June 20, 2009 - Durham, NC to Hickory, NC

OK, first things first.The air conditioner in the car was dead. The temperature was in the 90's. We needed help. Serious help.Nope. Painting happy trees wouldn't do it. We called in the professionals.Thank you Roshan! We love you Roshan! Congratulations on your status as Uncle Roshan! Now, for food.And a car baptism. I mean wash.We found a Harley shop having a party!Hey man, can I get a lift?L.P. Frans Stadium, home of the Hickory Crawdads. The Hickory Crawdads (single A for the Texas Rangers) were playing the West Virginia Power (single A for the pittsburgh Pirates).The unofficial mascotTodd looks like he could use some help.Yee-Haw!The field The emcee One of the dining options Where we ate Dirtball The Hot Dog Toss! Stephanie HAS $2.00!! This is Erik, the concessions master. He really needs to get some helmet cups.
RUN!!!

This is Ryan Kelly, pitcher for the Power. We hung out with his parents earlier at the Crawdad Cafe. Build a BBQ Sandwich Challenge! And we were there! The Crawdads beat the Power. They just plain unplugged them.
This is Mike, father of Ryan (the pitcher for the Power). Stephanie thinks he has a silly tattoo. Todd likes his tattoo.

After the game, we went to Drips Cafe in downtown Hickory. They are a coffee shop by day and a music club at night. The perfect combination! And...WE FOUND METAL!!! This is the Generation of Vipers.


And a big shout-out to Bradley Ingels! He had our names announced over the PA! And if you're ever in Hickory, NC and need a car, pay him a visit at Armstrong Ford!

Another big hello to the altakaka and his fakakta wife!

Our assessment: Hickory is the friendliest city in America!

Charity of the day: Parkinson's Disease www.michaeljfox.org
In memory of Stephanie's father on the day before Father's Day.

Music of the day: Graveyard BBQ www.myspace.com/graveyardbbq
Hickory, barbeque, you get it. These guys rock!