My Journey:

July 2007

July brought a nice trip for my and Ryan.  I had planned this for most of the year, as I knew I would be attending a conference for Cisco somewhere in the Midwest, turns out it was in Cleveland.  I had to be there from July 9 to the 11th, at the Intercontinental Hotel on the grounds of the Cleveland Clinic.  So on the way there, we stopped for a Sunday visit to Cedar Point.. even got Ryan to ride the Top Thrill Dragster and sit in the front seats.  Great Ride.  It took a little bit more convincing, but I finally got him to ride Millennium Force, although I had to agree that we didn't have to sit in the front seats.  It was so hot all day that even going out to the van for lunch and several cans of pop, it was still too hot... so eventually we had to give in and ride the wet rides.  Much better.

So that night we headed to the Red Roof Inn near Cleveland, before heading on into the city the next day.  First stop:  Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Although it was somewhat interesting, it only took us a couple of hours to get our fill of the place and head back out.  Not really worth the price of admission, but overall was a nice stop.  Having left early, we had time for a stop at Hard Rock Cafe in Cleveland, which had absolutely the best service I have ever had in a restaurant.  Great time, and great burgers.  And another shot glass.

After leaving there and dodging the afternoon traffic, road construction, and walls of people, we finally made it to the Intercontinental Hotel - the wrong one.  We then headed to the right one, six blocks away, and made it barely on time.  Well.  Ok.  Ten minutes late.  The next day was interesting, as President Bush also decided to come and visit the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland.  This was the first time on this trip that we were in the vicinity of a president, although this was the only living president.  Insert any one of about a half-dozen jokes here.

Finally, on Thursday, it was time to head out of Cleveland.  First stop on the way out of town was the cemetery with the grave of President Garfield.  It's a very large monument, and we were greeted by a gentleman who gave us a wonderful background on the president and the monument.  President #2 out of the way, and we're on our way to Pittsburgh.

OK.. so why Pittsburgh?  Well.. Ryan had already been to Ohio, so in looking at things I Could see the Pennsylvania, and also West Virginia, were very close.  Well, if going to Pennsylvania, I could go ahead and go to Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh, so we did.  Shot glass #2 for the trip.  Prior to dinner we rode the inline railway up the hill, saw the city and the stadiums.  After dinner, well..  we headed back out of town, arriving in Canton, Ohio a few hours later.  One main stop in West Virginia for ice cream along the way.  This meant that we visited Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and at least stopped long enough to eat in each one.

Once back in Canton and another night in a Red Roof Inn, it was off to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.  This one was much more enjoyable than the Rock & Roll, as we ended up spending more time and learning more at this one.  Also, I was able to take pictures, as cameras were allowed here.  Overall it was a very nice stop.  Also, we were in the vicinity of another president, the gravesite of McKinley.  Don't believe the signs by the Hall of Fame that make you think you can walk there... it is a few miles, and it was another warm day.  But it is another big monument, on top of a hill with a nice view.  Very impressive.

Upon leaving Canton, it was time to follow the old Lincoln highway (is there a presidential theme to this?) east through Ohio, with the next stop planned for Ashland.  Only one reason to stop in Ashland, that is where my great-grandfather's sister Elva Decker lived after she married William Davis.  After William's wife died, Elva married him.  William is buried here with both wives and a son, Watson, by his first wife, Emma.  I knew the lot number for the grave, but that wasn't helpful as the cemetery wasn't marked, but luckily we were able to stumble across it as we drove slowly through (actually coming back out).  All are listed on one headstone.

Leaving Ashland we headed back toward the northwest up to Norwalk, not far from Cedar Point (where we started), then the next day stopped at the birthplace of Thomas Edison nearby, even after deciding not to.  Just ended up going that way and figured, why not?  After touring the home, we headed west again to Seneca Caverns and enjoyed a nice cool trip underground on another warm day.  These are interesting caverns, having been formed by the ceiling caving in between layers.  At the bottom there is an underground river, which I presume created the first cavity that caused the ceiling rocks to fall in.  However, Ryan wouldn't let me wander around the cemetery next door to the caverns.

Upon leaving the caverns, we again headed west with one more stop at the home and burial of President Hayes, the first president to have a presidential library and museum.  This marked the fourth and final president, and the third one with a grave, on this trip.  Very big mansion, but the actual graves are much more modest, as Hayes did not die in office (or so I understand in the planning of presidential graves).

Not knowing where we were headed next, and a couple of options around Toledo, ultimately we just ended up going to Detroit (back to Michigan) for my final destination of the trip:  Hard Rock Cafe #3.  Even though this is so close to home, it is still relatively new (only a few years old), and I hadn't had an opportunity to go there yet.  We enjoyed one more great meal, I collected one more shot glass, and we had an opportunity to walk around the riverfront and drive near the stadiums.  One more night at a Red Roof Inn, the irritating one in Warren (oh.. two people in a room with two beds, that will cost extra!), and it was time to head back home.

Bottom Line:

Stadiums seen:  Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Fawcett Stadium (football HOF), Detroit Tigers & Lions (Comerica Park & Ford Field), and the old Tiger Stadium (future not bright) [UPDATE:  Also include the Palace of Auburn Hills (home of the Detroit Pistons) and the Pontiac Silver Dome (former home of the Lions)  While both Ryan & myself have been to both of these before, figured I should add them for completeness].

Presidents in the vicinity of:  Four - Bush (current), Garfield, McKinley, Hayes

Hard Rock Cafes:  Three - Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit (Total for me now:  17, including 15 in the U.S, and one in Niagara Falls, Canada and one it Tijuana, Mexico)

Miles Driven:  About 900 over 8 days.

Three Red Roof Inns (gradually descending in quality from Great to barely OK), one Intercontinental Hotel (very nice), and one Econo Lodge (get what you paid for... and we paid quite a bit for this one - Hmm... parking lot is empty.. I might be able to get you a room...).

States visited:  Four if you count Michigan, along with Ohio, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia.  I had been to each of these before, but Ryan had only been to Michigan (duh.  we live here) and Ohio.

Road Construction:  Lost count.  I think every state highway in Ohio was getting new blacktop.

Best MGP:  99 going down some great hills in West Virginia.

Highest Temperature:   High 90s all week.

Overall:  Very nice trip.

last modified August 14, 2007

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