Day 99—Sunday, April 19th
Great Lakes Brewing Company Bar (At the Cleveland Airport)
First off, let me thank James Brennan from Port Clinton, Ohio for sending in a donation of five bucks! His stated purpose on the PayPal form was, “To your health, Marty.” Thanks James, I found out this week that people in Ohio are very nice and generous and this donation was the icing on the cake!
Okay, we’ve been to bars in the evening and we’ve been to bars in the afternoon. Now we get to go to a bar in the morning, because my flight leaves at 1:00 pm and I’m obsessive and nuts about getting to the airport early. I don’t like to be late for anything, especially for a flight. And this way, if we’ve got a couple hours to kill, baboom, we go to a bar and my work for this Sunday is over (until I get home and have to resize photos and write copy and captions). Let’s go!
Okay, we're here at gate A5, it's 10:24 on a Sunday morning and we've got two hours to kill. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Airport bar!
The thing I love about airport bars is that they're judgement-free zones. No one gives you attitude about ordering a beer at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. Bartender John happily serves up the first Great Lakes beers of the morning.
Cheers, let the take-off begin!
So far, it's just me at the bar, but I'm sure business will pick up. It always does at airport bars.
The only beer on tap is Great Lakes, which I was introduced to at Sean and Mary's dinner party on Friday. Here's the website: Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Finally someone else joins me at the bar. Here's Scott with his Bloody Mary. Scott was heading off to San Antonio later in the day.
Hot dogs!
Here's Matt Smith, President of RadioActive Electronics (440-632-1600.) He's a Browns fan and has this message for commentator Biff: GO BROWNS! He also told me about an antique store in Brooklyn his friend owns, check it out here: Holler and Squall.
Doug Case was holding down the end of the bar and is a business manager for The Finefrock Law Firm. in Scottsdale, Arizona. They specialize in D.U.I. cases so you may want to bookmark this website: www.finefrocklawfirm.com.
The lovely and friendly bartender Tonya served up the last drink. It's just about time to board the plane.
And here we are, all boarded up and ready to fly back to New York.
And before you know it, here comes my good friend Mr. Drink Cart!
Hmm, this is how we started out, the trip has come full circle!
And now the obligatory bathroom mirror on a plane shot. Goodnight everybody...or good morning...whatever.
Review
It’s an airport bar and the bartenders are friendly here. As with all airport bars, the mood and clientle change constantly, but also as all airport bars go, no one looks sideways at you when you order a beer at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. I like that. And I should’ve gotten a hot dog. Maybe next time.
And once again, thanks to Cleveland’s Minister of Culture, Michael Heaton for being a wonderful host and bar guide! Everybody I met at the Plain Dealer and in Cleveland were super cool, friendly and nice. I have to return before the crawl is over! Cleveland rocks!
Great Lakes Brewing Company Bar