Who says you can't go back?

We spent the day in Rochester, NY today. By the time I woke up, my dad had already taken my car down the street to be inspected (the inspection was 8 months overdue, but even though the City of Philadelphia was happy to ticket me a few months back, they would not be so kind as to issue me a state inspection to hold me over until I got my car back to the great State of New York). I picked it up and dropped Alison off over at Drea Klunder's house. Drea, a classmate of ours from Bryn Mawr, recently purchased a beautiful home here in Rochester and we got the grand tour from her lovely fiancee, Brian. I followed that up with a stop at AAA. Here's a pitch for AAA: if you have it, use it. If you don't have it, get it. Until today I had used my membership, albeit frequently, only for flat tires and roadside assistance. But today, the very helpful woman behind the desk equipped me with the largest triptik I have ever seen in my life, 6 regional and state maps, and 4 Tour Books that cover each region that we'll be driving through. On top of that, I was able to nab a couple of books on the parks we'll be visiting. I walked out without paying a cent.

And what would a trip to Rochester be without a stop at Wegmans in Pittsford?! After popping into B&N to pick up Junot Diaz's book (now available in paperback!) and a couple of Driveway Moments CD's, I parked over at the mega Weg. I've heard a couple of people refer to this as the "Flagship Store," but growing up it was known as no such thing. It's just Wegmans. I picked up some subs and delivered lunch to the Katz/Chiarenza household. Driving around Brighton I'm glad to see some things never change though am always amazed at what things have been able to hang on. The House Poon (though I always thought this Chinese restaurant was The House OF Poon) and R's Market get the bronze and silver. But I think the gold medal of Brightonian mainstays goes to the Towpath Motel. Don & Bob's couldn't make it here, but the Towpath will never leave: as shady as ever and always has a vacancy.

Heidi Katz and I intended to play Scrabble but instead chatted for hours and watched in amazement as Gov. Sarah Palin introduced herself and her entire family to the country. Let me be clear that it was not the same amazement I felt last night watching Obama. But Alison and I agreed that we will keep politics out of the blog. So I'll just leave it at that...

So comes to a close Day 2. My dad and I took a walk around the reservoir since it was too wet out to play tennis. Lucky for him. I think he willed it to rain so I couldn't win again. Next time, Joe Joe!

On to Ohio...