Beloit Snappers WIN 3-0!

We made it to our first destination, Beloit, Wisconsin. I (rachel) drove the entire way today and it felt good to be on the scenic highway again, I feel like I could drive to Red Wing with my eyes closed now that we've driven down this way so much lately. It's beautiful as ever, the hawks, eagles and black vultures were out in full force, as was the stinkiest road kill I've ever smelt!

The drive was pleasant, the weather was absolutely perfect and we had fun singing to our silly songs together :) Once we hit Madison, Wisconsin the drivers became noticeably more rude, but I didn't use many expletives, so I must've been more relaxed than I thought. We made a stop for lunch about 11:30 to share homemade sammies, fresh berries and some Quaker snack mix and then again right before we came into Beloit, about 4:30 for more sammies, bananas and snacks at the most pristine rest area. My driving knee was really bothersome which I've never experienced before so it was nice to walk a bit.

Once in Beloit, we snatched up a hotel room at the Holiday Inn Express, another gem among roadside rooms, it's clean, uniquely designed and they even have a pool! If I would've remembered my suit, I could've gotten up early and done laps thus keeping up with my workout!! Then off to the Snappers game for a fan-TAB-ulous time!! It was the coolest game ever! We got scalped tickets for $4, and I met the mascot, Snappy the Turtle, right away and got pictures with him!! YAY! The game was great, very cool to watch these minor leaguers, they're so good but still a little rough. I loved all the errors, so unpredictable!! They won 3-0 and had fireworks after the game and we took some video of those :) There were the CUTEST kids there. One set of siblings had a funny, lighthearted peanut fight, playfully whipping peanuts back and forth; we had fun watching them. There was also the most adorable little girl who shyly came over to get Snappy's autograph on a novelty pink bat, she waited silently and patiently for him to finish with other kids. As he signed her bat, she sat down next to him, watching him intently with her hands crossed, then she politely said, "Thank you, Snappy". He patted her on the shoulder (you know that mascots never speak) and she bounced away to show off her treasured item to her parents. Later, she found him again and led him over to get her mom to take pictures with him. As John put it, "Now THAT is precious."Today was such a relaxing and romantic day! We needed it, John is SO relaxed. He's never more at home than when he's traveling AND watching baseball. I think maybe we should become mascots for a living so we can do both all the time ;)~

A change in trip plans; we decided tonight that since The Taste of Chicago is going on all weekend, and Chicago isn't really known for its pleasant traffic, and there are no tickets available to the Detroit Tigers/Twins game, we're just going to head off to Canada. Hell with it, I've never been there and I'd love to spend my birthday in a foreign country! So we'll be off for Windsor and Toronto tomorrow! Lots more driving, lots more memories ;)
Love to all!
R&J

Roadkill Report: Many deer out there today, stinky beyond stink and probably their spirits hovering over their carcases rolling their eyes at all the SUV's, then gallivanting away into astral fields a-plenty. A kitty bit the dust, as well as a fox and I think there might've been a skunk out there, too. A silent lament to all the poor animals today :(

Gas Tally: $26.55, and check this: 37.3 miles to the gallon!!!!!

Today's Mileage: 334