On the Road...almost...well, out of Indiana, anyway. For now.

So the trip has nearly begun.  We're one state away, in Illinois - Lincoln Park, Chicago, specifically.  Dan is playing two gigs with Duke Tumatoe at Kingston Mines, and another at an orchard in Northern Indiana (keeps pulling us back!) and then, finally, then we'll get to leave.  It's Saturday night, so Dan's playing gig #2 of 3 a couple of blocks away while I take advantage of the hotel's free WiFi.  This is an interesting neighborhood.  DePaul University is here, so there's lots of students strolling around with cups of coffee or smoothies, listening to their own private soundtracks, and lots of shops to cater to them.  

It's nice to wander around in an urban neighborhood,  and just people-watch and see the sheer variety of everything.  Indy's come pretty far in the last few years, but it still doesn't have much in the way of truly dense neighborhoods.  Blocks, yes, but not really whole neighborhoods yet.  Dan and I wandered in and out of record stores, vintage stores, bookstores...ate lunch at a fantastic place called The Counter.  Build-your-own burgers, sweet potato fries, and Fat Tire Amber Ale.  Yum!  Dinner (or breakfast?  It was 2 am) last night was at a place called the Smoke Shack, a few doors down from the club.  Best BBQ I've had outside Memphis, and mac-and-cheese almost as good as my dad's, which is saying something because my dad is the mac-and-cheese master. So, the record for finding good restaurants is 2 for 2.  That's a good start.  And tomorrow, the vacation really begins - after Dan's gig. So, about 3 pm.  Not sure how far we'll get, doubt we'll get past Missouri, but we'll be moving!