Cousin Barb in Sodas Point: Thursday, July 21, 2011

My original plan when leaving Beth's in Ann Arbor was to cut through Canada to get to my Cousin Barb's place in Sodas Point, New York.  I had grabbed my passport when I first left Dayton and had only taken it out of my pad-folio to bring it to The Price is Right. (The Price is Right wanted everyone to have proof of their social security number in hand.  I thought my passport had my social on it.  It didn't.)  Apparently, when I packed up my stuff in San Diego I didn't put my passport back where it belonged and I wound up leaving it at my parent's house.  I drove through the states to get to New York.

The drive went well and I made it to Barb's for dinner.  I got to meet Bill, Barb's boyfriend.  We all went out to dinner to try to beat the heat because Barb doesn't have A/C.  The restaurant was struggling to keep cool.  I was able to see Anna, Barb's daughter, for a little while.  This was nice as Thursday isn't a day that Barb has Anna.

When we got back to Barbs place the temp inside was 88.  I set up my air mattress on the floor of her family room and had 3 fans blowing on me.  It actually went better than I thought it would.

Mileage: Starting 80,602 & Ending 81,072= 470 miles
Stayed at Barbs (Sodas Point, New York)
States Visited: Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York

On to Ann Arbor: Wednesday, July 20, 2011

This morning I got up and had some breakfast.  Then I took a walk around the Lyons' house because it has been more than a year since I have been up here.  Their yard looks amazing!  They have spent countless hours on landscaping and it has really paid off.  I left early afternoon to head to my cousin Beth’s in Ann Arbor.  

The drive was uneventful.  I got to meet Maggie.  She is really nice.  We went out to a nice restaurant for dinner and, wouldn’t you know, the A/C wasn’t working that well.  The food was good but all of us had to keep wiping away the sweat.  From there we went back to Beth’s place and hung out.  Beth and I exchanged stories about how crazy 2010 was for each of us.  Her main issue was an injury that she received while doing a 60 mile charity walk.  Without major surgery, she would have lost her left leg!  From there, it was off to bed.

Mileage: Starting 80,363 & Ending 80,602=239

Stayed at Beth’s apartment (Plymouth, Michigan)

States Visited: Michigan

Beth and Maggie:

Back on the Road: Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Today I loaded up the car and set out for the second part of this crazy cross-country trip.  I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going to end up tonight so I got a late start.  I was planning on going to my Uncle Steve’s but they are just too busy right.  I had tried to call Sarah's parents last night but found out they were out of town.  I was able to reach them today and they are back home. 

The drive was good.  This is not the first time I have made this trip so I was on auto-pilot for most of the drive.  I got in around 11 PM and Mrs. Lyons made me some food.  (I call Sarah’s father Ted because the very first time I met him I called him Mr. Lyons and he jokingly said that only the cops call him Mr. Lyons.  I said what should I call you?  He said Ted.  I still call Sarah’s mom Mrs. Lyons.)  We spent some time catching up and then called it a night. 

Mileage: Starting 79,964 & Ending 80,363=399

(I drove 100 miles during my stay in Dayton)

Stayed at Ted & Mrs. Lyon’s (Oscoda, Michigan)

States Visited: Ohio, Michigan

Ted and Mrs. Lyons:

Washing the Car Part 2 & a Haircut: Monday, July 18, 2011

Today I woke up and finished washing the car.  It is really hot here in Dayton!  I put about 4 hours into the car between yesterday and today and it looks great.  I also made an appointment to take the car in today and get the oil changed and tires rotated.  After all, it has been 7,500 miles! 

I finally got my haircut.  I think it was actually longer than Mikey's hair.

Mileage: Minimal

Mikey and I comparing hair length:

A Movie and Part 1 of Car Washing: Sunday, July 17, 2011

I slept in quite a bit today because it was late night out with Mikey and Brittany.  Craigster invited me out with him, Erika, and the Lovewells to see the new Transformers movie.  Sounds like a good offer to me! 

Yesterday we decided to have family dinner night tonight which was great.  I was able to start washing the car but I ran out of daylight pretty quick.  I will be able to finish it tomorrow because I am sticking around to get my hair cut Monday.  Then I should be on the road Tuesday!

Mileage: Minimal

The car before being washed:

Back to Dayton: Saturday, July 16, 2011

I got up today and grabbed some brunch with Uncle Denny.  Then it was off to Dayton.  I used to think that the three hour drive from Fort Wayne was kind of long.  It went by in a flash.

It is good to be back in Dayton.  I got the Cobra completely unloaded and then I went out and met some friends at El Rancho Grande for dinner.  After that I celebrated Brittany's birthday with her and Mikey and crew.  (I actually missed her birthday by several weeks but this was the first time I have seen her since I left.)

Some interesting numbers for this leg of the trip... I left Sunday, June 19 and got back Saturday, July 16.  That is four weeks (28 days)!  My beginning mileage was 72,228 and I am at 79,864 now.  That is 7,636 miles!  Cool!

Mileage: Starting 79,685 & Ending 79,864= 179
States Visited: Indiana, Ohio

Lazy & Productive in Indiana: Friday, July 15, 2011

Today was, as the title suggests, a lazy yet productive day.  My uncle was busy for most of the day and I took the time to pay some bills and return some calls.  I did go out for a short drive at one point.  We had a nice, relaxing evening and some good food for dinner.

Mileage: Starting 79,610 & Ending 79,685= 75
Stayed at Uncle Denny's (Fort Wayne, IN)
States Visited: Indiana