No 'Dumb Ass Trivia', A Taste of Carolina, Elvis, a Band and $1.1 Billion?

WEDNESDAY  JULY 27

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and met Kevin and Kelly and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie and his "Smarty Pants Trivia."  Should be called "Dumb Ass Trivia."

Came home and heated up a Brookwood Farms pit cooked Carolina-style pork bbq which is as close to Wilber's as you can get.  A little taste of Carolina.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw the movie "Elvis."  Great music.  

Went to Antioch and ate at the Burger King before going to the village's It's Thursday music festival and saw an excellent band called Pet Rocks.  On the way home, stopped at Liz's Spring Grove Liquor Store and bought a couple raffle tickets for Mega Lotto which was "only" $1.1 billion.  We don't usually play, but when it gets that high, oh well.  Who knows?

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Tell a man there are 400 billion stars and he will believe you.  Tell him a bench has wet paint, and he just has to touch it.

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 12: On the Way Home

July 31, Sunday.

US-70 to Raleigh and then I-40.  Doing this on a Sunday means there is no traffic jams.  Got off on US-421 and stopped at a Cook-Out restaurant which has a really good Carolina bbq, slaw, fries and hush puppies for $3.99.  Good deal.

Then US-52 to I-77 and gas and Chocolate Uglys at Wytheville.  Gas now $1.87.  I always love gas under $2.  Experienced long back ups at the first two toll booths heading north on the West Virginia Turnpike and just plain heavy traffic.  Sunday must be a big travel day in the state.  Then I hit quite a long traffic stop a few miles outside of Charleston.  Never did see why we had that backup.

I-77 north to US-33 and then into Ohio.  Stopped at a place I've been meaning to stop at in Logan, Ohio, called Millstone BBQ.  I'll definitely stop again..

I-70 through Columbus to Motel 6 in Richmond, Indiana, for the night.

A Traveling, Eating Kind of Day.  --RoadDog

OH HELL! ... Let's Offend Everybody:  What is the difference between a southern zoo and a northern zoo?  Answer:  The southern zoo has a description of the animal along with a recipe.

Sorry If You're Offended, But These Are Funny.

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 11: More 'Cue, Calabash Shrimp and Dancing

July 29, Friday.

Did some serious watering at Mom's place and went to Wal-Mart to replace the i-Pad charger I had left at the beach.  Bob and I had the great buffet at McCall's out on the Goldsboro US-70 bypass.  Not only do they have that great Eastern Carolina 'cue and slaw, but on Fridays they also have Calabash-style shrimp.

July 30, Saturday.

Spent most of the day going through Mom's papers and things.  This is a massive job.  Bob, Chie and I went over to LaGrange to a place called Good Times for a dance with a really good local band called Classic Connection.  They played all kinds of  music, including Beach songs.  This was a real dancing crowd.

--RoadDog

N.C. Spring Trip, 2016-- Part 4: Gettin' My 'Cue On

MAY 5, THURSDAY--  'Cue at Wilber's.  And cole slaw, hushpuppies and tea.  That's real good eating.  I went to the first grade class with Mon where she gave a talk on flowers to the kids and the decorated the paper cups we had placed vincas in.

Went to Target (which we don't have near us anymore in McHenry), Berkeley Mall and I bought some CDs from FYE, a CD/DVD store.

MAY 6, FRIDAY--  We ate at another of Goldsboro's famous bbq places, Scott's which now is only open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 to 2.  My sister Julie arrived from Savannah and I learned how to polish silver.  I didn't much care for it.  I typed Mom's Memoirs the rest of the night.

--RoadYuckySilverPolishDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER:  When girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.

N.C. Spring Trip 2016-- Part 2: A Scary Drive Down the Mountain But Soothed With the 'Cue

APRIL 30, SATURDAY

Listening to the CD by the Brothers Osborne called Pawn Shop, a country band with a rock sound.

Took I-70 from Springfield through Columbus to US-33 on the east side and then southeast to West Virginia. Made my usual stop for gas at Dogpatch Crossing.  Gas everywhere in Ohio was $2.30 to $2.35. gas at the Crossing was $2.35.  I stocked up on my Grippo's caramel corn.  I am told there are no places in the area that sell Grippo's products and that it is out of Cincinnati.

Then I-77 in W.Va. to the Virginia Welcome center for my Virginia peanut fix and gas at Wytheville, Virginia for $1.96.   Best price yet.  Had major fog and mighty scary coming down I-77 the last eight miles to N.C..

Stopped at Hursey's Barbecue in Graham, N.C. for some of their great 'cue.

Then US-421 to I-40 through the Raleigh-Durham terror, US-70 to Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER: When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids came back from school.

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 8: Coming Home

JULY 29, 2015

Spent this day getting ready to go back to Goldsboro.  Took a last walk along the beach collecting shells and "lima beans."  Checked out the cemeteries where Dad and my grandparents are buried once we got back into Wayne County, where Goldsboro is located.

Went to Cook-Out in Goldsboro for dinner,  They have probably the best Carolina BBQ deal around.  For $3.99 you get a big helping of pulled pork, cole slaw, hush puppies and fries.  And their BBQ is as good as any you can get elsewhere.

Bob and Chia came over.  Chia made some of her absolutely famous dessert and also a big bag of jerky for me.

In Jerky Heaven.  --RoadJerk

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 3: 'Possums, Shopping, 'Cue and Shrimp

July 22, Wednesday

After breakfast, Bob and I took the two opossums he had caught in his basement out to a wooded area and let them go.  He has an indoor/outdoor cats and a cat door which the opossums most likely used to enter his basement.

He caught one in a city-supplied trap and a short time later caught one in a garbage can.  Both initially did not want to come out of their cages and had to be coaxed out.  No doubt they will be missing their free  lunch.

We then went to an IGA grocery store called Charlie C's and I got some eastern Carolina BBQ sauce and Texas Pete Hot Sauce.  Texas Pete is a North Carolina company.  Then to a place called Ollie's which is like a Big Lots and Target (the one near me at home closed).  Last was Sam's Club and Trade It where I bought a dubbing cassette deck.

We had a huge buffet at McCall's on the US-70 bypass.  AUCE BBQ, cole slaw and, just as good, Calabash shrimp.

Shrimp and 'Cue.  Life is Good.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BUG--  The reason you is givin' for calling in sick.

NC Bound 2013-- Part 4: Gettin' My 'Cue and On to Goldsboro/Cheerwine Fix

SEPTEMBER 8TH.

The Mayberry Motor Inn in Mt. Airy, NC, has a nice little continental breakfast which I ate out at that wonderful gazebo. Then, I read some more of Mark Bradley's book on the Battle of Bentonville as I plan to go to a seminar on it September 14th. LOVE THAT GAZEBO.

Sadly, had to get on the road and took the US-52 bypass, Andy Griffith Bloulavard south to US-52 (soon to be the I-74 Corridor). Took it past Pilot Mountain to Winston-Salem, then US-421 east to I-40.

Stopped at the Hursey's BBQ in Burlington, but found it was closed on Sundays. Then stopped at Smithfield's BBQ and Chicken in Mebane and got my 'cue fix. I had also had 'cue at the Golden Corral last night.

Heavy traffic, but no jams all the way through the Durham-Raleigh horror. Stopped at J.R.'s in Smithfield to check out their stuff and then drove on into Goldsboro and bought six two-liter bottles of Diet Cheerwine, a real treat.

Arrived. --RoadDog

Hanging Around Goldsboro

JUNE 4TH, TUESDAY

Had my usual meal at Wilber's BBQ out on the US-70 Goldsboro bypass.  Love that Carolina 'cue and Wilber Shirley has been serving it up there for over fifty years.  A real family favorite.  And this was the first time for some friends from Idaho.

Returned the Dodge Avenger at the local Enterprise place.  They made out like bandits on this one, charging us $260 for what amounted to a little over one day's use.  When you don't return it to where you got it, be prepared to pay HUGE BUCKS.


JUNE 5TH, WEDNESDAY

Took a ride (not in an Enterprise car) to Kenansville, NC.  Quite a bit of history in this tiny town with a museum and Liberty Hall.

RoadDog

NC Spring 2013 Trip: April 1st-- Feeling a Bit Foolish

April 1ST

Left Goldsboro and took US-70 to I-40 and past the Raleigh-Durham monster car trap with no problem. 

Approaching Burlington, I got off the interstate and stopped at Hursey's BBQ.  I'd seen their billboards all these times driving through, but had never stopped.  They're considered one of the best 'cues in the state, which is saying something.

They sure earn that distinction.  As Arnold would say, "I'll be back!!"

Then, I-40 to US-421 to US-52/I-74 to Mt. Airy, then off at NC-89 and into Virginia on what is also called Skyline Highway, an apt name.  Beautiful drive.  My objective was the town of Galax, Virginia, from which the country station I listen to transmits. 

Drizzling and didn't see any likely stops, so got gas and back on I-77.  I missed the spot where they had that huge car crash in the fog yesterday at the Va-NC border.

RoadDog

Did My Barbecue Thing

Got my good old Carolina 'cue three times over the unexpected trip to NC. Twice in Goldsboro, NC, and once at the airport.

The 22nd, we went to Wilber's on the US-70 East Bypass. This has been a family tradition since Wilber Shirley opened the place in the 60s. For the first time in memory, I tried their potato salad. Normally, I get an double order of cole slaw (every bite of bbq pork has to be accompanied by a portion of slaw on the fork), and I had ordered the double slaw, but the waitress accidentally brought me potato salad. Decided to give it a try. Mighty good. Next time, I won't know what to order for the sides.

Price of a heaping plate is now $7.50, including your 'cue, two sides, and those great hush puppies (especially good when right out of the fryer.


McCALL'S AND THE AIRPORT

Saturday, we ate at McCall's BBQ, also on US 70 Bypass. You can order of the menu or get their buffet. We had Calabash-style shrimp, flounder, fried oysters, clam strips, fried chicken, bbq chicken, as well as bbq and salad for $11.99.

Yesterday, at RDU Airport, I had some time to kill, so checked out all the stores and restaurants at terminal 2. One place had Carolina bbq, so I had it for lunch. Really tasty bbq, two sides, and hush puppies for $8.25, not a bad price at an airport. They had cole slaw, but I didn't see it, so got collard greens and mac and cheese. Pretty good stuff.

So, next time you're passing through RDU (Raleigh-Durham Airport) and have a layover at terminal 2, try some Carolina cuisine.

Lovin' My 'Cue. --RoadDog

Out Boatin' Today

I've already been out boating on the Chain of Lakes this morning. Floated and read the paper, then went over to Electric Harbor on the east end of Fox Lake. They have built a huge gazebo with a great view of the lake and plenty of good breezes.

Tuesdays they have a charbroiled cheeseburger and fries for a BUCK!!! Now, that's a hard deal to beat. Talked with a guy there who has been deejaying since the late sixties and is still going strong. He was at a wedding in Palatine Saturday, then in downstate Danville, Illinois, (the home of Dick and Jerry Van Dyke) on Sunday. He has programmed over 12,000 songs for Electric Harbor covering a wide variety of styles. He even has some East Coast BEACH music.

Speaking of Beach Music, I'm listening to the Surf, 93.9 FM out of North Myrtle Beach right now. They're playing "Beach Music and Barbecue" right now at 5:11 PM. Boy, I sure would like to be down in NC listening to Beach music and eating that great pulled pork- vinegar-based bbq, cole slaw, hushpuppies, and tea.

He knows Dick Biondi as well. He said that last Memorial Day, WLS AM had a retro weekend and had all the old deejays back from the 60s and 70s. This was one of the major stations for kids to listen to while growing up in Chicagoland back then. I sure would have liked to have heard that.

Tough Life, But Somebody's Gotta Do It!! --RoadDog

Lots Going On Here in the Chain of Lakes Area

Yesterday, Liz and I went to Taste of Antioch and enjoyed bbq sandwiches (I highly recommend Herm's BBQ by the train station. It isn't really Carolina BBQ, but pulled pork in a sweet sauce-mighty good eating.). Then we listened to a favorite band from DeKalb called Mr. Myers, which does what is called Caribbean Rock, complete with steel drums, lots of other percussion instruments. Obviously, they play a lot of Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley. Mighty fun group. We have followed them since when they began playing at Andy's in Dekalb back in the 1980s.

Today, after yardwork, I did some boating. Tomorrow, the choice is between McHenry's Fiesta Days, Fox Lake's Fireman's Days, or Taste of Antioch. McHenry will have bands playing out in the streets as well as at the gazebo in Veteran's Park. There will also be an Art in the Park and old wooden boat show on the river. Sunday, there will be the annual chicken bbq at the park and the famous, hour-long parade.

Antioch has bands, sidewalk sales, Little Nashville (a country band) and Od Tapo Imi, which bills itself as Jimmy Buffet meets the Blue Man Group. Then, Sunday, it's American English, one of the country's premier Beatles tribute bands. From a distance, you'd swear you were seeing the early Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Beatles, and later Beatles.

Fireman's Days have the fire hose competition, Las Vegas-style gambling, and a band.

Decisions, Decisions, Where to Go, What to Do. --RoadDog

Bringing the Record Home!!! The Hot Dog-Eating Record, That Is!!

Date: July 4, 2007; Place: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, Coney Island, New York City; Event: 92nd Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest; Winner: Joey Chestnut.

In a stunning upset this past Wednesday, Californian Joey "Jaws" Chestnut upset six-time defending champion Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi of Japan by eating 66 dogs in 12 minutes to Kobayashi's 63. Tsunami even broke his old record of 53.75, but to no avail. It just wasn't his day in the face of that gastronomical onslaught.

This was an IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating)-sanctioned contest. I guess there has to be an official organization for everything these days.

However, Jaws, is no johnny-come-lately upstart. Some of his world records:

18.5 eight ounce waffles in 10 minutes at Waffle House
47 grilled cheese sandwiches in ten minutes
8.4 pounds of pork rib meat in 12 minutes
6.5 pounds of horseshoes (a great Central Illinois treat) at the Illinois State Fair in 2006
9.6 pounds of pulled pork ( a NC treat, Wilber's anyone?) in ten minutes
182 chicken wings
7.05 pounds of chicken wings in 12 minutes
and now, 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes

This boy can sure eat!!!!!

Nathan's Famous has been in business at Coney Island since 1916, and that is a LOT of hot dogs, even those not eaten by competitive folks. What began as a small nickle a dog stand has now become a much-beloved New York institution and you can get them nationwide. Now, 1,400 businesses are able to sell the products without the upfront franchise fees. There are also restaurants in many states.

Some important dates in Nathan's Famous history (more on the website):

1892- Nathan Handwerker, founder, born in Poland

1912- He immigrates to the US and finds work at Feltman's Restaurant on Coney Island

1916- according to legend, four European immigrants have a hot dog eating contest at Nathan's to determine who was the most patriotic. The one who ate the most would be the most American. Irish immigrant James Mullen wins by eating 13 in 12 minutes. Thus began the annual tradition. That Joey must be SOME American!!! I wonder what James would have thought about this one, and ESPN covered it.

You can go to Nathan's website at http://www.nathansfamous.com/

Takeru Kobayashi also has a website at http://www.takerukobayashi.com/

The first Nathan's I ever had were at Topsail Beach a few years ago when Mom bought a big pack of 'em while we were at Hatch Haven, the condo by the beach. I'd always heard how great they were, and I'd have to say that was no lie.

I also had them at a tourist trap in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, but was not impressed with these. A month ago, I had them again at buddy Phil's 50 plus 1 birthday, and these were great. He claims that you have to grill them to be proper, and I'd have to agree.

If I ever get to New York City, a trip out to Coney Island and Nathan's is a must.

Forget the Statue!!! Gimme a Nathan's Famous!!! --RoadDog

Andy'll Be Sorry to Hear This

We have a brat-eater Down South in Tennessee and his name is Andy. He had never heard of a bratwurst before he came for visits during the summer (and I like to worked the poor little guy to death on the yard out here in Spring Grove). I took him out for them several times and he developed a taste for them, although I can't remember if he likes the VERY necessary condiment called sauerkraut on it.

I like mine with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions, either grilled or raw. Now that is a perfect brat. I'm always amazed how many places I go to that serve brats and DON'T have sauerkraut. That kind of defeats the purpose. It's like having Carolina bbq without coleslaw, hushpuppies, and tea.

Andy especially was impressed with the brats from Sheboygan, Wi. He had a very funny way of saying She-boy-gan brats. Ask him to say it sometime.

He also became quite fond of Johnsonville brats, widely considered the best you can get. He was quite happy when he found they had started selling them in Tennessee grocery stores.

Sad to report, that the founder of Johnsonville Sausage Co., Ralph F. Stayer, died yesterday at age 92. He took a butcher shop that was struggling in 1945 and turned it into a multimillion dollar company. You have to admire a person who sees a need, and through hard work, makes a success of himself.

For more info, see www.roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com

I'll Have a Brat for Mr. Stayer, What Do You Mean You Don't Have ANY Sauerkraut!!!!! --RoadDog