East Bound and Down, Loaded Up and Trucking, Vol 2.

Keep your foot hard on the pedal. Son, never mind them brakes.

Let it all hang out 'cause we got a run to make.

The boys are thirsty in Atlanta and there's beer in Texarcana.

And we'll bring it back no matter what it takes.

 Day two of our annual migration is always the longest–after stopping to stay with family or friends, we try to cover as much interstate as we can before calling it a night.  1,900 miles is a long way to go, and there's no way to avoid one very long driving leg if you are doing it in less than 5 days.  To make matters worse, our vector guarantees we will "add" an hour when we cross the galactic barrier into the Eastern Time Zone!

Since we are going to see Lake Champlain in Vermont on the way, the far-northern route is this year's itinerary...in fact, it would actually be quicker to go through Canada, but Allison and I need to get and/or update our passports, so we must stay in the US for now, eh?  After making it through Indianapolis (which has one of the most messed-up Interstate Loops around it that I have ever seen), we pointed our nose toward Toledo.  The home of the Mudhens is actually slightly out of the way if one isn't actually going to go through Canada, but it does have the advantage of being able to stop here for dinner:

I have been a M*A*S*H* fan for most of my life, and Tony Packo's is mentioned in 6 different episodes.  Jamie Farr, who played Klinger, was actually from Toledo, and he put Packo's on the international map by including it on the show.  This is the original restaurant, and the walls are covered with memorabilia, from signed hot-dog buns (in special sealed containers) to items from the famous TV show.  I had been here once before on a work trip, but it was fun to introduce the rest of the family to Hungarian style hot dogs and sausages.

After dinner, we headed towards Cleveland, hoping to get on the NE side of it before we stopped so we wouldn't have to traverse it during rush-hour traffic the next morning.  While Allison drove, I watched the NBA finals on my tablet, until she got just too tired and I had to take over.  To help me out, Allison decided to "commentate" the game to me...although it was much appreciated and kept me updated on the game, I don't think Mike Breen (or Bob Costas, Eric Nadel, et al) have to worry about keeping their jobs.....sorry, honey!

Shortly after the GSWs were putting the finishing touches on their victory and ending the Cavalier's season (sorry, Strader family!), we were getting close to the hotel that marked the end of our second leg of travel.  How do the folks in the Eastern Time Zone ever stay up and watch sports?  It would be hard on a night owl like myself.   For this day, the needs of travel dictated my bedtime, and it was a late one indeed.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

"Stopping by woods on a snowy evening"-- Robert Frost

Categories: camp, Maine, summer