Day One

Well we've made it through the first day of our trip, and let me tell you, it was eventful. It all started at about 8:45 this morning (we intended to hit the road at 8:30, but who didn't see that coming?), and here I am, writing to you shortly after midnight eastern time from my sister's house in Cincinnati.

The morning was an adventure as we watched our GPS and our google maps directions contradict each other right away (and continued to do so the whole trip). Our time to the northern border of North Carolina was fairly uneventful (though we did drive through Mayberry, the town where the Andy Griffith Show was set), but the second we got into Virginia things got exciting (and scary!).

We were given a rude welcoming to Virginia, as soon as we crossed over the state line we nearly were hit by a pick up truck driving on the wrong side of the road. Then about two hours later we nearly hit a bum on the side of an entrance ramp to the highway. Both events scared the crap out of us.

Once we got into West Virginia, things got boring quickly. The mountains got old in minutes and the numerous two-dollar tolls were quite annoying. Honestly, the state should have payed us to cut through- its not like we wanted to be there. While looking for a place to stop, it was stated that it was more likely we'd see a real kangaroo than a gas station/ convenience store. We passed the large gold dome in Charleston, then hurried out of the state and into Ohio.

Ohio welcomed us with a quick hit of civilization. There was more going on around us once we reached our fourth and final state of the day. We made it through the final hours and into Cincinnati.

We had dinner with Marc and Rachel at Johnny Rocket's and then walked around downtown Cincinnati. We took pictures with pigs and statues in a park and laughed at a guy on a segway. We had Graeters ice cream for the first time, and while some of it ended up on our clothes, it was awesome! Outside, a band was playing. Their lead singer looked like a Bret Michaels impersonator, cowboy hat and all.

We returned back to the Kasten home where we played Band Hero, and learned very quickly that Rachel was the only one among us with any musical talent- shocker!

So now we'll get some shut eye and be back at it in the morning, heading towards the Gustin Township in Michigan with a possible stop at the Big House in Ann Arbor.