Minneapolis

Rest, Shopping, Baseball, Cuban Food, California Buddy

After a long day of driving we settled into our two room suite with a living room and bedroom for some much needed rest and relaxation. Andy flew in from California and met up with us the same day to attend yet another ballpark with Richard. They took in two games while I got my shop on at The Mall of America! Slept in, rested, and did our laundry.

Today was a beautiful warm, sunny perfect weather for our tour of the Twin Cities. Northfield is a great little town with old buildings and shops. The original bank is still standing where "The James Gang" was repulsed by the town folk when they attempted to rob the bank. ( Richard is extremely interested in the Wild West History). I enjoy the history as well.We had lunch at a place called Victor's 1959 Cuban Cafe which was featured on the Food Channel, which we took note of it knowing we would be in the area. It was the best meal we have had so far on our trip. Then we drove down Summit Ave. of the most beautiful Victorian homes including that of Tim Pawlenty the Governor of Minnesota.

Bank that was robbed.

Victor's 1959 Cuban Cafe

On to Kansas City with many stops in Iowa...stay tuned...

Cleveland and Beyond

Detroit " The Motor City"

We stayed in the Book Cadillac building that had been condemned for 20 years. Has been completely rebuilt and is now a beautiful Westin Hotel and Condominiums.

Rode the People Mover around the city; saw the ballparks and the beautiful old buildings many of which stand empty.

We could see Canada across the river!

Had dinner at the Hard Rock Café.

Took a tour of “ Hitsville USA” home of “ Motown”

Drove to Gary Indiana to see the childhood home of Michael Jackson. The home stands empty and is completely fenced with an unveiled monument on the front lawn. A very destitute area indeed.

On to Crown Point to see the old jail from which John Dillinger escaped not long before he was shot and killed outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago. The old Court House still stands and has hosted the marriage of Valentino and Ronald Reagan’s marriage to Jane Wyman.

While in

Chicago we

stayed at the “ W” Hotel on Lakeshore Drive. Walked many miles of beautiful, clean downtown streets including the “Magnificent Mile” of shopping!

Took the double decker bus tour all around Chicago. Went to the top of the now called “ Willis Tower” and stepped out onto the glass enclosure 104 floors looking straight down to the streets of Chicago! Yes, Richard was holding on! =)

Walked out on the Navy Pier, drove by Wrigley, went to the Oprah Store which is right across the street from Harpo Studios!

Drove by The Biograph Theatre where Dillinger was killed after being lured to the theatre by the "Lady in Red".

408 Miles Including the worst Thunder, Lightning , Rainstorm we have ever been in!!

After an eight hour drive to Minneapolis, I am off to the Mall of America.

Richard will see two ballgames at the new Target Field his 52nd ballpark!

We will spend three nights in Minneapolis.

Motown

Crown Point

Chicago

Yes, we did!

Cleveland to Detroit

180 miles

Today was a short driving day although we covered so much!

Toured the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over 3 hours!

Drove to Detroit

Took the People Mover around town.

Had dinner at the Hard Rock

Pictures will be up tomorrow or so. Oh and we can see Canada across the Detroit River.

Our Hotel is the Westin Book Cadillac which was built in 1925 and at that time it was the tallest Hotel in the world! Many of the old beautiful buildings have been condemned including this hotel which was renovated beginning in 2007.

Tomorrow we will see Motown here in Detroit then on to Crown Point, Indiana where John Dillinger escaped from jail. On to Michael Jackson's boyhood home in Gary, Indiana, ending our day in Chicago where we will stay for three nights.

Stay tuned....

Pittsburg to Cleveland

410 Miles

Arrived in Pittsburgh for lunch at no other than the Hard Rock Cafe.

Rode the Monongahela Incline

This was the car below us, the view the entire way up was beautiful.

Drove to Cleveland, checked into our hotel and walked around by Lake Erie.

We will visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the morning.

Building in the back, right on the water's edge.

We would love to hang these guitars on our walls in the basement!

After our tour, it is on to Detroit!

Road Trip

Today Is The Day

We leave on our adventure Road Trip across the USA

Stay Tuned for highlights of our time away.

Emerick has grown so much this past month, can't imagine the changes we will see on our return in July

:)

I see it more each day..

There are times when Emerick really looks like his Daddy.

And times when he really looks like his Mommy.

When I put these two photos together I could not get over how much he looks his Mommy.

Anni and Emerick at about

6 months old.

Day in the Park

Havre de Grace Picnic in the Park

Emerick always finds a new friend

Papa can push really high!

My favorite face he makes <3

My Lil Man

Happy

all done!