Day 31: Dayton, OH to Buffalo, NY

Current Location: Buffalo, NY

Today was another driving day. I woke up in Dayton, OH at my Grandmother's house, finished making my project for her and then packed up The Shadow and split. I drove THE SPEED LIMIT almost the whole way. I went east on 70 toward Columbus then up toward Pittsburg. North from there and then east again all the way until Buffalo. Why Buffalo you ask. Well because tomorrow I am going to visit Niagara Falls! I am very excited because it is supposed to be an amazing sight.

I went through four states today; Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York! That is really about it. I mean I am in a hotel for tonight. Which is strange because this is only the 3rd hotel I have been in since my Dad left and it is the first hotel I have stayed in alone (not ever because I stay in hotels for work alone all the time), I was referring to the trip. In general thought I am pretty happy I have not had to stay in many hotels because gosh they are expensive! lol

Aiight peace. I am enjoying cable and internet again.

Day 30: Vandalia, Dayton, Fairfield, Englewood, Vandalia Dayton, Richmond

Current Location: Grandma’s House, OH

Today was a busy day and officially the last full day at Grandma’s house. We got up and I took Grandma to her eye appointment and then chilled at a nearby Starbucks!!!!!! It was amazing like coming up for air from a long die. Hahaha okay that may have been over dramatic. Anyway being at a coffee shop was a long needed commodity. After the appointment Grandma and I headed over to Fairfield Commons and went to spend her gift card at JCPennys. She got some new digs and is looking sharp for fall. Afterward we headed out for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, a place where overindulgence is as common as obese Americans. Anyway it was of course delicious and we decided to run a couple more errands and then head home.

Around three we got a call from my cousin to invite us over for dinner. Sounded good to us so we went home relaxed for like thirty seconds and then headed over to Richmond, IN where we hung out and at hamburgers with the family while checking out some old photos. We did not get home until pretty late so Grandma went to bed and I am just chilling watching TV. I still don’t like this whole time change thing. I think West Coast time is the place to be, personally.

Anyway tomorrow I am headed off to Buffalo New York in order to see the great Niagara Falls. I am pretty excited but even more excited to meet my cousin in Boston on Friday from there things just get busier and that is fine with me. This past week has been pretty lazy and laid back, plus Grandma think I look thin (I think every Grandmother says that) and decided to fatten me up. Well she accomplished her mission and therefore I need to get out of here before I get diabetes or something from all her baking. Well that is about it for now. I am really excited for the next half of my trip, tomorrow officially marks the ½ way point in my Epic Road Trip.

Peace

Day 29: Chilin… in Ohio

Current Location: Vandalia, OH

Today I woke up at 11:30am! Yes, I know early! Well in any case it was still a good night sleep haha and I enjoyed it! Especially because I have taken on the role of getting up at east coast time and going to bed at west coast time. After getting up and went to trusty PANERA and used the internet for a while and then went over to the Vandalia Sports Complex again and used the gym.

That was really all the excitement for the day. Grandma made steaks and veggies for dinner. She is fattening me up, it is crazy. She is making brownies, cookies, and everything else she can think of it. Well it is delicious either way.

Peace.

Day 28: Church, Brunch & Football

Current Location: Vandalia/Dayton, OH

Today I again was up bright and early ready to leave for church at 9:00am. Church starts at 9:30am and is five minutes away, you do that math. Church was cool everyone loves Grandma (of course) and I shook hands with so many of her friends I think I have new calluses haha. After church we came home for a minute to get a jacket and then left at 11:20am to meet our family for brunch at 12:00pm, the place is 15min away, again you do the math. In essence what I am saying is that Grandma likes to be places about 20 to 30 minutes before necessary haha.

Anyway for brunch after church we went to the Barnsider in Dayton a place that serves up a brunch buffet with all the stuff. It was very delicious I have to say! After brunch it was football time so we went back to my uncles house to watch the Panthers play the Bengals. That was really it. Now Grandma and I are watching “The Bone Collector”, which I have to say I did not like very much.

Anyway now once again I am mooching internet from Drury Hotels (I figured I should give them some free advertising for providing me internet this week). But yeah I need to return this movie and reconnect with the world.

Peace

Day 27: The Tipp City Mum Festival

Current Location: On a Bed in a Room of a House in, Vandalia, OH, USA

Today I awoke at the early hour of 8:30am (yes I know you are all very impressed). I woke up so early because I was told that my aunt and uncle were picking me and Grandma up for the Tipp City Mum Festival. What I did not know what that my uncle had called earlier and told us he was going to come at ten. So yes I could have slept in until 9:30am. Needless to say I was somewhat disappointed. Anyway, we finally were on our way by 10:00am and off to find a parking spot for the festival, not an easy task. After learning what a Mum was the four of us walked around endless stands of crafts and fried food stands that smelled like any state fair. Tim and I played the role of the bag-holders, place markers, stuff watchers, and general people in the way, while Diana and Grandma visited every single stand whether they were selling painted rocks or antique glass plates, they wanted them all. Actually the sight was pretty amusing and at the end of the day they really did not buy that much. All in all the time at the festival was pretty entertaining with some definite champion people watching for Tim and I.

After the festival we decided to hit up T.G.I. Fridays and get lunch. Grabbed some food and hit Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple things then it was off to the house. Tim and Diana went home to watch football, which sadly is not available at the house with no TV, aka here. So I decided to indulge another electronic craving and bring my laptop over to the nearest large hotel and steal their Wi-Fi connection for a couple hours while sitting in The White Shadow. Yes, I realize that sounds desperate. Whatever. I also ran a couple errands, rented a movie (that neither of us liked), and then decided to go on a run and eat dinner. The rest of the night was pretty uneventful rather that showering and looking through old photo albums.

So that is really about it. Church in the morning. Holla Holla.

Peace

Day 26: Vandalia, Texas Roadhouse & Starbucks

Current Location: G-ma’s house, Ohio

Today I successfully accomplished my plan of getting up at 9:30! Haha I got up and headed off to Starbucks that was ten miles away, yes I am that dedicated. Really though I needed to use the internet and I needed my Venti Pike’s blend with room for soymilk. So I spent about two hours there until I realized how desperately I needed a work out clothing facelift. So in an effort to rectify this situation I got up and headed over to Dick’s Sporting goods. I found too much of what I needed. I got some new Nike shorts, spandis, t-shirts and sports outerwear! Haha now I won’t look homeless while working out. Anyway then I went back and had a hot dog with Grams. After that I decided I should try out my new garb at the gym, so I went over to the Vandalia community recreation center and spent the $7 to get to use the gym for the day. Then I came back and got ready for dinner

Tonight we met my cousin and his parents for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. I had been told by my family in Iowa that the cinnamon butter at the Roadhouse was pretty amazing and I have to say I agree. I also tried their fried pickle chips which were great. Anyway that was the extent of the evenings culinary endeavor. The family came over after dinner so I could share some pictures from my journey. Visted, talked, hung out. That was about it.

Ps. Feel sorry for me, I have no internet or cable. Ahaha

Peace

Day 25: Day in Dayton/Vandalia

Current Location: Vandalia, OH

Today I got up early at 10:00am. This may not seem early to most people but since I have been on vacation I have been sleeping in until around 11:00am and since I lost and hour yesterday I really got up around 9:00am today. So I am slowly going to push my clock back haha so that I can get back into the swing of normal life. Anyway tomorrow I am going to try and get up earlier aka 9:30am and so on and so forth until I can get up at 8am haha or 7:30am. I mean I am not trying to be lazy or anything.

Besides getting up “early” the day consisted of a couple things. A quick trip to Panera bread in order to use the internet and download some stuff and upload some stuff. Then the mall in order to return something for the G-ma, and finally a trip to the grocery store. Got some good food for the week which will save me lots of dinero from eating out so much like I have been. O and I also went on a run, which reminded me of how extremely out of shape I am haha. Anyway we just watched a movie and pretty soon will be hitting the sheets.

As most of you may know, Ohio is not the capital of activity. However, that is okay because the family is here and this is going to be a relaxing time to hang out with them. I mean I never get to see them since they do leave 2000 miles away from California.

Anyway peace out!