Other than that, the podium is yours.

To the old bitty seating tables at the Italian restaurant full of elders dining in a strip mall in Pittsburgh who stuck her nose up at me because I didn’t have a reservation… bite me… we tried to eat at a local establishment but against my wishes ended up thoroughly enjoying the Olive Garden. Thanks for the nice dinner.

I did not look this up, but I am convinced that North Carolina has the most smokers per capita in the United States.

I did not look this up either, but I am convinced that the little border town of Blue Field, West Virginia which is about 5 miles off of Interstate 77 not only holds the dubious distinction (in my mind) of being the most obese town per capita in the United States, but also the town with the least teeth. The old school K-Mart did have restrooms, which I am thankful for.

I have completely lost my faith in MapQuest as the 45 miles from the Interstate 81 to Boone, NC took nearly two hours. MapQuest didn’t take in to account that you can’t drive 55. You can barely drive 45, and mostly you are driving 35 with curvatures and switchbacks through the mountains with no shoulder and no guardrails to the steep dropoffs.

A view from the Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of Boone:

Dear Gatlinburg, TN Police – be on the lookout for a silver SUV with a supersized cooler in the trunk filled with 4 cases of Bud cans and twelve pack of MGD. You will find their empty boxes in the shopping cart corral.

Speaking of Gatlinburg, if you’ve never been there, it’s the Lake of the Ozarks and Wisconsin Dells combined and on steroids, and they have a built in vacuum designed to suck money out of your wallet. The most amazing thing is when you cross over into the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. In the span of 30 seconds you leave a neon jungle and enter a forest canopy. I’ve never experience two places so diametrically opposed butting right up against each other. It’s quite an experience.

While taking a relatively short hike through the Great Smokey Mountains towards Laura Falls, I found this sign to be terrifyingly true:

Along that pathway we encountered a Mama & Baby Bear just about 100 feet away up the hillside, and later two deer with big racks only about 15 feet away hiding in the tall grass.

Another reason I love XM Satellite Radio – not only could I hear Pat & Ron broadcast a few Cub games, but I was able to hear the dramatic final two rounds of the 2008 (British) Open (Golf) Championship and Greg Norman’s near Cinderella story.

I didn’t expect much out of our last sleepover, but the Louisville Slugger Factory Tour is definitely worth a visit, as is nearby Louisville History Museum which specialized in weaponry from the medieval period through the early 1900’s and deserved much more time than the hour and a half that we had available.

I’ll never get tired of rounding the bend on I74 to see Peoria’s skyline. As Frank Sinatra sang, “It’s nice to go traveling, but it’s oh so nice to come home.”

A short time later my daughter and I were waiting to take the elevator to another floor to find a working ice machine. When the doors opened, a gruff motorcycle riding looking dude stepped out and a younger fellow wished him good luck. We then stepped in, as did a 20ish female with an American Idol wristband. I asked what the wristband was about and she said signups were today, judging was Monday. Hmm…

Walking up and down the hallway looking for the ice machine, not one, but two females were belting out songs from their rooms- one with the door open so all of the patrons could hear her more clearly.

Auditions were being held at the nearby fairgrounds and it quickly became apparent what we had walked into… American Idol Ground Zero.

Seeing these people, of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds saddened me a bit. Case in point – a car with Michigan plates with “Hollywood or Bust” written on their rear window.

Someone drove from Michigan to Louisville to audition for American Idol? And that girl I met in the elevator… she was sweet, cute and had a nice smile, but was a bit over-weight. I wished her luck, but I can’t imagine her chances are very good to be chosen to be on national television. This is all about ratings, you know. What about the Harley Davidson guy? I wonder if he sings like Barry White? I don’t see him moving on very far either. But as I heard the two young ladies practicing in their rooms, I knew this was serious, and moreover, they were singing their hearts out with the thought that they seriously had a chance against the thousands of other entrants.

As the night wore on I noticed barely a person walk by without an American Idol wristband on. I wish them all the best. I only hope that they came with no expectations and have the good sense to have some fun while they’re here.

I understand chasing your dreams, but seriously, to drive down from Michigan for this?  I suppose you could accuse me of being too much of a realist - I’m not a one in a million chances kind of guy and I don’t play the lotto.

Cleveland itself is quite nice. My first impression was that it’s a divided town, as most large cities are, with a nice downtown on Lake Erie complete with its own developing ‘warehouse district,’ a struggling lower class area kept just outside of the tourists view, and typical sprawling suburbs. On our first night heard fireworks after an Indians victory which seemed to rival this years Peoria fireworks display.

After the R&R HOF we went next door to the three floor Science Center, where we spent most of the afternoon, and justifiably so. Other than a few things that were out of order, most of it was quite impressive with almost all being hands-on exhibits with too many to even mention, but some of the memorable were the miniature high speed train, tornado machine, and an animated hang-glider that you lay on steer through the Grand Canyon. I asked my kids and they gave vague answers said best as “it was all cool.” The OmniMax theatre was a big hit too. If Lakeview ever builds their museum with a fake Imax, remind me not to sit in the first few rows. It really cranks your neck!

A hotel shuttle home, a short nap, a walk through the urban jungle to a strange, colorful and but fun local restaurant for dinner, a swim in the 7^th story pool and complimentary made to order omelettes for breakfast finished out our stay.

I’m sorry to report that I was somewhat disappointed with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After getting past the anticipated excitement and the thrill of hearing David Bowie being blasted through loudspeakers inside and out, I plucked down $93 and we went in.

The main hall is in the basement with six floors above. As I walked through the main hall area, it was clear to me that this was a quick overview of R&R history to get people up to speed, with more in depth analysis to come. It consisted of 15ft spaces behind glass highlighting the likes of Detroit, Memphis Blues & Sun Records, San Francisco, L.A. Punk, and several others. Mostly it was album covers, 45 picture sleeves and some memorabilia sloshed all together with some video screens hanging from the ceiling playing documentaries. The Beatles, Stones, and Elvis exhibits were fairly interesting, as were Michael Jackson’s silly 80’s costumes and Madonna’s Bras, but bigger and better things awaited us!

(aside- The Beatles Butcher Cover was prominently displayed, but it was only a poster, not one of the originals)

As we ventured up the floors it became evident that the main hall was quite significant, as the other levels were small and relatively lame. They did not expand on the exhibits downstairs, or progress upwards through the years, as I thought they might. Infact, the upper floors had nothing to do with the main hall or build upon its foundation at all. We looked at a static exhibit of the Stax artists of which my beloved Otis Redding was only given a generous two square foot area area. Other exhibits were two large collages featuring mostly Rolling Stone Magazine, a nice Les Paul exhibit, and a Doors exhibit in the temporary section, along with less interesting things such as a circa late 60’s state of the art stereo/ tv/ reel to reel/ cassette/ turntable which took up most of an exhibit room.

Sadly, one of the highlights was watching 15 minutes worth of the Beatle’s movie HELP!

Maybe my expectations were set too high, but I found the entire experience to be cramped, with most artists lightly covered, if at all. B

On the bright side, it was fun to flip through their extensive CD store with Neil Young’s Cowboy in the Sand blasting out of the speakers, reminded me of my youth flipping through records at the Peoria Record Company… except the musty smell was replaced with spit-shined floors and the hippie behind the counter was replaced with 20 somethings who were instructed to help me.

“And in the end…” My kids had no expectations and quite enjoyed it, I’m glad I went, but it wasn’t near as cool as I thought it would be. I suppose I might feel differently if I didn’t have my family in tow, but I left with Public Enemy in my head… “Don’t Believe The Hype.”

President George Bush is coming to Peoria on July 25 for a fundraiser for state Rep. Aaron Schock, a candidate for the 18th Congressional District.

The $500-per-person event will be at a private residence. Couples will have the opportunity to take photos with the president for $4,600. No public appearance is planned.

No food, beverages, drugs, cans, glass containers, or any kind of contraband are allowed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Obviously drugs played a major role in the history of Rock & Roll, and I’m sure the museum gets their fair share of stoners, but is it really necessary to point out that illegal drugs are not allowed inside? In that vein, I think they should also mention that sex, nudity and public urination are also not allowed.

Consider this an open thread.

Overnights are preliminarily planned at Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Charleston, two nights in the Appalachians, and finally Nashville.

Our plans are loosely formulated, so I’m open to any suggestions of sights to see or things to do with four kids in tow.

Not exciting.

Funny, it didn’t feel that warm. Must have been a dry heat.

Deviating from my recently adopted once weekly photo, I put up 6 new ones which should be a bit more challenging, though none of them are so off the beaten path that someone won’t know what they are. As usual, the more interesting stories and tidbits the better.

[Name This Peoria Landmark]

When I am going to find time to update all of these is anyone’s guess.

PEORIA on Walgreens on Main St. - Sold!:

It looks like the “Main Street Commons” project will occur, as an announcement billboard by the developer was recently erected in front of the (former) Walgreen’s building. It should be another gem for the Renaissance Park area!

Betty Perry on The Lincoln Museum. Springfield, Illinios.:

I am trying to get in touch with the New Lincoln Museum regarding a Lincoln family picture, which I uncovered in a family homestead of 1870. It was painted by b.f. schell, Published by John dainty 31 6th St. Philadelphia and engd by A.B. Walter.
I would like the address, or phone number of someone at the museum who could tell me if it is something the museum might want.

Exiled to CA on Adagio in the keys of B & U:

I grew up in the neighborhoods around Bradley–we lived on Sherman Ave., Barker Ave., and then on Columbia Terrace. I have such happy memories of walking by all these houses on snowy days on my way to Whittier School when I was very young. I eventually attended Bradley and grew to appreciate the surrounding homes from a different, more mature perspective–as wonderful historic properties, each with lovely individual characterics. Since moving to California seven years ago–where historic homes are few and far between–I have an even deeper appreciation of the Uplands/West Bluff area. While I applaud Bradley’s vision and continued growth, I also feel great sadness and nostalgia watching these images (although it was hard to really concentrate with my three-year old son shouting “There’s another bulldozer!” in the background). The Barber Adagio is perfect for this montage, by the way. Thanks for documenting this process . . . I’ve seen a few photos of the Field House demolition but nothing like this. I’ve got to say–my eyes are a bit misty!

Zach on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time:

Alright, it’s official. Rolling Stone’s has a huge prejudice against Pink Floyd. Here they put Darkside of The Moon at number 50? It should be number one, or at least in the top 10. I hate it when people do these surveys and have no intelligent explanations justifying their top 10 albums. “Oh, they have some lovely tunes in them.” That’s kindergarden reviews, that’s what it is. Also, I see nobody at my high school (yes I’m 16 years old) wearing Sgt. Pepper’s or Beach Boys shirts. Everyday I see someone wearing a Pink Floyd shirt. Clearly this shows just how influential they are. F*%$in teenagers have better taste in music than the Rolling Stones editors, who seem to pride themselves on the constant disappointment of their surveys. Good music is the balance between the music and the lyrics. Darkside has this. As do all their albums. My apologies if I seem to be ranting, but I feel very strongly that this Rolling Stones survey was wrong to not put Darkside of the Moon into their top 10.

master_dman on A Very Brief Review of Carlos O’Kelly’s:

I love Carlos O’kellys.

Eat there all the time. Service is always perfect. Waitress is always smokin hot. Food is always good. The atomic salsa is da bomb.

Jonathan scrivanich on The Death of an Idol:

Wow. i love spongebob i have him all over my room. im 40 , im trying 2 keep him in my pants. he keeps escaping.

Morton Malaise on Clearing up a common misconception:

Holy crap, I don’t even remember typing that last night. I was freakin’ wasted!

Emtronics on Note to WMBD 1470-AM:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[photo restored]