JSS-- Just Some Stuff
1. ROUTE 66-- Real happy to see a front page article in the October 15th Chicago Tribune on our beloved Route 66 here in Illinois "Foreigners' ultimate road trip" by Vikki Ortiz Healy. You should check it out. Too bad foreigners seem to know and love the old road better than most Americans.
Like I tell foreigners, "You get to see the real America with the "Good, the bad and ugly." And take a trip back to the 40s-50s as well.
2. END BOATING?-- Thinking of taking the boat out one more time, making our goal of 40 times for the season, despite not starting until after the 4th of July and some pretty bad September weather. Not great today, only about 60 degrees, but let's hit out goal.
3. WORLD SERIES-- Watched the Brewer-Cardinal game last night. Too bad. Same with the Tiger-Ranger game. I was hoping for an all-Midwest World Series with Brewers vs. Tigers. At least we did get one Midwest team in.
Not sure who to pull for now. The Cards are my 4th favorite team (Brewers 3rd) and they are Midwest. Texas is American League (my favorite) and even though in the Series last year, have a history of losing going back to their Washington Senators days (even though they and equally hapless Kansas City As swept my all-time favorite team, the 1967 White Sox at the end of that season to knock us out of the World Series). I'll have to think about it.
4. TOO MUCH FUN-- One great weekend this past. Relived the glory daze of our college experience to the fullest at Northern Illinois' 104th Homecoming. Met our college dean, some profs, some bar owners, lots of alumni and lots of drunks.
Went to one new restaurant and one new bar. Did the Lincoln Crawl (as in the famous old Lincoln Highway), hitting seven bars on it in the space of a half mile. NIU won!! Got our fill of beer nuggets. And, then, the Dekalb Footstompers did their usual fun show at Lord Stanley's.
What to Do next. --RoadDog
PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of a pool and throw them fish.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label Barhopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barhopping. Show all posts
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
And, Away We Boat
Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous Columbus Day and we used it to go downriver on the Fox River with friends. We have a standing tradition to do this unless it is too cold or wet.
To go to the Broken Oar Bar, you have to go through the locks at the McHenry Dam. Helped a pontoon boat when its engine caught fire and towed them to Broken Oar. Great $2 half pound burgers and fried for $2 and $5 pitchers.
Then a short cruise to Hermann's Rest-A-While Bar, a real fun place.
Upriver and then to Old Bridge Bar in McHenry and then to the Legion. This became our first night outing and we weren't too happy to learn that the running lights weren't working.
Finally got back to home port. Watched the first half of the Bears game at the Dill Pickle. Then home to Margaritaville for the end. Those Lions are the real deal.
Out on the Chain and Feelin' No Pain. --RoadDog
PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Evening news is where they begin with the words "Good Evening" and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
To go to the Broken Oar Bar, you have to go through the locks at the McHenry Dam. Helped a pontoon boat when its engine caught fire and towed them to Broken Oar. Great $2 half pound burgers and fried for $2 and $5 pitchers.
Then a short cruise to Hermann's Rest-A-While Bar, a real fun place.
Upriver and then to Old Bridge Bar in McHenry and then to the Legion. This became our first night outing and we weren't too happy to learn that the running lights weren't working.
Finally got back to home port. Watched the first half of the Bears game at the Dill Pickle. Then home to Margaritaville for the end. Those Lions are the real deal.
Out on the Chain and Feelin' No Pain. --RoadDog
PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Evening news is where they begin with the words "Good Evening" and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Pretty Good Weekend-- Part 3
SUNDAY MAY 22ND-- continued.
Still at the Island Bar. They have a great Bloody Mary special on Sundays and a lot of people were drinking them. Hey, at $1.50 for a 16-ozer, I can drink that. Not garnishments though. But the price is right.
This means Twin Lakes has two great Sunday Bloody Marys. This one, and then there there is the Ultimate Bloody Mary at Main Street. Cost $3.50 in a pint glass, but with full extras to make a lunch. Even shrimp.
The menu is fairly-priced for these days...AND they have a huge $2.99 basket of SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!
The place was full of boaters (the ramp was busy the whole time), bikers and bar lushes. Met Sue and Paul there who had biked up on their H-D.
Good place. We'll be back.
DONOVAN'S
Next to Donovan's in Twin Lakes. Sat out on the deck under their artificial palms and looked across the road at Lake Mary until it got too hot. Had a few too many cocktails while there.
WILMOT RIVERSIDE
Then drove east to Wilmot, Wisconsin, founded in the 1840s. Went to the new Wilmot Riverside (used to be one of our favorite places, Mar's Trading Post Inn). They are still trying to find their niche, but had a good crowd. The bartender said it was the best they've had to date. Pints are $2.
Enough Fun for One Day. --RoadDog
EVER WONDER...Why doctors call what they do a "practice?"
Still at the Island Bar. They have a great Bloody Mary special on Sundays and a lot of people were drinking them. Hey, at $1.50 for a 16-ozer, I can drink that. Not garnishments though. But the price is right.
This means Twin Lakes has two great Sunday Bloody Marys. This one, and then there there is the Ultimate Bloody Mary at Main Street. Cost $3.50 in a pint glass, but with full extras to make a lunch. Even shrimp.
The menu is fairly-priced for these days...AND they have a huge $2.99 basket of SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!
The place was full of boaters (the ramp was busy the whole time), bikers and bar lushes. Met Sue and Paul there who had biked up on their H-D.
Good place. We'll be back.
DONOVAN'S
Next to Donovan's in Twin Lakes. Sat out on the deck under their artificial palms and looked across the road at Lake Mary until it got too hot. Had a few too many cocktails while there.
WILMOT RIVERSIDE
Then drove east to Wilmot, Wisconsin, founded in the 1840s. Went to the new Wilmot Riverside (used to be one of our favorite places, Mar's Trading Post Inn). They are still trying to find their niche, but had a good crowd. The bartender said it was the best they've had to date. Pints are $2.
Enough Fun for One Day. --RoadDog
EVER WONDER...Why doctors call what they do a "practice?"
Monday, May 23, 2011
A Pretty Good Weekend: Yardwork and Bars-- Part 1
Definitely what I would call a good three days just ended, even with last evening's storms that verged on being more than a bit frightening.
FRIDAY, MAY 20TH:
Had lunch on the deck (OD), then spent the afternoon clearing up the wood I cut Thursday and working on Frances' Back 40.
Then met the Usual Suspects at the Tank on Long Lake for music on the patio, a cookout (love their flank steak tacos), buck domestic bottles, and fire pit (which came in great use after the sun went down and things cooled off).
SATURDAY, MAY 21ST:
Since we can only burn on weekends April and May now (and I'm sure soon it will be no burning), I decided to beat the rain and got out to the burn pile early and succeeded in getting what I needed burned. I also worked on the west end of the arboretum.
More to Come. --RoadDog
ONLY IN AMERICA....Do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and a Diet Coke.
FRIDAY, MAY 20TH:
Had lunch on the deck (OD), then spent the afternoon clearing up the wood I cut Thursday and working on Frances' Back 40.
Then met the Usual Suspects at the Tank on Long Lake for music on the patio, a cookout (love their flank steak tacos), buck domestic bottles, and fire pit (which came in great use after the sun went down and things cooled off).
SATURDAY, MAY 21ST:
Since we can only burn on weekends April and May now (and I'm sure soon it will be no burning), I decided to beat the rain and got out to the burn pile early and succeeded in getting what I needed burned. I also worked on the west end of the arboretum.
More to Come. --RoadDog
ONLY IN AMERICA....Do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries and a Diet Coke.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A Weekend Well-Spent
APRIL 15th, FRIDAY
Went to The Tank on Lake Shore Drive in Ingleside where we had $1 bottles and met Sue and Paul. We used to go here a lot when we lived in Round Lake Beach and it was called Up the Street. I used to deejay there a lot, plus I had my 40th birthday party there.
Afterwards, stopped by the Legion in Fox Lake and talked with friends.
Watched another futile Black Hawk effort at Margaritaville.
APRIL 16TH, SATURDAY
Watched the Bulls game at Tommy's in Spring Grove with Sue and Paul. That was some game!!! Kind of a bore until the last three minutes, then, WOW!!! The place was crowded with fans and quite boisterous at the end. Enjoyed the beer nuggets and 25 cent wings. We even had a heavy snow flurry for an hour, but nothing stuck.
Then went to the Dill Pickle and had a 14-inch pizza with 5 toppings for $9 and watched the most boring fans in the world at the Miami Heat game. They are either asleep or sitting on their hands.
APRIL 17TH, SUNDAY
A great brunch at Fire Wood in McHenry, then on to A.J.'s Horsin' Around Round Lake Park where we met Kevin and Kelly and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon show by Terry Spizzeri, the Irish Guy with an Italian Name, one talented and funny guy.
Then, there was the "Miraculous Bottle of Jamison" and many, many pitchers and the Squaw Creek Pub Crawl Bus and a whole bunch of crazies including the guy with the "Need Help" sign on his back.
Another sad Black Hawk effort in Margaritaville.
Learning to Live with It. --RoadDog
STUPID QUESTION: Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink what comes out? Inquiring minds want to know.
Went to The Tank on Lake Shore Drive in Ingleside where we had $1 bottles and met Sue and Paul. We used to go here a lot when we lived in Round Lake Beach and it was called Up the Street. I used to deejay there a lot, plus I had my 40th birthday party there.
Afterwards, stopped by the Legion in Fox Lake and talked with friends.
Watched another futile Black Hawk effort at Margaritaville.
APRIL 16TH, SATURDAY
Watched the Bulls game at Tommy's in Spring Grove with Sue and Paul. That was some game!!! Kind of a bore until the last three minutes, then, WOW!!! The place was crowded with fans and quite boisterous at the end. Enjoyed the beer nuggets and 25 cent wings. We even had a heavy snow flurry for an hour, but nothing stuck.
Then went to the Dill Pickle and had a 14-inch pizza with 5 toppings for $9 and watched the most boring fans in the world at the Miami Heat game. They are either asleep or sitting on their hands.
APRIL 17TH, SUNDAY
A great brunch at Fire Wood in McHenry, then on to A.J.'s Horsin' Around Round Lake Park where we met Kevin and Kelly and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon show by Terry Spizzeri, the Irish Guy with an Italian Name, one talented and funny guy.
Then, there was the "Miraculous Bottle of Jamison" and many, many pitchers and the Squaw Creek Pub Crawl Bus and a whole bunch of crazies including the guy with the "Need Help" sign on his back.
Another sad Black Hawk effort in Margaritaville.
Learning to Live with It. --RoadDog
STUPID QUESTION: Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink what comes out? Inquiring minds want to know.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Seeking the Warm-- Part 6-- Dusty's, Bahama Bob's, Donovan's Reef
February 25th and 26th were similar days (except for a trip to Walgreen's for prescriptions on Friday).
Catch those rays in the morning and afternoon, then go out to eat and down a few at night.
Thursday, the 26th, we decided to try Dusty's, but again found the parking lot full. Drove over to Sharky's, but no parking place there either. Drove downtown PCB, but ended up back at Dusty's AND found five parking spaces. Evidently at this place, it's a matter of arriving at just the right time.
The place was extremely crowded, and with $5 pitchers and 75 cent draft, I can see why. The food was reasonable as well.
Then, we drove back to the motel, parked and walked over to Bahama Bob's for their live trivia, which put the winning team from Tuesday against the team from Gulf Coast Community College. They split the first two rounds and Bob's team won the rubber match.
Watched Wisconsin win a very boring game with Indiana with a lot of Badger fans at the bar.
Went to Donovan's and enjoyed the $1.25 Natties and the karaoke, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday and draws big crowds.
A Good Way to Spend a Day. --RoadDog
Catch those rays in the morning and afternoon, then go out to eat and down a few at night.
Thursday, the 26th, we decided to try Dusty's, but again found the parking lot full. Drove over to Sharky's, but no parking place there either. Drove downtown PCB, but ended up back at Dusty's AND found five parking spaces. Evidently at this place, it's a matter of arriving at just the right time.
The place was extremely crowded, and with $5 pitchers and 75 cent draft, I can see why. The food was reasonable as well.
Then, we drove back to the motel, parked and walked over to Bahama Bob's for their live trivia, which put the winning team from Tuesday against the team from Gulf Coast Community College. They split the first two rounds and Bob's team won the rubber match.
Watched Wisconsin win a very boring game with Indiana with a lot of Badger fans at the bar.
Went to Donovan's and enjoyed the $1.25 Natties and the karaoke, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday and draws big crowds.
A Good Way to Spend a Day. --RoadDog
Monday, November 2, 2009
Da Bears and Da Bars-- Part 2
November 1st, we went to Baja Benny's to join our usual crew of Bear fans. We've been watching games there since about 1990. mostly with the same group. Back then, it was called Costello's and owned by our friends Frank and Sharon. Great view of Fox Lake and we had kept our boat there back when it was another bar.
During warmer weather we watch games out on the deck.
They have free popcorn, free salsa and chips, and free hot dogs with the trimmings at half time. Every Bear YD or sack gets a shot of "juice," an alcoholic concoction, always accompanied by shouts of "Juice! Juice! Juice!!" Also, $5 pitchers and $12 buckets of 5 bottles.
Much better game despite a slow start when $30 million man Jay was doing his three and out thing. Everyone agreed this was the most boring game ever. However, it was "Sweetness Day" at Soldiers Field so lots and lots of Number 34 jerseys.
Great victory though and Lovie finally used Garrett Wolfe at running back, on my opinion the superior of Forte (and NIU grad).
Went to Cross Inn afterwards and bought a couple of the Miller Lite Bears souvenir pints featuring Dick Butkus and Gayle Sayers. The next two monthly editions will be Richard Dent and the Sweetness. They have buckets of six bottles for $10.
Hard to Beat Fun at the Old Bar Watching Da Bears. --RoadDog
During warmer weather we watch games out on the deck.
They have free popcorn, free salsa and chips, and free hot dogs with the trimmings at half time. Every Bear YD or sack gets a shot of "juice," an alcoholic concoction, always accompanied by shouts of "Juice! Juice! Juice!!" Also, $5 pitchers and $12 buckets of 5 bottles.
Much better game despite a slow start when $30 million man Jay was doing his three and out thing. Everyone agreed this was the most boring game ever. However, it was "Sweetness Day" at Soldiers Field so lots and lots of Number 34 jerseys.
Great victory though and Lovie finally used Garrett Wolfe at running back, on my opinion the superior of Forte (and NIU grad).
Went to Cross Inn afterwards and bought a couple of the Miller Lite Bears souvenir pints featuring Dick Butkus and Gayle Sayers. The next two monthly editions will be Richard Dent and the Sweetness. They have buckets of six bottles for $10.
Hard to Beat Fun at the Old Bar Watching Da Bears. --RoadDog
Da Bears and Da Bars
These past two weeks we've seen the Bears not play a game (Cincinnati) and beat up a much worse team (Cleveland) with difficulty at first.
Either way, we hit plenty of bars both Sundays.
On the 25th, after going to Stade's Shades of Autumn and watching them fire the pumpkin gun, we went to the Rusty Nail in Ringwood for a drink. This was before the disaster, but enjoyed their 75 cent 14 oz beer. They also have half price appetizers and $2.50 frozen pizzas.
Then, around the corner we went to O'Leary's and watched the Bears not play in the first quarter. No real good specials here.
Watched most of the debacle at Chopper's up on Il-173 in Antioch. Horrible game, but good deals with 25 cent wings and $4 pitchers. At least there was something good about that long, long game.
Da Browns Next. Just an "e" Difference --RoadDog
Either way, we hit plenty of bars both Sundays.
On the 25th, after going to Stade's Shades of Autumn and watching them fire the pumpkin gun, we went to the Rusty Nail in Ringwood for a drink. This was before the disaster, but enjoyed their 75 cent 14 oz beer. They also have half price appetizers and $2.50 frozen pizzas.
Then, around the corner we went to O'Leary's and watched the Bears not play in the first quarter. No real good specials here.
Watched most of the debacle at Chopper's up on Il-173 in Antioch. Horrible game, but good deals with 25 cent wings and $4 pitchers. At least there was something good about that long, long game.
Da Browns Next. Just an "e" Difference --RoadDog
Monday, May 5, 2008
Barhopping in Springfield, Illinois-- Celtic Mist, Recycled Records, Alamo, and Norb Andy's
This past April 19th, Liz and I went to Springfield for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Illinois Division meeting at the Hilton.
After the convention, I joined Liz and Missy, wife of Camp Douglas Camp 1507 commander John, and did a little bit of bar hopping around the city.
Met them at Celtic Mist, an Irish bar across the street from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. I then walked around the corner to one of the fast disappearing mom and pop record stores, Recycled Records where I bought used CDs by Peter Frampton, a Mexican mariachi band, and Carole King's "Tapestry" CD, all for $10. They even had a three piece band playing by the front window with music piped into the street.
Next, walked over to the Alamo, on the site of Lincoln's first law office, well, actually the outdoor garden is. Normally, it is closed on Saturdays until evening, but was open for a breast cancer walk. Met the owner who was bar tending. Very friendly person.
NORB ANDY's
Found out he also owns Norb Andy's, a historic Springfield place (building dating to the 1840s and restaurant to around 1904) located about two blocks from the capitol building. It closed about two years ago, much to our regret. This was a great place to eat (we had our first horseshoes here) and definitely enjoyed the $1 taps and live music on the weekends. John, a lobbyist, was always there and provided his own entertainment.
In the past, many of Illinois' movers and shakers were customers.
Asked the owner why he closed it and was told that the city had torn up the street in front of it for six months causing business to really drop off. He is trying to sell it and says it is in go-condition inside. Everything is ready to be used if someone buys it.
Sure hope someone does.
More to Come. --RoadDog
After the convention, I joined Liz and Missy, wife of Camp Douglas Camp 1507 commander John, and did a little bit of bar hopping around the city.
Met them at Celtic Mist, an Irish bar across the street from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. I then walked around the corner to one of the fast disappearing mom and pop record stores, Recycled Records where I bought used CDs by Peter Frampton, a Mexican mariachi band, and Carole King's "Tapestry" CD, all for $10. They even had a three piece band playing by the front window with music piped into the street.
Next, walked over to the Alamo, on the site of Lincoln's first law office, well, actually the outdoor garden is. Normally, it is closed on Saturdays until evening, but was open for a breast cancer walk. Met the owner who was bar tending. Very friendly person.
NORB ANDY's
Found out he also owns Norb Andy's, a historic Springfield place (building dating to the 1840s and restaurant to around 1904) located about two blocks from the capitol building. It closed about two years ago, much to our regret. This was a great place to eat (we had our first horseshoes here) and definitely enjoyed the $1 taps and live music on the weekends. John, a lobbyist, was always there and provided his own entertainment.
In the past, many of Illinois' movers and shakers were customers.
Asked the owner why he closed it and was told that the city had torn up the street in front of it for six months causing business to really drop off. He is trying to sell it and says it is in go-condition inside. Everything is ready to be used if someone buys it.
Sure hope someone does.
More to Come. --RoadDog
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