The night in Portland Maine was a change of scenery as we spent it at a Whole Foods parking lot. Waking up was the usual routine switching our gear from the front to the back. We stopped at a bakery for some coffee and breakfast. The gingerbread here was amazing. It was probably the best ginger bread either of us had, moist, smooth with a hint of lemon frosting. With this great discovery we walked the street as early morning risers were out and about going into local shops and stores. At one point we walked down a pier right out into the middle of the harbor and bay.

The main highlight of Maine was to get some lobster and try some blueberries, but it was so early we either weren’t hungry yet, or the places we wanted to go to weren’t serving. We did stop in however at a souvenir shop where I had some blueberry mash on crackers and bread. Unfortunately Michael missed out as he was flirting with the girl at the register. Deciding to try and catch up with our internet duties and post cards there was a local cafe that we spent a few hours in. Feeling hungry once again there was a seafood place right on the waters edge recommended. Sitting outside I was excited to get my lobster roll with fries, about ten dollars cheaper here than on the west coast. Mike had a good looking chicken sandwich, and tried some loose lobster bits.

Portland was beautiful. There was a very nice small hometown feel, with friendly people with funny accents, and great nature views. But after half a day we had to make our way to Buffalo New York. It was going to be crazy shot across the base of Maine, through New Hampshire, Vermont and then upstate New York towards the great lakes. The route would have been faster if we had gone south towards Boston and then taken the the main highway, but we had to go through Vermont, so it was a bunch of switches this way and that zig zagging across on small town highways. There was a slight slip up as we got our first ticket of the trip, wooh! 82 in a 65, yeah our bad, sorry Maine. Let's say our driving was a bit tempered after that.

We'd get into Buffalo pretty late, but real hungry. Looking for some authentic Buffalo food there was actually a restaurant that we wanted to try still open. It had an odd chinese restaurant, hotel lobby feel but the food was amazing. Deciding to split it all we had some extra hot buffalo wings of course, beef on weck, and one big ass packed to the brim stromboli. Jeez was that good. The stromboli would only get half eaten so the rest was saved for breakfast the next morning.

Here's where it get's a bit crazy. We found out that the Giants, yes our very own San Francisco Giants, were playing the Detroit Tigers the next day at 1 o clock. It would be the last game of the series before they flew back home to face the Pads. We still had to visit Niagra falls closer north but we said yeah let's make the trip. It would only be a 6 hour drive from Niagra to Detroit to get there in time for the start of the game. Do-able? On this trip, hell yeah. So that same night we drove 30 minutes to Niagra falls and found a walmart parking lot with a bunch of RV's in it. It had been a while since we had friends in the parking lot. Excited for tomorrow we hit the sack fast.

Just as I said this next day would take some hustle. We woke up at 6, I know, that sucks, and walked towards Niagra Falls. Unfortunately we didn't have valid passports at the time we left so there was no point in trying to hop the border...unless.... never mind. The area was beautiful as we walked around taking pictures of the falls from different view points. We spent a half hour, maybe a little more, just enjoying the view. Even though the maids of the mist didn't operate until 9 we were ok with passing it up as the falls still drenches you from most areas around.

Hustling back to the car we were off for Detroit, trying to make it within our specified and allotted time. However it wouldn't matter if we got there late, it was the freaking Giants! So the trip took us down around Lake Eerie, back into Pennsylvania, over the top of Ohio, through Cleveland which we decided was forgettable, and then up to Detroit. Well what do you think happened making this huge trek 6 hours away? We freaking made it that's what happened with 15 minutes to spare! Hell Yeah!!! Looking for tickets we were almost scammed by a scalper before just opting for some normal stadium upper deck seats. We were both jacked on adrenaline that we had made the journey, and were one of the proud few to cheer on the opposing team! In my Posey jersey, (Please get better!) and with handfuls of seeds ( The bucket is half empty guys!) we got to relax and enjoy our last baseball game of the trip supporting our very own team. The stadium itself though was probably the lamest of the 4 we visited. Fenway is a historical icon, Ted Turner had a lot of careless gimmicks, and Citibank was hardcore Philly, but Comerica park was unbelievably cheesy reflecting a carnival-esque style. It was kind of a joke.

As all you Giants fans will know this was the one game of the series they lost. The first was a comeback late inning win, the second was a huge blowout, and then the one we went to was a slight loss. We saw the Braves beat the Jays, woooh! We saw the A's beat the Philles, nice! But the one game that truly mattered, the Giants would lose. Of course we were disappointed, but we still had a great time, it was an awesome game. Maybe you can tell i'm still jacked just thinking about it.

There was game traffic trying to get out of the area so it took a while to leave, but we had already planned our next move in Detroit. Now I know most of you will groan at the thought of this, but it was something that had to be done (Kim don't give me that look) yeah, we got White Castle. It was the most disgusting thing we had encountered, but at the same time incredibly glorious. At first we thought to just get a few burgers each and some fries, we changed our minds however as soon as the cashier opened her mouth. She roped us in, and we instead purchased 10 cheeseburger sliders, a bag of fries, 2 large drinks, and 20 chicken rings for 15 dollars or so. Ho boy. I don't think I need to clarify what a chicken ring is, just use your imagination and I'm sure you have a great idea of what it is. We saw her take em out of the freezer and plop them into the fryer. I still can't decide if we knew or didn't know what we were getting ourselves into.

5 burgers down a piece, most of the fries gone, and a couple chicken ring stragglers left over we sat there disgusted, and satisfied. It took a while to get moving, but before we did, there was another one of those crazy great moments. During this whole escapade there had been a mad creeper outside the window, some bum trying to get in on some loose change. After we had finished he came in smelling to high heaven and with a grungy look asked for any change or smokes in a deep low rumble of a growl. We politely said sorry that we didn't have anything on us and he left. The funny part of this whole ordeal was the big black guy who had silently been sitting across from us the whole meal. He got up to leave and said, “I just knew something was up when I seen him come in. I just said lord please don't make me have to fuck someone up, I just came from church. You fellas have a nice day.” And with that he left, and we laughed.

What we'd soon come to understand was that Detroit was a hardcore rough city, with not a whole lot to offer to two white boys driving around in a white station wagon with California all over it. Driving around a bit looking for a good time, we only grew more disheartened at the poverty, disarray, and decrepitness of this city. Everything looked destroyed, abandoned or falling apart with some of the scariest people we had seen all trip. Detroit was a city we had to remain alert and cautious with. There wasn’t a whole lot we wanted to do here, but we did decide to check out this artistic neighborhood known as the Heidelberg Project. As we drove on through worse neighborhoods our ideas of this art project soon fell apart the closer we got. Upon arrival we were shocked to see that it was a block of mostly shacks or projects that had plastered with cardboard cutouts, religious icons, stuffed animals and babies burned, crucified, nailed, or hung. Some things were painted bright colors, others were just piled together. It was one of the creepiest places the both of us had ever seen. Think of a mix between a crazed carnies nightmare, and the shit you saw in the backyard of the Sandlot. There were also electrical wires and power lines strewn across the floor making zapping noises. When Mike said he wanted to go into one of the buildings to look around a bit more, I told him, “Sure, i'll wait outside for ya.” Michael eventually opted out.

Detroit, no offense, was a horrible place that was only depressing the further we drove around. We looked for a ray of hope or fun, but only found a tragic city of crime and poverty. The idea had been to stay here for the night before making our way to Chicago but that plan quickly changed. Unable to stay any longer the drive through was relatively quick before we got out. With a sigh of relief we looked ahead for our next move. A call to my cousin Rachel in South Bend Indiana proved to be our savior. Along the way there were loads of fireworks being set off, and vast amounts of firefly's. We pulled over at one point to snap some photos and mess around in this field lit up by this crazy bugs. About an hour south of Chicago we'd find our way to my cousin's house and get in to say hi to not just my cousin, but also my Aunt Maureen. It had been a while since I had seen my cousin so there was a lot of time spent on catching up. We'd all eventually get to bed close to 3 o clock in the morn.

The morning of July Fourth was a late one, and just what we needed to catch up on sleep, and wash away yesterday's bad experience. ( I say bad, but I also mean great, 'cause c'mon that's what this trip is about, seeing America!) Midday rolled around and we were treated to a nice breakfast with Rachel and Maureen. After breakfast we'd take a drive to Notre Dame. The walk around the stadium and college was great. We took pictures here and there of the duomo, church, stadium, and of course TOUCHDOWN JESUS. Take a look at the pictures if you can, he's right behind one of the end zones.

Driving back to Rachel's house in South Bend we decided to move on and get to Chicago for some 4th of July fireworks. Leaving proved to be a bit hard as we ended sitting around and talking more. Maybe an hour passed before we finally got up and headed out. The drive to Chicago had us excited as the two of us started belting out Florence and The Machine, or Taking Back Sunday, songs. Go ahead and judge, it's ok. We'd drive straight to Millennium Park and use the gigantic garage under the whole park as our starting point. I'd make a quick call to our connections in Chicago to see if we had a place to say before emerging up and out into the park.

Our experience with Chicago matched the excitement we felt. Millennium Park was a lot of fun. We'd walk around exploring the area, viewing the art and water fountains, and stretching our legs a bit more. There was an amphitheater with sections of chairs and lawn seating that had live music. This was all part of their music mondays, making the scene all the more magical. We'd soon discover this great piece of art known as The Bean. (OK bloggers what do you think? Are beans a magical or musical fruit?) This art structure was a lot of fun. Look at the pictures we have provided if you want. It is this giant curved sphere, not exactly bean shaped, that is one giant reflective mirror where you can look back yourself from the farthest corners, to the closest nooks of this bean.

Following Millennium park south, we entered Grant Park. There were little gardens full of flowers, and nice grassy green lawns to stretch out on. Fountains littered the area misting and spraying the frozen statues. There was in fact right in the middle of grant park a huge fountain structure, with dozens of animals spurting water back towards the waterfall center. With a stretch of fields in front of us, we opted to walk back along the waterfront of Lake Michigan. Here people were already setting up early to try and nab a seat for the firework show that would take place over the water. With the museums behind us in the distance we made our way to Navy Pier, a Boardwalk-like place of fun. It was certainly crowded though with throngs of tourists and city goers alike all trying to enjoy the weather, the rides, and 4th of July weekend. We walked to one end of the pier and back on the opposite side trying to push and move through the crowds.

We'd walk a bit in the city before going back to Lakeshore drive. Here along the water we now would look for our own grassy knoll to sit and watch the firework show that began at 9. Easy enough we chose a location and waited. Texts began coming in and going out as we wished, and others wished us, a happy fourth. Right at the stroke of 9 there they were, one after the other, huge explosions in the sky. Our seats proved to be prime location as the show was directly in front of us. The colors were beautiful and the sound that reverberated off the city buildings behind us made for a space battle with lasers and explosions.

The show would last 15-20 minutes, then everyone made their way home. Not ready to leave the area we decided to walk around some more and see what the Chicago night life had to offer. This would be the first and only time, surprising enough that we'd get some slurpee's. With slurpee's in hand and a candy bar or two we walked along the L. The night wore on, and we'd end up making our way to the parking structure. It took us a while to locate our car, then it took even longer to find a pay station, but after that it was smooth sailing. The drive to Wilmette, north of Chicago was not long, and easy enough. We'd get to our Chicago connection, the Kelehers, a little late, hoping someone would still be awake. Knocking at the door I panicked a bit, not entirely sure the memories I had of them were in fact correct. I didn't want to knock on the wrong door and find the wrong family inside. Everything came together though as Madeline, the oldest daughter, answered the door. We'd say hi to Brendan and talk a bit about our trip before getting set up and ready for bed. It was great to get some sleep, but for the time being the wonders of Chicago and Wilmette would have to wait unfortunately. Just a forewarning, the next few days were amazing!!!!!

-I ...dropped the screw... in the tuna!!!!