Hit the Road, Jack

I'm going to try to do what I did during Ironman Coeur D'Alene race week.. blog every day. This is going to be quick because I am exhausted and already in bed, but at least it's something!

I hit the road at 8:30 this morning after finishing up my packing and dropping Fiona off at the vet where she is kenneled while I am out of town. I drove 512 miles - through Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, Toledo, and finally ending in South Bend, Indiana at about 5:30 for an overnight stop.

Apparently, South Bend, Indiana is the home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish! I did not know this - actually, I did not even know that Notre Dame was in Indiana! I drove into town wearing my Penn State hoodie that my dad got me a few years ago. I was filled with trepidation about being heckled, harassed, beat up, murdered, but turns out, folks here are open-minded towards rival football teams!

It's a pretty cute town. I got a hotel room for $61 and then wandered downtown to an Irish restaurant that I found via google - Fiddler's Hearth. It got good reviews, had a good menu, and had an open mic night tonight! I had veggie stuffed potato pancakes, a hefeweisen, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Yes, I know, I shouldn't be eating stuff like this before Ironman, I should be watching my weight and whatnot, but I was hungry and chatting with the bartender and various other local patrons. It just happened. Tomorrow, it ends!

Now I am off to sleep, and heading off on the final leg of my trip out tomorrow morning. I can't wait to drive through Chicago! I am hoping to time it so that I don't get stuck in rush hour traffic.