Day 1

The cross country adventure started on shaky ground with a behind schedule start, a hungover Brendan, and a "check engine" light 90 miles into the journey. This required a quick stop as paranoid Pete needed to assess the situation under the hood. According to him, it is too much coolant in some system. We'll see if that theory holds up. The troubles with the car did not end there. When we reached Jeffies house in Saratgoa Springs we parked the car in his very steep driveway. "B, you think the E brake will hold up here?". "Im sure its fine Pete." 20 minutes later we get a call from Jeffy's neighbor that there is an Audi in the middle of their street, blocking traffic, and it needs to me moved as their are children riding their bikes in the neighborhood. So after securing the car for a second time, and getting a quick burger and a Sammy Summer, we headed off to Cleveland. Thanks Jeffy

Amount of times Pete has checked his trio: 39

At this point in the trip, the past times have included, bouncing the elmo stress ball off the dashboard (see pic), the license plate game, and the 20 questions ball. The ball needs some explaining. Pete has this ball where one person thinks of an object, the ball asks questions trying to guess the object the person has in mind. IT IS RIGHT EVERY TIME and it had to be placed in the center console because it was freaking B out. B is still hungover. We continued on to the border of NY/PA where we saw our first great lake. "Whoa B look its a great lake....(and in unison) wow they really are big". B is still hungover as evidenced by the fact he has now had at least six jugs of liquid and has not requested any bathroom stops.

Amount of times Pete has checked his trio: 51

At the PA border we stopped for gas and to switch drivers. B is fine in 5th gear but stalled in the middle of a gas station full of people and it was clear it was time for a change. B is still hungover. We also needed beer. Pete to the gas attendant: "Do you know where we could find packy sir?." "You mean beer, son" "Ahh yeah i guess". It should be noted that at this time Pete and i were in shorts and basketball jerseys in 40 degree weather, making turkey sandwiches in the middle of the gas station. "Son, half a mile down, State Line Store (see pic). This was an interesting stop, Pete refused to go inside only stating the following "Im giving you 10 minutes till the first A rape....I'll pray for you". So B went in to mix with the locals and get some beer. A forty and a six pack later we are back on the road.

Amount of times Pete has checked his trio (now while he is driving): 75

We eventually arrive in Cleveland which is not much to see. We saw Jacobs Field and eventually made our way to a Super Eight. This is where pete enters the "check in drive thru". "Hi, sir can I help you?" Pete looks lost, "Hi ahhh I think we may need a room?" "Queen bed or twin?" Pete pauses looks at me, "We'll ahh take the twin." "B, he totally thinks we are gay".

Song of the Day: Pat Benatar "Love is a Battlefield" (see pic)
Event of the Day: Finding Pete's car, after being in Saratoga Springs for about 30 minutes and already having driven over a women's lawn while she was mowing it, in the middle of the street.
Number of Road KIll: 1 deer, 1 beaver, 6 coons, and 2 possoms. (Also an alive turkey somewhere in PA)

Pete is still on his trio as this is being typed. Off to bed Day 2 will be a 5 hours trip to Chi-town.

Pete and B