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Daddy/Daughter
- michael832652
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
June 20-21, 2025 Detroit (Clarkston) and Cleveland (Akron)
Another chance for a Lake Erie Loop! This time in the opposite direction from Toronto to Detroit to Cleveland and home. The Outlaw Music Festival on tour again for it's 10th anniversary and again featuring Bob and Willie and some amazing supporting acts. I was planning on this mini 2 nighter tour with one of my dear old friends, when he calls me a week before and says his sister is coming in from LA and he can't make it - what to do? what to do? I do what my first thought was, ask my wallet draining kid to join me on what I knew was going to be a yes! She's game for anything, she's sweet as anything, she's smart, kind and important! Road trip partner replaced and it worked out so great. She was so excited to see Willie and be out on the road to experience what her old man has done so many times before and she is a leaf off the tree for sure. I have taken her to see Bob, but that was in Toronto and it was on the last tour where the set lists weren't as exciting for new fans of the man who never disappoints. We set out Friday morning with a 2 hour drive and a bit to the border in Sarnia, crossed and onto Auburn Hills, hotel at 2 for a nap and then off to Bob Seger Drive - Pine Knob a fantastic amphitheater and recommend anyone going. They have a built a real village amongst the pines with tasty food and it's well laid out. I do recommend seating always there as the lawns are quite steep, but still fun. For night 1, I wanted her to see Willie up close, so we got some great seats, on the aisle, of course, as I find it difficult to sit down especially for Bob. It was a great night one, meeting folks from all over, impressed with my daughter and her knowledge of music and we danced and laughed and enjoyed a great lineup of music - on this leg of the tour, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Trampled By Turtles and Myron Elkins - really nice lineup. You should all see Nathaniel Rateliff live - he is fantastic with lots of energy and a wonderful songwriter - had the crowd up and dancing. Merch stand was hit, tacos were devoured and a few daddy drinks for me. Driven to and from the show by a local man who was terrific, met us after in the spot he said he was going to be - a loaded mini van full of others and off we go to the hotel. "Dad, I'm hungry" I here her say. " It's 11:30 and we are really in the middle of nowhere", I respond. "Look, there's a McDonald's!" "Oy vey". We walk from the hotel a few minutes and closed - but the drive through was open. While we attempt to walk through the drive through, denied! Rules are rules, I guess. As we turn to head home, a car pulls up and a lovely young lady who was at the show jokingly says to us "It's a drive through guys, trying to get yourself killed?" I tell her the gut won't serve us on foot, without missing a beat, she says, "hop in! I respond, "I'm buying". My girl got her McDonald's and a small piece of the many amazing, kind and wonderful people there are when you are on the road. Something different about seeing a show out of town, something unique, something special. Off to Blossom Music Center for night 2 and speaking of special and unique, this barn is all that. I can only say that you have to go see a night of music here, whatever it might be. We were further back for night 2 but just as real and in fact a better crowd and Bob and Nathaniel and Willie were more alive, you could hear and see it. I guess with Bob at 84 and Willie at 92, alive is a good thing but they can both put on a show. 2 great nights and heading home - a surprise though that I didn't let her know about was a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame! We pulled up to the building and she had no idea and jaw on the floor - ear to ear and so excited. 4 hours later we emerge and laughing and smiling and exhilarated. This was my 4th time to the hall, but is was Gwen Stefani (No Doubt) the most special visit of them all. On the road again, and arrival home at 8PM on Sunday night. Loop closed. We had a blast and this was the first, I hope, of many daddy/daughter trips. Saw 2 great shows, ate great, drove through 4 states and of course slept well!
SET UP
Night 1 at the Towneplace Suites Auburn Hills by Marriot - about a 10 min drive to the venue. 1 king bed as this was all they had. Large room, with a full kitchenette and fridge and all the amenities - big bathroom and clean! Inexpensive and included a free breakfast - did I mention there was a McDonald's within walking distance? Night 2 was at a Hilton, I like to share the love, Home2Suites Akron - again about a 10 minute drive to the venue and same set up here with 1 king bed and a kitchenette and really just fine for the amount of time we were in the rooms.
MATTRESS
Serta Perfect Sleeper at the Hilton and Simmons Beautyrest at the Marriott. As per usual, and both really nice, on the plusher side with some small pillow tops. Full zipper encasements and bed bug lock, so rest easy. Both these brands have merged over the years and are now calle dthe SSB Company and quite frankly very similar. I sell them at the store and both brands have a variety of comforts to choose from. These matts are what I come to expect from these hotel chains and I don't complain, as long as they are on the newer end of the production cycle and haven't worn out completely. You will get a good night's sleep on these well built mattresses.
SLEEP
Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain, but actually everything is just about the same, says my good fried John Prine. Well rested after 2 nights of good music and no real schedule, although I wanted to hit the Hall a bit earlier so we woke up day 2 at 8, giving us 8 hours each night. Rooms were pleasant and the AC wasn't overly loud nor were the rooms dry. It was hot! We caught a bit of a heat wave, so although the AC was pumping all night, we were not disturbed by it.
OVERALL
I mean, showing your kids what you do and they actually take to it? Jackpot, homerun, touchdown, goal and BOOM! What a great loop and what a great adventure with my sweet baby girl who thrived on being away with me alone. She made a great playlist for the ride and we talked about some great stuff - she still had some time for her machine and the tiktok but we managed a real bonding moment and can't wait to do it again. 🎺🎷🎸🎹✌🎶🎻😊🌞🤣😎
GREAT REALTED LINKS
https://cordeliacle.com/ shared the b.e.c, burger box and the french toast fries! Excellent spot on 4th St downtown Cleveland
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