Mom’s Road Trip to Cincinnati and Home (11/6-9/2007):
Taking off (as much as one can take off in a mini-van with 114,000 miles) early Tuesday morning, it took ½ the trip to get out of Naperville. At least it felt that way. The trip was sunny and the stretch between Indianapolis and Cincinnati was probably a week past the peak colors, but gorgeous nonetheless. The picture was taken with a cell phone at 70 miles/hour so it does not give the rolling hills and colors justice.
Approaching the Ohio state line on Highway-74. The photo from
a cell phone doesn't give the rolling hills and colors justice.
After eating my second McDonalds of the day (those chicken chipotle wraps are pretty good), I arrive at (Great) Grandmother’s house. Unfortunately her home has fallen into disrepair over the past decade. With Opah & Nana, we packed, unpacked and repacked. (Actually, I think I spent more time sifting through old pictures and stuff than being productive.) The house is actually starting to look somewhat empty – or at least empty-able.
The Pattishall's Home with Opah & Nana on the front porch.
As usual, we stayed at the Imperial House West (which is now going by “Imperial House” so I am wondering what happened to the Imperial House East or North or South… perhaps a bomb.) The room has been nicely redecorated, but they forgot to get new towels that might be able to cover ones body. Dinner both nights was at Dante's which has imprived greatly over the years. The drinks have never been skimpy.
Dinner (well drinks) at Dante's bar. Dinner was there too!
Wednesday the 7th was “Cincinnati” Day. Perkins for breakfast, (3-way) Skyline Chili for lunch, Graeter’s Ice Cream for a snack and Dante’s (remarkably good food) for dinner.
Cincinnati Favorites - Skyline Chili & Graeter's Ice Cream
Besides eating, on Wednesday, an estate auction person came by the house. A few items may be “e-bay-ed”, many will be available as part of an estate sale, others may be donated to St. Vincents (Charity) and the rest will probably be managed by 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Also met the realtor. Interesting neighborhood. The house is being sold “as is” meaning much work needs to be done. The realtor chosen targets gay cliental who like fixing up (or having the work done) older homes. (It sounds like the house was built about the turn of the century, and not the recent turn.) While at GGM Pattishall’s house, we had the opportunity to check out the roof (via a second floor window) and also walk around the block including a stop at a library which was built when G.G.Father Wiley was on the Board Trustees. The immediate neighborhood is nice, but beyond that there are a few surprises including 114 registered sex offenders in the zip code. (compared to 6 in ours).
Thursday the 8th started early – getting on the road by 7:50 am EST (or 6:50, brain time!) Although Brian was starting his days at 5am, so I shouldn’t whine! Had a safe, uneventful trip back, caught up on work.
Thursday the 8th started early – getting on the road by 7:50 am EST (or 6:50, brain time!) Although Brian was starting his days at 5am, so I shouldn’t whine! Had a safe, uneventful trip back, caught up on work.
Thursday night, Grandmother and Granddaddy took us to dinner to celebrate Dad and my birthday (5 months late due to our negligence!) with a great (and garlicky) dinner at Meson Sabika! We can’t complain about our parents not feeding and taking care of us!
Dinner at Meson Sabika to with Grandmother and Granddaddy
While I am at it, I might as well wrap up the week. Friday
morning dad & I went to get our vaccinations for Ecuador. We stumbled through an office building under construction to the “Travel Clinic” at Maxim Healthcare – whose primary function seemed to be providing in-home health care. Nurse Mary Kelly had all the shots laid out on a big white sheet which was rather intimidating. After a very long, cautious process and four sore arms later we asked Mary how long she had been there. Not very (she has been retired a while and primarily does flu shot clinics). Then the office manager came in to ask how we heard about them. “Not too many people know about the travel clinic.” We think we may have their first travel clinic patients (at that location). 24 hours we are ok so they must have done it right! After work we recovered with a movie and Lou Malnati’s! 
Then Dad split all the huge Pine logs. (Except the ones that were put to use below!)