Fifteen years ago today:
Exiting Maryland and off to visit family in North Carolina by way of childhood haunts in West Virginia.
Fifteen years ago today:
Lunch with my late friend Taylor (who drove up from Norfolk) in Baltimore and then a drive around the city with Risa. I have pie at the Overlea Diner and get reacquainted with the Fixin’s Bar at Roy Rogers.
Fifteen years ago today:
A final look at Pittsburgh and then it’s off to visit my friend Risa outside Baltimore by way of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Fifteen years ago today:
A momentous day: I have my first breakfast at Ritter’s Diner and fall in love with Pittsburgh. David (my host) and I cover a lot of ground and if you look closely you can see things that no longer exist–like Isaly’s, Three Rivers Stadium, and the East Liberty projects.
If you’re starting to get weary from the trip, today also marks the halfway point.
Fifteen years ago today:
A quick circle through downtown Detroit, followed by an unpleasant drive through Toledo and free passage on the Ohio Turnpike. I landed in Pittsburgh, which was not on the original itinerary, and thus began somewhat by accident a love affair with the place that endures to this day.
Fifteen years ago today:
Highlights include a quick trip to Windsor in the rain (and another to drink later on), the Henry Ford Museum, Brush Park, and downtown Detroit. This was my first trip to Detroit, a city I was a little obsessed with at the time, and I was very excited.
Fifteen years ago today:
Indianapolis to Detroit with a stop in Ft. Wayne, where I realize that one of my favorite radio stations as a lonely teenager had become the home for drooling dittoheads and other assorted morons. The night finished with some Canadian TV.
Fifteen years ago today:
Coast to coast tour of Indiana, part two, covering Centerville, Richmond, Greensburg, and Shelbyville, and including covered bridges, giant pork tenderloin sandwiches, and courthouses with trees growing out of their roofs.
Fifteen years ago today:
Coast to coast tour of Indiana, part one, including Indianapolis, Brazil, Terre Haute, Clinton, Rockville, and Billie Creek Village. Much of this takes place along US 40, formerly known as the National Road. This chunk of the trip was spent with my friend Bob in Indianapolis, who suggested the whole trip to begin with.
Fifteen years ago today:
Last day in Chicago with an emphasis on the projects (many of which are no longer standing), followed by the drive to Indianapolis, hanging out in Fountain Square, a nighttime drive, and a pretty amazing hotel room courtesy of Bob, my host.