Looking back on the day, hard to believe the sheer variety in what I encountered. From an early 1800s cemetery in the middle of cornfields, to the mansions of Marshall, to a reindeer farm, Michigan continues to surprise me. A pleasant amount of street art across these little towns and cities- I think I've been convinced to buy a Coke and "Believe in Battle Creek" (which for some reason I really do, even though it's a place known best for previously making a lot of cereal...). Registered my first flat of the journey thanks to one massive splinter, so I'm glad I practiced before I left. Highlight of the day came as I was checking out what was formerly Cascarelli's restaurant in Albion. The building facade caught my attention and a note on the door said they had closed after 115 years and 5 generations of family members (!). As I was reading the note, the door opened and none other than Jim Cascarelli, the 80 year old owner walked out and offered me some water. I declined, but asked if he'd mind showing me the inside of his Albion-staple restaurant. He happily obliged and proceeded to share with me the history of the place. Jim was filled with stories- how he came about his limited edition peanut roaster, how he served as Mayor of Albion (and lost reelection to his high school algebra teacher), and how university faculty used the restaurant as a excavation site for relics. It was clear he wasn't ready to let the place go- he offered a job to a man walking down the street at his restaurant that wasn't even open. I can only hope that the next time I'm in Albion, I can surprise Jim as he treats me to a hot plate of food at Cascarelli's.