Ran up to Philly yesterday. Had grand plans, but they ended less than in grand fashion. Still, a good trip.<br/><br/>Started off at <a href=”http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8973868/” target=”_blank”>Chubby’s</a> for a cheesesteak. Met up with <a href=”http://chris.derecola.com/” target=”_blank”>Chris</a> since he was also in town and had nothing better to do. According to him, these were the best cheesesteaks in town. My opinion? Wrong. I can’t recall cheesesteaks from each of the famous shops, but I know I didn’t have to wait 20+ minutes at them for a soggy breaded pile of just so-so meat. Next time I’m in the area, <a href=”http://www.gophila.com/C/Dining_and_Nightlife/223/Dining_Restaurants_and_Food_in_Philadelphia/221/Authentic_Philly_Cheesesteaks/361/U/Dalessandros_Steaks/1043.html” target=”_blank”>Delassandro’s</a>, right across the street, will be getting my business.<br/><br/>Afterwards, we ran over to Chris’ friend’s house “just a couple miles from center city,” which turned out to be more like 15 miles out. We dropped his car off and then headed to our main attraction, <a href=”http://www.lineagegallery.com/” target=”_blank”>Lineage Gallery</a>. Unfortunately, upon our arrival, we were turned away by lights not lit and locked doors (note: this was totally within their operating hours). Luckily, the gallery and pieces I really wanted to see were window-facing so I got to catch them. I’m really not pleased since this was really the entire reason for my trip. I left them some not-so-kind words via e-mail, but anyone who unannoucedly closes an attraction that people might be traveling far for, wouldn’t care.<br/><br/>From there, we jaunted down <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_Street_%28Philadelphia%29″ target=”_blank”>Market Street</a>, checked out the <a href=”http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/” target=”_blank”>Liberty Bell</a>, did some shopping in <a href=”http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/” target=”_blank”>Reading Terminal Market</a>, ran through the worst mall in the world, <a href=”http://www.galleryatmarketeast.com/” target=”_blank”>The Gallery</a>, and then parted ways. Rather than taking him the hike back up to his car, he waited by the bus station for a friend to arrive (via bus) and then another friend was picking them up en route to their festivities.<br/><br/>Following Philly, I made my way down 95 with Baltimore in my sights. Got there, parked, watched as some lady back in to my car twice trying to get out of her spot (she had several more feet to work with than I did and I didn’t hit anyone), marveled at the fact that I surely left two gouges in her bumper (she had a collection, it looked like her bumper had been through a meat grinder), verified I didn’t have any damage, and made my way up the street to Erin’s sister, Jen’s, house. Unloaded my bags, grabbed some grub at the local Italian place, installed a thermostat in her house, went to sleep, woke up this morning, grabbed a quick bite, and then it was race time…<br/>