I started the day by driving to downtown Cleveland.  Drove past the Ford factory, which looked deserted--either because of the weekend or because of the economy, I guess.  The ride in reminded me of driving up to Milwaukee...it's like you're driving through clean suburbs and then BAM, there's a downtown with all the sites and skyscrapers.  I took a random exit and made my way through the city streets.  Although there were tons of folks walking and driving about, all of them wearing red, the city didn't feel congested or crowded like Chicago does.  I parked the car and saw garbage everywhere...turns out that OHIO STATE was playing right by where I parked, and I had missed a helluva tailgate party.

The stadium has a big windmill in front of it, catching the breeze off the lake.  The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame museum was right there, too...looking like a pyramid from the entrance.  I went inside and snapped a few photos, but didn't fork over the $22 entrance fee...they don't allow cameras in.  Besides, all I really wanted to see was stuff I probably already knew on Fleetwood Mac.  Love that band.

I walked down to the lake and then around town...saw the cool FREE stamp...and then headed back to the hotel area.  Along the way there was a bunch of high school band kids having a fund raiser.  When the light changed, they ran into the street and played their instruments.  If they were panhandling, they probably would have been a success, but instead they were selling mattresses--50 to 60 percent off retail.  Huh?

I actually drove for the longest time looking for a liquor store.  Needed a rum & coke something fierce...but I couldn't find a liquor store anywhere.  When I finally decided I had gone far enough, I turned around and somehow turned onto the wrong street..and got lost.  I found myself in a seedy neighborhood...there's where I found a liquor store.  Only, they didn't call it a liquor store...it was a "beverage store."  Whatever, Ron Bacardi was calling my name.  There was so much alcohol crammed into this tiny little store that you couldn't fit more than one person down each aisle at a time.  It was full of thuggies and regular folks alike, and Security Guard Joe kept the peace.  I don't think he was necessary, but I didn't say so.  Everybody I met in Cleveland was so nice, friendly, helpful, etc.  Even the thuggies; they helped me find my way back to the highway to my hotel.  Even so, Joe escorted me to my car and wished me luck.

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