A Great Event and an Even Better Sandwich

In Ann Arbor we spent the afternoon and evening hanging out with the good folks at the University of Michigan Outdoor Adventures program. They were braving the chilly spring weather and having a camp out on Elbel Field, and their director, Jeannette Stawski, was kind enough to invite the bus along. It was one of our best events of the trip, and we talked to tons of excited students and quite a few NOLS alumni, including a couple of Rocky Mountain grads from 1985 and 1978.

In addition to once and future students, we also had a couple of special visitors come to the event. Bus alum and Michigan native Jared Pangretic stopped by to hang out with the crew, and Brian’s dad drove in from Toledo, Ohio to see the bus and experience a part of Brian’s life with NOLS. It was a great location, great atmosphere, and the whole team at Outdoor Adventures showed us a great time. We wish them the best of luck with their programs!

The next morning the four of us (Matthew, Brian, Christi and Emanuel) went into downtown Ann Arbor to have a late breakfast at Zingerman’s, the Jewish deli to end all Jewish delis. We feasted on what we unanimously agreed were some of the best sandwiches on the planet after fighting and clawing our way through a line that stretched out the door and around the corner (the girl at the door handing out free samples was another NOLS grad!)

On our way south to Bloomington, Indiana we picked up a gentleman by the name of Michael Mandlin who is hitchhiking around the country and writing a book on professional basketball. We were able to give him a ride into Fort Wayne, and before saying goodbye Michael suited up with the rest of us to collect a tank full of veggie oil. He’s been on the road for a while, but assured us that we were the first veg-powered bus that had ever offered him a ride.

It’s the best part of being on the road…sharing unique experiences with people you encounter entirely by chance…leaving yourself open to the random moments that add spice to the journey.

Christi