Road Trip - EOD5

Well, today's the last leg of our journey! Since we only have a 6 hour drive back to Ontario, we figured we'd take in a bit of the old architecture of Benton Harbour. But, first thing's first: FOOD!



If you're ever in the Benton Harbour/St. Joseph area, try to steer away from the Caffe Tosi. I'm sure the snotty noisy rich wives with no day jobs sitting around the place enjoy it, but I don't recommend it. They don't cook eggs any way except "steaming" them in an espresso maker (I still don't totally understand this). They will not offer food in any combination other than what they place on their menu. And, the coffee is TERRIBLY watered down. It literally is coffee-flavoured water. Oh, and their definition of cinnamon toast is actually a warmed cinnamon roll. Still trying to wrap my head around that one too.


Long story short: We should have gone to Denny's. McDonald's would have been better than this place.

But the town itself is nice. They have a bunch of themed bears around... and... everything is pristine.



It's so nice, and so clean... it made me wonder about the other half of the "twin cities", Benton Harbor. And, it made me feel guilty for being white. I know that I couldn't live in a town like this... unless I was actually on the Benton Harbor side. There's such an imbalance between these two cities; it's disturbing. The poor, black side, and the rich white side.

Benton Harbor population, 92.4% Black
St. Joseph population, 89.6% White

It surprises me that the rich white folks wouldn't want to sink some of that hard-earned money into fixing up Benton Harbor. It has some beautiful buildings, if only they could be restored and maintained.

We pissed around most of the morning looking for decent breakfast, and taking pics of delapitated buildings. We never found a decent breakfast, but here are a few of the buildings we saw along the way:




This one has to be my favourite. If anyone knows the name of this hotel, please let me know!




I think I'd like to visit again someday. There were a lot of buildings we didn't get to see, mostly because we should have been leaving by 9:00am at the latest to get home in time... as it was, I think it was about 10:30 by the time we got onto the Interstate! If anyone wants to come along... or drive... I'll go with! I'm sure there's a lot more to be seen here.



And although we felt a bit safer here on the second day... in the daylight... on a relatively quiet Monday morning... we were quickly reminded that it's not always a nice quiet town:


That's a stop sign on a side street along Pipestone Rd, if I remember correctly.

A cop car drove by and gave us a bit of an odd look while we were taking a close look at the holes in the sign. They didn't slow down much, and I honestly expected them to turn around and ask us what the hell we were doing... but it never happened. :)



So, we were on our way again. A little more delirium... a little bit of rain along the way... being that we left so late, we didn't really want to stop if we didn't absolutely have to. The hunger was starting to set in. We were literally going bananas... mmmm... bananas. Pretty soon, we found salvation (no, not another Jesus sign). The only thing that would bring a smile to any Canadian travelling in the US: Tim Hortons!



Can't remember where exactly in Michigan this one was, but it couldn't have come at a better time. We had some food... had some coffee... and realized that a Large coffee in Canada is a Medium coffee in the US. I think with exchange the price was pretty close, but I was more interested in getting some caffeine in my sytem than doing math in my head. :)

One thing though: If this comes to Canada, I'm seriously considering switching to Starbucks or something:



Gross!!

It gave me flashbacks to way back when the McGriddle came out and I thought to myself, "How bad could that be?". ***SHUDDER***

After our Timmie's stop, we were back on the road. Stopped in at a Canadian Tim Horton's along the way (somehow, it just seemed different here... it seemed... more normal).

Soon enough, when all the cars around us on the Freewa- er, um, Highway started to change from domestics to lowered Civics with oversized mufflers... we knew we were home. :D

For anyone who's looking to see more (or all) of the vacation pictures (ahem: Lucyfer)... I'm going to post them all online, rather than emailing them out - the files are just too damn big for email!

Road Trip - EOD4

Hello, and greetings from Benton Harbor, Michigan!



Warning: this might be a long post.

After a very short visit, it was time to say our goodbyes to Whiteman Air Force Base. Here's to coming back again someday!



We had a long but good drive in. Went through a bit of questionable weather, and I honestly think we were bordering on being completely delirious when we arrived. Chalk it up to spending about 12 hours in the car... and one hour travelling about 2km in backed up traffic. ;) The drive wasn't really boring, but... what was most interesting about today was our destination.



Benton Harbor is right next to a town called St. Joseph. They're sometimes referred to as the twin cities. Our hotel was within Benton Harbor, right off the Interstate. We unpacked, and made our way out in search of Lake Michigan, which should have been mere kilometres from our hotel. A quick check of the maps in the local phone book, and we were off.

What happened next was something neither of us expected. Near the hotel, there are some restaurants: Applebees, Hardees, a Wal-Mart down the street, a few hotels - nothing out of the ordinary. As we drove down the street, the landscape began to change. We passed by some older houses, some of which looked like they could "use some work". A few more blocks in, and the homes were in an even further state of disrepar: some abandoned, others lived-in but hardly looking "liveable" by most standards. As we continued on, we passed more abandoned buildings: houses, businesses. Many with the windows and doors boarded up, some with broken windows (although most were intact).

Soon, we reached what appeared to be the downtown core. Buildings that seemed to be 80 years old or more, most of which seemed completely abandoned. Yet traffic flowed through the city. Pedestrians gawked at us as we drove through town, as though they knew something we didn't, and wondered why we were there. I began to, for the first time in a long time, seriously feel as though I had placed myself in a dangerous situation. I felt even worse, knowing that I had brought my girlfriend into the same situation. Every time we waited at a streetlight, I felt my pulse race, and watched the cars behind and around me closely, in fear of their passengers emerging to jump our car.

Where had we arrived? What was this town? How is it I could have chosen THIS place for us to stay?

As we continued on through town, we began to wonder how important seeing the lake really was. It was almost dusk now, and we're driving through a very rough looking neighbourhood. But, a glimmer of light emerged: as we passed through the downtown area, we passed by an outdoor public concert. It looked like a lot of people were having themselves a great time! So, the town isn't completely abandoned... but... are we completely safe here? We are the outsiders, after all...

We made a left turn out of the downtown core, and crossed a set of railroad tracks. Passed a few industrial buildings (factories of one kind or another), and soon we were away from civilization. Trees, grass... no buildings. No people, no traffic. About 2 kilometeres of this, and it changed yet again. We were stunned. The trees opened up, and we were staring at new home development. Large brand new houses! Beautiful ones at that! Streets filled with them! Talk about being on the wrong side of the tracks!

We drove through this unexpected development of posh homes, to a small access road that led to the waterfront. We were still in a state of shock (of sorts): we just drove through a neighbourhood that appeared to be predominantly black, and neglected for about 35 years. All of a sudden, we were in a seemingly exclusive neighbourhood, which appeared to be predominantly white. It almost seemed unthinkable that such a contrast could exist! Especially living in the Toronto area, where so much multiculturalism exists... it seemed impossible.

But for the moment... we're here. We're not driving. We came to see the waterfront... and water we saw!



As it turns out, Benton Harbor really isn't right at the edge of the lake - St. Joseph is. And it looks like St. Joseph is the snooty white town next door. Either way, it's a pretty nice view. :)



After a quick look at the waterfront, it was time to head back to the hotel... and eat - we were BEYOND hungry at this point! So, we sat ourselves down for a nice, romantic meal.



Tomorrow... I think we'll take a quick look around Benton Harbor in daylight... some of the buildings here look amazing... even if they have been neglected all these years. That's kinda what makes them interesting!



(It didn't really scream at all)

Road Trip - EOD3

We're here for a day, and we're living the American Dream.

Seriously. Went out in the morning to some garage sales on base. Went to Taco Bell (Burger King for Silvermane) for some lunch. I still think it's strange that Taco Bell doesn't have french fries (not even Freedom Fries?) in the US.

"I'll have the two-Taco combo, with a side of ... um... another Taco". They ALL come with side-tacos. Odd.

Anyway, after we filled up our bellies, we headed out to the range for a good 'ol day of shootin'. That's right! We went to the local Un-policed gun range, where you're free to bring your own weapons... and trust that no one will start shooting at you. I have to admit... it was kind of fun! :D It's the first time I ever shot a gun before... so... I didn't know what to expect.



Isn't she cute? She'd make a *great* assassin. So don't mess with me, or I'll have my girlfriend take care of you!




I have to admit... this is *way* better than the nintendo light gun or paintball guns...



Bullets are sexy!



So, yeah. After all that good time... we had to head back to clean up & head out for a barbecue. Of course, on the way there, we passed the photo-radar sign on base. I still don't fully understand what makes this speed limit necessary. I was going to get out and walk the rest of the way... but took a picture instead.



We topped the day off with a barbecue that I think we were *very* late for... since most of the food was cold! But, the food itself was good. And there was a great potato casserole dish there that I'd love the recipe for (Lucyfer, if you're reading... see if you can get your hands on this for me!!). :)

Road Trip - EOD2

We're here!



At last... we're here. Along the way, we passed by Springfield. Coming down the interstate, all we saw on the horizon was two separate, HUGE plumes of white smoke, coming from two smokestacks. And then it dawned on us: Springfield... two smoke stacks... oh my god, it's the Nuclear Reactor from The Simpsons!!

Ok. So it's really not a Nuclear Reactor. And after looking into it, the Springfield in The Simpsons' isn't really modelled after any particular town. But being from Canada and ignorant of that fact... still pretty damn funny. What's even funnier? There are 71 different towns in 36 separate states, and they're all "Springfield". America really went all out when it went looking for ways to name their towns. Apparently there are 9 separate cities/towns named "Springfield" in Georgia alone!



And I found out that you can still make calls TO a payphone in the US. While taking a breather at a QT gas station, the pay phone nearby started ringing...! I wasn't sure at first. But sure enough, it was ringing. I debated answering it... and by the time I realized there was no good reason for me not to answer it (unless this turned into a moment from Phone Booth), it stopped ringing.

Ah, well. That, and a jack-knifed tractor-trailer along the way that we all had to STARE at for some reason (I guess this happens everywhere, not just Ontario) made for a pretty decent second day of driving. :)

Road Trip - EOD1

Hello from "Normal", Illinois!


Strangely enough... this place is pretty normal. No jokes! They sort of live up to the name. Nothing terribly exciting here. And to think: it took us a full 12 hours of travelling to get to Normal... and it's... Normal. Who'd have thunk it?

And it was a pretty "normal" day too... nothing exciting along the way, short of one minor misdirection. It only set us back about 30 minutes in total... but... without it, we'd have never had such a good lunch! If you're ever in Eastpoint MI, and you're near 10 Mile Rd, stop in at Jets Pizza. $1.50 US got us a THICK slice of pizza. Surprisingly, it was filling enough to pass for a lunch! And, I can't ever remember getting a slice of pizza that quickly - and fresh! Mmmm.... Pizza... :)

Lots of driving... lots of sunshine... lots of pictures along the way. More to come! :)

Road Trip

Tomorrow, Silvermane and I are going on a road trip! Yahoo! Even though she's in the States, we'll go down and visit Lucyfer anyway. :)

So, our trip route looks something like THIS:



I'll try to post along the way... but... no guarantees about finding a computer & free internet access!

Message to the Landlord

I called my landlord today, and their answering machine is in rhymes. They mentioned that if you leave your message in rhyme, they'll get back to you in half the time... (yes, very cheesey)... so...

I needed to call to give my landlord notice that I'm moving... and left this message:

This is a message for Keith, my name is Pete,
You probably know me from Lennox Street

Although this is something you probably know,
I recently bought myself a new condo

I wanted to fax you over a document,
But I can't seem to reach you; I don't know where you went

Give me a call back whenever you can,
I'll talk to you later - take it easy, man!

Puzzle Piece #2 of 2 has arrived

Last night my real estate agent brought over the Condo Corproration statement... the second of two big pieces of the condo puzzle... and MAN, is it long! And, kinda boring to tell the truth.

Dropped it off at the lawyer's this morning... once he gives the OK, then the only thing left for me to do is pay for everything!

Milestones

This is the year of milestones it seems...!

I'll be turning 30 this year...

My car just rolled over 200,000kms...



And... this past weekend, I put in an offer on a condo here in Richmond Hill! It's at the fringe of my affordability according to the banks and my debt-service ratio, but, I should still have a *bit* of spending money left over month-month. It's a conditional offer - but it has been accepted by the seller! Once the financing is 100% approved, and the condo corporation's information package is reviewed and approved by the lawyer, it's mine!!!

If all goes well, I'll be taking posession of the unit August 1st of this year! On the outside, it looks something like this:



mmmm... underground parking...

... top floor ...

... balcony...

:)

definitions:

con·do
n. pl. con·dos Informal

- A structure of two or more units, the interior space of which are individually owned; the balance of the property is owned in common by the owners of the individual units.

- A type of ownership in real property where all of the owners own the property, common areas and buildings together, with the exception of the interior of the unit to which they have title. Often mistakenly referred to as a type of construction or development, it actually refers to the type of ownership.

- A form of ownership in which the owner gets title to a housing unit and interest in the common areas; commonly referred to as a condo.

I don't see the words "exercise room", "concierge", "pool", or "spa" in there anywhere. :P