Above, the splendid simplicity of the Cleveland Browns helmet; not to be partial, but we like their colors. Cleveland was a great Storycorps stop, thanks to the vivid storytelling chops of Clevelanders, and the top-shelf support the East Booth received from our partners at Ideastream, the coolest radio/TV hybrid station in the country.

On their last day in The Forest City, facilitators Naomi Greene, Quentin Weld, and new face Yuki Aizawa went kayaking on Lake Erie and its tributaries.

Here, Yuki paddles in the Rocky River, west of Cleveland.

Once back on land the facilitators readied the booth for its drive south to Indianapolis, where it will stay through September. Best of luck to Brady Quinn and everyone else in C-Town!

We think our little silver bullet looks beautiful in front of the gleaming New Hampshire State House, which, incidentally, is the oldest state house in which the legislature meets in its original chambers. New Hampshire residents take their role as predictors of presidential candidates very seriously. And those vying for the presidency are sure to make many stops in town to shake hands and kiss babies. The facilitators were promised that glimpses of the candidates were easy to spot, and sure enough, a couple hours after arriving in the city we caught sight of Barak Obama.

Those who make it their business to trail and question each candidate are dubbed “bird-doggers“ in New Hampshire, and we hope to get some bird-dogging stories while we’re here. That is, if Naomi, captivated by a peek at the senator, doesn’t become one herself.

The historical figures who help guard the booth include Daniel Webster (below, top), General Stark (below, middle), and Franklin Pierce (below, bottom.)

Pierce was the fourteenth president and the only one who hailed from New Hampshire (never mind the fictional president Bartlett from New Hampshire of the West Wing), and he’s a big deal around here. We look forward to the many bits of political wisdom we’ll gain and stories we’ll hear in this leafy, pleasant, granite state capitol.

Father’s Day brought in a handful of father/child pairings, including Jonathan Pitts-Wiley and his father, Ricardo. Jonathan came in to ask Ricardo about his experience in the theatre, and how acting has shaped his life. Ricardo founded the Mixed Magic Theatre with his wife, Bernadet, and currently serves as the artistic director. Mixed Magic’s message is, in part, to "create new works and performing arts experiences that bring people together to share their history." The two also talked about their relationship, and what being father and son means to each of them. At the end of the interview, Ricardo told Jonathan that "families need to be on great journeys together, and realize that the leader of the family changes over time."

Another family came in for a surprise Father’s Day interview. David Reville, former Director of StoryCorps, was interviewed by his wife Tina Tryforos and their five year-old son, Eli. Tina considered purchasing David a boat, but figured that a StoryCorps interview would last longer. After a breakfast of over-sized pancakes, Tina and Eli put David in the car and surprised him with a trip to the very airstream he helped design. Tina and Eli interviewd him about some StoryCorps history, but more importantly, about the joys of being a father. David sang the "Long, long time ago song," better known as "American Pie," by Don McLean, which is one of Eli’s favorite lullabyes. Thank you to the Revilles for not only sharing their stories, but also for showing the facilitors great hospitalty in Providence and a great list of fun places to go.

It’s been one festival after another here in Providence, RI. First it was Portugal, now it’s Pride, as Providence holds its annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life in Rhode Island, hosted by RI Pride. Burnside Park was full of vendors and surrounded by food stands, and the nearby outdoor skating rink featured a performance space.

Burnside Park, with vendors.

Above, facilitator Naomi Greene enjoys the music.

Our interviews have been stellar our past week and a half in Orleans. Couple Katie Jackson (above right) and Brian Kehrl (above left) are soon to be married in a few days and are expecting a baby. They talked about moment they discovered they were going to be parents and their hopes for the future. And Sam Baker (below left) and Lucile Burt (below right) came in to interview each other about their decision to live and grow old together as friends.

We had a wonderful opening day in sunny Cape Cod, thanks to our partner station WCAI, the Orleans Historical Society, the Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and so many friendly passers-by. And look! A glimpse of the mysterious and elusive facilitator Susan Lee.

On our final day of interviews here in Hartford, WNPR Vice President Kim Grehn came to the booth to interview his wife Deb. Thanks so much to both of them for making our stay in Hartford so great and full of wonderful stories. And thanks for the lemon cake, too.

On Thursday, middle schoolers Kristen Echevarria and Bill Kehoe came to the booth to interview Connecticut’s Governor Jodi Rell. When asked what she did for fun when she was little, Gov. Rell said that she liked to ride her bike and roller skate. Her favorite things about Connecticut are the four different seasons and the fine universities, and her favorite music is light rock and roll.

Here, proud papas Jose Echevarria and John Kehoe eagerly await the group’s emergence from the soundproof recording studio.

A few drips from the Nor’ester seeped through our trusty Airstream. But on hands and knees, facilitator Sarah Geis handled it deftly.

As facilitator Pat Estess arrived to join the tour, the sun arrived too. Pat likes to think that she had something to do with it.

An even brighter moment occured at the end of a booth session between George Virdokian and Katie Cappalla. After sharing vivid, painful, and often poignant stories about his time working with the Red Cross during the civil war in Lebanon, George had a question for Katie: "Will you marry me?" As far as we know, this was the first proposal ever to occur in the East Booth. (And in case you are wondering, George got the answer he had hoped for).