Motor City

Somewhere I heard of a metaphor to describe Detroit as an urban smile with missing teeth. After visiting Detroit, one can see how that metaphor reigns true. Everywhere you go, it's a mix of pristine buildings and abandoned boarded-up "missing teeth". However, it's this urban smile that makes Detroit unique. 

One of Detriot's greatest prides? The Tigers! And they just happened to be playing the Phillies when we were in town, and won. The Comerica stadium even served local craft beers and pierogi, and provided ticket holders with a spectacular post-game fireworks show.

Detroit is also famous for one of the great national food wars--The American Coney v. Lafayette Coney! After trying both, and they literally taste almost exactly the same, I'm still undecided. Guess I have I go back for more!

While in Detroit, we stayed at yet another another airbnb, which is really proving to be a great lodging option. For $50 a night, we stayed in a luxury condo with all the amenities. It also happened to be located a block away from the Motor City Brewing company, which was a huge plus. 

It's a great city to stroll around in. We must have walked close to 8 miles one day (not to be confused walking down "8 Mile") and found that it was a lively Friday afternoon with plenty markets, street vendors and outdoor music. While downtown we stumbled upon a popular joint called Fishbones. The maze like restaurant led us to the angelic voice of Reggie Smith and the After Party, which was acoustically enhanced by the cavernous ceiling. 

And even though we were broke every rule of the dress code, wearing tee shirts, shorts, flip-flops and sneakers, we somehow got into the Coach Insignia Lounge at the top of the GM building. Had it not been after the Tigers game, I would have been on the floor of the glass elevator crying as it shot up 72 stories. By far one of the coolest elevator rides, and the 360 views of the illuminated Detroit and Canada skyline weren't so bad either. 

This is the part were I give a shout out to the upcoming portion of the trip, um the wilderness?

Rock & Roll Capital of the World (or so they say)

My memories of "The Buckeye State" include driving through to Chicago on I-80, eating high-end meals at rest area Burger Kings and my dad receiving speeding tickets. So I was pleasantly surprised when  I actually got to see what Cleveland is all about. 

Our eccentric airbnb host gave us a brief history of the city and its socioeconomic struggles. After that informative, yet somewhat disheartening conversation concerning Cleveland and great American cities in general, what better to lighten the mood than a jazz trio and some micro-brews!

After getting the most luxurious sleep in a "rustic-belt chic" 1917 home with a bed made of marshmallows, we were off to what Cleveland is known for--The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And it's as if the stars aligned because this year's list of inductees included the best band of all time HEART! We spent almost 6 hours in there, enjoying every minute. My favorite part? The original tour outfits of the Rock and Roll Queen herself Stevie Nicks. Ahhhhhhhh!

Aside from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland is also known for, yes a type of hot dog yet again, the Polish Boy. However, at a joint called Hot Sauce Williams you can get a Polish girl which includes: hot dog bun, kielbasa, coleslaw, french fries, BBQ sauce and slow roasted pork shoulder. It can only be de described as a foodgasm. So we had to try a few of course. 

And just when I thought I was never going to eat again, I remembered the epic grilled cheese place I heard about in Cleveland, Melt. It's absolutely insane. You can literally get anything on your grilled cheese, thus naturally I opted for the pierogi! 

We also got to camp on the beaches of Lake Erie as a part of the "dip a toe in each of The Great Lakes" plan. Ek just a toe might have been a questionable decision in Lake Erie considering the dead fish on shore. 

Motor City, we're coming for ya! 

The Last of the Northeast

Vermont proved to be just as serene as I had imagined. After driving for a few hours from New Hampshire along RT. 2, the Green Mountains along gave way to the beautiful Lake Champlain in Burlington. It was also our first experience using airbnb, since you can't really camp in town square. It ended up being a great experience, and since, we have met wonderful people by doing it. 

The one-night stay in Vermont was full of walking, $3 tacos (gotta be thrifty) and trivia yet again. And even though our team of two was crushed by huge teams comprised of U of V students, I still won a shirt! 

The next morning we hopped on a ferry across Lake Champlain and found ourselves back in New York. Had to make a pit stop in Plattsburgh to try a "red hot"/"michigan"--a hot dog with chili, onions and mustard. Apparently this variation of a hot dog is a trend from NY to Michigan, which is unfortunate because they're delicious and I will be trying lots! 

We finally arrived at Cranberry Lake campground and the best campsite spot I've ever seen, right on the water with the sun setting over the lake. Go figure as we are setting up our tent the storm of the century came and pretty much blew our tent away...

On our way to Buffalo/Niagra, we stopped at another campsite, which made up for everything. We randomly found it last minute and it proved to be a little piece of paradise in Fair Heaven, NY on Lake Ontario.

When we did finally get to Buffalo we were greeted by friends of my family, which I had never met, and who were absolutely amazing! We went to a Polish festival, which just happened to be in town--what are the odds?

Then watched the sunset over Niagra Falls.

And of course, what would a trip to Buffalo be without trying Buffalo wings! Definitely the best, hands down.

And now, off to the Midwest!

Scaling Mt. Never Ending

With bellies full of lobster, we hit the road west bound towards New Hampshire. I would like to point out when I say bellies full of lobster, I mean I ingested more lobster in Maine in a week than I have in the past 27 years! Ya' gotta do each state right and I think we took full advantage of the cuisine, history, micro-brews, natural wonders and small town love that Maine had to offer. And we did the same in New Hampshire.

After a 6.5 hour drive to Merrimack, NH, we were welcomed by one of my best guy friends and his wife with a smoked rib feast--good thing he got that smoker as a wedding gift a week ago, after two years of marriage :) Tip of the hat to you pit master, there wasn't a spot of meat left on the bones! 

The next day we geared up to climb a mountain " in the area" my friend suggested. It wasn't until minutes before our departure, we were informed by his wife that we had to drive three hours (there and back) to get to the mountain. Then climb the treeless mountain for three hours on a day the car thermostat was indicating 100 degrees. Needless to say, that plan was nixed. Anhouser-Busch brewery tour it was! 30 minute tour of the brewery + two free beers = awesome. 

After that--trivia night--where our great wisdom won us promotional flip flops. And of course, just when I though I'd lay off the burgers for once, I had one of the best burgers ever at a local tavern. Shut the front door! Perfectly cooked medium-rare, Kobe beef, cheese, on a buttered bun and $9! 

To work off all those calories, we drove to the Presidential Mountain range, set up camp at Dolly Copp in White Mountain National Forest, and climbed the highest mountain on the East Coast (Mt. Washington) at 6,288ft. It was truly the hardest things I've ever physically endured--seven hours of scaling boulders, in the blazing sun, then in crazy winds, then in black fierce clouds, then back in the blazing sun while wasps and bees were buzzing all around.

We'll be back New Hampshire, but for now west bound towards the land of cheese and maple syrup--The Green Mountain State!

The Maine Attraction

Acadia National Park may be one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and with that being said, it rained 3 of the 4 days we were there--go figure. However, this was the first test of living in a primitive setting! Well, not exactly. There was still running water, toilets, access to the car and access to the town of Bar Harbor. I should say, it was the first test of getting used to sleeping in a small tent, in our stellar sleeping bags (from Gear to Go Outfitters!), on a foam pad, in damp and chilly conditions, and of course not showering for days on end. I still can't figure out if you stop stinking after day 3 or if you just think you're not stinky.

The Steven King novelesque fog did eventually dissipate and the breathtaking scenery was finally present. That is not to say that the 9.2 mile hike up the highest Atlantic Coast mountain in the misty fog was't a cool experience. Once the weather did get nice though, the sunset and sunrise, which could be seen from the top of Cadillac Mountain, were absolutely ridiculous. And I can officially say I was one of the first people to see the rays of the sun in greater North America. Another great achievement, was climbing the beehive, which is a trail comprised of sheer ledges and iron rungs. Not exactly a trail for someone who is scared of heights, thus I had to grow a pair to do it.

Aside from the magnificent nature views, campfire food was great. Of course by campfire I mean using a Colman stove while looking at a campfire. The trick is $1 packets of the Knorr pasta sides, some fresh produce, a little $.50 can of evaporated milk--boom--delicious dinner for two for $3! One pot wonders ya can't beat. 

During the Acadia trip, we also went to the town of Bar Harbor. Since touristy towns as such tend to hike up prices up in the summer, you have to walk around looking for good happy hour deals on side streets. And a deal we found--half price local beers and lobster nachos! Spots where locals hang out in small towns are the way to go. You hear great stories and don't spend as much money.

 

As the grand finale, and the last stop in Maine--sailboats and lobsters in Cutler! But before we got there, my oh my, "Wild Blueberry Land." Home to blueberry jam, blueberry pies, blueberry ice cream, blueberry soda, blueberry knick-knacks, all of course in a structure which resembles a giant blueberry. 

Arriving with a blueberry pie in tow, we were hosted by one of my favorite guys and his family in the quaint little town on the Atlantic coast. After being welcomed with a lobster roll, we hit the water by motor boat (which I got to drive) and later by sailboat! The good times rolled into the night with an incredible lobster dinner, fireworks, a bonfire. 

And of course, what would seeing my high school buddies be without an aggressive round of flip cup! 

See ya' Maine, hello New Hampshire!

Southern Maine!

After a lovely few days in New Lisbon and Cooperstown in upstate NY, the next stop on Roadtrip USA was Windham, Maine.  In the three days we were there, we relaxed with some friends,did excessive amounts of shopping for gear/food...

ate lobster rolls...

           

found an awesome little local deli (Hoggy's) where you can get a killer $2 sammie, swam in a murky lake with a really squishy bottom, watched the sunset over Lake Sebago...

went to a drive-in movie (apparently they still exist), and bar hopped around Portland, Maine while strolling down the picturesque streets. But most importantly, realized that tiny towns exist! I mean population 40 tiny.

Next stop on the map--Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine!

I Don't Think We're in Brooklyn Any More

After packing up shop in Brooklyn, road trip USA had officially begun. Well, that makes it seem like the grueling 15 hour moving day, which rolled over to the next two days, was a breeze. No, it wasn't and yes, a few emotional breakdowns occurred.

With that being said, the fun also began! After departing Long Island, the Subaru was ready for the first leg of the trip--north. We arrived in the town of New Lisbon in upstate NY to celebrate fireworks and the 4th of July. The area consists of farms, trees, cows and, well that's about it. But there was a very delightful lake at which extreme kayaking took place. When I say "extreme" I mean I paddled across the lake and back while shouting "and left, and right, and left, and right!" So, just kayaking then.

The fireworks later that night were a not an over the top production, but my post-4th of July feast stomach was...ulllll :/

Ah, but today was a new day! Cooperstown was on the agenda. It's an awfully quaint town with the baseball hall of fame. Even though I am not a crazy baseball fan, 'twas quite the experience.

After a 3 hour stroll through the museum, it was time to grub. Since the longevity of the trip depends on scrappiness and wise budgeting, a massive sandwich from the Deli Depot was a steal. The sammie paired with the ambience of lake front picnic benches was truly one of the nicest lunches I've had for under $10. 

The highlight of the evening, however, was the killer ice cream sunday. Rolling up to an all-in-one laundromat/car wash/ice cream parlor, with senior citizens occupying all of the benches in front, I had my doubts. But the place was a real gem and the ice cream phenom!

Nothing could end a perfect day better than a perfect sunset photo...well maybe this magical photo sans wedgie. Nuff' said.