We started in Pennsylvania, in Huntingdon with Brandi's family. Andy set us up in the Patrick Lodge, a cabin in the Blue Diamond Forest. We ate wild strawberries from the yard, and built a campfire, miles from town. On Saturday night we stayed up playing Euchre with Andy and Michelle until 2 AM, and the boys ran outside all night... all I remember is them in their boxers literally hanging from the ceiling on the porch.
Nick got some good time in with his Pappy, fishing in Tyrone, and partying into the night at our hotel with a portable popcorn burner and the hotel pool. We walked Daddy Bobby's property before we left, to see the barn, pick from the garden, and count beer bottles! We ate at Paesano's nearly every night, and one evening Brandi worked for an hour when the crowd was too much.
The next stop was Chicago, where I had the Tufte Seminar on Monday, so we spent the weekend ahead of time at the Hilton Chicago. Nick got to swim, and the hotel was packed from an Indian wedding, which made people-watching all the more fun. The weekend was full of incredible food, from an amazing meal at Tasori, to killer blood-orange margaritas at Ceasar's in Wrigleyville. Nick rode the elevated train for the first time from Harrison to Belmont, on our way to see Blue Man Group which was a fantastic show. We walked five miles on the first day, came away with so-so macaroons and tired feet. The rest period was a horse-drawn carraige ride led by Durango. On the last day, which I worked, Brandi and Nick went to the Field Museum to see Sue, the largest T-Rex skeleton.We returned to Detroit to catch the Tigers/Reds game with Bo and Robin. Nick was in his usual form, hitting on Robin, and generally being too fresh with his hands. Brandi got a little action, too, as a young guy tried to pick her up in the concession line. Nick cried when the cotton candy ran out early, but he was even more upset with the 4-2 loss. I will remember the 'pee emergency' which should be the last time he tries to hold it for hours.
When July begins, they'll be back in Michigan for at least the summer. We'll see!
So many pictures this month. Enjoy!
- Jason
