The DataVan Diaries

DAY TWO

APRIL 13
Stanton PA to Casey IL

APRIL 14   Casey IL to   Cuba MO

APRIL 15        Cuba MO to Amarillo TX

APRIL 16
Amarillo TX to  Winslow AZ

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Sticking with our "no chain restaurants" resolution, we wheeled the majestic Datavan from the Super 8 towards downtown Stanton (about 2 blocks away) and found the local diner.  An authentic diner, mind you, not one that just plays a diner on TV. We were not disappointed with our choice --  the service was fast and friendly, the food super-cheap and quite tasty (particularly the clearly-homemade and highly delicious sausage patties).  The waitstaff seemed to know most everyone on a first-name basis, and there were lots of folks engaged in inter-booth conversations. Basically, most everyone in the room was local except us.  Not to say we were made to feel like outsiders --  in fact, one man made a point of being particularly pleasant by stopping to say hello and wishing me a good day.  Hopefully the guy didn't notice my initial city-jaded reaction, which was to look at him as though he'd grown a third eye in the middle of his forehead.  Oh well...

Onward and forward we went on I-70, through drizzle and rain.  Basically the rest of Pennsylvania and generally all of Ohio was most uneventful from the road.  My only two comments here are this: Pennsylvania roads suck, and Ohio people can't drive, at least not on the Interstate.  I am certain that, between the aforementioned hazards, I have successfully dislodged any and all of the ping-pong balls the Datavan managed to "eat" back in Beltsville.

We stopped for gas and a bathroom break at a place called Love's.  I don't know about you, but somehow a great big truck stop/gas station that features variants of red (yes, that means the very un-manly pink) and a heart in its logo just doesn't seem to be what I consider appropriately marketed to your average truck driver.  Call me crazy here.  But clearly they're successful -- there were plenty of trucks there -- and I highly recommend the place for their bathrooms alone.  However, I did make the fatal mistake of buying some sodas and snacks while inside.  Okay, maybe fatal's going a bit overboard, but basically what should have been a 30 to 60 second transaction extended into a handful of minutes as the guy behind the counter decided to tell me about the person who'd just left.  Seems he hadn't seen her in a few months and she'd gained a lot of weight.  Then he starts talking about how he'd been losing weight (naturally I focused on his voluminous beer belly and thought, "Where?").  However, he mumbled a lot (either that or I just don't understand the southern Ohio accent) and I could have sworn he then said something about GAINING weight.  I just smiled and nodded a lot -- what else does one do -- particularly when you are me, and the guy is holding your purchases hostage.  Let's face it, it's not like he was talking to the poster child for minimal body fat, fondness for exercise and careful diet, here.  I was buying a package of Little Debbie Nutty Bars and Red Cream Soda, for God's sake!

Just outside of Columbus, we headed southward towards Cincinnati, and stopped in the historic town of Lebanon.  Its main drag was full of antique shops inside buildings constructed nearly 200 years ago; a very quaint little town not too unlike historic Ellicott City.  We didn't do much shopping -- I'm not much of an antiquer -- but my sister did enter a shop or two while I took pictures and stretched my legs a bit.  We did, however, enjoy a fine lunch at "Ohio's Oldest Hotel", the Golden Lamb.  Although it was billed as "a Modern Hotel", its heritage was well-preserved.  In fact, sitting in the dining room, I could almost imagine that I was back in the 1800s sitting down for a meal after a long horse ride through the country -- the loud old Jewish lady complaining to the waitress about her inability to partake in dessert because of diabetes notwithstanding.

We started off the meal with the crispy sauerkraut balls (served with spicy cocktail sauce).  In my mind's eye I was seeing round mounds of fried sauerkraut that would arrive on the plate looking spiky and crunchy.  To my surprise, they were coated in a kind of breading (breadcrumbs, maybe?).  The sauerkraut was mixed with ham, chopped finely, and the finished product was not very "krauty" at all.  They were quite delicious and I recommend them without the cocktail sauce, which was basically sauce out of a jar anyway. My sister had the salmon with béarnaise sauce, and I had the pork roast with stuffing, both quite tasty, although upon viewing my sister's choice, I think if I could go back in time, I'd get the salmon.  We were both full but the dessert menu called.  It was a difficult time choosing between the old fashioned coconut pie (described as having a macaroon-like filling, with a light cream layer and crunchy on the top) or the Shaker sugar pie.  I went with the latter and wasn't really sure whether I'd be disappointed or not. Far from it!  The pie was served warm, and was out of this world.  It had similar spices to that of pumpkin pie (nutmeg?) and the consistency was more like a custard.  It wasn't sugary sweet at all, which was also a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure what all was in it, but it was fabulous.  If I could bring one home for everyone, I would.

Off we went again, now just skirting Cincinnati and heading slightly northward to Indianapolis (not sure why AAA routed us this way, but we would have missed Lebanon otherwise, so no complaints).  We weren't sure where the Motor Speedway was and it was getting dark anyway (I had wanted to take a picture of the van there), so we kept on going through uneventful Indiana, passing south of Terre Haute and crossing into Illinois.  Finally we stopped in Casey (pop: 3000) and called it a day.  Neither of us were up for going out to eat, so we called the local pizzeria (still sticking to our commitment) which conveniently delivered to the hotel.  I must say right here that there was a special bonus to this delivery -- it was all we could do not to kidnap the delivery guy!  Good God, he was certainly one tasty-lookin' morsel!  Better stop on that  note before I incriminate myself any further...

Oh, and for those back at home counting: The record so far --  Gators sighted - 1...between Bloomington and Indianapolis.  Noles and Canes: 0

Historic Lebanon, OH