Whoppers, Old Cars and Old Friends

MONDAY, JULY 18

We drove to McHenry, Illinois, and had Whopper dinners at Burger King.  Still one of my favorite burgers after all these years.  We then walked around the Green Street car show admiring the rides, especially ared '67 Firebird convertible, my favorite oldies car.

We saw the same band as yesterday, Aging Teen Idols, who were providing entertainment.

Afterwards went to Sunnyside and had a great time with the Stucky folks:  Angie, Wayne and Carrie.

TUESDAY, JULY 19

Met the Sunnyside folks at Granny's Diner on the Fox River River in Johnsburg and had that excellent chopped steak, two eggs over easy, gash browns and bread.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

National Hot Dog Day,  One of my favorite foods.  Didn't have one though.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and happy hour.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Eatin' and Drinkin' Cheap in the Neighborhood, Firebird Cruise, Car Show and Slow Tacos

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

We went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, for their half price pizza special on Monday.  We got a 16-inch Harry Caray pizza which is a real garbage pizza with four veggies and four meats.  It cost $13.50.  We also enjoyed a $5 pitcher of Miller Lite.  Then went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg where we had $1.50 pints.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3

Went on a short Firebird Cruise and went from  end to end on Pioneer Road.  It is one of McHenry County's Scenic Roads and well-earned at that.  I had taken it often from Illinois Highway 31 and that is a pretty stretch, but didn't know it continued on to West Solon Road to the north.

The McHenry Scenic Roads site describes it as 4 miles long in McHenry and Richmond townships.

I went to the McHenry Moose Lodge Classic Car Show on Il.-31 later and saw the most beautiful 1967 Firebird ever.  I am a big Firebird fan and at one time had a 1967 Firebird convertible along with my 1985 one which I still have and take on those Firebird Cruises.

But, if you want the Moose Tuesday special tacos, 3 for $5, I discovered you'd best go inside, place your order and then look at the cars.  It generally takes at least 30 minutes to get served.  Tonight it was a new record, 45 minutes.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, LAW OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS:  The probability of meeting somebody you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Shouldn't Have Gone to That Car Show: A '67 Firebird for Sale!!

Yesterday, Monday, September 25, I went over to the final Green Street Car Show in downtown McHenry, Illinois, as the featured cars were Pontiacs, which remains my all-time favorite vehicle.  I have had a '67 Tempest, '67 Firebird convertible, '85 Firebird and two Grand Ams.

My all-time favorite car remains the Firebird, but since Firebirds were phased out and later the whole Pontiac line, I was thinking of getting a Corvette for my next middle (older) age crisis car, until they came out with the new Camaros.  Everyone called the 1967 Firebird a middle age crisis car back in 1987 when I bought it.

But, yesterday, I came across a '67 Firebird that was for sale.  It is not in perfect shape, but definitely good enough for me and a whole lot better shape than the '85 Firebird which we (well, I) still have.  It has a 400 engine and the price is right at $10,000.  Though, it had an 8-track player and I would have to do something to get a cassette/CD player and FM radio.

We have four vehicles right now: '85 Firebird, 2003 Malibu, 2005 Dodge Dakota and 2011 Malibu.  I don't need another vehicle so would have to sell one, maybe two.  All of these we've had since brand new.  We paid cash for all of them as well.

But, I am seriously considering it, but trying to come up with reasons not to buy it.

Somebody Help Me.  --RoadDog

Closing Out July-- Part 4: A '67 Firebird Convertible, An Oasis and a Legion

SUNDAY, JULY 30

I went to the Spring Grove Charity Car Show at the old Intermatic Timer factory on US-12.  I was hoping tp see some '67 cars.  I saw a '67 Camaro, and then, I saw that holy grail of mine, a '67 Firebird convertible and in perfect shape.  I once had a '67 Firebird so these are VERY special cars to me.  I talked with the owners and found out they live in Spring Grove as well.  That sure made my day.  Hope to see them driving around some day.

Went to Subway and got one of their sweet onion chicken sandwiches and ate it on the deck (OD).

We went to a new bar/restaurant that opened on the Chain of Lakes,  the Oasis.  It is in the old Harbor Lounge and Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake.  We always enjoyed going there before and weren't happy when it was closed for a year.  But now it is open again and the new owners are big fans of Terry and Gregg Spizziri who were on the deck playing their songs.  We sat at the tiki bar and sure enjoyed ourselves.  Let's see, music, cold beer and sitting outside to enjoy them. Life is good.  Strange though not to see any boats out other than an occasional police boat as the Chain is still closed.

We later went to the American Legion in Fox Lake where they were having a party for the patrons of the Drop Zone Bar, one of our main bars that we enjoy.  The band was just finishing when we came in but we did enjoy the free pig roast.

I'd Say We Closed the Flooding Month In Proper Fashion.  --RoadDog

Going Back to 1967-- Part 1: "I Am the Walrus"

This past Saturday, Wendy Rice went back to the year 1967 on her Saturday Morning Flashback show on Chicago's WXRT.  This was a great high school year for me as I was a sophomore and then junior at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  I started working at Burger King on Northwest Highway (US-14) in Palatine and I met Liz.

I have since had two 1967 vehicles.  The first was a 1967 Pontiac Tempest which I drove a lot to school and also to NIU for my Master's Degree.  The other one was a 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible.

These are the songs she played:

I AM THE WALRUS--  Beatles
SWEET SOUL MUSIC--  Arthur Conley
SWALBR--  Cream

SOUL MAN--  Sam and Dave
(WE AIN'T GOT) NOTHIN' YET--  Blues Magoos
HAPPY JACK--  Who

LET'S LIVE FOR TODAY--  Grass Roots
SUNNY AFTERNOON--  Kinks
EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR HEART--  Soul Survivors

Name That Tune (from above songs):  "The Taxman's Taken All My Dough."  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are NOT a breakfast food.

"Sunny Afternoon"