Monday, July 21, 2024, Road to the National
The National is a five-day show -- Wednesday through Sunday. Normally, I set up on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, I am now a little infirm and can't handle setting up Wednesday morning then remain open for business through 8 p.m. So, I paid an extra $100 for the privilege of setting up on Tuesday, something I have never done before.
Dave and I planned to leave Monday around noon and arrive in Cleveland around dinner time, relax, then head over to the Convention Center Tuesday morning for set up. As it always seems to go, I had to get some work done for my real job in the morning on Monday and into the afternoon. I had hoped to be out of the house by 11 a.m. but ended up leaving for Dave's place around 2 p.m.
Prior to hitting the road, I loaded into my car 12 display cases, one bin of cards, several boxes of cards, two card tables and my luggage. My car looked fairly full. I was concerned I would not have enough room to fit in Dave's stuff.
Traffic heading south on the I294 was terrible. It came to a standstill at the O'Hare exit. I decided to exit at Irving Park and take Route 83 down to Dave's place. Quite a bit of traffic on Route 83 as well. It was a frustrating drive.
I pulled up into Dave's driveway and observed his garage was open and all his cases and bags were lined up, waiting for me. I felt terrible being so late. I told Dave earlier that I would be there around noon. To my credit, I did send him an email around noon in an effort to let him know I was running late. He never saw the email. Sorry Dave!
Anyway, I was able to fit Dave's four display cases, three boxes of cards, assorted bags and his cart on top of all my stuff. We had my car packed to the gills but everything fit. Woot!
We hopped back on the 294 at Roosevelt Road. It was a parking lot. It seemed to clear up fairly quick and we made it to Indiana in no time. Dave suggested we stop for lunch in South Bend. I agreed. I had only been to South Bend once before when I set up at a show there last September. I have never been to Downtown or the Notre Dame campus. We decided to try and find a place to eat Downtown.
Downtown South Bend is kind of desolate, not what I expected. We had trouble finding a restaurant. We ended up at a Thai Restaurant. Dave has never eaten Thai food before. I love it and eat it all the time. I ordered us both Chicken Satay and Chicken Pad Thai and Thai Ice Teas. I loved it all while Dave... not so much. Sorry Dave!
Back on the road, we made it to Cleveland shortly after dark. Several months ago, Dave booked us six nights at the Travelodge Hotel near the Cleveland Airport -- more on the Travelodge later.
I think I fell asleep around midnight and tossed and turned most of the night. I am just too excited during the first few nights of the National to sleep. We hit a nearby Bob Evans for breakfast, which is almost always solid.
Easy drive to the I-X Center. We had hoped to be able to drive my car into the I-X Center and right up to our booth. However, we observed a HUGE line of cars waiting to drive into the building. The line was not moving. The numskulls in charge of this deal were only allowing a trickle of vehicles into the building at a time. We decided to park and load in from the parking lot which turned out to be a little difficult because it was a bit of a walk in the hot sun then into the hot building and up to our booth. I was exhausted after three trips from the car to the booth.
We set up the booth the same way we did it last year with Dave on one end and my stuff set up in a U-shape deal behind him, covering the rest of the booth. It did not take Dave long to set up. I, on the other hand, took several hours. I cleaned the glass on all 12 display cases then placed cards in the cases one at a time.
While setting up, we saw our old friend Josh, who just happened to be set up next to us. I went to law school with Josh more than 20 years ago. Josh is real close with one of our old law school professors who collects vintage cards. The professor is normally a great customer of Dave's. It was nice to catch up with Josh and I am looking forward to seeing our old professor later this week.
While I was setting up, a collector from Canada sat down at Dave's table and spent the next two hours pulling cards. Dave ended up with a monster sale and a tremendous start to the 2024 National. I am still on zero sales.
After set up, we hit Big Boy over by the Travelodge. I had a slim Jim sandwich while Dave had a Big Boy Burger. My sandwich was great. Dave did not like his burger. After our meal, we went back to the Travelodge, which I would like to discuss a little bit now.
So, as you know, Dave and I go first-class, top notch to the National every year. No expense is too great for us. We're known as big spenders in most circles. We always live in luxury. Pictured below is the chair I am sitting on now while typing this blog.
The National is a five-day show -- Wednesday through Sunday. Normally, I set up on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, I am now a little infirm and can't handle setting up Wednesday morning then remain open for business through 8 p.m. So, I paid an extra $100 for the privilege of setting up on Tuesday, something I have never done before.
Dave and I planned to leave Monday around noon and arrive in Cleveland around dinner time, relax, then head over to the Convention Center Tuesday morning for set up. As it always seems to go, I had to get some work done for my real job in the morning on Monday and into the afternoon. I had hoped to be out of the house by 11 a.m. but ended up leaving for Dave's place around 2 p.m.
Prior to hitting the road, I loaded into my car 12 display cases, one bin of cards, several boxes of cards, two card tables and my luggage. My car looked fairly full. I was concerned I would not have enough room to fit in Dave's stuff.
Traffic heading south on the I294 was terrible. It came to a standstill at the O'Hare exit. I decided to exit at Irving Park and take Route 83 down to Dave's place. Quite a bit of traffic on Route 83 as well. It was a frustrating drive.
I pulled up into Dave's driveway and observed his garage was open and all his cases and bags were lined up, waiting for me. I felt terrible being so late. I told Dave earlier that I would be there around noon. To my credit, I did send him an email around noon in an effort to let him know I was running late. He never saw the email. Sorry Dave!
Anyway, I was able to fit Dave's four display cases, three boxes of cards, assorted bags and his cart on top of all my stuff. We had my car packed to the gills but everything fit. Woot!
We hopped back on the 294 at Roosevelt Road. It was a parking lot. It seemed to clear up fairly quick and we made it to Indiana in no time. Dave suggested we stop for lunch in South Bend. I agreed. I had only been to South Bend once before when I set up at a show there last September. I have never been to Downtown or the Notre Dame campus. We decided to try and find a place to eat Downtown.
Downtown South Bend is kind of desolate, not what I expected. We had trouble finding a restaurant. We ended up at a Thai Restaurant. Dave has never eaten Thai food before. I love it and eat it all the time. I ordered us both Chicken Satay and Chicken Pad Thai and Thai Ice Teas. I loved it all while Dave... not so much. Sorry Dave!
Back on the road, we made it to Cleveland shortly after dark. Several months ago, Dave booked us six nights at the Travelodge Hotel near the Cleveland Airport -- more on the Travelodge later.
I think I fell asleep around midnight and tossed and turned most of the night. I am just too excited during the first few nights of the National to sleep. We hit a nearby Bob Evans for breakfast, which is almost always solid.
Easy drive to the I-X Center. We had hoped to be able to drive my car into the I-X Center and right up to our booth. However, we observed a HUGE line of cars waiting to drive into the building. The line was not moving. The numskulls in charge of this deal were only allowing a trickle of vehicles into the building at a time. We decided to park and load in from the parking lot which turned out to be a little difficult because it was a bit of a walk in the hot sun then into the hot building and up to our booth. I was exhausted after three trips from the car to the booth.
We set up the booth the same way we did it last year with Dave on one end and my stuff set up in a U-shape deal behind him, covering the rest of the booth. It did not take Dave long to set up. I, on the other hand, took several hours. I cleaned the glass on all 12 display cases then placed cards in the cases one at a time.
While setting up, we saw our old friend Josh, who just happened to be set up next to us. I went to law school with Josh more than 20 years ago. Josh is real close with one of our old law school professors who collects vintage cards. The professor is normally a great customer of Dave's. It was nice to catch up with Josh and I am looking forward to seeing our old professor later this week.
While I was setting up, a collector from Canada sat down at Dave's table and spent the next two hours pulling cards. Dave ended up with a monster sale and a tremendous start to the 2024 National. I am still on zero sales.
After set up, we hit Big Boy over by the Travelodge. I had a slim Jim sandwich while Dave had a Big Boy Burger. My sandwich was great. Dave did not like his burger. After our meal, we went back to the Travelodge, which I would like to discuss a little bit now.
So, as you know, Dave and I go first-class, top notch to the National every year. No expense is too great for us. We're known as big spenders in most circles. We always live in luxury. Pictured below is the chair I am sitting on now while typing this blog.
In my estimation, I believe the chair is from the early Renaissance. The stain was probably made by Da Vinci. When, I tire of resting on the Da Vinci chair, I move across the room and relax on the Shakespeare chair below.
The tour of our exquisite room continues with the wall decor below which was designed by a very expensive firm from Beverly Hills... I believe the name of the firm is Fred G. Sanford and Son Ltd.
No room is complete unless it contains a door that leads to nowhere, as Dave and I are lucky to have here at the Cleveland Travelodge, pictured below.
Our elegant tour continues with a view of the hotel hallway, pictured below, designed in early Soviet Public Housing, which is all the rage these days.
From the fashionable hallway, one may access the ultra-modern elevator, pictured below, down to the lobby.
Exiting the elevator, one is treated to the delightful lobby decorated in early-modern Shaft meets Foxy Brown.
Our tour of Dave and Tony's Cleveland Luxury Adventure continues with the facade of our lovely hotel with these wonderful balconies, pictured below, that are in no way crumbling.
Lastly, we have a view of the street sign announcing the Travelodge By Wyndham, Cleveland's most amazing hotel. I am left wondering, however, why the five-level sign only has two levels with actual signage. Dave and I searched and searched for Sammy's Pub & Grill, we have been unable to locate it. Maybe it is in the basement?
Anyway, more to come from the 2024 National. If you are planning to attend, come see us in Booth 1144!!!
Anyway, more to come from the 2024 National. If you are planning to attend, come see us in Booth 1144!!!
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