Road Trip to Cleveland and Michigan...

On Claude's bucket list has been a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This year, for his 68th birthday, we decided we would make that happen. 

After Claude finished his conference meeting Friday morning, October 6th, we pointed the car north toward Cleveland, Ohio. There is some very pretty country along I-71 between Cincinnati and Cleveland. We checked into our hotel and rested for a bit. Then we were off to find dinner.

I found in Italian place not too far from the hotel. It was not a chain but a local restaurant. Judging by the wait, it promised to be a local favorite. While we waited we noticed on a sign they served Concord Grape Pie. This piqued our curiosity. Never heard of that kind of pie before. We were shown to our table and had a very delicious dinner. The people next to us ordered three of their desserts with the third going in a box to go home with them. Their desserts to eat were placed in front of them and I looked at Claude and Claude looked at me. I quietly said, "I believe that is the Concord Grape Pie!" He thought so too. I asked if he wanted me to ask my neighbor is that is what it was. This is something I would do but my dear Hubby would never do. I just turned to my neighbor and said, "Is that the Concord Grape Pie?" To which he said, "YES! And you must get some. They only serve it when the Concord Grapes are ripe and it is delicious." Well, that was enough for me. Claude and I each ordered a piece of Concord Grape Pie. It was yummy and we would highly recommend it.

Back to our hotel room we journeyed. Jake was going to join us Friday evening. He left after work and ate on the way down. When he arrived and checked into his room, he came to ours and we all sat and visited for a bit. Then we decided to get a good night's rest for a big day on Saturday.

Saturday morning we woke up and packed before leaving. I looked out our room window and this was my view. Not nearly as nice as Thursday night in that Presidential Suite. It makes life real again. 

We started by giving Claude his birthday gift. A visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was a lot of fun. We took our time and viewed everything we wanted to see. Then we dined in their restaurant area and had a marvelous meal. Here are a few pictures. 

 Claude and Jake in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sandi nestled in the 'O' of the word Long.  

Jake listening to the beginnings of the road to Rock and Roll. 

The most unique disco ball/car I have ever seen in my life. 

Mama Maybelle Carter's guitar. Would never have expected to see so much about old country music in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Elvis Presley's guitar. 

Alice Cooper's boots. 

ZZ Top stuff. 

More ZZ Top stuff. 

Michael Jackson's glove. 

Claude on the deck.

Jake on the deck.

When we finished, we went to our respective cars to drive north to Chelsea. We were going to leave Jake's car at his apartment and he would ride with us to Muskegon. Along the drive we passed the trailer full of two giant pumpkins and some equally giant watermelons. 

We stopped near Lansing for some dinner. The clouds rolled in and by the time we were closer to Grand Rapids they let loose with a torrential rain. We decided to find the hotel and just check in for the night. It was one we had not stayed in before and it was a little tucked away, especially on a dark and rainy night. 

Sunday was family day at Nissa and Todd's home. Aubrey Anne, our middle grandmonster, gave birth to our second great grandchild, Nelson. He is named after my father. This was our first opportunity to see and hold this little nugget. He is a cutie and is starting off to be a very good little baby. 

This is Nissa, our first-born child, playing Ring Around the Rose with Raelyn, our first-born great grandmonster. 

Katelyn and Drew asked me to give Raelyn her first haircut. Actually, we just clipped off her bangs that were in her eyes and left the rest of her hair long. I do not think she cared for the experience judging by her expression.  

While little ones napped, Claude, Jake and I hopped in Nissa and Todd's car and they drove us out to their new home. We loved it. They would close on it later but we are so happy for them.

Then time for final family pictures before we headed back to Chelsea. First the 4-generation pictures with Aubrey and Nelson. This picture had Nissa, Aubrey holding Nelson, Sandi and Claude. 

Aubrey wanted one of her Uncle Jake with her and Nelson. 

This is all our Michigan grandmonsters. Two great grandmonsters, Nelson of the left and Raelyn on the right. In the center are our three grandmonsters, Nissa's children. Aubrey, Paul and Katelyn. Love this picture of all of them together. 

Then a 4-generation with Katelyn and Raelyn. This is Nissa holding Raelyn, Sandi and Claude with Katelyn kneeling in front. 

Katelyn took a final selfie with Uncle Jake.  

Then Jake, Claude and I drove back to Chelsea where we had dinner together. Claude and I stayed in a hotel and in Chelsea that night and then drove back to Kentucky on Monday. Whew!! A quick, very full trip. Lots of fun and family. Great 68th birthday for Big Guy Clauda.