Chuck's Trip: Binghamton, NY with Kane and Aunt Debbie

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I was on my way to Binghamton, NY to see my Aunt Debbie, my cousin Kane, and Kane's little girl Isabella. I arrived pretty late in the night, but Kane had stayed up to wait for me. Binghamton is a city in NY state supported mostly by industry. There is also a state university satellite campus there. On my drive in, I drove through downtown and had a tough time navigating the road closures from all the students out partying. When I arrived, I spent some time watching ESPN and catching up with Kane. I accidentally woke up Aunt Debbie, and we briefly chatted as well.

The next morning, I was awoken to the joyful shrieks of Isabella. I happened to be there on her 2nd birthday so we celebrated her birthday at breakfast that morning. I was amazed at how talkative she was.

After breakfast, I went to the park with Kane and Isabella. We had a good ol' time playing around and swinging.

After playing around for a while, it was time for Isabella to attempt the big slide. She was a little hesitant at first. Since it had just rained the previous day, there was still water on the playground. Kane slid down the slide first to make sure that Isabella did not get her bottom wet. What a dad!

After the playground, we stopped by good ol Lowes to pick Aunt Debbie from work. It was touching to see Aunt Debbie lead her grand-daughter around. We went to a local diner and had some good eats.

After lunch, Kane and I had some solid hang out time. We went to the store with his buddy to purchase cigars. On the way, we passed the Choconut Inn, the place where Kane works as a cook when he is not fire fighting (and he is a pretty darn good cook). The rest of the afternoon, we hung out and smoked cigars, worked on my car to replace some bulbs, grocery shopped for dinner, and Kane gave me a tour of the firenstation. It was really cool to see all of the equipment at the fire station, and I even walked away with a Binghamton Fire fleece and coffee mug! Thanks!

That night, Kane and I cooked a delicious pot of marinara sauce for our spaghetti dinner that night. Apparently, Kane cooks pretty regularly with a bunch of real deal Italians at the local Italian club. We shared great conversation over the steaming pot. Aunt Debbie came home, and we all dined. The next morning, Kane and I went to mass, ate some delicious ahi tuna steaks and I was on my way.

Kane and Aunt Debbie: thanks so much for letting stay at your house and visit. It was such a great time seeing you, especially since I dont make it out that way very often. Kane, thanks for excellent hospitality. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was distracted only because I was having a great time.

That Sunday, I started my trek to St. Meinrad, IN to see my buddy Jeff H. My drive took me across the NY countryside. As I passed through countless small towns on the interstate, I admired the rolling hills and expansive farmland.

At one point, I stopped for gas at Salamanca, NY. While at the pump, this guy in his late 50's wearing a suit walks up and asks if he can fill my gas tank up. Wha?!? I had just filled up so I told him so. Pretty much, he just wanted a ride down the street; he had called a cab but he didnt want to wait for it. He said he worked at the casino down the street, and it was just a half mile down the way, but it was hot and he didnt want to sweat it out on the walk. He was overweight, and it was unseasonably hot, plus he showed me his casino badge that he was wearing around his neck. I gave this guy an ocular pat down, and I cleared him as a threat. I gave him a ride. On the very short, trip he told me he was head of security at the casino. He said that he was mentioned in the book that Zach Galifinakas' character was reading in 'The Hangover' (an odd reference), and that he had helped to bust the card counters from the movie '21' when he used to work in Atlantic City. He also insisted I take $10. It was a 3 min drive, and I got him to his destination. Welp, I finally picked up a hitch hiker.

Later on I stopped at truck stop for dinner (subway) and to decide whether I was going to brave the storm. The Cowboys game was on, and I was amazed at the number of jersey wearing fans were at this truck stop in NY. Romo choked, and I decided to push on through the storm. The storm just barely missed me, although I caught a bit of rain in the tip of the storm cell. As I drove through the aftermath of the storm, tree branches and debris littered the highway. I was glad to miss the bad stuff.

At some point, I had to stop for an emergency bathroom break (subway) in the middle of nowhere. I stopped at this gas station that had a lit sign, but no numbers in place where the gas prices should be. From the highway, I couldnt tell if it was open or not, but I decided to try anyways. As I pulled up, there were two women in a Honda that had just pulled into the parking lot. It appeared that they were trying to decide if this place was open, and if they should go in. At that moment, two old beat up pickups filled with rednecks pulled up and went inside. The women drove off, and I laughed. For me, this was an emergency situation, so I didnt really have a choice. This gas station was shady as hell. It had a big banner out front that read "under new managment" but was old and falling apart. They didnt sell gas, only beer and other random crap. As I bolted for the bathroom, I noticed that connecting restaurant/casino that was all shut down and covered in plastic. Eerie as hell. The bathroom looked like a scene from Desperado, and I was just waiting to get shanked. I finished my business, and left without looking back. I felt like I just lived a scene from "From Dusk till Dawn".

I spent the night at a motel in Chilicothe, OH because I could get a cheap rate in the middle of the country side. In the morning, I took a nice country detour across the Ohio countryside. I wouldnt have minded stopping to see the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, but I didnt have time. The country drive was beautiful, and I briefly drove through Louisville, KY.

Of course their arena is named after KFC.

After Louisville, I was cruising through farm land in Indiana on my way to St. Meinrad. St. Meinrad is the name of the town, but the only thing in the town is St. Meinrad's Archabbey, which houses a Benedictine monastery and a seminary for Catholic priests. My buddy Jeff H. is currently studying to become a priest there, and I had been meaning to visit him for a while.