Graceland / Memphis

Hi there. Im off and running with this posting thing. You better watch out I may hit 6 for one month. That'll be some sort of record. So I left my family in Ringgold, GA and headed towards Memphis. I wanted to check out where The King lived and where King was killed. Two Kings of Memphis. Graceland being the former and The Lorraine Motel , the latter. I was not too happy with the cost of the Graceland, about 27 $. Only because I was a veteran, otherwise it would've been like 32. I mean what the hell was I gonna see worth that much? If his last bomb was still floating in the can , or maybe if there was some blood or vomit on the floor, OK OK gross, I know. I will say this though, that man brings in some money and must keep about 100 to 200 people employed. People from every state were in that parking lot. I video recorded it, and many crazy foreigners as well. I wasnt too impressed by the size of his house but I was impressed by the size of the land and its location. He was a pretty regular guy Im assuming but he must've had a real ego to keep all his awards and records in their own room. Hey if only I had one award right. I enjoyed it. I took pictures, check em out, and headed downtown about 13 miles away. I got to the Lorraine Motel and was surprised to see it had become a civil rights museum. I didnt go in but I did sit outside it for awhile. I was in awe. In those pictures it looked so big but it was very small. MLK was shot here for those of you who are wondering what the hell am yammering on about. There was a wreath near his door and old replica 60's cars out front. It was a weird moment. I guess I was a fan of MLK or I am a fan but I wasnt really around to be vocal about it. Im not sure I wouldve had the balls to hang out with him and support him if I were around. He was a pretty crazy guy. Going around asking for change from people who were not having it... seriously though, he went through some tough shit and to be blown away like that well, I guess death isnt pretty but he stood up for something. Im sure when he was dying he was thinking man I hope I dont die but I suppose the ol man upstairs thought he did plenty enough. I'm Ashamed that sownbitch that shot him had my name. I mean honestly the other guy went out on the shitter and people were lined up for miles to see him. This guy died for millions of people and I was 1 of 3 people hanging out the other two bums were asking for change. I just pointed at the wreath, there's your change buddy... blowing in the wind.You tell me about Americas priorities. Life is odd. Maybe he should've worn a gold lema suit. Ha Ha, can you see him? Free at last, Free at Last, uh thank you very much. We are free at last. A whomp baba loobamp  balop bam boom. Heres some pics and a Video.

Louisville

Hey there. Glad you stopped back. I am on my way from Louisville to Ringgold GA. I made a decision to go southwest intstead of Northwest. Why? I hadnt seen my mom in about 10 months and wasnt sure when I would get the chance to see her again also...why the hell not. I stopped down in Louisville by my Uncle Wayne's place and everyone there was more than caring. I had the privelige(mispelled? gfy) of being able to walk the grounds of Churchill Downs. Look back at that sentence, it rhymed. Anyway Louisville on a whole is very divided class system wise. It looks like alot of rich parts and then alot of poor parts. Like for instance, I went into a local grocery store and the cars outside went from 2010 Mercedes SUV to 1985 Toyota Celica from new car sales to cash for clunkers. The local young poor folk spoke (i am a rhyming fool) with some weird hickish hiphop slang. Dontchya be talking at me little sista, i'll putt a whippin on ya buttgood.  Y'all knowwww what I'm sayyin doggie, shiii. Yes, they do not finish their words.Perhaps to add character or perhaps they were never informed they had ending letters. I tried not to speak with or near most of them. I wouldve needed my uncle or cousin to interpret.........So... I also caught up with my buddy Mike from South Florida's sister Cheyllenne. I probably massacred the spelling of that name but hey, Im no English Major ...wait...shut your face. Anyway her husband is a prominent chef in the area and his restaraunt, Proof, is pretty big time and located in the center of Louisville. The food was much more upscale than I was used to but I enjoyed both it and their company. Oh also, apparently there was a congressman there. I didnt need anything from him so I let him go about his meal.  I also went to the Muhammed Ali museum, Louisville Slugger museum and Thomas Edisons house. I took some photos. Thomas Edisons house had a lantern out front, haha!, hilarious. Ok maybe not hilarious but worth a bit of a chuckle right.....no....to hell with you, here are the pics.

Erie, Cleveland, and Columbus

After departing Niagra Falls, I drove out to Erie, PA. I met up with an old Marine buddy of mine, Dave, who held me up for a few days. We hadn't seen each other in 6 years but we picked up right where we left off. I was glad to see he was the same guy and his family was very open and kind to me. I actually had the opportunity to hang out with his Grandfather Lloyd Johns, a great man, who had many entertaining stories and opinions. It had also been 6 years since I had seen him. He is 84 years old and full of more life than most 50 year olds I know. Talking with him and being around a man like that made me want to do more with my life. He is a music teacher, painter, Marine, band leader, grandfather, father and husband and does all those things still today and he does them well. Much respect and admiration for that man. Dave and I had a few good nights drinking and I headed on down to Cleveland. Now my intention when getting to Cleveland was seeing the Rock'N'Roll hall of fame and then rolling the hell on out of there. However, I arrived on a Sunday. It was a home game and unbeknownst to me, The Cleveland Browns Stadium is right next to the Museum. Well if you know me...then you know...im not paying another 25 bucks extra to park because some shitty team needs to pay for their players...The place was packed so I went further into downtown and it was free where I found a place. As I drove further in I became more and more surprised at how nice looking Cleveland was. Yeah I said it...Cleveland, the place I have been cursing and calling shit hole, based on popular public opinion, since I can remember was actually very beautiful. The older parts of downtown were very classic looking. The stadiums and surrounding aquatic area were so close together and aesthetically pleasing, I honestly think it put Philadelphia to shame. Granted, Philly is a bigger city but the upkeep here was much more in depth. The area itself was very clean, and as I drank my coffee in the Starbucks I also began to see alot of attractive women. Once again, I said it...attractive women in Cleveland. I was equally surprised to find them as engaging, intelligent, and fun as they were attractive. Tera with an 'E' and Brandi with an 'I' talked with me and laughed with me for about and hr. They were very friendly and young and I think they did their city justice. I took a picture of them and Im not sure if she still follows me on this site but if she does "Hey, hope all is well." I then had to go down and meet up with another old buddy of mine in Columbus, Ohio, another friend from the old Marine Corps. Mr. J.P. Feeney. I had not seen Jeremy since I had gotten out which was 8 years prior to this. Alot had changed with him. He even got a new name.Yet, just the same as Dave, we picked up right where we left off. We bullshitted about the old days and new, We had alot of similar interests. He introduced me to a hilarious show called Extras, Ricky Geravais is hilarious, We drank into the night and I left for Louisville in the morning. I took a few pictures and some videos.

Niagra Falls

Hi everyone who comes back to my page and is like "Where the hell is this guy?"  I must say, I am slacking. I am having a great time though. It has been very fun up to this point. When last we spoke I was headed from Plymouth Rock back to Connecticut. As I was driving back from there, I realized  that my ancestors more than likely came over near Ellis Island, NY with Don Vito. The other Irish ancestors probably through Maine during the Potato Famine. I suppose it doesn't matter. This journey isnt about some damn reconnection with the past its about forging ahead to the future and Plymouth Rock was a beautiful place to begin. Although they did want ten bucks to get on the Mayflower. I refused to pay. I tried walking past the ticket guy without looking at him and he freaked out. "Hey! Where's your ticket!" I made up some bullshit story about leaving it on my tour bus with Margaret and Solomon (fake old friends). He then asked which tour I was on, you know to try and help me, I just said "Um.... ah, don't worry about it and hurried off." You think that would stop me? I then scoped out a nice looking exit door. Some old timers were coming happily out of on the other side. I waited patiently behind it to make my move and as soon as the next person came out, I slid my foot in and stopped it from closing. I smiled, turned in and there... is another REPLICA  Mayflower guard standing in my face. I said quickly "these doors are very sturdy: huh?" and moved on. He looked at me strangely. Take your job serious or something. I'll bet these two yahoos never took the time out to consider how much this REPLICA (notice the capitalization, its for emphasis >:(  ) Mayflower pulls in annually as opposed to what their getting paid or the fact that no one on the real Mayflower probably paid shit to get on. This isnt even the real damn Mayflower! Once again... whatever. The place was beautiful and the day turned out to be really nice... so in the end it was worth it. I went from here to Niagra Falls, NY to see one of the earths natural wonders. It was about a 7 hr trip, My father said it would take 9. (Use the gas Paul) Along the way I stopped by in good ol' Utica, New York. I just wanted to eat something and take a picture of a building with the city's name, Utica, on it. I did. Utica was featured in "The Office" and as Michael and Dwight said in the episode(wearing fake mustaches)"We will burn Utica to the ground." In reality, I would of. It was looking more like a crack haven than up and coming town. Anyway, I got back on to the I 90 pike and split. By the way. Its like 20 dollars to ride this gotdam sownbitch. So... if you are wondering why no one wants to go to Buffalo, next to the cold weather and hefty bison women, check off too damn expensive to drive to. When I got to Niagra Falls and I was very humbled. I know its just water, but its big and has been there along time doing the same shit, pouring water. The skyline in the back was very cool as well. I had been there once when I was like 11. That was 20 years ago though and honestly, what the hell do you remember from when you were 11 aside from your first wet dream (Kathy Ireland). So when I got there I was happy to see it again. There was a voyage called Maids of the Mist, 15 dollars, GFY . If you do not get this abbreviation I'll give you the last two words and you can figure out the rest, Fuck Yourself. Yeah, I didnt want to get too vulgar. Really?! I just paiid 20 bucks to get here, 20 bucks to park, not to mention the tank and a half in gas 55 dollars and now you want 15 more to take the tour, No thanks. I'm not cheap, im just not stupid. I sat and observed the waterfalls from a bench and I got the same damn mist  and peace of mind those 15 dollar payin fools did. Out of my anger and back to my peace. I sat there and listened and watched and just thought damn. These waters have been falling since America was invented. Almost 300 years old and still kicking. :) I had a very enjoyable time contemplating life and realizing how small I was. Here are some photos, Im off to Erie, Pa and Ohio:

Plymouth Rock

Hello everyone. I went to Plymouth Rock as a source of inspiration for the start of my journey. When I got there I was surprised by many things. #1 the actual rock is the size of a truck tire, #2 the mayflower is a replica, #3 Its 10 bucks to set foot on the ship, #4 they have a memorial dedicated to the Native Americans stating how they see this whole thing as a sham and that we stole and pillaged their land. I suppose they are entitled to this opinion with all the murder and disease we spread here. Well, hey... you cant please everyone. So here are some pictures, enjoy:

Goodbye PA / Washington DC

Hello everyone. I know I havent been on in awhile. My apologies. Im still prepping everything dropping off clothes, personal items, saying goodbyes. My journey has begun but it isnt moving with the speed I had anticipated. The weather also has blown dog for the last week. I left Pennsylvania Monday morning. I wish to whomever reads this from PA that I could have seen everyone before I left. I had a party and I believe we all had a great time. I will take those memories and the new friends I made with me, on for the rest of this ride. For now I am in Connecticut celebrating my fathers birthday and saying goodbye to family and friends up here. My scheduled departure date is Friday. I'll be in Erie by 7PM. As for now I 'll share some videos I took in Washinton DC, while I was there. I would have liked to have met up with the 4 people I know there Connor, Tila, Bobby and Laura but I couldnt decide who I wanted to see so I saw noone. No hard feelings I hope you still love me but I hate deciding between people. Inserted pics are Fonzi's jacket, Abe Lincoln's hand and random shots of DC