Open All Night

I decided to take a half-voyage this week, driving only halfway back on Sunday so that I could spend a wee bit more time at home. (You know you spend too much time away from home when you notice that your bathroom towels have dust on them). I decided to stop halfway, at an exit I often stop at. The city is ironically named Michigan City, Indiana. I enjoy exits that have lots of choices, and this is no exception. Within walking distance of my hotel there is a Texas Corral, Ryan’s, Damon’s, BW3, Steak and Shake (now you see why I often stop at this exit), and a White Castle (never stopped at during a road trip for good reason). There are also 2! House of Pancakes, the International variety and also “Sophia’s.” I am really not sure why there is a need for two, and why they are across the street from one another. I like to think in my convoluted mind that Sophia was a waitress at IHOP who became disillusioned when IHOP stole her recipe for
chocolate chip pancakes or something like that.

Despite the fact that there is way more nearby than possible to take in for an evening, I decided to venture north for 5 miles. I did this because I always see highway ads for the Shoreline Brewery. I also knew that a casino was up there, which combined were beyond enough to pique my interest. A cursory glance at the map told me that both were due north of my exit. Despite this fact, all highway signs direct you to stop a few exits sooner. I ignored this fact and proceeded north, past the aforementioned restaurants, soon to find why the signs tell you to go another way. Four thrift stores AND two rent a centre type places in a one mile stretch? Have you ever seen a Goodwill that shares a building with a supermarket? And what the hell is a “young men’s club?” I eventually got to the casino, and found that it was bordered by some rather destitute dwellings, which always seems odd to me. Knowing that I would walk around for at least an hour,
and not wanting to do so, I instead ventured off to the Shoreline.

Well – at least the restaurant. How can an establishment be named the Shoreline and not be within sight of the water? It was within sight of a nuclear reactor at least. A couple blocks from water make not Shoreline, say Yoda. The appearance of the place was somewhat disappointing, as it was far from kept up. The items were a little pricey, and they don’t make their own root beer (which was my hope). Despite this fact, there were a few sets of good reasons that made me decide to stay. And the food was very good, surprisingly good for a brewery.

Heading back I passed an outlet mall. I spent most of the drive back (at least when I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I didn’t want to make a complete stop) wondering why the outlet mall was that far from the highway, especially when there was no signage for it. This passed the time until I got back and noticed all the lights were on in my room. This was curious to me until I realised that I did leave them on (I never do that). I couldn’t check on the lights though, because apparently my phone had managed to demagnetise my key card. And, how do all these studies come out and say that a phone in the pocket does not make a man sterile? Well – I am not taking any chances, and that is why I have typed this whole entry with my laptop sitting on my crotch.

Lamenting my potent reproductive capability,
-Michael

P.S. You arrive at your room with two beds. One bed is made traditionally, with the comforter up over the pillows. The other is made to look “fancy”, with the comforter drawn halfway back. Which do you choose?