My friend Jackie owns and operates Zulu Dog + Cat Boutique on Lincoln Ave in Chicago and has been a very good friend for over 20 years and both enjoy the same type of music/entertainment. Over the weekend she had a trip she had to make to far north Michigan a very long drive and she had rented an SUV and book a hotel for the overnight trip to pick up some cats to transfer to Benton Harbor MI and back home in Chicago. I agreed to go along for the ride as I badly needed to get out of Chicago, I haven’t been away since last December other than to visit my good friends in the Lockport area last spring. I was very anxious as I was prepared to be picked up at 730 AM but JJ was running 40 minutes late. Luckily traffic was surprisingly light and the weather was PERFECT for such a long commute and besides when I mapped out the journey noticed Cadillac MI was on the way. A HUGE PLUS!

A little Electric Hellfire Club music for part of our drive. We also played KISS Dressed to Kill, and two MKULTRASOUND PodCasts, the homo show and the show with Thomas Thorn of EHC

Blue skies and big white fluffy clouds and mild tempos our entire ride up. Coming back the weather in Michigan was rainy and cloudy but by the time we hit our CST Time Zone it was bright and blue again.

This trip would be far less stressful than my 2 previous road trips into the state. The 5 plus hour train ride to Detroit back in 2024 wasn’t bad but my 2 prior visits were uncomfortable. Jackie is a good driving companion I learned.

Culver’s – 7393 Cottonwood Dr, Jenison MI

All Culver’s are not created the equal. The staff truly make all of the difference and this location is testament to that. We were hungry and had been on the road for over 4 hours. It was 114 PM when we exited at Jenison, MI to grab a lunch at Culvers. We’re both huge Culvers fans but other than one visit to a location in New Glarus WI 20 years ago have not had any in the City of Chicago till a couple of years ago and its been a treat each and every time. Unfortunately the customer service in Chicago isn’t always friendly as the staff usually act as through they are doing you a favor by taking your order. I’ve never walked away from the counter with a smile until this visit.

Culvers #263 in Jenison MI is clean, safe, delicious and very friendly. I saw that they had a new limited edition burger that I had to try and am I glad that I did. A TRUE GAME CHANGER: The Pepper Grinder Pub Burger. It was so good that I bought another on my way home to Chicago. But it wasn’t just the burger that was impressive. The clerk at Register #3 at the 1 PM hour was very friendly and referred to my LA GUNS shirts and talked about how much he likes the band and wanting to see them live. My friend who was driving on this long road trip had the Mushroom and Swiss Melt which is her favorite and she mentioned how rare it was to have very friendly and pleasant service something that is very unfamiliar at a particular Chicago location. When our orders were brought to our table it as with a smile.

We’re coming back through in a few months and will be making the stop again.

The Pepper Grinder Pub Burger, which features a zesty pepper mayo blend layered on a savory everything bun, two slices of crispy bacon, and both Swiss and cheddar cheese, has not been on a Culver’s menu in nearly two years.

At the KISS Cadillac Homecoming 40th Anniversary Celebration, the only monument to KISS in the world was unveiled. This magnificent monolith is over 8 feet tall, 5 feet wide, weighs 5000 pounds, and is etched in midnight black granite.

The monument’s permanent home is at the southeast corner of the Veterans Memorial Stadium complex on Chestnut Street next to Cadillac Junior High.

KISStown USA

In 1975, KISS was an outrageous band from New York City on the cusp of superstardom when they took Cadillac by storm. How this event came together is one of the most unlikely stories in rock & roll history!

Experience the Cadillac KISStory Tour, a 2.5 mile walking tour of the Cadillac KISStorical sites that have become famous since the band’s visit to Cadillac. There are four stops around Cadillac where fans can retrace the steps the band took from way back in 1975. Each commemorative marker features classic photos and an explanation of why the spot is significant in the story. Watch Jim Neff, the 1975 assistant football coach, telling about some of the highlights that go along with each stop in the links below. In 2015, the first and only ever KISS monument was unveiled as a part of this tour and fans from all over the world visit it each year. Join us in 2025 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this legendary event with an enhanced KISStory tour and other special activities!

We drove from Chicago, IL to Harbor Springs, MI a total of 370 miles and had a few stops along the way including stopping to see the KISS Monument in Cadillac MI and were hungry and exhausted by the time we arrived at our hotel in Harbor Springs. Without stops it would have been 6 hours and 18 minutes and we had been on the road for about 8 hours. It was already dusk when we checked in and the check in was fast and friendly. The front desk attendant was very nice and explained where the pool, ice and breakfast were and we asked about a local restaurant called Rodrigo’s and her response was positive but that it would be busy. We were able to park at the door of our room and once inside were both overwhelmed by how very clean and spacious the room was for a very good rate. We inspected the shower and it was very clean and everything as far as the furnishings looked very new. I connected my laptop and the Wi-Fi was very good and there were plenty of electrical outlets throughout the room.

After dinner we went to the pool area for some jacuzzi time and everything was also very clean and well maintained. Once again it all looked brand new. I’m very glad that although we had business in Petoskey the next morning that we stayed at this particular Best Western.

By the time we sent to our beds I fell fast asleep and the beds were big and very very comfortable

The shower was nice but a lot of water went onto the floor but it was fine and the shampoo and conditioner were above par and better than what I brought along.

Breakfast was at 7 AM and all of the options were very nice. They had all types of cereal and oatmeal as well as fruits, scrambled eggs and ham. muffins, waffles as well as a wide variety of juice’s and milk. Most definitely a huge bonus.

We have to return in a few months and will more than likely stay at the same hotel. I simply cannot say enough good things about this establishment.

I think we were most impressed by the cleanliness.

Thank you to the kind and attentive staff.

Rodrigo’s Tex-Mex Restaurant 7593 S State St Harbor Springs, MI

Don’t allow the exterior to fool you! This place is an authentic as it gets and has very cool décor.

I found Rodrigo’s Tex-Mex online via a Google search. from home in Chicago. We had a long drive ahead of us and we had been on the road for well over 8 hours. WE WERE VERY HUNGRY! We found ourselves inside of Rodrigo’s at capacity and there was a 20 minute wait so we settled for seats at the bar as we were needing to ingest some flavorful cuisine. As it turned out sitting at the bar was a very worthwhile experience.

We ordered our drinks which were prepared with precision and care right in front of s as our appetizer was served. We opted for the Rodrigos Queso with beef smothered in delicious creamy Mexican queso along with lots of black pepper and a hint of jalapeno! ! Possibly the best I have ever had! I actually inquired how it was made.

The staff were very fun and friendly and we were both equally impressed with out entrees. My friend has fajitas and i went right for a trio of tacos. Traditional soft traditional tacos with shrimp, carnitas and beef. Full of flavor. The tortillas as well as the chips were all made in house and were over the top.

Going to a touristy destination in far north Michigan the skeptic in me did not expect quality Mexican food but was wrong. Rodrigo’s far exceeded my expectations and was filling thus solving our hunger issues and we had a pretty good time as well.

Big thanks sand applause to the cooks and the staff at a wonderful and worthwhile dining experience.

Bob Evans in Petoskey, MI 1910 Sus Highway 131

We were on a road trip from Chicago to Petoskey and before heading home needed a good hearty breakfast. My friend Jackie had never been to a Bob Evans and we don’t have a location in Chicago and I told her she must try it. You can never go wrong with Bob Evans anytime of the day or night. We arrived and were seated immediately and our server was ready to take our order as soon as we sat. She was very friendly and our food came out very quickly.

I ordered a cup of sausage gravy which is my personal favorite and the Everything Breakfast which has ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, cheese and vegetables. Jackie tried the Big Wrangler Breakfast with biscuits, sausage gravy, two eggs, cheddar cheese and green onions.

Everything was superb and its just seems the portions are smaller than the last time I ate at Bob Evans in Steubenville OH a year ago where the services as as horrendous as the city. Our service and the speed of which were were able to eat made up for the size of the portions. Its just that way everywhere currently considering the economy.

Jackie is now a new fan and I am a lifelong regular and former employee from the mid 1980’s.

We had a final destination Saturday morning in Petoskey originally to pick up 4 cats and then ity became 2. One was a big black beauty by the name of Nico who was supposed to be picked up and dropped off in Benton Harbor. The owner / Mama Linda a very eccentric older lady who decided she wanted the cat to go to me. And now as it turns out we’re going back in 3-4 months to pick up another who I will be bringing home.

The energy in Linda’s condo was strong, there was an obvious aura and I think she felt mine. I absolutely adored her the moment we met. She was in tears as she had to let her babies go and I was amazed as I watched Jackie do her magic and comfort and consul her. It was sad and beautiful all at the same time.

I will have photos of Nico as soon as he comes out from hiding I’ve seen him a few times. Spooky was the same way at first and now he’s all over me.

Do I mind going back to norther Michigan.? HELL NO!

I discovered Nico in the cat tree Monday afternoon so he was making more progress in a day and a half than Spooky did in 5 day. Later when I was done with work and stepped into the living room he began to socialize. He s a VERY loving and affection feline. He’s an 11 year old male and very BIG.