Say Ya to Da U.P.,Eh?

We were SO pumped to go to Escanaba that we actually started getting in the mood for the UP early with Escanaba in Da Moonlight: http://www.escanabathemovie.com/ My parents have had the DVD for awhile but I had never watched it. The first half is really funny ["For dose dat don't know much about the Superior State, dere's a couple of tings that need to be explained. First ting is, in da U.P., we don't explain tings. Second ting is, we got some of the best huntin' and fishin' in da whole world."]

The next night we dropped our baby off at her resort and packed all night. We got up EARLY Thursday morning and met at my parents' around 6:30. Breakfast at the airport and take off around 9. SUPER QUICK layover in Minnesota and then we were on our way to Green Bay, WI. Titletown. We get set up in the rental car and begin the drive to Escanaba, MI.

Window Seat Stealer:

We're quickly greeted by the Lombardi Avenue Exit

And lots of CHEESE signs.

First things first, let's eat and drink. We met up with 2 of my aunts & my cousins at the Stonehouse. If you ever find yourself in Escanaba, eat at the stonehouse. Lake Perch, please.

After dinner we all headed to the bar my Aunt Karen works at and [why not?] are greeted by the "town drunk", Crash. Which ends up to be interesting because my grandfather was friends with him, small world right? My dad had my brother tell him that he was a Kenneally and this delighted Crash, he remembered my Grandpa!

Finally we're exhausted from traveling all day and drinking all night, so we decided to seek out our hotel [way after hours] so that we could rest up before visiting my mom's side of the family some more the next day.

I'm not sure what started the picture fest in the back seat but from the looks of it, I took a picture with my dad, then jason, then my dad, then jason and so on... all the way to the hotel.

Upon check-in, we find out that EVERY day we stay at the casino we get a coupon book for a free drink, $5 at the concessions stand, $5 free slot money and $5 wager on a table. SWEET. J and I, my dad and my brother decide we had to gamble RIGHT THEN. So, at 2am we head down and play some slots. WINNER, we won $20 that night. Discovered that $5 goes pretty far at the cheapy concessions stand. Jason spots Nathan's hot dogs and dad, pat, and I feast on mozzarella sticks.