTN8U459klrUHTfXhuxaNg9ldZE/s1600/DSCN0266.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgYD0AoQAeaTyG1VwgUgJVBF68bSVRW88b5nw0X0egYu0zksuppCh_xH9ZQbRmoas5Rmlvf07PIc5220dO1q3RWdIY_Z3QnINEsuGT0IUDOMJIgeTQVTN8U459klrUHTfXhuxaNg9ldZE/s400/DSCN0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584330308028610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Albert is a 30 foot tall, 45 ton statue...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2220ttvP6u2ybjLLBZtUhwWRw5hVBNPi1ZJyIrA8AS5ZYxaiEtGUf8NeKw4dICvSLo0Ef4un2f3JRCFyA0PAq6evTCxhhJHSgpINMMOib9tgFBQayXWrc-v5wD1xYBW_FXz4eZ_B-M2df/s1600/DSCN0267.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2220ttvP6u2ybjLLBZtUhwWRw5hVBNPi1ZJyIrA8AS5ZYxaiEtGUf8NeKw4dICvSLo0Ef4un2f3JRCFyA0PAq6evTCxhhJHSgpINMMOib9tgFBQayXWrc-v5wD1xYBW_FXz4eZ_B-M2df/s400/DSCN0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584356068036418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with the bluest eyes...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokcNkxwz5yDLF1PdIQW0xS93erBmqTGxthDCwDspXlLgfvTipTy6sSvSqmysWjUzyIZhK-hDaw8w5GnKNQ8z67gtjiCj4rpOlrvKDkh8Vhyphenhyphen2t0WvkMeyRpLirl_C3qidauWT71TmvhbjJ/s1600/DSCN0268.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokcNkxwz5yDLF1PdIQW0xS93erBmqTGxthDCwDspXlLgfvTipTy6sSvSqmysWjUzyIZhK-hDaw8w5GnKNQ8z67gtjiCj4rpOlrvKDkh8Vhyphenhyphen2t0WvkMeyRpLirl_C3qidauWT71TmvhbjJ/s400/DSCN0268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584361101210834" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegl_FHVtalccwqi_uuKV_j07EUKa8w0JnxYposudj-xKpF35t7AQUvGHnMvuBwtMb2Qypd6gIpLbuR4b9PHFu8_G8ZQUbZ6GntLe6y1x8EvI2tpEYX19WkklbPicis5xGZjPyjygTLsrW/s1600/IMG_5089.JPG" target="_blank"></a><br />...and the result of some anatomical detail.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.) Council Bluffs</span><br /><br />As it got around 2:30, I was near the end of my Iowa tour when I arrived in Council Bluffs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLI522zZXcuNg9AGrs2Ysv89sb44p0PRmlS3LSBHe7KtUy4WfPKXVsXjurO6Z69WqC-w7Lgv74sRKe_gD6__j8VWmvCgdFxY2b4EmffnmRSo_gj6ZjlBdhIVLEC7-OYGQt3HHYyIcWPEj/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLI522zZXcuNg9AGrs2Ysv89sb44p0PRmlS3LSBHe7KtUy4WfPKXVsXjurO6Z69WqC-w7Lgv74sRKe_gD6__j8VWmvCgdFxY2b4EmffnmRSo_gj6ZjlBdhIVLEC7-OYGQt3HHYyIcWPEj/s400/DSCN0269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584882406324098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I decided to stop at the <a href="http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/eng/historical-sites/kanesville-tabernacle" target="_blank">Kanesville Tabernacle</a> (a replica)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpF8h0aHKig-o7n7MzRgeJsEVrFVTJen-g_SE58jRMI3fQ4sajEnsRPpGO4XVPRrcPOF4itRCa6hmb6c8EE1VFy9ZryJDmXHxldO_uflV57bEsdAEK9zR2dnu4w6vtYB9jGkopEi6qCjf8/s1600/DSCN0271.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpF8h0aHKig-o7n7MzRgeJsEVrFVTJen-g_SE58jRMI3fQ4sajEnsRPpGO4XVPRrcPOF4itRCa6hmb6c8EE1VFy9ZryJDmXHxldO_uflV57bEsdAEK9zR2dnu4w6vtYB9jGkopEi6qCjf8/s400/DSCN0271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584897458109138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...that was built by 200 (Church of Jesus Christ of) Latter-Day Saints as they temporarily settled here on their way to Utah.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My visit lasted a bit longer than originally planned, as Sister Wright explained the church's move from <a href="http://www.hillcumorah.org/visitctr.php" target="_blank">Palmyra, New York</a> (where I have also visited), through Ohio, Illinois and Missouri to here.<br /><br />I even watched a film on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Battalion" target="_blank">Mormon Battalion</a>.<br /></div></div><br />Soon after, Elder Wright led me into the Tabernacle...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT19FC16O2v67xZir1MaASLE0e46VMKmgzITpkSQBpr_E-FnqXFg5tjXTxBF4s2c9KfOHrikKoMVSz3XEjubLV2K0W0MyAsz_8qPJ7LrQcunOspAnuDUckmnVf9JyvJWxX9o02WO12Qlc/s1600/DSCN0273.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT19FC16O2v67xZir1MaASLE0e46VMKmgzITpkSQBpr_E-FnqXFg5tjXTxBF4s2c9KfOHrikKoMVSz3XEjubLV2K0W0MyAsz_8qPJ7LrQcunOspAnuDUckmnVf9JyvJWxX9o02WO12Qlc/s400/DSCN0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584906559720034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and explained the use of impressive room before us...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfx-cGNhP6oJCGnV1F8mdIp5w6bIPXE9Bd_xlAl1AdScjo9G_AeJDvL9Ja4yP33u31Kt-dGSTPnonPhRGP4YIE9cIWFvlD1aq4Pe2QODldO-tQ-mNcanj81R-YixnBQIC4ajHP2uW0Ehjr/s1600/DSCN0274.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfx-cGNhP6oJCGnV1F8mdIp5w6bIPXE9Bd_xlAl1AdScjo9G_AeJDvL9Ja4yP33u31Kt-dGSTPnonPhRGP4YIE9cIWFvlD1aq4Pe2QODldO-tQ-mNcanj81R-YixnBQIC4ajHP2uW0Ehjr/s400/DSCN0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723585776674685058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...also pointing out the period wagon...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtCW6rqjLKlp9k5Vxt7HaDArIxrNlMsqeuyMzzyh8sjCw8skt4nOOKCt7o11VUI-toqbMSmb6hI1n6i30yObdW-TrA8MmFxO1OHJdQoorioFkgn6tfQjjYDoXraoxcAm0-yArczAHZWVW/s1600/DSCN0275.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtCW6rqjLKlp9k5Vxt7HaDArIxrNlMsqeuyMzzyh8sjCw8skt4nOOKCt7o11VUI-toqbMSmb6hI1n6i30yObdW-TrA8MmFxO1OHJdQoorioFkgn6tfQjjYDoXraoxcAm0-yArczAHZWVW/s400/DSCN0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723909836557209074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the tools of the day...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF1X57Q-3HgUhnplThyphenhyphenAsyl3uEHWT18hOkiAzioL-40YQxz5ZJbsZekzDCvXaM_J3djk-qliA_pcqF-wH-2DgxtYgZThbw0TKPRMi6ybnJCNE50uZJSOp4etKDBT5vUOnPQ2BLMowgfml/s1600/DSCN0272.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF1X57Q-3HgUhnplThyphenhyphenAsyl3uEHWT18hOkiAzioL-40YQxz5ZJbsZekzDCvXaM_J3djk-qliA_pcqF-wH-2DgxtYgZThbw0TKPRMi6ybnJCNE50uZJSOp4etKDBT5vUOnPQ2BLMowgfml/s400/DSCN0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723584902424969762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and Brigham Young as he was sustained here as the second prophet (after Joseph Smith) and president of the church.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />By the end of the tour, I had been at the tabernacle for over an hour...a bit longer than I had intended.<br /><br />Still, it was nice because both Sister Wright and Elder Wright were rather sweet people and I was happy to share my own experiences with them of the visit to Palmyra, New York (this is where Joseph Smith had the vision).<br /><br />And although I'm not Mormon, nor do I even intend to become one (I'm drinking coffee as I write this), I'm fascinated with religion as a whole and love visiting places and talking to people of this nature.<br /><br />In fact, just look and see where I headed once I crossed into Nebraska...<br /></div></div><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-19160182308342104752012-03-24T17:23:00.000-04:002012-03-24T17:23:34.983-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part IV: When Fries Aren't Fries<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Part IV: When Fries Aren't Fries</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Please be a traveler, not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what’s right in front of you. Those are the keys to understanding this amazing world we live in.</span><br /><br />- Andrew Zimmern<br /><br />(From book <span style="font-style: italic;">Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World of Food: Brains, Bugs, and Blood Sausage</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/13853666"></a>) </span><br /><br />................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2: Saturday, March 17, 2012</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After my totem pole explorations, my stomach was starting to grumble. It was getting to be on the late side of lunch and I already knew where I was heading.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIITwwAtW3ng7g7S7RY4x3Z8HpAYFKu9P4kq-UXLx73LxLxva0ZCuRcu_U_lzOqwc8WHraQdLeLETExE0VGPPjhtzNqFqW0f7Fhyphenhyphen8hduCseIbl3UAXS3SCbNjj7YmfB27DFHMqQeNzosk/s1600/vinita.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIITwwAtW3ng7g7S7RY4x3Z8HpAYFKu9P4kq-UXLx73LxLxva0ZCuRcu_U_lzOqwc8WHraQdLeLETExE0VGPPjhtzNqFqW0f7Fhyphenhyphen8hduCseIbl3UAXS3SCbNjj7YmfB27DFHMqQeNzosk/s400/vinita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723553188144704834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I made my way up to Chelsea to catch the old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66" target="_blank">Route 66</a> and then continue to Vinita...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClLRT5jpwPav2Zy7R4ev_9d4O55Mwtk3fA4xJW-MYdFfMJrsM6YbIUBQlB2-6hT6YL96WqBIWSloW9wi4ZiOjEzK498Oy29vzLRwtTg9ck5UG5QcWFgORADz6UfUfHwpClu_YCqiNmqCA/s1600/DSCN0206.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClLRT5jpwPav2Zy7R4ev_9d4O55Mwtk3fA4xJW-MYdFfMJrsM6YbIUBQlB2-6hT6YL96WqBIWSloW9wi4ZiOjEzK498Oy29vzLRwtTg9ck5UG5QcWFgORADz6UfUfHwpClu_YCqiNmqCA/s400/DSCN0206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263356105775826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where the popular <a href="http://www.clantonscafe.com/" target="_blank">Clanton's Cafe</a> awaited me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Clanton's is the "<span class="copy">oldest continually owned family restaurant on Route 66 in the state of Oklahoma" according to their website and they are really known for their chicken fried steak.<br /><br />But that's not why I headed there...<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="copy">...more on that in just a minute.</span><br /><span class="copy"></span></div></div></div></div></div><br />When I arrived, the parking lot in back was packed and every table was full inside. Being that I was by myself, I even offered to sit at a table with others (they didn't even humor that suggestion though).<br /><br />Fortunately, like I said before, it was getting toward the late side of lunch...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25Nokj3WvO4CZUvWPPAgTCBQ1Y3j-j1ve18gUk9nlOgt5tdEqBVf_CrtpuAHkCdkliK55l9rJw9E5lfDk4tCfnUEYiuIlFBWBJwphHf0b5FwRYJ75jsiNP0s7dFBzgspY2uMBUK0CBbJ8/s1600/IMG_5055.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25Nokj3WvO4CZUvWPPAgTCBQ1Y3j-j1ve18gUk9nlOgt5tdEqBVf_CrtpuAHkCdkliK55l9rJw9E5lfDk4tCfnUEYiuIlFBWBJwphHf0b5FwRYJ75jsiNP0s7dFBzgspY2uMBUK0CBbJ8/s400/IMG_5055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723554187549938002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I probably waited 10 minutes at the most before a table cleared and I was seated.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once I found what I was looking for on the menu, I ordered it excitingly...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW777nsA5hvSFaNM2SrLrjWoOE4ks8BgQ9PUfI9RsWwIYRRB-BAKXsAn1eb2b5DDTduv4FcFk3mwOKVySmiW6FZ1oZwq40aGOV_o_ZuNsUGIK7xEb_3ruGPGZkL2Hc1z2rfx3ARQlvWKnP/s1600/IMG_5056.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW777nsA5hvSFaNM2SrLrjWoOE4ks8BgQ9PUfI9RsWwIYRRB-BAKXsAn1eb2b5DDTduv4FcFk3mwOKVySmiW6FZ1oZwq40aGOV_o_ZuNsUGIK7xEb_3ruGPGZkL2Hc1z2rfx3ARQlvWKnP/s400/IMG_5056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723555291670832866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and, after I ate my salad with blue cheese dressing...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzjxjS8Tctlh71dFXffz86Gil2Tfdwoc6qcvsQpjuMLH9rVv_TAA9VRxRNQ_OWSDW0nEdX7Mzv9SlIIf2mSsIj1-k5X1dTU-IyysGxzGJUeUgrknxpSHzilg9I3RcC65KvfHUXceTroUb/s1600/DSCN0205.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzjxjS8Tctlh71dFXffz86Gil2Tfdwoc6qcvsQpjuMLH9rVv_TAA9VRxRNQ_OWSDW0nEdX7Mzv9SlIIf2mSsIj1-k5X1dTU-IyysGxzGJUeUgrknxpSHzilg9I3RcC65KvfHUXceTroUb/s400/DSCN0205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263352915019538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...my awaited calf fries came with a side of potato fries and green beans.<br /><br />Clanton's was also known for their calf fries, just as the town of Vinita was known for its <a href="http://www.vinita.com/calf_fry.html" target="_blank">Calf Fry Festival </a>(so it seemed right to head here).<br /><br />................<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wait!</span> you may be saying. <span style="font-style: italic;">What exactly are calf fries?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A very good question,</span> I would happily respond.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................<br /></div><br />Also called mountain oysters and various other names, perhaps this video from the film Funny Farm should help...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qq4mqCDakVQ?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qq4mqCDakVQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="420"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...just change "lamb" to "calf."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So there you go! I was actually eating little calf testicle nuggets with either a horseradish or cocktail sauce to dip them in...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4bGmVv_ZnLcVf_LyxcWNAmf5zm7sKlcd4RWX_fUJwBkN1-tZ9eYn94kUAg5jMiDs3edOjxYQXwgVAIdFYmCMTH7bUTy9uzK2-BC4mAJmSzDtEgQP9ghJUK7tO2CQdxKwIxW1xKJSifte/s1600/IMG_5058.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4bGmVv_ZnLcVf_LyxcWNAmf5zm7sKlcd4RWX_fUJwBkN1-tZ9eYn94kUAg5jMiDs3edOjxYQXwgVAIdFYmCMTH7bUTy9uzK2-BC4mAJmSzDtEgQP9ghJUK7tO2CQdxKwIxW1xKJSifte/s400/IMG_5058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723264353642640498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and they were actually quite delicious!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With the crunchy fried seasoned batter and the tender meaty interior, they really did tasty like Kentucky Fried oysters with dipping sauce (and I can tell you this as an official Kentucky Colonel...no lie!).<br /><br />I cleaned up my plate (unfortunately, without any room for their homemade pies) and went out to tackle a few quick touristy stops on the long day's drive ahead.<br /><br />My first quick stop was right there in town over both lanes of I-44...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFukSEo2tOFQugzWQ19hvN0YGSOrhyphenhyphen6Mq5X3amv6NQFhdN-JKm4YV7LOCvRD_VgSFzuVmxUBGtXs8JFwjPOyzYTr0To9undgv82J60Id0dlu5l0kXjxC0o12-8IliDSrDi4lWxkO7l4Dn5/s1600/DSCN0207.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFukSEo2tOFQugzWQ19hvN0YGSOrhyphenhyphen6Mq5X3amv6NQFhdN-JKm4YV7LOCvRD_VgSFzuVmxUBGtXs8JFwjPOyzYTr0To9undgv82J60Id0dlu5l0kXjxC0o12-8IliDSrDi4lWxkO7l4Dn5/s400/DSCN0207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263368003457410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...at the world's biggest McDonald's...<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoCuZqg-UyXXYtm82zoTJzSpTLhyGNo9c9iGidKJ-I9UyEKA4zfwY3AhVzkaVYxNXHV7gbTEkxa3UvN-CF78Nu8McofcjYksXneILz9xu_fQKrDSrPmNM6t0AT1t3lQYS_EjAIVS7bMN1/s1600/DSCN0208.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoCuZqg-UyXXYtm82zoTJzSpTLhyGNo9c9iGidKJ-I9UyEKA4zfwY3AhVzkaVYxNXHV7gbTEkxa3UvN-CF78Nu8McofcjYksXneILz9xu_fQKrDSrPmNM6t0AT1t3lQYS_EjAIVS7bMN1/s400/DSCN0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723560138495491602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...the structure itself was big and it even had a small Will Rogers Museum inside...<br /><br />...but it was unimpressive when I went inside.<br /><br />So I just kept moving.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MFSNRBonhpnXoMifHxQweG0vJGmTtDyd7RWEOMQ_jSBw5aoxQCeTAi9_OuW741PCjrhvveFDbzD8L_4ZsuNEX4W7TpUX8G83k0GQO6i3zstL6PY8qeASwgSnwIr2TzNRuQ1vWuUuNjsB/s1600/miami.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MFSNRBonhpnXoMifHxQweG0vJGmTtDyd7RWEOMQ_jSBw5aoxQCeTAi9_OuW741PCjrhvveFDbzD8L_4ZsuNEX4W7TpUX8G83k0GQO6i3zstL6PY8qeASwgSnwIr2TzNRuQ1vWuUuNjsB/s400/miami.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723559566901400338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I then headed to Miami (pronounced My-am-uh)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2HN6lwfwop7gl0183-i7X1zUNzKPYlwVKypO8uPerPvQHNr1EaW7-Srxjf_eLpJ_Gh2gWgSyYnEr7RY2-JQfVmVdqm8PYnkq90STd4yDTGaYK2Ov1TpNTDLPULasVbYjZnWi0PNc4ZG/s1600/DSCN0212.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2HN6lwfwop7gl0183-i7X1zUNzKPYlwVKypO8uPerPvQHNr1EaW7-Srxjf_eLpJ_Gh2gWgSyYnEr7RY2-JQfVmVdqm8PYnkq90STd4yDTGaYK2Ov1TpNTDLPULasVbYjZnWi0PNc4ZG/s400/DSCN0212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263374478860946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where I walked through the rather relaxed downtown area...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMeolnGtMg6SPly_XqVlnQECMVsaQGhxC_UjlRugtd9RpeaWQEkU36KtWdp9oJjee9mbrvPKZuyMjyMxwHrn2rKGlfQQqQCCxkM68PPQZQtTRGa1U44FJJvDm-meVLtrBvAx158BeK1b1/s1600/DSCN0211.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMeolnGtMg6SPly_XqVlnQECMVsaQGhxC_UjlRugtd9RpeaWQEkU36KtWdp9oJjee9mbrvPKZuyMjyMxwHrn2rKGlfQQqQCCxkM68PPQZQtTRGa1U44FJJvDm-meVLtrBvAx158BeK1b1/s400/DSCN0211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263371685839698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...checked out the mural...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFyJgdIeuKmUqZU-ggHTGe2XziLQgxRrDQls4tuHoYf-VWdPlEf2h1RpSTBCj4J3F69d7YSxq41LrhmfLZ_xCGQZKYlbZrruHsI4rZy7Ct2vGWIHUujsn4NRza00m4LL_ZA4ifk4bzEYf/s1600/DSCN0213.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFyJgdIeuKmUqZU-ggHTGe2XziLQgxRrDQls4tuHoYf-VWdPlEf2h1RpSTBCj4J3F69d7YSxq41LrhmfLZ_xCGQZKYlbZrruHsI4rZy7Ct2vGWIHUujsn4NRza00m4LL_ZA4ifk4bzEYf/s400/DSCN0213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263669727199314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...scratched my chin impressively at the historic Coleman Theater...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx28PyVOl9RwZbTmnN-kjs3L5H129seeXE3CSjx6afwz-3KBFVQ7i9TVirHopMIKAvNxAif2X6kNTZNIF_Q5pY8SBpA1VVC43asP07FipMuav_Bnktb-TlPObz4r-ev8mzPnQHFWsZ8k4z/s1600/DSCN0214.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx28PyVOl9RwZbTmnN-kjs3L5H129seeXE3CSjx6afwz-3KBFVQ7i9TVirHopMIKAvNxAif2X6kNTZNIF_Q5pY8SBpA1VVC43asP07FipMuav_Bnktb-TlPObz4r-ev8mzPnQHFWsZ8k4z/s400/DSCN0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263673998865426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and contemplated getting a burger at <a href="http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.8424" target="_blank">Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger</a>.<br /><br />But I was still stuffed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3R3-z4i6MlZL6hW_bMj3uyRCz_ylvnE_9Fz6n6srYyfx6imBdfkxOzUUvKy4sXr5u6vqkWVEnhmNJpZUPHgEDNTZfETmbhy1nkJy_eXBiIBwKOmxKvVwobjJWrnphnoGLjpVMpaki4q1/s1600/DSCN0215.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3R3-z4i6MlZL6hW_bMj3uyRCz_ylvnE_9Fz6n6srYyfx6imBdfkxOzUUvKy4sXr5u6vqkWVEnhmNJpZUPHgEDNTZfETmbhy1nkJy_eXBiIBwKOmxKvVwobjJWrnphnoGLjpVMpaki4q1/s400/DSCN0215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263678511152050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's the Ku-Ku, by the way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Only a few minutes further north brought me to Commerce, OK...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r2rJwzfOeyVvILwuNm7879_f0cR6oRgk-1zTrFraHm615gAzDa20LA0jAOoUwx5atoXpPa5ZMFahyphenhyphenIGdzRm0FgYFH92cNTdsHffMgwQKIbcPFll79M2zXHrK4uN7z5Jqn2HK55688rBo/s1600/DSCN0217.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r2rJwzfOeyVvILwuNm7879_f0cR6oRgk-1zTrFraHm615gAzDa20LA0jAOoUwx5atoXpPa5ZMFahyphenhyphenIGdzRm0FgYFH92cNTdsHffMgwQKIbcPFll79M2zXHrK4uN7z5Jqn2HK55688rBo/s400/DSCN0217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263691905891650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where I found the house that Mickey Mantle grew up in (moved there when he was 4)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4iD6_qkAbkO8eqiz1V4tqMrrQ2qXTfN_HmG1XAtra1DnENx7ds_UW7vk9JcNsfQouopaCwY3sZeLOE4LQgx2fSZ51H8JctKbMVkNFhVB1Nr7-hRZLssX8opvewsHfQbrPt6v7AFnGcJY/s1600/DSCN0216.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4iD6_qkAbkO8eqiz1V4tqMrrQ2qXTfN_HmG1XAtra1DnENx7ds_UW7vk9JcNsfQouopaCwY3sZeLOE4LQgx2fSZ51H8JctKbMVkNFhVB1Nr7-hRZLssX8opvewsHfQbrPt6v7AFnGcJY/s400/DSCN0216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723263686255534786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it really was a tiny lil place.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And then I stopped to look at the time.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, my dear readers, I should tell you now that I was hoping to make my way to Maryville, Missouri for the night (to make things easier for the next day)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1MQJa3JRm8ftytrP0rC3qyPKaFQ2efjdXKUvLZMtXb7TqgV49W7M3ZAnuF4iHC8QI9wAZL-gfZIRxJSiXQ4iDpijtwwRkPyCcHiSQmFEbAJUUZkXs-wLjMRsrJ2_fYPkVtS7hKIfLoz5/s1600/maryville.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1MQJa3JRm8ftytrP0rC3qyPKaFQ2efjdXKUvLZMtXb7TqgV49W7M3ZAnuF4iHC8QI9wAZL-gfZIRxJSiXQ4iDpijtwwRkPyCcHiSQmFEbAJUUZkXs-wLjMRsrJ2_fYPkVtS7hKIfLoz5/s400/maryville.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723565287278258450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and that was still another 250 miles to go (4.5 hours)!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Feeling the afternoon wind-down starting to take effect, I nabbed some coffee at a gas station and drove my way up Route 69 through Kansas.<br /><br />Overall, this drive up to Maryville was a rather boring one, filled with either phone calls, silence or evangelical radio (this involved a lot of my trip, honestly...only near big cities did I get decent radio).<br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Then, when I got back into Missouri, the terrain seemed interesting enough...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BgXSQxCMW8s?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BgXSQxCMW8s?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />...to make a video (just ignore the radio like I did).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When I finally did make it to Maryville, I follow the front desk's advice and ate at the local restaurant <a href="http://www.agrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">A&G</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYavkX6RsqFh2UCtGOFkT6jyL0AvPGigbVttQRdWkdAD4kxxfXduHhK4ElXdyNFrvSh-GXRxRIW8_ZBlhHM8HzAf9EpV-kMS2B-hesxU5vBKEC-zpinHk3gyoqrBzPKLy9F6egXmm-Ubpl/s1600/IMG_5069.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYavkX6RsqFh2UCtGOFkT6jyL0AvPGigbVttQRdWkdAD4kxxfXduHhK4ElXdyNFrvSh-GXRxRIW8_ZBlhHM8HzAf9EpV-kMS2B-hesxU5vBKEC-zpinHk3gyoqrBzPKLy9F6egXmm-Ubpl/s400/IMG_5069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723264375280186706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where I got this tasty (and slightly broiled) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moussaka" target="_blank">moussaka</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't understand why there was a lemon wedge wedged into the food, but the people were nice (talked to two older couples at a table across from mine) and the food was homemade.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just notice the small pies with the dish - a cheese pie and a spinach pie...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GeKaMXTYyWIZhJ4kurQoqnayG2Fl4sHWwc8fJGv8U580MvPafCsVnKWhgORdZLKdHv092P0pdRW_Hs2S_81UVjwON9-mUdMaoxXtAiIiCdu10HfhmTawbeVYdjojzYoW48zXVGCwF7Ik/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GeKaMXTYyWIZhJ4kurQoqnayG2Fl4sHWwc8fJGv8U580MvPafCsVnKWhgORdZLKdHv092P0pdRW_Hs2S_81UVjwON9-mUdMaoxXtAiIiCdu10HfhmTawbeVYdjojzYoW48zXVGCwF7Ik/s400/IMG_5070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723568590100341218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...just look at that homemade goodness.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also, if you ever do head that way, keep in mind that they sweeten their butter and it's great on just about anything...so don't ignore it.<br /><br /><br /><br />By the end of the day, I had driven more than 400 miles (7.5 hours) and I was really worn out.<br /><br />It was the end of St. Patrick's Day and I hadn't done anything festive to celebrate the event.<br /><br />So I finished the day at the Applebee's Restaurant next to my hotel...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdCoPruR5KUS7OCCj1vUWwMKYE2GMWGoguh4VRvPG48nE_J40JhhrR7PNF2B3hKeoSZy-D-lhalD1RxMA-KcGoT0_o88TLYHPNyhgEzQ0LPKiS7AyRPuLaF3uUJF_otSFJFyhEnJ87d2o/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdCoPruR5KUS7OCCj1vUWwMKYE2GMWGoguh4VRvPG48nE_J40JhhrR7PNF2B3hKeoSZy-D-lhalD1RxMA-KcGoT0_o88TLYHPNyhgEzQ0LPKiS7AyRPuLaF3uUJF_otSFJFyhEnJ87d2o/s400/IMG_5071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723264370125868562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and honored the Irish culture with some Jameson Whiskey.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-74468075752874797642012-03-24T08:10:00.000-04:002012-03-24T08:10:00.962-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part III: A Walk in the Park<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Part III: A Walk in the Park </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.</span><br /><br />- Frank Borman, former NASA astronaut<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2 - Saturday, March 17, 2012</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I only had a few hours to spend in Oklahoma, so I really had to make them count.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgjZ1hxkifMc0DsLIEaoYZAqpZYieQ7TpcYtk5lFRx9EeQSKHQlChrnYq89fcDytOxU_n3_nhBxUwwnapYi8Rbm3eukTO7IEWAXcjVBd8PxZmv30-lQiu5eWOyGgLvf6HUeIR2YXVC1Hz/s1600/oklahoma.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgjZ1hxkifMc0DsLIEaoYZAqpZYieQ7TpcYtk5lFRx9EeQSKHQlChrnYq89fcDytOxU_n3_nhBxUwwnapYi8Rbm3eukTO7IEWAXcjVBd8PxZmv30-lQiu5eWOyGgLvf6HUeIR2YXVC1Hz/s400/oklahoma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723228691009076530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I selected a casual route toward Tulsa...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo-bv6gUQ1AU1Rxzfac9279waDnd2Fqk3_J7rkwtFYVlIkeUnVn1eirj2WKM4xh7azCptK98LDm097sm_ETlZsmtjWe-oCkx_3hpVcf6FSqJF-kAtXfa0wjgT_EtXPdJEp4zAGvnnwXuN/s1600/IMG_5050.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo-bv6gUQ1AU1Rxzfac9279waDnd2Fqk3_J7rkwtFYVlIkeUnVn1eirj2WKM4xh7azCptK98LDm097sm_ETlZsmtjWe-oCkx_3hpVcf6FSqJF-kAtXfa0wjgT_EtXPdJEp4zAGvnnwXuN/s400/IMG_5050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723025207732349042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...taking pleasure in things like the Okie Dokie Store...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmvnlbxpnEzpr4BtAmWklkUwAwELEg1oDCS6TD5z7byWM6_xB2_QYEdv-qGV9HSBjgResy5hHKOT6yklnW_qJep6aZl-wex8GjvRBZP4S6LxkDX244tY7Ja0r6aIDrSHunALy3jOc-xNY/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmvnlbxpnEzpr4BtAmWklkUwAwELEg1oDCS6TD5z7byWM6_xB2_QYEdv-qGV9HSBjgResy5hHKOT6yklnW_qJep6aZl-wex8GjvRBZP4S6LxkDX244tY7Ja0r6aIDrSHunALy3jOc-xNY/s400/IMG_5072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723227174701048050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...picking up a fried cake at the <a href="http://www.spudnutbakeshop.com/" target="_blank">Spudnut Bake Shop</a> in Jay...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoAqwVYSG8-IKydKZzmzwJ6zYqhLb8lheNzrT0_PPX7Td8c69bzdfxTCqiypJ3WOg3fsen2MVPId3mYFSXddP-JhWIMxu0nQDkkgc4xmouuaOoGW97-CUskQuK09s04Rx_wcA5gohvD2m/s1600/DSCN0175.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoAqwVYSG8-IKydKZzmzwJ6zYqhLb8lheNzrT0_PPX7Td8c69bzdfxTCqiypJ3WOg3fsen2MVPId3mYFSXddP-JhWIMxu0nQDkkgc4xmouuaOoGW97-CUskQuK09s04Rx_wcA5gohvD2m/s400/DSCN0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723021432708614050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and noticing the occasional roadside attraction...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxrUWspQzJkw2NInfwWFlPRCWV5MrGcmdsLbJkNHaX6witsTXCAm95-bQnQjrW6pueipHRB56xMF7IBTKOA9AIp7vGUsW4OJ1Z_u4-zBKIKCBfMDDLBRvUBsj3bwrMAOuJhyphenhyphenfS9pvJA87/s1600/DSCN0176.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxrUWspQzJkw2NInfwWFlPRCWV5MrGcmdsLbJkNHaX6witsTXCAm95-bQnQjrW6pueipHRB56xMF7IBTKOA9AIp7vGUsW4OJ1Z_u4-zBKIKCBfMDDLBRvUBsj3bwrMAOuJhyphenhyphenfS9pvJA87/s400/DSCN0176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723021456386316706" border="0" /></a><br />...like this peaceful bike sculpture in someone's front yard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also, after not succeeding in finding an open pecan farm in Missouri the night before...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeMVDRfhAENHG66f3e5CcL3ntoWc_srt3kpL4iYkmWGFnPS6rz0980_DVMdRVMViZgPHPLYdiv_aYCtJuNH2cLYspgN21rAFKW52_LHZrFeYT5kDzr6D-3qE2JWUvbQE8OcrPWlB2m-AK/s1600/DSCN0177.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeMVDRfhAENHG66f3e5CcL3ntoWc_srt3kpL4iYkmWGFnPS6rz0980_DVMdRVMViZgPHPLYdiv_aYCtJuNH2cLYspgN21rAFKW52_LHZrFeYT5kDzr6D-3qE2JWUvbQE8OcrPWlB2m-AK/s400/DSCN0177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723021460607240626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I got my second chance in Oklahoma...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWT-k6qJZIIiRPI1LYSNZrSHsm_fgORId8VTf5F-MOCwu6fvH7uIxDia3JIe6sDt_2iLn9NCu4eK_NKlk7r2BKzmEaZgtUfl9XbonxxC7_yF9meE4-Yjkq-RfAoB2bDxPuVF72aq5Q8Jx/s1600/DSCN0178.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWT-k6qJZIIiRPI1LYSNZrSHsm_fgORId8VTf5F-MOCwu6fvH7uIxDia3JIe6sDt_2iLn9NCu4eK_NKlk7r2BKzmEaZgtUfl9XbonxxC7_yF9meE4-Yjkq-RfAoB2bDxPuVF72aq5Q8Jx/s400/DSCN0178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723021478763987234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I took advantage of it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qj4SG9kkWjBR1qmUgCU_HmhB-by-nVAfI9BlaqxXhu5pAgpkl_gOs1B_G30mHKmkjnHJlla9156skvrbM9WgDLiiWnMCfzEO4gAm5G4V_95YkDPiVvuy8nQwww63K0CduxWOcYPdJbAp/s1600/Totem+pole.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qj4SG9kkWjBR1qmUgCU_HmhB-by-nVAfI9BlaqxXhu5pAgpkl_gOs1B_G30mHKmkjnHJlla9156skvrbM9WgDLiiWnMCfzEO4gAm5G4V_95YkDPiVvuy8nQwww63K0CduxWOcYPdJbAp/s400/Totem+pole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723228691303450898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With my delicious new purchases, I continued east to the town of Foyil...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUti3P4NSLAWiptYlyQ3gWvDVpaID_vizPU2_EGzxSh3fpqP5fd3tVUfWP6Bv8lA8YZme9qQCqgYhZ_MLgMuGMxMNlln73GRsp6PaAO_LOLRvJ2k1eafOaKdQ1RVdFpBW0h7M07sJqDBaQ/s1600/DSCN0192.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUti3P4NSLAWiptYlyQ3gWvDVpaID_vizPU2_EGzxSh3fpqP5fd3tVUfWP6Bv8lA8YZme9qQCqgYhZ_MLgMuGMxMNlln73GRsp6PaAO_LOLRvJ2k1eafOaKdQ1RVdFpBW0h7M07sJqDBaQ/s400/DSCN0192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723023531366190594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and noticed two strange creatures watching me from the road.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I was at <a href="http://www.rchs1.org/totem-pole-park">Totem Pole Park</a>, developed by artist <a href="http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/G/GA005.html" target="_blank">Ed Galloway</a>...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpACQwWYFhcuCNMFBNSV41CFI9BRz5GUghFDFs4RI0PvZMrNqy0rFfM_ahW_qosPkPlZLjWgK3izbdFsTLDj3vTWnzgI2mo68rtoODYPod88TWZ4t0Sn6Eg0nMdgRtVAku1HNpGI82t6e/s1600/DSCN0179.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpACQwWYFhcuCNMFBNSV41CFI9BRz5GUghFDFs4RI0PvZMrNqy0rFfM_ahW_qosPkPlZLjWgK3izbdFsTLDj3vTWnzgI2mo68rtoODYPod88TWZ4t0Sn6Eg0nMdgRtVAku1HNpGI82t6e/s400/DSCN0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723021490861523970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it was a lot bigger than I had expected.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq_kWvH3_RI9sMHD8TD33ejg89eLeomdrcxta6gb5-b6-UvGREx3IEZvsHAz6FDL3VsxKZt_Xhz1KxNCUZrYnj2RQvIqR7hmcmdGGvVF0z7e0EijnUBFpPbjgPJi2mm4BishSg30782H9/s1600/DSCN0180.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq_kWvH3_RI9sMHD8TD33ejg89eLeomdrcxta6gb5-b6-UvGREx3IEZvsHAz6FDL3VsxKZt_Xhz1KxNCUZrYnj2RQvIqR7hmcmdGGvVF0z7e0EijnUBFpPbjgPJi2mm4BishSg30782H9/s400/DSCN0180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723022335820405906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was beautiful artwork spread all around the park...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPSikzMY9jARn7xtYeoVeHElug0coFdoHKDsTnmcJSBN252TmY7u_6jacidXIVrsZq947YRxlJ_0tKgIUR9caUH78qDq_tngal82h8vjDSrc-l1O_ikVymrcTmAkjRawbE4xm6Npx0zWF/s1600/DSCN0182.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPSikzMY9jARn7xtYeoVeHElug0coFdoHKDsTnmcJSBN252TmY7u_6jacidXIVrsZq947YRxlJ_0tKgIUR9caUH78qDq_tngal82h8vjDSrc-l1O_ikVymrcTmAkjRawbE4xm6Npx0zWF/s400/DSCN0182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723022356243319362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with plenty of animals that watched you as you passed.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW69sw12m-Bk4iiVIwsWi2fbWkf4oKOw_bvzvbp2NDPDELcUSAT18E6_GQqXP__HG7dMO65G0woUAwdoeeqkZ9uvOIM0HKTMjt0W15uGpyCTLtYwQSyhF5BMjvZFka1pFM_TaRoLlO91Wr/s1600/DSCN0181.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW69sw12m-Bk4iiVIwsWi2fbWkf4oKOw_bvzvbp2NDPDELcUSAT18E6_GQqXP__HG7dMO65G0woUAwdoeeqkZ9uvOIM0HKTMjt0W15uGpyCTLtYwQSyhF5BMjvZFka1pFM_TaRoLlO91Wr/s400/DSCN0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723022345355567714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In fact, one particular totem pole was watching me more intently than the others...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-daz6XR_KkvsE3mONUQVTXFf3zZUJN8IzxJ1l1nwETaOjTBVUsUPejJ5NUzjde93l9gM3Y_PK6Vg_-la1r-n785X5yte-g3OWftD2J52CzCslXQR5CRvUhql9p4uxB-vrgPmIAmSzKM/s1600/DSCN0186.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa-daz6XR_KkvsE3mONUQVTXFf3zZUJN8IzxJ1l1nwETaOjTBVUsUPejJ5NUzjde93l9gM3Y_PK6Vg_-la1r-n785X5yte-g3OWftD2J52CzCslXQR5CRvUhql9p4uxB-vrgPmIAmSzKM/s400/DSCN0186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723023503026753218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it continued to watch me no matter where I stood around it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is the world's largest totem pole at 90 feet tall, 18 feet in diameter, and made of...<br /><ul><li>100 tons of sand and rock<br /></li><li>28 tons of cement</li><li>6 tons of steel<br /></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0TkgaqAX8nRr9p0fR1LeTpJmg9RnFzif_s8mleIXTVoDUjYLKyusdy-qvPAEcpDwBFQKDGERS9g4WKWqbsO8qWrZORtoJhFIdD_DM0Yu5EYECGJum2qe-TpE9LTzbs4cKcteAmgZ82JG/s1600/DSCN0188.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0TkgaqAX8nRr9p0fR1LeTpJmg9RnFzif_s8mleIXTVoDUjYLKyusdy-qvPAEcpDwBFQKDGERS9g4WKWqbsO8qWrZORtoJhFIdD_DM0Yu5EYECGJum2qe-TpE9LTzbs4cKcteAmgZ82JG/s400/DSCN0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723023514483219058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7FOYfHnsPeP1OtHNjJ_RDKeeysXdiNWV0ioEGteu-Cnmq6No2nEiY1GDWbA-lS0o1AW9_83ehcdXlJ2xjiFR46_5GKA7fYQGPR1QZs2WPDgNOSzPwdeEIUwYA5wA6_9Lf04NuM1i7Pf5/s1600/DSCN0187a.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7FOYfHnsPeP1OtHNjJ_RDKeeysXdiNWV0ioEGteu-Cnmq6No2nEiY1GDWbA-lS0o1AW9_83ehcdXlJ2xjiFR46_5GKA7fYQGPR1QZs2WPDgNOSzPwdeEIUwYA5wA6_9Lf04NuM1i7Pf5/s400/DSCN0187a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723023504745664914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...plus there are 200 various figures carved in the structure...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKzkGydao96Su51xBJgH0rUYPedxh1Kniydw6kBIIO4JfQbVqZBktD2ljOz2rv2_Nx1l2zMIM9NloOwoDrKIof9zszv1PHMx-6kAe8wr_K1fh_bj0YgdzHhtNC5th5fVfxlSS0_Hu7cZg/s1600/DSCN0189.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKzkGydao96Su51xBJgH0rUYPedxh1Kniydw6kBIIO4JfQbVqZBktD2ljOz2rv2_Nx1l2zMIM9NloOwoDrKIof9zszv1PHMx-6kAe8wr_K1fh_bj0YgdzHhtNC5th5fVfxlSS0_Hu7cZg/s400/DSCN0189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723023524233192434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...four Native Americans at the top...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsICLBRMWWej-ojHANGmEi5QAqsWEkBvYv5PQc1PqHYZm7GvxD9BR0bGODL5IbgUNeXPUr3lHy-t1WC7KGhCTYZprzFMrBgr_10LACXVGWpuuKjUrpOVcRijKXSjzDR0jOjPYPqFpEe-qC/s1600/DSCN0185.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsICLBRMWWej-ojHANGmEi5QAqsWEkBvYv5PQc1PqHYZm7GvxD9BR0bGODL5IbgUNeXPUr3lHy-t1WC7KGhCTYZprzFMrBgr_10LACXVGWpuuKjUrpOVcRijKXSjzDR0jOjPYPqFpEe-qC/s400/DSCN0185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723022369594395794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and even a small interior room at the base.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Only a stone's throw away from this...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtKlOv-jurbcO8_vGIV5ZaBSI3WqlgeCBLlqP6LMhq94A6yrRx4FuGh3jKhH9w7akGIoJPoxMoN2iWjUcUw80H17GfmN28siCqb-z0TkotTl_EsvJiPJat6OGe-WV_0LFjmKDUCdWrBPo/s1600/DSCN0193.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtKlOv-jurbcO8_vGIV5ZaBSI3WqlgeCBLlqP6LMhq94A6yrRx4FuGh3jKhH9w7akGIoJPoxMoN2iWjUcUw80H17GfmN28siCqb-z0TkotTl_EsvJiPJat6OGe-WV_0LFjmKDUCdWrBPo/s400/DSCN0193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024157404817746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...is Ed Galloway's Fiddle House...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLvkaknLKYusuYrEMb8Om8Ga8XJBwVvkef9Rw3KWBENnbUJL3SAF-7cNWik9sbJ_YWQ_Zw2JTijiIVH9QMKlni5HxTcvTJBuLEewVhZtDrlUF14nQeZNXJMlgZjTld8RPSAmOeGuhd6HB/s1600/DSCN0199.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLvkaknLKYusuYrEMb8Om8Ga8XJBwVvkef9Rw3KWBENnbUJL3SAF-7cNWik9sbJ_YWQ_Zw2JTijiIVH9QMKlni5HxTcvTJBuLEewVhZtDrlUF14nQeZNXJMlgZjTld8RPSAmOeGuhd6HB/s400/DSCN0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024180559752114" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTwnnl5hAG8wr4mtmCMHy3d3qE9U607tdH1n87ZHE27HA1cWogIliIjp3KJpkJFSYYfsOncRjPMJrHVUgw4bphnc3ywGhW1tuaiJsbGAPrwnL9nrrEd8diRS4wjTM61YBArZPAnHFwewt/s1600/DSCN0194.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTwnnl5hAG8wr4mtmCMHy3d3qE9U607tdH1n87ZHE27HA1cWogIliIjp3KJpkJFSYYfsOncRjPMJrHVUgw4bphnc3ywGhW1tuaiJsbGAPrwnL9nrrEd8diRS4wjTM61YBArZPAnHFwewt/s400/DSCN0194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024167980404306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with Galloway's hand-carved fiddles made by wood...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq84i8QB_2TwAHhTGFleyCXoqV_ioz4ppRkyPimqaRz7JNYa9I0z08JMh34orDfy5Oyu39SULXnlCb_TlCJE_QztZdV6eFGG42zdIhaDzJGKBeTM45ZjBx-o5TGUs19Sv8vt2qrrNFoxe/s1600/DSCN0196.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq84i8QB_2TwAHhTGFleyCXoqV_ioz4ppRkyPimqaRz7JNYa9I0z08JMh34orDfy5Oyu39SULXnlCb_TlCJE_QztZdV6eFGG42zdIhaDzJGKBeTM45ZjBx-o5TGUs19Sv8vt2qrrNFoxe/s400/DSCN0196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024184164732562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...sent to him by his old students from all over the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, there was further curious artwork to see inside the Fiddle House...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC3JU7bJatzUXdQcmBsVEQtKjBKfEQJz7U0mS411NgbJ9v7fuqWoI4dvo2p3OFQKfEi-IoaPqAP7PzQIANUkaG-y-PtMNU2u_PoEkk1cIUkSAQRSGA8-qYgp5gvAZw-vKNqI9Jfw0zUGX/s1600/DSCN0200.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuC3JU7bJatzUXdQcmBsVEQtKjBKfEQJz7U0mS411NgbJ9v7fuqWoI4dvo2p3OFQKfEi-IoaPqAP7PzQIANUkaG-y-PtMNU2u_PoEkk1cIUkSAQRSGA8-qYgp5gvAZw-vKNqI9Jfw0zUGX/s400/DSCN0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024539000173938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...in corners...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYLkrkOyCtlva0t8tOV1Ir5rOj2ux7fy5IMiZKCmyjOxD4Cv7PmcMWJU2lEA2uiYc9lqm9gotlRcr5PE4T06SLpSEz9jvrSGbTB0XQDI6B0FxahS0El6QARL7D2po7nQpy4gW6UWNhQxa/s1600/DSCN0197.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYLkrkOyCtlva0t8tOV1Ir5rOj2ux7fy5IMiZKCmyjOxD4Cv7PmcMWJU2lEA2uiYc9lqm9gotlRcr5PE4T06SLpSEz9jvrSGbTB0XQDI6B0FxahS0El6QARL7D2po7nQpy4gW6UWNhQxa/s400/DSCN0197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024194160067922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and on walls...<br /><br />...and there was a sweet woman inside who gave me a quick tour of the house as well as a history of the location.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, I should really say that it was a pleasure talking to her because she was so genuine and appreciative of my visit and just as sweet as can be.<br /><br />She even asked to take my photo by the totem pole...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoZIi36VPvTx6XFBuOmwULuGgkmLukiZrafdpeYoiVSEVgqcNwO9JA9rPFryJJl7AFYlaFooq7gZiwCwSO5EP1KR1polYHjp1t8I1dqLXq0DNahwJgMwQiS6erI8N0dIUCCBxY_GcUfko/s1600/DSCN0201a.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoZIi36VPvTx6XFBuOmwULuGgkmLukiZrafdpeYoiVSEVgqcNwO9JA9rPFryJJl7AFYlaFooq7gZiwCwSO5EP1KR1polYHjp1t8I1dqLXq0DNahwJgMwQiS6erI8N0dIUCCBxY_GcUfko/s400/DSCN0201a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723024544095394786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which happens to be the only photo of me during this entire Incredible Adventure.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-17312536436072568462012-03-23T08:02:00.002-04:002012-03-23T08:57:37.773-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part II: Sam's Town<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Part II: Sam's Town</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From small beginnings come great things.</span><br /><br />- Proverb, American<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2 - Saturday, March 17, 2012</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />For those who don't know, Bentonville, Arkansas is the home and headquarters location of <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart </a>(I don't think I need to explain what Walmart is).<br /><br />I've never been a huge Walmart shopper myself, but I am rather fascinated by the culture and the various websites dedicated to Walmart culture around the world. I also acknowledge that Walmart has made a tremendous impact on both the world and my own personal life.<br /><br />For, if my <a href="http://www.juliachristensen.com/" target="_blank">wife </a>never wrote this book...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Box-Reuse-Julia-Christensen/dp/0262033798" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV4Nm9E_RC2s0dQjOS_llL7hdahcI77uUYhEz5SpPFCk0SZ3qk-AGUQjxdoo_XBEKcCAVNro6K8h4sdKfeQz8BcSZJ_huVem-La8lZofzSF9QnU7CGyFDvrLB3F1-vHXQsyPKw-dSwUUu/s400/bigboxreusecover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723020185211696578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...about the reuse of abandoned Walmart stores (which you can purchase <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Box-Reuse-Julia-Christensen/dp/0262033798" target="_blank">here</a>)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPFtVWspVsqLpzAxOTQFsjQSTgDJhLQYZeROWfeXhqExSwNUou2xffAzigNXoVeb3HGNi8eY_qGgETv3s3dXV-sa3mXvWz49lOKoWxzh1cP1sT-LrFYN0HKUW9kw8OgGZCKHq-4I3UonF/s1600/wedding+1.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPFtVWspVsqLpzAxOTQFsjQSTgDJhLQYZeROWfeXhqExSwNUou2xffAzigNXoVeb3HGNi8eY_qGgETv3s3dXV-sa3mXvWz49lOKoWxzh1cP1sT-LrFYN0HKUW9kw8OgGZCKHq-4I3UonF/s400/wedding+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723061504615441874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...then this would have never happened (because we may have never met each other).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, as a thank-you to the chain of events, I decided to pay my respects!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iYwXj3HS1w2E4yl5phA3E_dvOtt-Ju-vq0oba27_jTipu1gdt_QusSObodTnwNhsWtK1_NULBHo8djOPuJ4bKxOovjvMD_OwkTNJIHSOLJoDwkqXgN61g77WLQlR5qa_kXHnfr5eAWRc/s1600/DSCN0165.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iYwXj3HS1w2E4yl5phA3E_dvOtt-Ju-vq0oba27_jTipu1gdt_QusSObodTnwNhsWtK1_NULBHo8djOPuJ4bKxOovjvMD_OwkTNJIHSOLJoDwkqXgN61g77WLQlR5qa_kXHnfr5eAWRc/s400/DSCN0165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723018548683049890" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I arrived that morning in downtown Bentonville and the day was beautiful...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP2g08QWd3Rse04WF3vzImRxLEcc29dh8r6o1ZpEGEXsU6SaAuwwR3I7ivl80QNsza9UxRX2RIncnD_T3Xicuc8nAqMaBDwxiedRKu1xI2xBB8G8pd5-hE-or_4wQqtF9qaYr0O-0451C/s1600/DSCN0161.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP2g08QWd3Rse04WF3vzImRxLEcc29dh8r6o1ZpEGEXsU6SaAuwwR3I7ivl80QNsza9UxRX2RIncnD_T3Xicuc8nAqMaBDwxiedRKu1xI2xBB8G8pd5-hE-or_4wQqtF9qaYr0O-0451C/s400/DSCN0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723018522994895490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with signs of spring as countless joggers ran through the downtown area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With the buildings seemingly frozen in some sort of time capsule...<br /></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiC8Ga5kwTId8rm16mOuqv3g4EuyK6iD1JrN3lnVFA4ivxK59sug8-CRK_5_sJByYdToCDe7hyvo22VeO8AkKqU9-9tygCYHosul6r7rOGQb9jgQe6b2KfhpZ4f36SEB8adedQrvVBQ61/s1600/DSCN0164.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiC8Ga5kwTId8rm16mOuqv3g4EuyK6iD1JrN3lnVFA4ivxK59sug8-CRK_5_sJByYdToCDe7hyvo22VeO8AkKqU9-9tygCYHosul6r7rOGQb9jgQe6b2KfhpZ4f36SEB8adedQrvVBQ61/s400/DSCN0164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723018541781590802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...it was easy to find the Visitor Center located at Sam Walton's original Five and Dime.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inside, beyond the front store of old candies and toys...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc5-oCC_zXwqRIxBlYszoSogk9qKxikgOk94of1XsTyNIdOGGnZPxtGmOen-xJBAy6YxBEmsbjrO4CxLeVRF6WTxbaXHMTgZpV8WXGmLY4M255nZeaRRDpbjOe-WzTmcmHbEKkzuqc5BK/s1600/DSCN0167.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc5-oCC_zXwqRIxBlYszoSogk9qKxikgOk94of1XsTyNIdOGGnZPxtGmOen-xJBAy6YxBEmsbjrO4CxLeVRF6WTxbaXHMTgZpV8WXGmLY4M255nZeaRRDpbjOe-WzTmcmHbEKkzuqc5BK/s400/DSCN0167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723018559319761666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...waited a museum with a sealed-off office...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2H-peIMOP5-guRjG4OuTxMEA44rbeVgFzsw2SO4qkPBmBEwAufFgKXRsCBdOHkoE9cRsPgrni8KSaAPgTQwUlnS9B4lrZJdoifLxdOLvgn0FroKpKaRp87_6X4BzWqEvUYCsK4H1crMz/s1600/DSCN0168.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2H-peIMOP5-guRjG4OuTxMEA44rbeVgFzsw2SO4qkPBmBEwAufFgKXRsCBdOHkoE9cRsPgrni8KSaAPgTQwUlnS9B4lrZJdoifLxdOLvgn0FroKpKaRp87_6X4BzWqEvUYCsK4H1crMz/s400/DSCN0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723018560342632162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...once belonging to Sam Walton.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBisaVRC_JTT6Hy0s6EdLBKMWTqjchuC6k4ImpSFKkUGNhtk9eaud-7RIPEQvv0GiuYNgqEUjWSHgB_4ZVeiwMNN_evi3zUVrdzBzEQpD22dQFeKcxD3T_pJCeEfCcG5QKllLz5hTY7YD/s1600/DSCN0169.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBisaVRC_JTT6Hy0s6EdLBKMWTqjchuC6k4ImpSFKkUGNhtk9eaud-7RIPEQvv0GiuYNgqEUjWSHgB_4ZVeiwMNN_evi3zUVrdzBzEQpD22dQFeKcxD3T_pJCeEfCcG5QKllLz5hTY7YD/s400/DSCN0169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019196197349026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They also had his pickup truck...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ5M6YLUCpXnkt3G-Qveiuh2KRGIomYWn8U5a-lJ2g1GXCTz1BAoIX2RirKY7oWeJQASwvV-6bSLWWynkGnm6CJtF3STbxmBQWJ0jqVwG91HuctZQCwKA98zwIrc1zjOH8U5dEeLR4jDu/s1600/IMG_5048.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ5M6YLUCpXnkt3G-Qveiuh2KRGIomYWn8U5a-lJ2g1GXCTz1BAoIX2RirKY7oWeJQASwvV-6bSLWWynkGnm6CJtF3STbxmBQWJ0jqVwG91HuctZQCwKA98zwIrc1zjOH8U5dEeLR4jDu/s400/IMG_5048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019679801243842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which appeared to be duplicated out front for the youngsters.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I should also mention something about the Visitor's Center that I particularly loved - the bathroom decor...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0e1Icb3NgO8YSzoLrr9JwRJVJIrRNjYSV03XWC9DTzF2YuQpC4V85wnloG48T5MzRqnj09OBcy4Em3oulDtJQMR-tUYqbi1yxl7-tRK96KenTMx3GsH5GkxfY6yfxsKIYcWrXOQFZ_uX/s1600/DSCN0171.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0e1Icb3NgO8YSzoLrr9JwRJVJIrRNjYSV03XWC9DTzF2YuQpC4V85wnloG48T5MzRqnj09OBcy4Em3oulDtJQMR-tUYqbi1yxl7-tRK96KenTMx3GsH5GkxfY6yfxsKIYcWrXOQFZ_uX/s400/DSCN0171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019191499300146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where they used old advertisements to cover the walls!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On my way out of the Visitor's Center, the cashier said that I should to check out <a href="http://crystalbridges.org/" target="_blank">Crystal Bridges</a>, a new museum of American art founded by Alice Walton, Sam's daughter.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the museum didn't open up until much later and I had a long voyage ahead...<br /></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9SU3P2K2QS-zPvQGOzUrnJZf7wnQ4Y4rOq0Le3_D3NX4kS7W7jHwawqZ03m9APdYeadePejFRAB1xelt_GK08RSFboGrjlk36uLrjVDKyjjbQMoXMqmsyBEyobRgXvCSYWDDGdMTUJQ3/s1600/DSCN0174.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9SU3P2K2QS-zPvQGOzUrnJZf7wnQ4Y4rOq0Le3_D3NX4kS7W7jHwawqZ03m9APdYeadePejFRAB1xelt_GK08RSFboGrjlk36uLrjVDKyjjbQMoXMqmsyBEyobRgXvCSYWDDGdMTUJQ3/s400/DSCN0174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019206050848738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I stopped only to take pictures of the front entrance...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41J0egEx87xemhnjRNzmCEMoX5sXv-yYT3cuy1tdNc7O6vWtIANi9nIkPZ0QADlCP5vqiZoN_p59KRu8cbiO2NOuDTxAX729Pdv804r0C4QWKLjXXdbm9nifcgZp19J3yQ0insbgHcqSE/s1600/DSCN0173.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41J0egEx87xemhnjRNzmCEMoX5sXv-yYT3cuy1tdNc7O6vWtIANi9nIkPZ0QADlCP5vqiZoN_p59KRu8cbiO2NOuDTxAX729Pdv804r0C4QWKLjXXdbm9nifcgZp19J3yQ0insbgHcqSE/s400/DSCN0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019209290900994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and some buildings down in back...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtsMuFgzUulIJp6mWPNduBRfQbmHBBV07iqbJsPI-JuGWK1pPnvBy5QZ_nWm79cehCf5VI8G0RPTYrTTvzE3oQWqzmwmX0sgzLmqFry0IT4FlTBth5n_f1lc5pyea3i88DdNDK9Cp5bM_/s1600/IMG_5049.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtsMuFgzUulIJp6mWPNduBRfQbmHBBV07iqbJsPI-JuGWK1pPnvBy5QZ_nWm79cehCf5VI8G0RPTYrTTvzE3oQWqzmwmX0sgzLmqFry0IT4FlTBth5n_f1lc5pyea3i88DdNDK9Cp5bM_/s400/IMG_5049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723019686987942978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...before taking a scenic route out of Arkansas...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bZqfmyLSfqdeIPOQZ9zfYAO4dqDUYuo5clNUWMvCP8bfc5l7HUuMwKLTMLa2ZffcPuolEBLBMbj21vDLTPBgN7Zgx4rLVlfnzbRtDR_nl_23ECk12D1ySO1BbBErx3K54xD-c0ltNvgY/s1600/bentonville.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bZqfmyLSfqdeIPOQZ9zfYAO4dqDUYuo5clNUWMvCP8bfc5l7HUuMwKLTMLa2ZffcPuolEBLBMbj21vDLTPBgN7Zgx4rLVlfnzbRtDR_nl_23ECk12D1ySO1BbBErx3K54xD-c0ltNvgY/s400/bentonville.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723066982519249506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and making my way to Oklahoma.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ5M6YLUCpXnkt3G-Qveiuh2KRGIomYWn8U5a-lJ2g1GXCTz1BAoIX2RirKY7oWeJQASwvV-6bSLWWynkGnm6CJtF3STbxmBQWJ0jqVwG91HuctZQCwKA98zwIrc1zjOH8U5dEeLR4jDu/s1600/IMG_5048.JPG" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-502321206625054412012-03-22T05:14:00.011-04:002012-03-22T11:10:40.273-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - Part I: The Arrival<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Part I: The Arrival</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">................................................................................................</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Experience is NOT what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.</span><br /><br /><span class="QuoteAuthor">-Aldous Huxley</span><br /><br />................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1 - Friday, March 16, 2012</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I walked through the front doors of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport with my carry on bag and previously printed boarding pass, my adventure had officially begun.<br /><br />I went through security, experiencing my first ever body scan, and made my way to the gate when I received a phone call from an unknown number.<br /><br />It turned out that it was an automated voice message from Delta Airlines, letting me know that my first flight to Minneapolis was delayed 30 minutes.<br /><br />This really wasn't a big deal, but I was hoping to hang out at the Continental/United President's Club (I had a pass) in a different terminal and I needed a way to stay updated on my Delta flight itinerary.<br /><br />So I downloaded a Delta app and entered my name and confirmation number...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...when the app suggested I take an alternate flight route at no additional cost.<br /></div><br />I looked over the possibilities and realized there was a flight to Memphis that boarded in only 20 minutes. This way, I would have a short layover and land in Kansas City an hour earlier than my current schedule.<br /><br />So, obviously, I took it! I found an attendant and he printed me off some new tickets without any problems.<br /><br />And, when I waited at the gate, I eventually learned that my original flight was now delayed a good hour...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...I would have missed my connection and landed in Kansas City much, much later.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">During that first flight, I talked to a Pennsylvanian man who now lived in Memphis. He suggested that, once at the airport, I sink my teeth into some Memphis BBQ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ4BEj-R8es6bVHiRYz5N8MyqldD4SR1Sdlbr_ruVXHjKqsbHgNRwE5uYrIa_Z-Iv9Dz1K9hUQ8z9rpSGp1OnRG33ENw6mWk-Xbw-uZ60Yo0YtYXhj5LSrwxYvW2TlEc87n2Iymm2EuU/s1600/IMG_5030.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ4BEj-R8es6bVHiRYz5N8MyqldD4SR1Sdlbr_ruVXHjKqsbHgNRwE5uYrIa_Z-Iv9Dz1K9hUQ8z9rpSGp1OnRG33ENw6mWk-Xbw-uZ60Yo0YtYXhj5LSrwxYvW2TlEc87n2Iymm2EuU/s400/IMG_5030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650264274488866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I followed his advice...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5DrzqnvdOxgMxpGK2nk8XCwsYldZaVEnAsQqCKambYqkPia8pcKCeuat4Horh75gjkL8Y83Wn2rIe9j52dNoN071xsz8_WFsjfqt858oMTNmoM2jVQQDVonS1YDUFAS1jGQHWUHAYoU/s1600/IMG_5031.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5DrzqnvdOxgMxpGK2nk8XCwsYldZaVEnAsQqCKambYqkPia8pcKCeuat4Horh75gjkL8Y83Wn2rIe9j52dNoN071xsz8_WFsjfqt858oMTNmoM2jVQQDVonS1YDUFAS1jGQHWUHAYoU/s400/IMG_5031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650268435449138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and had a delicious pulled pork sandwich topped with cole slaw.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Afterward, I took the second flight to Kansas City, retrieved my rental car and headed south...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yxuGuFLhNXTo8yBlGOpmEklZ71hYzCNP2OaKeuwjnymc8PVXJmD23G796u7Y1ZlijpZMelfTijpYyB6PMAQWBrNnyuN0JSrU6cmREL8q2TNBsaSD18ILKwzthnm1MpuYYevlSaC-0eA/s1600/kansas+to+bentonville.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yxuGuFLhNXTo8yBlGOpmEklZ71hYzCNP2OaKeuwjnymc8PVXJmD23G796u7Y1ZlijpZMelfTijpYyB6PMAQWBrNnyuN0JSrU6cmREL8q2TNBsaSD18ILKwzthnm1MpuYYevlSaC-0eA/s400/kansas+to+bentonville.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722717443290078706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...making my way to Bentonville, Arkansas for the night.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">En route, I tried to stop at two pecan farms, but both were closed (it was after 5 pm on a Friday), so I continued on until I was able to stretch my legs...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1yBz4yrTEdgwkvpDwVfu13VHWKrwrDIlrXYXc8Y3Mv6Ifl-XU8V5bou4lPJMgd80RXzoeDBebsOFSI8exnFQAb7Y0zC5-8xU_sPOY0koW-2PENO97hFjScxQX7F67rPT2mAjKRp40Ig/s1600/DSCN0159.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1yBz4yrTEdgwkvpDwVfu13VHWKrwrDIlrXYXc8Y3Mv6Ifl-XU8V5bou4lPJMgd80RXzoeDBebsOFSI8exnFQAb7Y0zC5-8xU_sPOY0koW-2PENO97hFjScxQX7F67rPT2mAjKRp40Ig/s400/DSCN0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722649414507792530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...at a park in Webb City, Missouri.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although I took the picture of the above miner, I hadn't actually come to Webb City to learn of its lead and zinc mining history...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_fLWSDe7VmlmRRU8jDz2xA0SjXGS2b58laqEhkQDP4oiyFSQqkIjSLjLT2svIldcb2gJ-7jOM3F_a7KtjohlyrpFwtTpE_t3pQNXWX5DrYX7U1pOGiv0ruIbo6gp4RQE5r7jA04VlxQ/s1600/DSCN0156.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_fLWSDe7VmlmRRU8jDz2xA0SjXGS2b58laqEhkQDP4oiyFSQqkIjSLjLT2svIldcb2gJ-7jOM3F_a7KtjohlyrpFwtTpE_t3pQNXWX5DrYX7U1pOGiv0ruIbo6gp4RQE5r7jA04VlxQ/s400/DSCN0156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722649395611141282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...or to admire the street car there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Instead...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPeWm0uPwWPc_hqCEkz0WEmJDAyp3yCirZr_cxqlOOmGXyrWgm3xL35v0wx3FnJkHt1QpthSyp6MZPB_85ntDJW2WE1gHIcLQb8-pzPzkt1IIeVvGZZ7GAt7vZwPgD38m-Yc9X_xnQCM/s1600/DSCN0149.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPeWm0uPwWPc_hqCEkz0WEmJDAyp3yCirZr_cxqlOOmGXyrWgm3xL35v0wx3FnJkHt1QpthSyp6MZPB_85ntDJW2WE1gHIcLQb8-pzPzkt1IIeVvGZZ7GAt7vZwPgD38m-Yc9X_xnQCM/s400/DSCN0149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722649383426704946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I was interested in a nearby 30 foot statue by artist <a href="http://www.jackdawson.com/pages.php?pageid=2" target="_blank">Jack Dawson</a> (not to be confused with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Dawson_%28Titanic%29" target="_blank">Titantic character</a>)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyYqcLgMp75AlISDCO5-9L1n-Khy7leUM7Z-BWkrdvoxcbwZ7ByEFxm2jnOb_ynAuZrYwozNuw4ZCUyTdQD0f6W7T1Hfrm1N0UyaL9dqcpBgnME7glR9-6zUVb3nMc1oJGfJqvJQoM6c/s1600/DSCN0153.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyYqcLgMp75AlISDCO5-9L1n-Khy7leUM7Z-BWkrdvoxcbwZ7ByEFxm2jnOb_ynAuZrYwozNuw4ZCUyTdQD0f6W7T1Hfrm1N0UyaL9dqcpBgnME7glR9-6zUVb3nMc1oJGfJqvJQoM6c/s400/DSCN0153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722649391972051890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...titled "Praying Hands."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I walked around the statue and chatted briefly with a local woman before jumping back in the car and continuing on to Bentonville...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1sM34Gq79FI?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1sM34Gq79FI?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...enjoying the changing scenery of Southwestern Missouri as I went.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By 8 o'clock, I arrived at my hotel in Bentonville and, following the front desk's advice on local sushi places...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOgCIiFrHKi_CL1X1SlWFMV_0ONhMyPlLxaIGCBSB-SmTpC-yIuMefs5k94ZcViL80OluNKruk2cVLnFczzHTt5RAPQAA5ppP64goO0QhleFfsL3k5C9cvdKuM6ZzUhiQG5MonxQXBm8/s1600/IMG_5045.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOgCIiFrHKi_CL1X1SlWFMV_0ONhMyPlLxaIGCBSB-SmTpC-yIuMefs5k94ZcViL80OluNKruk2cVLnFczzHTt5RAPQAA5ppP64goO0QhleFfsL3k5C9cvdKuM6ZzUhiQG5MonxQXBm8/s400/IMG_5045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722723240667024498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...made my way to <a href="http://www.sushihousebentonville.com/" target="_blank">Sushi House</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This was one of those Japanese restaurants where you were greeted first by the people at the door and then that greeting was enthusiastically echoed by <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">everyone </span>behind the sushi bar - sort of like they treated all of their guests like Norm from the show <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers" target="_blank">Cheers</a>.<br /><br />Not know what I mean?<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRrN1k81A8Y?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRrN1k81A8Y?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />Watch this for clarity.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A rather busy place...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJxEK63LM-hByUIpYyIDqaCOzQ63_Oy29XLo-MWRvXR9J-hCCrkTi_dq-MF5w-cxTfLzpZR-RQ7c-dvwz2rXNTW17EgXq-pzTx6QgfoFv5zCeqMAF31ZAVxMmRF0jEG2ddjwik_0_qBw/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJxEK63LM-hByUIpYyIDqaCOzQ63_Oy29XLo-MWRvXR9J-hCCrkTi_dq-MF5w-cxTfLzpZR-RQ7c-dvwz2rXNTW17EgXq-pzTx6QgfoFv5zCeqMAF31ZAVxMmRF0jEG2ddjwik_0_qBw/s400/IMG_5040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650573162933602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...with three sushi chefs...<br /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBYqZRYAYShWdK_wriHceAWNIoc5FAIzTzpANFpaAwgBb737hJvGOp1y9xBheqO_EzicE0PezgUkcZxVSFOuHryeYkyX9df-xoqkinE1pfKVpRlQP5NbiJCCO_6swI8E-d3kCdrPIIbk/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBYqZRYAYShWdK_wriHceAWNIoc5FAIzTzpANFpaAwgBb737hJvGOp1y9xBheqO_EzicE0PezgUkcZxVSFOuHryeYkyX9df-xoqkinE1pfKVpRlQP5NbiJCCO_6swI8E-d3kCdrPIIbk/s400/IMG_5041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650284751800834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...I was amazed by how quickly I got my sushi.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But what was also great about this place was the free stuff they gave you...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkraizcWoFc8tUMY4HvSJ9yu3Q-orgDFaTGblXhhKi5WcKL-1-HujLOnt5aWvjmgDKe4RQ27UGQS5e0ZrVQlF0xaVlWtKyLe4us1zonNTitAkuEzO4OdL1sUNpbSpP74c_AkobqgwC2c/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkraizcWoFc8tUMY4HvSJ9yu3Q-orgDFaTGblXhhKi5WcKL-1-HujLOnt5aWvjmgDKe4RQ27UGQS5e0ZrVQlF0xaVlWtKyLe4us1zonNTitAkuEzO4OdL1sUNpbSpP74c_AkobqgwC2c/s400/IMG_5038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650277661095394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...like this maki piece sample...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZEf8-VGRH0kL5wfCoRPfB_H0fxvbGLgRMPace5czL01MhCe3i2caEIjEf2lGfznQHOXD36lFCdAqk_ngAc0P2RbmX6RrIfruer9fLjf73qGN7vlKNq3nE_l7gbA3y9wSvRrW_YkeQrE/s1600/IMG_5043.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZEf8-VGRH0kL5wfCoRPfB_H0fxvbGLgRMPace5czL01MhCe3i2caEIjEf2lGfznQHOXD36lFCdAqk_ngAc0P2RbmX6RrIfruer9fLjf73qGN7vlKNq3nE_l7gbA3y9wSvRrW_YkeQrE/s400/IMG_5043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650292888398530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...this decadent salad with tuna...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWpDKZgJxuhJCBVvbCs14VOXLBOx8KG6XSNmBmKd02qXE-iH5a71FbKYrAVW07v4o3AGlXAdob14MzIe5wnoFVvc4uLZEDiVbGdeJedpR1D3tpMu4CQj7wnuJUkyMIVNp-rY6deJo8Ng/s1600/IMG_5044.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWpDKZgJxuhJCBVvbCs14VOXLBOx8KG6XSNmBmKd02qXE-iH5a71FbKYrAVW07v4o3AGlXAdob14MzIe5wnoFVvc4uLZEDiVbGdeJedpR1D3tpMu4CQj7wnuJUkyMIVNp-rY6deJo8Ng/s400/IMG_5044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722650565665768402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and fruit for dessert.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I ended up being so stuffed that I had to take leftovers back to my room for breakfast the next morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Don't worry - I had a fridge.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-81161166786108991312012-03-21T19:42:00.010-04:002012-03-21T21:06:26.390-04:00Kristian's Incredible Adventure - a preface<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP9ulLEpY6x2_RdmD3nL4wkrcGL-T0YP47f8um-QaCT0_dxrh8QGICdT5jpl_RCD5b2yqFi_kTClLtUnEU5H0h2QiJ74jc2_dtvg0iByRlTXHHmn-to0sIgGexZnHiAagmHB70B8XZLo/s1600/DSCN0356.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP9ulLEpY6x2_RdmD3nL4wkrcGL-T0YP47f8um-QaCT0_dxrh8QGICdT5jpl_RCD5b2yqFi_kTClLtUnEU5H0h2QiJ74jc2_dtvg0iByRlTXHHmn-to0sIgGexZnHiAagmHB70B8XZLo/s400/DSCN0356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722513263562917218" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />So do you remember that adventure I told you about two weeks ago?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(If not, you can read that post <a href="http://300poundadventures.blogspot.com/2012/03/planting-seeds-of-incredible-adventure.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I just got back and I put a lot of miles on the rental car to see all the wonderful sites I will present to you in the next few days.<br /><br />I'll keep each post relatively short in text (I know all about short attention spans) and I'll coddle you with TONS of pictures.<br /><br />I even have some videos!<br /><br />Therefore, don't allow a post to be missed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="javascript:bookmarksite('Adventures%20of%20a%20trapped%20300%20pound%20man',%20'http://300poundadventures.blogspot.com')"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZS61S_XkfycVkS4LHA71irF0FdEv_XHMDmYeMSFLApv5kDgosbmwBh2q6FjSDceyfDBMq5-4Ff0Oi7ywy3nPOe8d2bus_YEEQRZxtgoVXA_KfXKst8cIs-tVNt3IuJjo-QIEv7LFrXM/s400/Bookmark_Website_icon1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722508731324326866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bookmark this site...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/follow-blog.g?blogID=1027514754117867695" target="_blank"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPRuFbzOq00GhHAKrPCIqo_YVWN8PwTKu0oMSN_HDhrUy7IzfrvNT9nPobn8z1nlHY_7ePiVjjziIwgTvLjH5B9IXFnsmF9OGDFIguJu-qykPA_O_5yGb-72B_8Efcpfge5ASorZ3jnY/s400/blogger_button.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722508738128339058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">...follow me on blogger...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://300poundadventures.blogspot.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO2_nGU2wykulKyDaytxsXhxapY0yUeslRwIrqcWS4nRqqsSEkRvVPpVP2zW1zTGG9zp_qdur9VJeh7b4_GL5-KFmL-senhfM1qsBnkXJRe6ohN6VZ6B9QBIu-wB-33wXDYOcuB2p9eM/s400/FacebookShare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722508726673988306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">...and share with your friends!</span><br /></div><br /><br />Because, apart from being absolutely entertained by my well-crafted posts...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdulS7JXe88YDCiD1YGf3jfe0YIaLa2hQ5k6r2vp5mvQWVTjjaQrIe8wZucYpYV9ZOevbJdtrOxEb0AAYoEMI1qrLMKRRtWVyVK_g059yJ64-IPjhcePzeM2yhhjzPPw4DOCKA1GjzSo/s1600/DSCN0329a.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdulS7JXe88YDCiD1YGf3jfe0YIaLa2hQ5k6r2vp5mvQWVTjjaQrIe8wZucYpYV9ZOevbJdtrOxEb0AAYoEMI1qrLMKRRtWVyVK_g059yJ64-IPjhcePzeM2yhhjzPPw4DOCKA1GjzSo/s400/DSCN0329a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722505324127453058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...you'll learn about the fascinating gift this man gave to the world...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietj5TXBmIStO2NFCqS6N303_LPGEkijJhyphenhyphenbtdAZ4QrtQoD1osCZMZJeBQE-miru2XkQ4tKTJwq6GCC3bkSB5ZZEqw2h472GTNuSY2Eht-D3oL9p3nsVD2Lb2SRqvADMl0ppSUxg5OiEU/s1600/DSCN0192.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietj5TXBmIStO2NFCqS6N303_LPGEkijJhyphenhyphenbtdAZ4QrtQoD1osCZMZJeBQE-miru2XkQ4tKTJwq6GCC3bkSB5ZZEqw2h472GTNuSY2Eht-D3oL9p3nsVD2Lb2SRqvADMl0ppSUxg5OiEU/s400/DSCN0192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722505314129490322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...you'll look in wonder at the spectacles placed in this unique park...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9gP0aU-YtsSFzk0G59PB2Csmekc8_DW4VXZ8D2orH3ndA-lzcll5gLhu7xOOC72vg8H_zZYmB330ga7FyT4h3ZpOb4xLSa19NyLHJv10ONtLmMnnXVVHQ3bwzOlH3-uRiuIxJHRPecw/s1600/DSCN0205.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9gP0aU-YtsSFzk0G59PB2Csmekc8_DW4VXZ8D2orH3ndA-lzcll5gLhu7xOOC72vg8H_zZYmB330ga7FyT4h3ZpOb4xLSa19NyLHJv10ONtLmMnnXVVHQ3bwzOlH3-uRiuIxJHRPecw/s400/DSCN0205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722505319188481026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and you might even feel pains of nausea once you learn what this is next to the fries.<br /><br /><br />But, fear not, my faithful readers.<br /><br /><br />Wonderful big things lie ahead for you...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BXnn81XqLmtQI_nrYK3Xx9dkY5_ieGBntykHe_PVTEnzAVNLv3egX2eK34PJV2syKYGT27RIH_EdyGftpc-kFtYjXKZbz4pM8-qUcBQQha9RyYJCfXmL7FVGOPyxlkvVUq4rj7mZSLU/s1600/DSCN0267.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BXnn81XqLmtQI_nrYK3Xx9dkY5_ieGBntykHe_PVTEnzAVNLv3egX2eK34PJV2syKYGT27RIH_EdyGftpc-kFtYjXKZbz4pM8-qUcBQQha9RyYJCfXmL7FVGOPyxlkvVUq4rj7mZSLU/s400/DSCN0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722505324451915602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...wonderful big things indeed.<br /><br /><br /></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-67739387672276911682012-03-13T09:05:00.012-04:002012-03-13T11:43:06.087-04:00Cracking the Parmigiano Reggiano Wheel at Whole Foods - March 10, 2012Shortly after I had decided to go to <a href="http://300poundadventures.blogspot.com/2012/03/bit-closer-to-300-pounds.html" target="_blank">Columbus for the Food Truck and Street Food Appreciation Night</a>, I received an invitation to go to the <a href="http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cleveland/" target="_blank">Whole Foods</a> in Cleveland (University Heights) for a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel-cracking event.<br /><br />Basically, across the US, Canada and the UK, at 3 pm EST, wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese were to be cracked open simultaneously at all Whole Food store locations so that the collective cracking sound of happiness could echo out and resonate deep inside our foodie hearts...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...pure poetry.</span><br /><br /></div>Although it would mean leaving Columbus earlier in order to make the event, I only had to remember that some of my favorite bloggers would be present before agreeing to go...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and there would also be some free vittles!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So I left Columbus early right after breakfast...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkilHtSCi_636_KGJjb6n5stwQNhShLrTVytTwCXQ48gdyCAR5Pemnhe8jHAFXay85RVlluyo14z2IXN4_yv9nvnJJGDOQLnJUfx-wV6vYpABef0tXJSYgwClYVj9g8ryLTWj5OhiYAo/s1600/mecca+grandpa+cheese+barn+ashland.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkilHtSCi_636_KGJjb6n5stwQNhShLrTVytTwCXQ48gdyCAR5Pemnhe8jHAFXay85RVlluyo14z2IXN4_yv9nvnJJGDOQLnJUfx-wV6vYpABef0tXJSYgwClYVj9g8ryLTWj5OhiYAo/s400/mecca+grandpa+cheese+barn+ashland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764821686416274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and decided to make a quick stop in Ashland first...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFNVemcXNokJY4w113ocYXV8Mydj7m7r6O7glLQS8JSPxj9moAmVosoqasSOxsZI4YKDDr-sAJ1iykSLSd1TuX7Qeh2Da3824NMu6nTSMFmnXRFbz4HPTqfB6r4snmJH6FYJNmn2S3_s/s1600/grandpa+cheese+barn+mailbox.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFNVemcXNokJY4w113ocYXV8Mydj7m7r6O7glLQS8JSPxj9moAmVosoqasSOxsZI4YKDDr-sAJ1iykSLSd1TuX7Qeh2Da3824NMu6nTSMFmnXRFbz4HPTqfB6r4snmJH6FYJNmn2S3_s/s400/grandpa+cheese+barn+mailbox.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764566286362898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and get myself in the cheese-eating mood...<br /></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DVdaRLnJwukSVG_r3fETHvIpCNRKHI0jjM-zGDWj45R4oS66u2QtZCftjGWJlMxpkDMse5MuwsRzYpGKmTR5l0nX5dBwxb8tOFbvp4-KQeNKqleJW_rW3YaCuP0IbcrXOf4EED37vDg/s1600/grandpa+cheese+barn+sign.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DVdaRLnJwukSVG_r3fETHvIpCNRKHI0jjM-zGDWj45R4oS66u2QtZCftjGWJlMxpkDMse5MuwsRzYpGKmTR5l0nX5dBwxb8tOFbvp4-KQeNKqleJW_rW3YaCuP0IbcrXOf4EED37vDg/s400/grandpa+cheese+barn+sign.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764575381780610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...at <a href="http://www.grandpascheesebarn.com/" target="_blank">Grandpa's Cheesebarn</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a big fan of Grandpa's Cheesebarn for a number of reasons...<br /><br />1.) They're always friendly and greet you once you walk in the door, being sure to ask you if you know your way around the store<br />2.) They carry a lot of local products, including Amish goodies, pickled products and smoked meats<br />3.) Their baked goods are pretty good, including their white chocolate cherry cookies and their cinnamon rolls<br />4.) They have single bathrooms, which are great when driving back and forth to Columbus<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmjdZYB5U0M3vGGzRWBmv8AZ119lGb_7cu1G_8-wJIiLJVVT5-TEJPFMp7o1xGIyefhpiyIu2UXRyBmg4oJdYTZpqBxAEDb1-6pRIAB2Gtf0mclNfe2yUpnQzYglvPJDLCJ_rZZeijkk/s1600/grandpa+cheese+ashland+1.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmjdZYB5U0M3vGGzRWBmv8AZ119lGb_7cu1G_8-wJIiLJVVT5-TEJPFMp7o1xGIyefhpiyIu2UXRyBmg4oJdYTZpqBxAEDb1-6pRIAB2Gtf0mclNfe2yUpnQzYglvPJDLCJ_rZZeijkk/s400/grandpa+cheese+ashland+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764356752502994" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYr3FXTsHJl0mYvNbpLJ2hcf9JpcBlR3BEBBm6TD537GoX-Mac5DPdU-ViFaYnJmgtuFb3tgDPnhKIbg57VxtiEqt4pm9UhbcRqy8zLUgN5AsciXB-2GpPh7mKMjc79fiKBblQHW1cXA/s1600/grandpa+cheese+ashland+2.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYr3FXTsHJl0mYvNbpLJ2hcf9JpcBlR3BEBBm6TD537GoX-Mac5DPdU-ViFaYnJmgtuFb3tgDPnhKIbg57VxtiEqt4pm9UhbcRqy8zLUgN5AsciXB-2GpPh7mKMjc79fiKBblQHW1cXA/s400/grandpa+cheese+ashland+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764554572377954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5.) They have plenty of cheese samples to enjoy (for free!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once I got upstairs to the cheese area, I sampled a few cheeses before buying some butter cheese for my mom and some newer Steakhouse Onion Cheddar cheese for myself - it tastes sort of like cheese mixed with French Onion Chip Dip and Steak.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Out of this world!<br /></div><br />But I didn't want to overdo it, so I stopped eating cheese samples, got back in the car and headed north...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7EcqWXd2moFsYX9mPJ2O_jB3C7KKohDGsJm1AMi9R4xBSBkZc7MaMC2YBhPdBx5qDqKowuUMzoH1G4iSJw0yrSi6n7VDnKXEIH1hrwStyOU63oKnTFxM3MNogNN_2FJriXBEis8NQ4s/s1600/whole+foods+cleveland.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7EcqWXd2moFsYX9mPJ2O_jB3C7KKohDGsJm1AMi9R4xBSBkZc7MaMC2YBhPdBx5qDqKowuUMzoH1G4iSJw0yrSi6n7VDnKXEIH1hrwStyOU63oKnTFxM3MNogNN_2FJriXBEis8NQ4s/s400/whole+foods+cleveland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765287348856034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...to the great big Whole Foods in University Heights.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had actually arrived earlier than expected and was rather hungry, so I treated myself to a dragon roll from the sushi bar.<br /><br />By the time I finished, it was near the time that the bloggers were supposed to meet, so I walked over to the Osteria bar...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_-iecohB6J2fvER4AQNYx_kfN4b2Nnwr1uONBLfVRvIr0hoZX24osLTybLuX8i7QlVCHDsXwIOJs1ALXTAnFtN-D3istTRh4fNvMn1PUCatyXsScMqfd7jRR_4LAIjRPlccqz-_yDW4/s1600/reserved.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_-iecohB6J2fvER4AQNYx_kfN4b2Nnwr1uONBLfVRvIr0hoZX24osLTybLuX8i7QlVCHDsXwIOJs1ALXTAnFtN-D3istTRh4fNvMn1PUCatyXsScMqfd7jRR_4LAIjRPlccqz-_yDW4/s400/reserved.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765066548695682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and found this Reserved sign at several chair sittings.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once I found out it was for us, I grabbed a chair and was greeted by Lisa, who orchestrated the events. She was kind enough to get me a glass of wine as the other bloggers and significant others/friends showed up with them...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw6fHXQhyfE043MLDlztyJp74_4S2uFogSTl1qBCmOLxAaC-xtBMWsryZryUWhw1P5YfFXgTN8WuDmL8hu5TMyyPuoxUiteXSjD-mF_XkNVK85lRrTRel3k6y8sElxZvu5_x6NuBT7zk/s1600/whole+foods.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyw6fHXQhyfE043MLDlztyJp74_4S2uFogSTl1qBCmOLxAaC-xtBMWsryZryUWhw1P5YfFXgTN8WuDmL8hu5TMyyPuoxUiteXSjD-mF_XkNVK85lRrTRel3k6y8sElxZvu5_x6NuBT7zk/s400/whole+foods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719396223872759234" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and we took up a nice section of the Osteria.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Bloggers in attendance included:<br /><ul><li>Alicia of <a href="http://www.poiseinparma.com/" target="_blank">Poise in Parma</a><br /></li><li>Brad of <a href="http://www.clevelandfoodandbrews.com/" target="_blank">Cleveland Food and Brews</a><br /></li><li>Crystal of <a href="http://eatdrinkcleveland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Eat Drink Cleveland</a></li><li>Kimberly of <a href="http://smittenincle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">SMITTEN...in Cleveland</a></li></ul><p>Oh...and there was a special guest roaming around the store...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN19F-hcqsVW08uDXW9FMhgyQAbMjgLgr3qpjozVZQcLmm1PCWCO4eGaF9yRIpbrHV4uoI8S4bXeJmpTZ3XD5hfOtkW2mirnlBstWA3Db1PIjLD2p-KTAn1__-s6Web5pRgPY9i9j3Ms/s1600/whole+foods+elvis.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN19F-hcqsVW08uDXW9FMhgyQAbMjgLgr3qpjozVZQcLmm1PCWCO4eGaF9yRIpbrHV4uoI8S4bXeJmpTZ3XD5hfOtkW2mirnlBstWA3Db1PIjLD2p-KTAn1__-s6Web5pRgPY9i9j3Ms/s400/whole+foods+elvis.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765292356843074" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...Elvis himself.</p><p style="text-align: center;">But more on him later.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Now with everyone in attendance...<br /></p></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWim7mPQcnaaW5hvuc4Vwu0iIWj1ooPBdydqxMmm8r-WrirbEltfxqIlEM_MSPFk7JC_JZCpt4CFV92_XN-9IqE4_8RpAYm-liH8YFAv3gO6oUE9lkMldxWKv7fbZsM0nUhhb16iAeG8/s1600/tom+whole+foods.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWim7mPQcnaaW5hvuc4Vwu0iIWj1ooPBdydqxMmm8r-WrirbEltfxqIlEM_MSPFk7JC_JZCpt4CFV92_XN-9IqE4_8RpAYm-liH8YFAv3gO6oUE9lkMldxWKv7fbZsM0nUhhb16iAeG8/s400/tom+whole+foods.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765072739189650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Tom could get underway and make us some great eating samples.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Two dishes were selected from a Parmigiano Reggiano menu that Whole Foods is now offering...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hYubjTG4v5WjAI3l9cBVXMws7G6qlZXD_GciZQRI5VLhfJZ-tHvc3BhN-rL9cyl1UfSO_HYh8lvGTBybm-Za-_47GCmrVx1PTqeiaTJ01zJOWczQ8SkvZSfF8QaJasDo9H9RjNwE-2k/s1600/menu+whole+foods.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hYubjTG4v5WjAI3l9cBVXMws7G6qlZXD_GciZQRI5VLhfJZ-tHvc3BhN-rL9cyl1UfSO_HYh8lvGTBybm-Za-_47GCmrVx1PTqeiaTJ01zJOWczQ8SkvZSfF8QaJasDo9H9RjNwE-2k/s400/menu+whole+foods.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764836453133922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which you can check out here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: I just now noticed that the menu reads "parmesan" in the descriptions, which can be used both as the English for parmigiano as well as imitation versions of the cheese. Although I feel Whole Foods intends the former, especially since they served parmigiano in our dishes, you can always double check when ordering at the Osteria.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first dish we were given was a Melon and Crispy Prosciutto Crostino...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8bGiZuAD4Kd55Ygis4ICQ7F-dsNEvEA_mHkyD3_o-7bQKmxm4Udmz3vK6eVh4UgZeSoIgPr3gGCLPtRbsgfLQXBWAtiPuEwWYAorX1gWrqeVH8HS1f0mcN5Mzpb9xkA97-M73IWxkeA/s1600/melon+and+crispy+prosciutto+crostini.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8bGiZuAD4Kd55Ygis4ICQ7F-dsNEvEA_mHkyD3_o-7bQKmxm4Udmz3vK6eVh4UgZeSoIgPr3gGCLPtRbsgfLQXBWAtiPuEwWYAorX1gWrqeVH8HS1f0mcN5Mzpb9xkA97-M73IWxkeA/s400/melon+and+crispy+prosciutto+crostini.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764827770756130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where bits of melon rested under the prosciutto and parmigiano and were all drizzled with honey.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This had a nice flavor to it (salty and sweet), but do I suggest breaking the prosciutto and cheese into bits before eating it so you get all the flavors into easier bites (not so easy to bite through the prosciutto).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The second dish consisted of orecchiette (little ears) pasta, roasted squash and brown butter...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgbMn7avHAFey7aelsQCRfNSLQDc4bgd4MapF1gEzhF0AKYCduNv5vNTTUNzocrzZhQujQd3JI8oS1m51uqW8CTdYOVri-0-IPBO60X4TdzG0E6AQpw3PY2047KRyOJoMr-MNQKihe2g/s1600/orecchiette.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgbMn7avHAFey7aelsQCRfNSLQDc4bgd4MapF1gEzhF0AKYCduNv5vNTTUNzocrzZhQujQd3JI8oS1m51uqW8CTdYOVri-0-IPBO60X4TdzG0E6AQpw3PY2047KRyOJoMr-MNQKihe2g/s400/orecchiette.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765054350849426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I even had some honey added (thanks, Tom!) to better contrast the saltiness of the cheese (notice the droplets of honey on the plate).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">I thoroughly enjoyed this dish!<br /></div><br />As we ate and enjoyed our wine...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuXgOBbcWQiI-EIIE-XFOd5J9LHTOzVDP4dEjrhUt4QANKU5iAxmg-v5nXWr3v3gSW6rehrf51pyLrvgqxNSHFnzaNqCbT_wqmj3RtMoAnbkk83oA-Upq8niXI1SSuWU1TrF_S3fAnpw/s1600/jim+whole+foods.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuXgOBbcWQiI-EIIE-XFOd5J9LHTOzVDP4dEjrhUt4QANKU5iAxmg-v5nXWr3v3gSW6rehrf51pyLrvgqxNSHFnzaNqCbT_wqmj3RtMoAnbkk83oA-Upq8niXI1SSuWU1TrF_S3fAnpw/s400/jim+whole+foods.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764819501349458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Jim, the cheese buyer, explained the qualities, cheese-making process and history of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3-CjGgpk4zrcAx1Edn5OTZ2sYE02UE9Pi9KSXxD4nLnnBrfX_frz2348_RDLX7x92SAWvyPV0ht6KB6rnEfn7rsOImM_Z5hVQW2D_XEDJC1I7koTm3XRyhaUWAml2vtyIe4nDyQraBs/s1600/parmigiano.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3-CjGgpk4zrcAx1Edn5OTZ2sYE02UE9Pi9KSXxD4nLnnBrfX_frz2348_RDLX7x92SAWvyPV0ht6KB6rnEfn7rsOImM_Z5hVQW2D_XEDJC1I7koTm3XRyhaUWAml2vtyIe4nDyQraBs/s400/parmigiano.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765063447433714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...while offering us tasty samples, I should add.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And once our Parmigiano Reggiano education was complete...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrvkv1fQAHFM6BbVcc-vZMrTG9maDmm3mCRvm3il9GQWwArypFQPu8IRdXhifnjo6IJqDOyp_0uhh3LDd0oS2uBZJ6C1M5zJp5T7ygSbXqKV8dlCLp8wxwWZ_gQmBJzDN7_HClg25ch8/s1600/whole+foods+stage.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrvkv1fQAHFM6BbVcc-vZMrTG9maDmm3mCRvm3il9GQWwArypFQPu8IRdXhifnjo6IJqDOyp_0uhh3LDd0oS2uBZJ6C1M5zJp5T7ygSbXqKV8dlCLp8wxwWZ_gQmBJzDN7_HClg25ch8/s400/whole+foods+stage.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765301159459650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...we were directed toward the wheel-cracking stage...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp4JelR3YCBaaJsnaHnW9z0VApoB9c9uvhyhF5aermLgdx2NMtIR8y9AtIwCtVIytVCnFGZn_ZR76hQ2jIHP5dOZrL6W9DETppf4Mv-zoqIS8_CN9VCVhRUefDwOK_M0aRURwl1RUv0o/s1600/elvis+showing+moves+with+joe.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp4JelR3YCBaaJsnaHnW9z0VApoB9c9uvhyhF5aermLgdx2NMtIR8y9AtIwCtVIytVCnFGZn_ZR76hQ2jIHP5dOZrL6W9DETppf4Mv-zoqIS8_CN9VCVhRUefDwOK_M0aRURwl1RUv0o/s400/elvis+showing+moves+with+joe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764335437227154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where Elvis (Ron, actually) and Joe prepared themselves for the cheese-crackin' competition of their lives...<br /><br /><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8a_lDLVjAd0?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8a_lDLVjAd0?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...which you can see here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As winner of the wheel-cracking...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8YWsuDtE4nFGgaDsDiYT7P4f7oJ_j26s61NuipGGxj8bkT90l8gPLUTD15_wbCOsMiz1-TXpcvU67YrlOe3E1dpodZihrWdL2LHoXTiw-RhYtddAyiuOPTdaMvmY_7lFRxCcbe3jIHE/s1600/elvis+getting+samples.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8YWsuDtE4nFGgaDsDiYT7P4f7oJ_j26s61NuipGGxj8bkT90l8gPLUTD15_wbCOsMiz1-TXpcvU67YrlOe3E1dpodZihrWdL2LHoXTiw-RhYtddAyiuOPTdaMvmY_7lFRxCcbe3jIHE/s400/elvis+getting+samples.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764331275102274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...Elvis was put in charge of prepping some super fresh samples for Whole Foods customers...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw8puUquglWjYqOABLebmv8lDM54WLgci0yI96pqppvgV-hPNVxrUb65oBm7ERygK0pRaILrax9iEecZyW_Mulfva-w7RgBmdFkpDIgGXekU6j8YqXn219ktFHLAr7_7Cs_z3Iu3cMNU/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw8puUquglWjYqOABLebmv8lDM54WLgci0yI96pqppvgV-hPNVxrUb65oBm7ERygK0pRaILrax9iEecZyW_Mulfva-w7RgBmdFkpDIgGXekU6j8YqXn219ktFHLAr7_7Cs_z3Iu3cMNU/s400/IMG_5021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764812993583826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which I also grabbed for myself (of course).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Elsewhere in the store...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e8tnJU3HUcV8UFsIcJGAR5GTHmvoLTJgcPtdAreBMGREIIk6lORHo5Awd0NAY6tj9Vln3nDF_ViX5XjEjJ-sh0HRTmtkkmDcqq_MXptxOl1faxgjgjAgc6cCVGvAxpPgP1qB8tKnqOM/s1600/elvis+whole+foods+islands.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e8tnJU3HUcV8UFsIcJGAR5GTHmvoLTJgcPtdAreBMGREIIk6lORHo5Awd0NAY6tj9Vln3nDF_ViX5XjEjJ-sh0HRTmtkkmDcqq_MXptxOl1faxgjgjAgc6cCVGvAxpPgP1qB8tKnqOM/s400/elvis+whole+foods+islands.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764350807589618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...other Elvis imposters dished out other parmigiano-inspired dishes for guests to sample...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9KS3SwFg_W32CAvh_dagERd-_FuwtuHtPe28BIPmN7ruzd9GNw5EO1hZtw_Pj8J7Dx5FdWlKLrlfzOx-kaxnpIFiIBtlMSNykHgHT3DEjBhrGRCwesA55-Q0fOyQtzaYfiknHuBjbYI/s1600/parmigiano+samples.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9KS3SwFg_W32CAvh_dagERd-_FuwtuHtPe28BIPmN7ruzd9GNw5EO1hZtw_Pj8J7Dx5FdWlKLrlfzOx-kaxnpIFiIBtlMSNykHgHT3DEjBhrGRCwesA55-Q0fOyQtzaYfiknHuBjbYI/s400/parmigiano+samples.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718765056651792178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...including pasta, parmigiano-crusted eggplant...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMI_Qo24fJpqzykRwcL4lGICtgPMGfI7Qcqp5941icRLfI41yHGH9qj2hYrwezBG5uoXAzMDv_ZPx24p47BwOIHA1AoAvGbAawJuQryFsN1VnBEyJbhmuemd8VV0YU2MfyJ29PJSsyoY/s1600/gnocchi.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMI_Qo24fJpqzykRwcL4lGICtgPMGfI7Qcqp5941icRLfI41yHGH9qj2hYrwezBG5uoXAzMDv_ZPx24p47BwOIHA1AoAvGbAawJuQryFsN1VnBEyJbhmuemd8VV0YU2MfyJ29PJSsyoY/s400/gnocchi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718764354613103874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and some delicious gnocchi.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, it was a delightful experience and I would like to thank Whole Foods (Lisa, Jim, Tom, Ron, and the entire team) for the hospitality, wine, grub, education and entertainment!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks so much!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">...............BONUS SECTION</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">...............</span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And if <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>happen to have a ton of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in <span style="font-style: italic;">your </span>fridge and don't know what to do with it, I'll fill you in on a popular Italian appetizer that you're likely to love (as long as you're not vegetarian)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kristian's Fantastic Bresaola and Arugula Appetizer</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bresaola" target="_blank">Bresaola </a>is an air-dried salted beef that is thinly sliced. It may sometimes be difficult to find, but you should be able to get it in a Whole Foods or a bigger market.<br /><br />All you need is about 1/4 lb of bresaola...or enough to cover a plate per person. Spread the slices over a place and then cover with arugula, fresh Parmigiano Reggiano shavings, pepper, and lemon juice (or olive oil or both).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF-FxyUzaLZI4Fw1_Lo6L4-cA0XAPlWH1ZnSvReyijCW4JSHyg8twx6aY-MhXDv8IpMlXFDwzUGE7h_Vyy2Pg0Nq0E_5PknXRAzNgPmf5YGkeg_hZ8H0mKFo-RhbdzjkxQxGUs8KxHGc/s1600/bresaola2.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF-FxyUzaLZI4Fw1_Lo6L4-cA0XAPlWH1ZnSvReyijCW4JSHyg8twx6aY-MhXDv8IpMlXFDwzUGE7h_Vyy2Pg0Nq0E_5PknXRAzNgPmf5YGkeg_hZ8H0mKFo-RhbdzjkxQxGUs8KxHGc/s400/bresaola2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719394685657463538" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Eat with knife and fork.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">See? It's easy!<br /><br />The above photo was taken from the blog <a href="http://cookbookamonth.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/bresaola-with-rocket-and-parmesan-and-blueberries-with-honey-almonds-and-yogurt-from-best-menus/" target="_blank">A Cookbook a Month</a>, where they discuss the recipe at the link I've attached to the title. Please check it out!<br /></div><br />Of course, you can also put arugula and cheese over each slice, squeeze some lemon juice over and roll each bresaola slice into a roll to eat with your fingers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ugh...now I'm hungry again!<br /></div></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-77677412526347974342012-03-12T10:05:00.000-04:002012-03-12T10:05:59.191-04:00A bit closer to 300 poundsSo this is one of those posts where you start to believe that there may be, in fact, a 300 pound man trapped inside of me, working his way out by forcing decadent eating habits upon me.<br /><br />So prepare to salivate!<br /><br />This past week, I've eaten some rather decadent things.<br /><br />On Thursday, I took my mom out to <a href="http://deagans.com/" target="_blank">Deagan's</a> in Lakewood...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNl6FrpkZH7JdtWWOeFpT3AvQ3DKj9f32L3wSr1do1gOfQan1leTAQwbzXN2NncFPYt02roAJLberdMmToX5xGocSoXOZuy3iNyXwMtmvdkKMvDTQkKWoIEXha6mmAjA03B-Hx5hEV88/s1600/calamari+deagans+lakewood.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNl6FrpkZH7JdtWWOeFpT3AvQ3DKj9f32L3wSr1do1gOfQan1leTAQwbzXN2NncFPYt02roAJLberdMmToX5xGocSoXOZuy3iNyXwMtmvdkKMvDTQkKWoIEXha6mmAjA03B-Hx5hEV88/s400/calamari+deagans+lakewood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768062184282530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...where we split some calamari with wasabi sauce...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi988X2IaKaOJAqoJM1mpXZQv8Jxvt3yT_hHhH86VFvMTzD72nySfBJIP5QkkmhDWfBOcfHwGHvsBBbL2xykJ0d-NNZeEhMaN_t45UTnZgaZWUH1e-O_fscYQg3-DHUlbbQAGWDwP0TrNQ/s1600/chicken+and+waffles+deagans+lakewood.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi988X2IaKaOJAqoJM1mpXZQv8Jxvt3yT_hHhH86VFvMTzD72nySfBJIP5QkkmhDWfBOcfHwGHvsBBbL2xykJ0d-NNZeEhMaN_t45UTnZgaZWUH1e-O_fscYQg3-DHUlbbQAGWDwP0TrNQ/s400/chicken+and+waffles+deagans+lakewood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768063330310162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...my mom got some chicken and waffles (with blackberries in the syrup)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O0fpUINLlOc7q216_xzaV39PcZnXvnccH6IJRFtkkIONrZyW-jvxUm-tF0V4L65ARfHOlhXK0YHrdzpr9fGApCP_oSMMLf6h041edZz112LifFkEOsFGhGArosQJ_sUcexBwJwTkhyphenhyphenQ/s1600/veggie+sliders+deagans+lakewood.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O0fpUINLlOc7q216_xzaV39PcZnXvnccH6IJRFtkkIONrZyW-jvxUm-tF0V4L65ARfHOlhXK0YHrdzpr9fGApCP_oSMMLf6h041edZz112LifFkEOsFGhGArosQJ_sUcexBwJwTkhyphenhyphenQ/s400/veggie+sliders+deagans+lakewood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768448683654514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I got some vegetarian sliders (made with chick peas and roasted red peppers).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A delicious meal - I really recommend eating there!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Friday, I drove down to the Columbus Food Truck and Street Food Appreciation Night (free with RSVP)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADQTCtjxMQ-odDKJu-d7U4Ioi2XbcDJ_KrcT11Zzdbj3Kw4SLZ_FjO7vzAO6fzl6I1ugkQBYb618iwvEr25vQFRtyd2rH620QzflFCX4LUsTwMgP1B3blRrCWo2oQIpvHehLLv3xwBAs/s1600/social+lounge.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADQTCtjxMQ-odDKJu-d7U4Ioi2XbcDJ_KrcT11Zzdbj3Kw4SLZ_FjO7vzAO6fzl6I1ugkQBYb618iwvEr25vQFRtyd2rH620QzflFCX4LUsTwMgP1B3blRrCWo2oQIpvHehLLv3xwBAs/s400/social+lounge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768441832755666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...at the <a href="http://www.thesocialroom.info/" target="_blank">Social Bar/Lounge</a> on Park Street.<br /></div><br />Although it's not unheard of for me to drive long distances for free grub, my main incentive was actually to meet other people associated with the Columbus food trucks, festivals and tourism (I actually did meet two great guys responsible for the <a href="http://columbusfoodtruckfest.com/">Columbus Food Truck and Cart Fest</a>).<br /><br />Of course, this isn't to say that I didn't nibble a bit on the various snacks available, such as...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQVN21TTwPqdDFMbAlsvioGcYY_ujfmlnw4xEW_73CeEId0cr1UbvHPRfXNiSbjg3inu9jPgD3CxdjJASOA2PpfJVd2i2m4MfKcBPQGyMzHoCFS7egRLH2AaX0bzsqfB6own3u6vhxF8/s1600/snacks+1+social+lounge.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQVN21TTwPqdDFMbAlsvioGcYY_ujfmlnw4xEW_73CeEId0cr1UbvHPRfXNiSbjg3inu9jPgD3CxdjJASOA2PpfJVd2i2m4MfKcBPQGyMzHoCFS7egRLH2AaX0bzsqfB6own3u6vhxF8/s400/snacks+1+social+lounge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768309772980114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...chips...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5SMKdALJMDA5nWNWHesh53nMeElLhKLExt0tXme32vIK6ojem82dP2jG0kaxpck_K-P9ESpIoOgJZ1o9xNdZbfhm1BIVZFrn-YTmWLi1rrJbnWcML1nxA_s7H9edeme-qYTihrHK4ZQ/s1600/snacks+3+social+lounge.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5SMKdALJMDA5nWNWHesh53nMeElLhKLExt0tXme32vIK6ojem82dP2jG0kaxpck_K-P9ESpIoOgJZ1o9xNdZbfhm1BIVZFrn-YTmWLi1rrJbnWcML1nxA_s7H9edeme-qYTihrHK4ZQ/s400/snacks+3+social+lounge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768324053899346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...pizza...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkD0DYyUMMEHiUfP5hpIkaYrsIrX44Pmp_3Yp3jKMN1trGRdQHsdVmTka38kb8Fb6Cwp1Ju7lgwq-rfwHPVV2Bqw9L1cXomHPk-NtE4rsZNf6AAr4HOf7gabyWxIoX33d9rdmaF4xnoc/s1600/snacks+2+social+lounge.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkD0DYyUMMEHiUfP5hpIkaYrsIrX44Pmp_3Yp3jKMN1trGRdQHsdVmTka38kb8Fb6Cwp1Ju7lgwq-rfwHPVV2Bqw9L1cXomHPk-NtE4rsZNf6AAr4HOf7gabyWxIoX33d9rdmaF4xnoc/s400/snacks+2+social+lounge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768318864000706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...sandwiches...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_txHIqzofYhtXJGkhUnZLCIlMDrjr_XwmcSlG-stjnj18vp-vFOBycxZcj5axOl36NeFJdqnbQhG32Lx-d0klTp2zKxcFT8Mbt3xvSu6CtPImy_iQX416owxgYdu4B2G1m880BtkZw/s1600/snacks+4+social+lounge.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H_txHIqzofYhtXJGkhUnZLCIlMDrjr_XwmcSlG-stjnj18vp-vFOBycxZcj5axOl36NeFJdqnbQhG32Lx-d0klTp2zKxcFT8Mbt3xvSu6CtPImy_iQX416owxgYdu4B2G1m880BtkZw/s400/snacks+4+social+lounge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768327088803826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and vegetarian chili...<br /><br />...but I did save plenty of room for dinner!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, with my aunt and uncle, I went to <a href="http://www.eatatdiaspora.com/">Diaspora</a>, where we all split...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf0JEUT6kM-v0YgvAsYK66ncRdPhkCvahgMQslBZEGwjqRj5e-4LIwhrywSB3YsJxy9ppTu_LwvzZqDortl27wGE0ie8j8RBviOfg3mw7yGiv7qbUCSYwNESbjwMkmEZdcsJ3vbyaRT8/s1600/shrimp+taco+diaspora.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf0JEUT6kM-v0YgvAsYK66ncRdPhkCvahgMQslBZEGwjqRj5e-4LIwhrywSB3YsJxy9ppTu_LwvzZqDortl27wGE0ie8j8RBviOfg3mw7yGiv7qbUCSYwNESbjwMkmEZdcsJ3vbyaRT8/s400/shrimp+taco+diaspora.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768307367299474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...a shrimp taco with cheese...<br /></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqSVRrq_CHMHDffgFhYeJzawh_96TrLWrV478V8b6dhJtymWixKAkVZILrETt7dsZEaoXce5fmMfAdYgBhDC5Px55fu90yVP-m4IgYxgc9_L-r2Q-t-ziXOtSTmgvsDMiMxT4jDDzl_4/s1600/pizza+mania+diaspora.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqSVRrq_CHMHDffgFhYeJzawh_96TrLWrV478V8b6dhJtymWixKAkVZILrETt7dsZEaoXce5fmMfAdYgBhDC5Px55fu90yVP-m4IgYxgc9_L-r2Q-t-ziXOtSTmgvsDMiMxT4jDDzl_4/s400/pizza+mania+diaspora.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768082523542290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and some DELICIOUS Pizza Mania (tomato, white tuna, mozzarella cheese, mushroom and onion fried in seaweed wrap).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9RK4YvlvGLpW0rx6uuZuAe-mjTF_P7HiGZzgH4H1Cog_Bcz1pv-2EyMUOWgb5L-huCPT77rVLUmkCNP5UNjcHU7DAmUstBg8FX0u6x_O6JUar37WE-NodOKbW30ou7Za0B8VD7P1TLM/s1600/diapora+combo+box.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9RK4YvlvGLpW0rx6uuZuAe-mjTF_P7HiGZzgH4H1Cog_Bcz1pv-2EyMUOWgb5L-huCPT77rVLUmkCNP5UNjcHU7DAmUstBg8FX0u6x_O6JUar37WE-NodOKbW30ou7Za0B8VD7P1TLM/s400/diapora+combo+box.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768071492462914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For the main entrees, my aunt and uncle split a combo box...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DWJSakQ_dElyD3HWR0alyqOC0EYKX71BhPTJ1xra4j0sJ0HmEVWZedje6IoAX7cbNOIBIDcvsku08TD3QQFin8vaV3J6foW-oG6cZQMiO0lAxnCHs64vzeuhfr4ym6VIz6BVA_uP-Os/s1600/dolsot+bibim+bahp+diaspora+columbus.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DWJSakQ_dElyD3HWR0alyqOC0EYKX71BhPTJ1xra4j0sJ0HmEVWZedje6IoAX7cbNOIBIDcvsku08TD3QQFin8vaV3J6foW-oG6cZQMiO0lAxnCHs64vzeuhfr4ym6VIz6BVA_uP-Os/s400/dolsot+bibim+bahp+diaspora+columbus.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718768076631795202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and I got the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibimbap" target="_blank">Dolsot Bibim Bahp</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All were wonderful, by the way. I want to go back to try some of their crazy sushi rolls.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We didn't do anything for dessert...not that it mattered. I had eaten more than enough these past few days.<br /><br />And it didn't end there. Saturday would be another fun eating day...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...but I'll write more about that tomorrow!</span><br /></div></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-47415009539215880632012-03-07T10:11:00.012-05:002012-03-07T12:30:56.073-05:00Planting the Seeds of an Incredible Adventure<div style="text-align: left;">If you were to ask anyone about the type of person I was, they would probably say that I'm a responsible, dependable human being who is typically prepared for various unforeseen situations.<br /></div><br />Or, as Julia likes to sum up...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTS_yfcvNX5D-0xpXFRSUNHsPMK3vuuzWB_eXNfoThsoH6e80pplMOMkZZm0zl0nrUhVvBrCLzER2GBgB9MhPY4De6U1n7JNwFsw0xbbtbhJIMwqw2OACAVHyflUQIyXML9TBb4Rp_6I/s400/capricorn-tarot-horoscope.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717183138975017330" border="0" /><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTS_yfcvNX5D-0xpXFRSUNHsPMK3vuuzWB_eXNfoThsoH6e80pplMOMkZZm0zl0nrUhVvBrCLzER2GBgB9MhPY4De6U1n7JNwFsw0xbbtbhJIMwqw2OACAVHyflUQIyXML9TBb4Rp_6I/s400/capricorn-tarot-horoscope.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717183138975017330" border="0" /><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTS_yfcvNX5D-0xpXFRSUNHsPMK3vuuzWB_eXNfoThsoH6e80pplMOMkZZm0zl0nrUhVvBrCLzER2GBgB9MhPY4De6U1n7JNwFsw0xbbtbhJIMwqw2OACAVHyflUQIyXML9TBb4Rp_6I/s400/capricorn-tarot-horoscope.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717183138975017330" border="0" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> "He's a triple Cap!"<br /></div><br />And I guess this is true. I can be pretty responsible, dependable and prepared (on average), which may or may not result from my sun, moon and rising sign being under the sign of Capricorn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXPA4Wn9FdRroT7d4NYkhuG6_kIcHWUlaSubJN78aHD4GjnI0kcVPm1EVWxzbnCLs29GDpKS4vqn6vblZNhs682GHteRf2JKS_hsFMW5hdmk4pQbwqm-Hg4IDhNr98xNAkZYTh2YCFjc/s400/prepared.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717187287689014274" border="0" /><br /><br />And, although I've often benefited from these traits...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...they can sometimes go to extremes</span>.<br /></div><br />My car alone, for example, contains jumper cables, three umbrellas (one small and two golf), an ice scraper and snow brush (which remain in the car all year long), a road atlas of the US, a miniature phone book of Lorain County, a roadside assistance kit, a water bottle, 2 air pressure gauges and a St. Christopher medal.<br /><br />And this is just my car.<br /><br />As with anything, too much of this responsibility and preparedness can weigh on you after a while and make you feel rigid, stressed out and seem fairly uninteresting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBITImuG12xswae9hHE3vjx7NP0mDJm_Ir4dF-CJ8dhLAVD0C9uh2HsDOMZkb_MUemJ8fEagznnckiqnnKallDY4Vp1yOX3Fd_TLitoPqmE44DMK1q9oQuLeVHv70uAmZxmVP1iQu2Jd4/s400/shake+things+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717186761009813810" border="0" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That's why, every so often, I feel the need to shake things up for a bit of balance!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(It also makes me seem more interesting.)</span><br /></div><br />Usually, in the summer and fall months, I've been able to counter the structured part of my life with crazy festival trips.<br /><br />But lately, after these past few months of slow festival activity, I've felt this incredible urge to go on some type of adventure...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...or, as I've found defined in a Google search...<br /><br />...<span style="font-style: italic;">an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Now I'm not one to throw caution completely to the wind (I do appreciate my health and safety), but I did want to have some criteria in order to heighten this sense of an adventure.<br /><br />Among those are...<br /><ol><li>Visiting states I've never been to<br /></li><li>Traveling alone<br /></li><li>Going during Mercury in Retrograde</li></ol><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let's look a little closer at each!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.) Visiting states I've never been to:</span> Unlike my festival adventures where I travel through the very familiar state of Ohio, I wanted to go somewhere I've never been to before. This would allow me to explore new landscapes with different cultures, foods and people.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">If there's one thing an adventure has, it's unfamiliarity.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) Traveling alone:</span> this can easily work for you or against you. On the one hand, you can decide on your destination, create your schedule and route, and make spontaneous decisions and/or alterations. But it also pushes you to be an extrovert and talk to the locals and other tourists more readily in order to learn more about this new land.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">This can definitely be a challenge, since I can get shy at times - and Lord knows I'll miss Julia while on this trip. But, apart from calling her often while in the car or at the hotel, I have to make a mental note to myself not to use my phone as a means of wasting time while at a restaurant or potential social situation. I need to put my phone away and interact with the locals.</p><p style="text-align: left;">That's how adventures develop. No one tells vacation stories that involve Words with Friends.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjRl4YTr-Znq1wl-vsnmwRKK3W2U-F99_R-Qr3uze6TXrOESUoHr1Lg81Wg6vziRFKSi01f2YCzXFcGgClrbSkotSusu9CRLIuwoXu98SI104xKOO6p05Awipga_ny3pOk8OnyEFKCok/s400/Mercury%252BRetrograde.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717186180650611394" border="0" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.) Going during Mercury in Retrograde:</span> OK, so I really didn't plan this. But, as it turns out, Mercury, the planet of communications and travel will be in retrograde during my trip, which can lead to delays, miscommunications and traveling snafus.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So, even in an astrological sense, there are potential risks to help my adventure become a great/interesting one. Hopefully, this won't add any situation I can't handle.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">But if I was <span style="font-style: italic;">that </span>concerned about it, I wouldn't be going.</p><p style="text-align: center;">...................................................<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The main reason I'm even writing about this trip is because I want to plant the seeds of this adventure out into the digital universe in the hopes that it will grant me its blessings before the adventure even begins.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Perhaps you, the Reader, can send out a small prayer so that everything runs smoothly, I have a wonderful time, I learn constructive things about myself, and that the experiences of the trip inspire me to do great and spectacular things for the benefit of humankind.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">(Believe me, God hears these prayers from me all the time...once you mention my name, He'll be expecting it!)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Another thing I thought was that you might be able to help me with your advice and suggestions.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This trip will include five states I've never been to (Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas) and one I have (Missouri) over a 4 day weekend in the foreseeable future. </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is the map I've created so far...<br /></p></div></div><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=209456210739743117380.0004b996b9da558faac40&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=6&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="640" frameborder="0" height="480"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=209456210739743117380.0004b996b9da558faac40&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=6&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">The Great State Road Trip</a> in a larger map<br /><br /><br /></small> Nothing's set in stone just yet - I'm just putting interesting things down to help plan out the trip (I guess I'm still trying to be prepared to some extent).<br /><br />If you could look it over and let me know what you think, I'd greatly appreciate it.<br /><br />And don't worry...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...I will write about these adventures once I return!<br /><br />Thanks so much!<br /></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1027514754117867695.post-45040988575926500812012-02-27T12:18:00.010-05:002012-02-27T15:18:02.064-05:00Raspberry Honey Pulled Pork - a Crock Pot ExperimentI have long resisted the cooking appliance of modern convenience known as the Crock Pot.<br /><br />Although I could go into a long philosophical rant on whether or not Crock Pot cooking is actually cooking, I also realize that many of my own creations deal with chopping things up into smaller pieces and throwing it together in a pan.<br /><br />I mean - I just posted a <a href="http://300poundadventures.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-eatta-lotta-caponata-recipe.html" target="_blank">caponata </a>recipe last week. So I don't think my argument would carry much weight.<br /><br />Instead, let me simply say that my mouth doesn't water much for dishes that are <span style="font-style: italic;">already </span>watery.<br /><br />By this, I mean that I do not care much for au jus, broths or dishes that involve considerable splashing while eating them. I prefer thicker, creamier, heart-arresting sauces or gravies.<br /><br />Therefore, I've only used the Crock Pot once in the past 10-20 (or 38) years or so, and it only was only to cook a beef tongue, which I sliced up for tacos (really good if you can overcome the idea of tongue).<br /><br />But a strange thing happened when blogger friend <a href="http://myretrokitchen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amie Kanengeiser </a>found herself on "New Day Cleveland" with a BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VIJ6B48mMdg?version=3&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VIJ6B48mMdg?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="315"></embed></object><br /><br />...and I thought the recipe looked good!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I suddenly had a change of heart and my mind declared, <span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe I should give the Crock Pot a second chance. Perhaps I can even put my own twist to a dish.</span><br /><br />Later that same day, while working out with my trainer, an idea struck me....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Instead of using water or broth, maybe I can use fruit and honey for a less watery result!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So here are the ingredients I used for this Crock Pot Experiment:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>2 pounds pork shoulder</li><li>1 onion</li><li>1 pint fresh raspberries</li><li>honey</li></ul><p>This is a rather simple set of ingredients...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jwYAU4xbN1huiGzUgHXeSR3lt_9nCOite9kWmiie93zBk4nAVDgXgPqC0QrHo-Y-_jhte-OtGguOQsOVb8EQKpeKSObs5ASlWJqL5D__lGswFY7UXwQTaoNo9VBs5SRO_dG1zE7PYeA/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+001.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jwYAU4xbN1huiGzUgHXeSR3lt_9nCOite9kWmiie93zBk4nAVDgXgPqC0QrHo-Y-_jhte-OtGguOQsOVb8EQKpeKSObs5ASlWJqL5D__lGswFY7UXwQTaoNo9VBs5SRO_dG1zE7PYeA/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713867103395462802" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...and it all looked easy enough...</p><p style="text-align: center;">...but, after a layer of chopped onion, I realized that the pork bone didn't fit...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-x62IGCbjmn3scORa9Yee0vD4GPQmxLz1IpZam2xAdwPmhk5m3eEQnVPMedw_Mg0YWZVeHEennLbnf6anXlQU3oI5xSEAop7kvgJ-PdwLI4r7R_o5yLzMJGSbNKkY86yEXIPHt8uvY/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+002.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-x62IGCbjmn3scORa9Yee0vD4GPQmxLz1IpZam2xAdwPmhk5m3eEQnVPMedw_Mg0YWZVeHEennLbnf6anXlQU3oI5xSEAop7kvgJ-PdwLI4r7R_o5yLzMJGSbNKkY86yEXIPHt8uvY/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713868242154874562" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...so I had to cut it up in pieces.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And do you notice that potato slice at the bottom right corner of the pic?<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I originally was going to include red skin potatoes to soak up the extra juice, but there was no room for them either.</p><p style="text-align: left;">But don't worry - if the dish got too water, I had a Plan B!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I crushed some raspberries with my hand and mixed them a bit with the pork, putting more onion on top...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECBVlmWMTTWcy6om-8DRgJXg0wjmnaYoFMm0huZkVFS52vUVx43uAjIBpcRXR6hON-cmrsTCvkES77IAlvGq99ZCjp6RhXjei8GT9UA8l7rMnLYCuiYhPIS_v7b7BttBlumGhUkEBs6I/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+006.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECBVlmWMTTWcy6om-8DRgJXg0wjmnaYoFMm0huZkVFS52vUVx43uAjIBpcRXR6hON-cmrsTCvkES77IAlvGq99ZCjp6RhXjei8GT9UA8l7rMnLYCuiYhPIS_v7b7BttBlumGhUkEBs6I/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713867112402796642" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">...and then poured some local honey over it all.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Once that was completed, I set the Crock Pot to low...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECBVlmWMTTWcy6om-8DRgJXg0wjmnaYoFMm0huZkVFS52vUVx43uAjIBpcRXR6hON-cmrsTCvkES77IAlvGq99ZCjp6RhXjei8GT9UA8l7rMnLYCuiYhPIS_v7b7BttBlumGhUkEBs6I/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+006.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8H2roty5rC_U0uCajPm0QODM6VWa0foMLK_2qwbFCSzsW-7ryYwPwae-JYCVHFCsdPZAxVhigo2XsMWIJg7Y8yE9yAC5Xe9vywby8cgvUwdjx1d7s0DmcOFWHEEWaIKxIwyih4B_b9k/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+008.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8H2roty5rC_U0uCajPm0QODM6VWa0foMLK_2qwbFCSzsW-7ryYwPwae-JYCVHFCsdPZAxVhigo2XsMWIJg7Y8yE9yAC5Xe9vywby8cgvUwdjx1d7s0DmcOFWHEEWaIKxIwyih4B_b9k/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713867118427962466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and let it cook...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT28jKMyoaRV0R0BOvo3kI0z7_aq7CObwZwp7J0BBe-xpgI-zzFZnf0fR0fznXYm6C4mTCKQOitD8Sff7jr4TCK4w5qKYZDocawW1Br_k0U2LNem6WjkLM489ZfO9VwUQlkLQK1ccUJI/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+009.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT28jKMyoaRV0R0BOvo3kI0z7_aq7CObwZwp7J0BBe-xpgI-zzFZnf0fR0fznXYm6C4mTCKQOitD8Sff7jr4TCK4w5qKYZDocawW1Br_k0U2LNem6WjkLM489ZfO9VwUQlkLQK1ccUJI/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713867119347110978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and cook.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After 4 hours, I checked it and it had cooked pretty well...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAb8pwkKphU6N-BfcGYZGC2fBdNcp70Q81OaN4hFfAbfwB9Q2btNpMlbNbriMi8gatTtpG7s-OTX_llWO7fMtlkzZjp8gQDX7sp98YaY9ja4RHLO4GFSMVBJrujJoGeXZ0r0PIIgJTeQ/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+011.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAb8pwkKphU6N-BfcGYZGC2fBdNcp70Q81OaN4hFfAbfwB9Q2btNpMlbNbriMi8gatTtpG7s-OTX_llWO7fMtlkzZjp8gQDX7sp98YaY9ja4RHLO4GFSMVBJrujJoGeXZ0r0PIIgJTeQ/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713868251449840786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...but the pork still wasn't very tender...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQsWn7xc6cnzPD4zKsAl6Dz84LMVutYP-6r0IIIYCCVVN6RrGGDgQdSj3hcJzhXvCTvnn37nESRN_-bD5OEZcqneQO7hqwMQClThq_eN5H2e4Ry9DooXqj8JPI0n6ybG0PCcr1Jg2Ouw/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+012.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQsWn7xc6cnzPD4zKsAl6Dz84LMVutYP-6r0IIIYCCVVN6RrGGDgQdSj3hcJzhXvCTvnn37nESRN_-bD5OEZcqneQO7hqwMQClThq_eN5H2e4Ry9DooXqj8JPI0n6ybG0PCcr1Jg2Ouw/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713868255210740802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I decided to pull it apart and toss it back in for another hour...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGCA4jNCb_XMXiVAXz9IvVrbypda_wmmLxdCmQsanCCt0iihhsbmfHw-AoKlwZBc3O4S-mTMP8MooE2TRJ89hoUEFM3HHfeLqwH34kgX28610rCd4hkxUO6x8p2oFh3WkwvpXRz483Sg/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+013.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGCA4jNCb_XMXiVAXz9IvVrbypda_wmmLxdCmQsanCCt0iihhsbmfHw-AoKlwZBc3O4S-mTMP8MooE2TRJ89hoUEFM3HHfeLqwH34kgX28610rCd4hkxUO6x8p2oFh3WkwvpXRz483Sg/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713868258376690066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...which actually made a huge difference.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But I still had to deal with all the raspberry-honey-au jus...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZDzwCqiJwJfQ9NwDOx7yNwlu4Q4yqghW0-MuUadqx1GVos7InC40wgQ5XpsCkXakvZ61A91rlawvZJ_Qp11Cp41Tp1YC_OrxbFjaEiefTiJ6FRnfFNysxiig2i29rsMvuEoHFkxDGqA/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+010.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZDzwCqiJwJfQ9NwDOx7yNwlu4Q4yqghW0-MuUadqx1GVos7InC40wgQ5XpsCkXakvZ61A91rlawvZJ_Qp11Cp41Tp1YC_OrxbFjaEiefTiJ6FRnfFNysxiig2i29rsMvuEoHFkxDGqA/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713868244403677138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...so I made a ton of Japanese sushi rice to pour it over...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmeRDPq-V5CKXJBpvv4nNr31sTmw997H0MWUx87MGO7zoVuaGW16h120KlhR6AKXfuCd4cRi0-BuZxBLP7ta7D2AsWOucfpSsNTLgft9So1djbdHofOnKgAwcxUAaTdukz6qeet-wRmI/s1600/Pulled+pork+recipe+014.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmeRDPq-V5CKXJBpvv4nNr31sTmw997H0MWUx87MGO7zoVuaGW16h120KlhR6AKXfuCd4cRi0-BuZxBLP7ta7D2AsWOucfpSsNTLgft9So1djbdHofOnKgAwcxUAaTdukz6qeet-wRmI/s400/Pulled+pork+recipe+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713871300930767634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...and it made me a happy guy at lunchtime.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Kristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04524622950604181139noreply@blogger.com4