Day 2: the scaled down yada yada

 Apparently every time Lisa crosses over the Mississippi River she must exclaim "The Mighty Mississip"; this is akin to seeing cows on the side of the road and letting everyone in the car know.  It is probably just as cute the first time and then gradually as  annoying. 

Day 2 was planned as an easier driving day with plenty of time to get to the Reds' game in Cincinnati with time to meander around the waterfront. 

You know what they say about making plans and God? Well, we heard God laugh.

Instead, THIS was our driving experience:

Interstate 40 was closed in both directions due to flash flooding...and alternate routes had washed out bridges.  We sat on I-40 for a good three hours.  And, of course, no internet service so, again, we had to go old school.  No playing on our phones.  No texts. No calls.  No nothing.  Fortunately we had our CDs, and Lisa always has books.

(As an aside:  I have learned in my many years, except for every day traffic jams in big cities, when one is stopped on a highway or interstate, as frustrating as this can be, just chill and pray.  You aren't going anywhere anytime faster by being upset, and I promise, there is a reason traffic is at a stand still.  Someone is having a much worse day than you are.  Pray for them.)

Our journey definitely changed, but our destination did not.  Later I read there are ten dead and 40 still missing from the flash floods, so a bit of inconvenience is absolutely not a big deal in the scheme of life.  Please pray for the families of those killed and that those people missing are quickly found.  

We did make it to Ohio and to Great American Ballpark. We didn't get to freshen up at the hotel.  Just toss our suitcases and head right back out again. We missed a bit of the game because we did opt to meander around the waterfront.  Not sure if y'all have been to Cincinnati, but both the baseball and football stadiums are near one another and they sit on the Ohio River.  Lots of restaurants, bars and a beautifully inviting park in the area.  A fun place for a night out.

 The Holy Grail sits across the street from the stadium, so we ate while watching the game on the giant jumbotron over the stadium gates.  Considering we had tickets to get INTO the game, Lisa found this amusing..but food and beer came before venturing in.

Tonight's beer was Madtree PsyHOPathy and this time it was hoppy! Lisa loves her hops. The mozzarella sticks were just your everyday mozzarella sticks, but those other things are Reuben Wontons.  Wonton stuffed with sauerkraut and corned beef, deep fried and covered with Thousand Island dressing.  Was it weird? Yes.  Was it strange? Yes.  Was it yummy? Yes!! 

Eventually we made our way into the ballpark where we did watch the last few innings (the best ones too) and Mark was able to pay his tribute to his dad and his dad's memory.

Not how we planned it, but, for us it was a good day.  

Again, please pray for those people in Tennessee.