Day Eleven: Montreal, QC, CANADA

I haven't been to Montreal in a while, and I think it's one of the raddest cities in the continent... I really do! Not to mention, I've been trying to see my awesome friend Colleen for years and haven't been able to connect. And, now she lives in Quebec's finest city; naturally, I had to fit a visit into the 'plan.'

After my typical interrogation at the border, they let me in to Canada (vizsla, VW bus, and all) and I headed up to Colleen's place in Pointe-Claire. Colleen and her new husband Neil just made a baby... a beautiful little boy named Aidan! He is so small and so good looking and dude has triple-citizenship: US, Canada, and England... pretty righteous! We spent some time hanging with the dogs (Luna and Juno) in the backyard, grilling and catching up... Then, they took me on a sweet lakeside walk from their house... so freaking cool!

After the family went to bed, as most humans do, I set out for the city. I parked on Rue Sainte-Catherine and went for a ride on my longboard around Rue Sainte-Denis for a while. I was amazed to see so many people out on the patios and cruising the streets by bike at 1:am on Tuesday evening... quite impressive. There was a bunch of live music happening in the district I was in and the streets were littered with youthful energy. I tooled around for a while in the city and headed back to Pointe-Claire for the night.

Day Ten: Buffalo, NY > Massena, NY

After a six-year hiatus... today, I decided to make a trek to the north country and visit Massena, NY. Despite having graduated a Red Raider from MCHS, I haven't spent more than a handful of days in Massena since I left in 1998... most recently, for my sister Kristen's graduation party in June 2004. I miss Massena and am excited to check it out again...

A lot of things are different... I don't have any family ties here anymore. the school has a new look and a turf football field (but the baseball field is totally rundown), Homesteads isn't here anymore, Rosie's Bargain Center is gone, Tony's Pizza isn't around, West Orvis Rink is an apartment complex, and Wardy has a four-year old monster!

But some things will never change... I've still got some of my old high school pals around (it was great to see Sergi, Wardy, Heather and Megan), Wilson Hill is still beautiful, sunsets over the St. Lawrence will never get old, 134 Allen looks the same (outside and in, the family that lives there now invited me in to scope out my old house), I still like climbing up in trees (shown below: Whalen Park and my old Allen Street treehouse), Via Main is the greasy spoon spot for breakfast, and Mr. Diagostino runs the PE department / high school football team (only now it's Anthony).

Day Nine: Cleveland, OH > Pennsylvania > Buffalo, NY

I got out of the show around 12:am and immediately hit the road... the rain was pounding but I had energy and decided to shuffle off to Buffalo. Around 3:23am I hit my Alma Mater, Fredonia, and had to cruise the streets for old times sake. There's not a lot of action in this town in the summer, but it was still cool to see the old stomping grounds.

I arrived in Buffalo around 5:am, got a brief morning nap in, and had the day to spend with my family. Aunt Mar and Uncle Mike are always wonderful hosts and took care of me on my last-minute drop-in visit. Papa and Nana came over to the house for an amazing family dinner (I've never had a Scaglione family meal that was anything short of amazing)... and we enjoyed each other and the muggy summer day in B-Lo. Robby and Uncle Mike even helped me clean my bus (and Luna) as we prepare for a trip over the border... I need to make sure everything is looking good for my one shot at getting into Canada.

In my one short day in Buffalo, I had a home-cooked meal, hung with Cassie and Robby, stopped at Wegmans for road-trip treats, and of course, made my way to Mighty Taco for a late snack. Next stop: well, I'm not sure...

Day Eight: Chicago, IL > Indiana > Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Dropped Danny off at the bus station and started rolling down the highway... amped up on some espresso and blasting Blind Melon... I've gotta make it to Cuyahoga Falls tonight for the second of two Phish shows...

Eight hours later, I pulled out of the rain and into the lush green fields of the Blossom Music Center. I forgot how gorgeous this venue is and I'm glad to be back. Luna and I walked around the grassy hills for a while and then headed in a little early for the show. We found a sweet spot on the lawn and just chilled there for the whole show. Phish treated us to a couple of rare covers, including two first-timers... Look Out Cleveland (The Band) and Instant Kharma (John Lennon). Also, I got my first Curtis Loew... pretty rad.

Day Seven: Madison, WI > Chicago, IL

After spending the morning in Madison... brunch at Marigolds, road grub from Trader Joe's, and a walk-about with Dan / Keren... we packed the bus and headed for Chicago. We're pushing it on time this afternoon, especially with all the commotion in the Windy City today... city celebration parade for the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup, interleague baseball play with the White Sox visiting the Cubs at Wrigley, and Phish playing Toyota Park... plus, well, it's freaking Chicago and has almost 3 million people roaming around. It was sweet that Dan decided to roll with me from Madison and was the first guest on the roadtrip to travel in Vina with Lu and I. And, despite the bus overheating and the Friday afternoon rush-hour, we made it to Toyota Park just in time...

This may have been my eighty-first Phish show, but it was Luna's first Phish show! I was stoked to be able to bring Luna in for the first time as a registered service dog. She had a great show and was well received by everyone who met her. She laid down by my side for much of the show, but when they got into the Ghost jam she got up and started wagging her tail... I love that she loves Ghost.

Phish sounded great. I was truly impressed for a tour kick-off; I didn't expect them to be so tight and polished, but I can tell they must've been doing something to stay sharp this off-season. For proof, just listen to the Antelope.

Day Six: Minneapolis, MN > Madison, WI

A day to hang with Dan and Keren and Christine and Carl in Madison... it was great seeing my friends and getting back to beautiful Madison! We had a short time at the park on Lake Mendota and then spent some time tooling around capitol hill and the water front on campus. I miss the people and the places, but not the humidity...

Keren's killing it in medical school and we're all proud of her! It was cool she was able to break away from the books for some dinner and drinks around town... and it's always cool catching up with the Christenson's. Lots of espresso late at night means trying to take a morning nap with the sun again... and then, hitting the road for Chicago!

Day Five: Minneapolis, MN

One last day in Minneapolis... and a grand one it is! Today we checked out the Walker Art Center in Loring Park and scoped the sculpture gardens... both spots were outta-sight! The museum immediately became one of my favourite contemporary collections in the country. The work is phenomenal, the space is beautiful, and the people repped the Minnesota Nice attitude I've been hearing so much about...

In the afternoon, we took the pups to a park in north by Mark & Sarah's place... played a little baseball and got ready for the show...

Ah yes, and The Black Keys at the legendary First Avenue downtown... Prince's hometown club and set for Purple Rain. The BK's packed the hot, sweaty rock club and threw a ripping party for the sold out crowd! I love this place... kinda reminds me of Cervante's (Denver) but bigger and cooler... And, what would our Minneapolis bender be without grilling steaks at 4:am and being up for another sunrise...