I had this idea to pick up wine from local wineries on our trip and we found one not too far from our hotel. After driving our rig through the windy roads of the Pennsylvania countryside, we arrived at Bee Kind Winery at 10 a.m. After a quick wine tasting (Clint did not partake), we left with six bottles of Bone Dry Red Wine and some delicious beef jerky. If you ever find yourself in Clearfield, PA definitely make the trip out here.

On our way out, a woman said to Clint, “I see a giant moving truck with a panda head and a case of wine. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on.” Clint responded (with a honey stick in his mouth), “you’re never going to figure this one out.” I’m pretty sure he freaked her out.

Back on the road – we’re driving through the gorgeous hills, looking at the bluffs and rivers and we see a sign for Punxsutawney. With one glance we decide we have to check out Gobblers Knob – better late than never, right? We find ourselves navigating our truck through windy hills for the second time that day for about a half hour and as we enter the town of Punxsutawney we’re greeted by about 317 statues of groundhogs. They’re EVERYWHERE. In every color imaginable. It’s awesome. We arrive at Gobblers Knob and take so many amazing pictures:

We make it to Cleveland, drove around downtown, got lost and made our way to the awesome neighborhood of Tremont (this is where the house from A Christmas Story is located). We stopped at a coffee shop to recharge (ourselves and our phones), visited some of the local shops and picked up some cupcakes from Cookies & Cakes.

We had dinner at Lolita – a restaurant I discovered while watching The Best Thing I Ever Ate and had a really great, much-needed, healthy dinner. It was one of the best meals we had in a while and after two days on the road we were ready for some seriously good food. The next time you’re in Cleveland go there.

We spent the night outside of Cleveland so we could have a shorter drive to Chicago the next day, so we took off for Freemont, OH and stayed in a dumpy Comfort Inn (that’s what we get for not staying at a Holiday Inn Express). Tomorrow –we’re off to Chicago to spend the night with our friends. We’re going to check out a Mexican sandwich place we’ve been wanting to try and then heading to Lincoln Square to listen to our friend’s band, The Congregation, play at Martyrs. We’ll be going to sleep extra early tonight.

Then, in typical New York fashion, we went to pull out of the parking spot and couldn’t drive forward on our narrow one-way street because the Laundromat across the street had a visit from seven fire trucks and a semi. Needless to say, we couldn’t get through.

Since there was no room to turn around we had to drive backwards down the street to get out. With the help of three guys we moved the cones blocking the street (the entire block was closed because of the Laundromat) and maneuvered onto 1^st Avenue. It was one of those NYC experiences that make you feel so good  - like all of the starts are aligned – and it made us a little sad to be leaving.

Fast forward five minutes, we’re driving through SoHo on our way out of the city and just as we realized we were driving in a bus lane – with everyone else – a cop pulled us over and gave us a ticket. Awesome. But. appropriate That’s how our time in NYC has been – we’ll have an amazing NYC-experience and most often it’s followed by a kick in the butt from the city. A reminder not to get too comfortable, I think.

We pulled out, thanking NYC for robbing our bank accounts one last time and headed into Jersey then on to Pennsylvania. So, that’s day one of the trip. Check back tomorrow for some more pics as we are on our way into Cleveland in the morning.

Why We’re Here: Twin Cities from Seven and Sixty Productions on Vimeo.

With all the possibilities around the world, what is the “it” that keeps people here in the Twin Cities? We suspected the answer to the question “Why We’re Here” was both simple and incredibly nuanced — worthy of art. We took our camera to the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul to find people willing to talk, unscripted, on film. The result is our collective love poem to the Twin Cities.

Produced in association with the Minnesota Culture Club. Visit them at mncultureclub.com.

Looking forward to a great 2012.

We’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in two amazing cities – Chicago and New York. Our time in these cities has been invaluable and we’ve made countless cherished memories and friends. Over the past year or so, we’ve been feeling more and more drawn to a life that allows us to spend more time with family and plant deeper roots in a community.

You may have seen it coming, with our newest line of tees and our 2012 nonprofit partner, but in case you didn’t we’re very excited to fill everyone in on our big plans. On February 1, we’re packing up our tiny apartment in the East Village and making the trek back to Minneapolis.

Once there we’ll set up shop in our new apartment in the Warehouse District in Minneapolis and start planting our feet in the community. We’re excited to get involved with our new nonprofit partner, Minnesota Computers for Schools, and will be sharing exciting updates on that front shortly! Also, stay tuned as we begin to announce the availability of our shirts at some of the city’s best boutiques, like this one.

We’ll be documenting the trip by sharing our playlists, favorite books on tape, pictures and some video so be sure to check the blog, Facebook and Twitter pages once in awhile From Feb. 1 – 5. Have music or book suggestions? Want to place a bets on whether we’ll get stuck in snow around the Great Lakes? Let us know in the comment section below!

That said, we’re very excited to announce that in 2012 our nonprofit partner will be Minnesota Computers for Schools. It was a pretty natural fit because not only does it meet our two requirements, but they also help create change in the world of recycling and prisoner rehabilitation – two issues that are also close to our hearts.

Since 1997, MCFS has placed nearly 60,000 computers in schools and nonprofits in Minnesota. This amazing organization trains Stillwater Correctional Facility inmates to refurbish computers donated by local businesses. The computers are then shipped to K-12 schools and nonprofits across the state for a nominal fee.

We’ll be giving you more information on this amazing organization and how your purchases go to helping them provide technology to those in need. You can get updates on our blog, Facebook, Twitter and in our e-newsletter.

Tired of hearing from us? Each month Executive Director, Tammy Gillard, will be writing guest posts on our blog to fill you in on what’s happening at MCFS. In the mean time, learn more about our new friends here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends, family and supporters.

No traffic on the BQE.

NPR: Jingle Another Way: Holiday Music For The Rest Of Us
Every song on this mix is performed by monkeys. Every. Last. One.

SomaFM: Xmas in Frisko
SomaFM’s wacky and eclectic holiday mix. Not for the easily offended.

Minnesota Public Radio: Holiday Classics
Seasonal Holiday classical music from Minnesota Public Radio.

Minnesota Public Radio: Music For Holiday Living
holiday specials listed below which feature Minnesota touches, including the Minnesota Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Berlioz’s Childhood of Christ, and the Chanukah special Candles Burning Brightly with Classical Minnesota Public Radio hosts Bill Morelock and Mindy Ratner.

And of course you can always come back to the Scared Panda Holiday Mix ’11.