Weekend Thoughts for 10/18/09

I came to the conclusion that on some assignments, there's simply not going to be enough things to write about on a daily basis. It hasn't been a very busy week, but I did notice quite a few things this week....

• Clementine's, one of the more popular restaurants here in South Haven, has some of the best onion rings around (or so I am told by people that know more about these things). They come stacked on a paper towel holder (with the stick in the middle), and come in either 6" or 1 foot size orders. Apparently they sold 6 miles worth last year. That's quite a lot of onion rings in 1 foot increments
• I went to the South Haven library's book sale on Thursday morning. Now, the library is interesting to begin with. When we drove into town, their marquee sign out front said "Get your banned books here." So I was not really surprised when I got to the library when it opened, and there were about 15 people waiting as well. The book sale had quite a few books I picked up, and I have plenty to read from now until we leave (and potentially more)
• We decided to venture out again in search of Chinese food, entirely due to a recommendation (and offer to go with) one of Brynn's co-workers. She was right! Excellent Chinese food in Mattawan (about 25 minutes east of Watervliet) at Chinn Chinn. Definitely a keeper, and we'll have to try to get back there again before we leave Michigan.
• We are definitely not in California anymore: On our way home on Friday night, we passed through the town of Paw-Paw, which is the county seat. In their downtown area (which seemed very nice as we passed through it) was an apartment for rent: 2 bedroom with electric and gas paid = $495 per month. Definitely not in California.
• The speed limits in the state of Illinois, for the most part, are 55 mph on the freeway. What the sign should probably say is SUGGESTED speed limit, 55 mph. At no point was there anyone I saw doing less than 65 mph, even with cops on the road. At one point, some genius in a van caught up with the cop, and was riding him in the hopes that he would get out of the way. After about a quarter of a mile, he finally gave up. I'm not sure what was going on, but even that seems ridiculous to me.
• I had been to Portillo's/Barnelli's before, but apparently had forgotten how good it was. They (in most locations) are a combination restaurant with two counters, one Italian food, and the other hot dogs. Brynn's favorite is the Peasant Pasta.
• We also stopped in at the outlets in Michigan City, Indiana today. Most notably missing from the photo on their front page would be the cooling tower that sits in the background of the shopping center. It is apparently not a nuclear reactor, so I guess that should make me feel a little better.