Good Times in the Neighborhood-- Part 1: It's Thursday Concert, Legion and Margaritaville

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

We drove to the Sand Bar on Bluff Lake for a Chain Crawl passport stamp and that their Thursday special with $1 tacos.  Great view of the lake from the many windows.  We then went to Antioch for the last It's Thursday concert, this time by Dixie Krush who did more modern country music and did a great job.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Aretha Franklin even though we had been informed on Tuesday that it was near.  I spent many of the next days listening to her music both on You Tube and the three Greatest Hits CDs I have.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

I have been busy the last several days working on Frances' Back 40 in the southeast corner of the yard which had gotten very overgrown.  Making slow progress.

Met the usual Suspects at the Legion and Kelly won the 50-50 for the first time.  The Cubs won for the second  time in a row by a 1-0 score.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox in my basement while watching the end of the Cubs game.

--RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  You're mad because all your friends got goodnight kisses after prom, but  your sister just slugged you in the arm and said, "Thanks bro."

Keeping Busy-- Part 2: Burger Shack and Sunnyside's "Adult Battleship"

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

We drove over to Burger Shack on Fox Lake for a Chain Crawl passport stamp.  For many years it used to be Korpan's Landing and then went rapidly through a succession of owners and names.  Burger Shack is this year's name.  It is too bad as they have one of the best views on the Chain of Lakes from inside the bar and that is not even mentioning the huge deck.

No draft beer either, just bottles so it is $3 a drink.  But, buy two and get a free burger and they sure smelled good.

We left there to drive over to Half-Times in Johnsburg for Customer Appreciation Day with all sorts of food and drink specials, including $1 pint drafts.  But, we stopped at Sunnyside in Johnsburg to check out their "Adult Battleship" game.  Just couldn't imagine how they'd do it.

Turns out, there was a good-sized kiddie pool divided in half.  Each half had four pieces of Styrofoam, each with two Solo cups (red, of course) with the objective of throwing a ping pong ball into the cups.  Get both cups and you sink your enemy's ship.

They seemed to be having a great time.

We had a really good time inside with the usual cast of characters.

Sunnyside, Your "Cheers" Kind Of A Bar.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  Before going to the bathroom you inform your friends you're off to download and log out.

Good Times In the Area Last Weekend-- Part 2: History, Radio, PLAV

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

The NAC, National Athletic Club, where we went for a drink and get our Chain Crawl passport book signed and was celebrating its 125th anniversary, is a survivor.  When the Chain of Lakes area was booming as a tourist destination back in the 1890s to 1920s, many organizations featuring hunting and fishing moved out to the area.  The Mineola Hotel, one of our most famous structures started out as a hunting club.

To my knowledge, the NAC is one of the last of such organizations around.

The Fox Lake American Legion started out as a boat building company.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Well, Bob Stroud went back to the Summer of 1978, the 40th anniversary  of it and played songs from August 5, 1978 that were playing on the radio or in your stereo collection.  Big fun listening to and recording that on cassette tapes.

We drove to McHenry for the PLAV's (Polish Legion of American Veterans) annual street party.  For $10 you got all the food (brats, Polish, burgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob and a variety  of salads and desserts, plus all the beer you could drink.

We enjoyed one of our favorite bands, The Three Aces, playing all that old country and pop songs as well as karaoke.

Last stop was at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

Too Much Fun.  --RoadDog

HOW COME:  Map Quest and Google Maps really need to start their directions on #5.  I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my driveway and neighborhood.

Good Times In the Area Last Weekend-- Part 1: Movie, Legion, Anniversary and Bands

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

One of the biggest fogs ever this morning.  Couldn't even see across the street.  Saw the movie "Mission: Impossible - Fallout."

Met the Usual Suspects at the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50, as usual.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Enjoyed listening to 1971 on Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT from 9 to noon.  That was a college year for me.  After lunch at Burger King, we went to the National Athletic Club on Fox Lake for their 125th anniversary and got our Chain Crawl passbook signed and enjoyed the band Redeye Express.

Then, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion on Nippersink Lake and were entertained by Jonathan from 3 to 6.  Where are you going to get entertainment in the afternoon?

-Last stop was at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

Way Much Fun.  --RoadDog

HOW COME:  Was learning cursive really necessary?

A Long 4th of July-- Part 5: Donovan's and Chain Crawl

JULY 5, THURSDAY

Enjoyed the Drive's Ten at Ten back to 1969, such a great high school-college year for me.  I always make a pick of my favorite song when they do Ten at Ten, but obviously those years had lots of them and it is not an easy pick.  Fortunately they played "Proud Mary."  Whenever they play a Creedence song, that is my pick.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for happy hour and got happy and not so hot as it was air conditioned.

JULY 6, FRIDAY

Liz had a hair appointment in Round Lake, Illinois, and I went along.  While she was inside, I drove over to Ace Hardware in Round Lake, once called the largest Ace Hardware in the U.S.A.,  When we lived in Round Lake Beach, I went here often.  Spent a lot of money there also.  Sadly, the opening of Home Depot and Menard's a few miles away on Rand Road (US-12) has really hurt their business.

When Liz was finished we went over to Burger King and had Whoppers, still one of my favorite fast foods.

On the way home we went to two Chain Crawl spots for passport stamps.  Hilltop Lounge is an older bar on Old Rollins Road.  They have $1.50 Busch Light cans.  Then to one of our favorite dive bars, the Squaw Bar (on Squaw Creek) part of the Chain of Lakes.  Enjoyed their Friday special of $1.50 domestic bottles.

Later, we went to the American Legion on US-12 by the bridge on Nippersink Lake and met up with the Usual Suspects.

--RoadDog

A Long 4th of July Celebration-- Part 1: A Boat, A Band and Bars

JUNE 27, WEDNESDAY

I always enjoy kicking back on the FP  (Front Porch) in the mornings, eating breakfast, having coffee and reading the Chicago Tribune.

Drove to Hebron, Illinois, and picked up the boat.  The Chain is still no wake, but after the 4th of July we'll get in the water.

Drove to Lindenhurst, Illinois and saw one of our favorite bands, Pirates Over 40, doing Jimmy Buffett songs.

Afterwards, we went to two places on the Chain Crawl for passport stamps:  Oasis and Steitz's.  We didn't know that the Oasis is now owned by the family who own Captain's Quarters, Electric Harbor and the Kross Inn.  Steitz's dates back to 1938.

--RoadDog

Good Times Last Weekend-- Part 3: Summer Songs, a Band and Sunnyside

JUNE 23, SATURDAY--  Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting at Panera.  Today's discussion was Civil War Logistics which proved to be quite interesting.  Then went to Barnes & Noble and bought a couple magazines.  I sure enjoy going into that place.

Then I did yardwork and trimming despite the fact that it wasn't quite dry yet, but you do the best you can in the rainy season which we evidently have.

Drove over to Choppers in Antioch, Illinois, and sat out on the deck and enjoyed the band Aging Teen Idols and then went to Time To Bite, a fishing/bar).  We got Chain Crawl stamps at both places since they are on the Chain of Lakes.

JUNE 24, SUNDAY--  Bob Stroud played his annual Root Salute to Summer on his Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV, 97.1 FM.  No better way to get into a summer kind of mood.  I'll be listing his summer songs next week.

Did some more yardwork and bush trimming and then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and saw the band Element, but didn't much like their kind of hard rock.  Ended up at Sunnyside and had quite a good time playing oldies on the jukebox with the regulars.

Is Summer Finally Here?  (Well, I did pick up the boat from the barn in Hebron yesterday.)  --RoadDog

TRANSLATING PROJECT TERMS:  They say:  Test results were extremely gratifying.  They mean:  It works, and we are surprised.

Good Times Last Weekend-- Part 2: Sitting Outside, Enjoying a Band and Drinking Beer

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

We finally have some decent summer weather.  Enjoyed listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback where they went back to 1970 as I drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group where we talked about Civil War Logistics.  I didn't think this topic would be a good one, but I sure was wrong.  Keeping those armies supplied with food and ordnance and getting them from place to place was no easy thing.

Went to Barnes & Nobles afterwards, one of the few stores I still understand, and bought a Civil War Monitor and Naval History magazine.

We went to Choppers on Il-173 in Antioch and sat out on their deck and listened to Aging Teen Idols playing music.  Just something about sitting outside on a perfect summer day, listening to a band and drinking ice cold beer that makes this one great experience.

We then went to Time to Bite, which is part fishing store and bar and also had the Chain Crawl book signed.

--RoadDog

TRANSLATING PROJECT TERMS:  They say:  Extensive effort is being applied on a fresh approach to the problem.  They Mean: We just hired three new guys; we'll let them kick it around for awhile.

Kicked Off the Summer 2018 Yesterday

Yesterday was one of those busy, fun days we have so often around here in northeastern Illinois in the Chain O' Lakes area.

First, we went over to Rosie's Italian Eatery (the old Grasslake Landing) and picked up our Chain Crawl stuff including tee shirt and passport book.  met up with a lot of boating friends.

Then, we went to Taste of McHenry in McHenry, Illinois and hit five of the 15 places before we got full and ran out of time.  We went to After the Fox, Little Chef, Bimbo's, Fox Hole and Corkscrew Pointe (all on the Fox River) and tasted boiled shrimp, BLT pizza, brusschetta, loaded mini Bloody Marys, sangria and cranberry tuna fish croissant.

Later, we drove over to the Fox Lake American Legion on Nippersink Lake and watched a duo perform from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

Like I Said, Lots of Fun Stuff Going On Around Here in the Summer.  --RoadDog

Getting My Vinyl On Today: Record Store Day

The day is here.  No downloading today (I have never downloaded anything and wouldn't know how).

Today is the day to go visit your local mom and pop independent record store, flip through some albums and buy something.

In a short time, I will be leaving for the Vinyl frontier records in McHenry, Illinopis, located at 1326 N. Riverside Drive.  After that I plan to go to Siren records at 3819 Main Street, also in McHenry.  Very lucky to have not just one, but two places for old records here in the area (and within 12 miles of home).

There is also a Reef Records in nearby Antioch, but won't get there today.

And, as something to get the mind off this horrendous April we've been having, besides Record Day, we have signup for the annual Chain Crawl for the Chain of Lakes at Squaw Bar and Hilltop Lounge.

Records and Boats.  Alright.  --RoadDog

Saufen Und Spiel Weekend-- Part 3: A Parade, DaBears and Chain Crawlin'

SUNDAY, September 10

Listened to Rock and Roll Roots and recorded Breakfast With the Beatles as usual.

We drove over to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg to view the Saufen Und Spiel parade which passes right by the place.  The name Saufen Und Spiel is, of course, German.  Johnsburg and Spring Grove were settled by many Germans.  Saufen und Spiel means drinking and games.  And, we sure keep the tradition going.

It is a long parade with marching bands and lots of floats.  We went inside afterwards and watched the Bears game.  We lost, but at least didn't have to watch old pouty face, Mr. Jay Cutler, doing his pouting thing on the sidelines.

We were going to go over to the Saugen und Spiel grounds at the Community Club to see the band, but could find no parking places, so decided to get some Chain Crawl Passport stamps and drove over to the the Snuggery on the Fox River in McHenry and had a drink and did the same at Vickie's.

Capped it off at the PLAV, Polish Legion of American Veterans.

Good Time.  --RoadDog

From the Orange Peel Gazette.  MORE COFFEE SIGNS:  You channel surf faster without a remote.

Emission Testing, Coupons Running Out-- Part 3: "The Home Wrecker"

FRIDAY MARCH 31ST--  This day we drove to Riverside Pub at Burton's Bridge.  It is on the Fox River and a part of the Chain Crawl and today is the last time we can use the coupons from their 2016 Chain Crawl book.

Liz got a 1/2 pound Angus burger and I had their famous "Homewrecker" sandwich.  This is one of the tastiest and biggest Italian sausage sandwiches you'll ever have.  I have had 'em before, and, hey, BOGO (with Chain Crawl coupon).  Hard deal to beat.

Today must have been National Eat Out Day as we decided to go over to All In Pub & Grub on the other side of the Fox River, but there was no where to park.  Kief's Reef, also by the bridge, was the same.  We drove to Crystal Lake and got on Il-31 and drove to McHenry where we found similar situations at Bulldog's Ale House and the PLAV.

We were finally able to find a place to park at Sunnyside.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

STUPID U.S. LAWS:  In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.   O.K., that is a law I can live with.

Emission Testing and Coupons Run Out: We Hit the Road-- Part 1

Because of two emission tests we had to take on our vehicles, we have four of them, we've been on the road some this past week.  that, and the fact that our Chain Crawl coupons ran out of date yesterday, March 31.

Last Saturday, March 25, I took the Dakota truck to Crystal Lake for emission test and went to the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting at Panera Bread in Crystal Lake.  On the way home, I stopped at a Barnes & Noble.  I sure miss my Border's store in McHenry.

Sunday, March 26, we went to Fox Hole in McHenry for pizza, but weren't happy to find out that the coupon had a March 31, 2016, expiration date. Just one year off.   But, their beer nuggets made up for the lack of pizza.  Also stopped at the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) and Sunnyside.

Tuesday, March 28, we went to Vickie's in McHenry on the Fox River and used a Chain Crawl coupon, BOGO sandwich.  I had the Big Kahuna: 1/2 pound burger, pulled pork and onion straws.  It was huge and good.  Great view of the river and tasty popcorn.

--RoadDog

Chain Crawl, Bands, Minnows and Bars on Sunday

AUGUST 28, SUNDAY

We met the Usual Suspects at Hidden Point on Fox Lake, with that great deck view of the lake and Kamikaze Alley (where Grasslake, Nippersink lake and Fox Lake come together).  Glenn and Barb, Pam and her friend, former McHenry High School teacher Barb.  Listened to the Joe powers Band.

This was also a stop for the Chain crawl boaters today so there was a huge crowd.

When they finished, we went over to the Aquarium on Nippersink Lake.  This is where you can join the Minnow Club by either swallowing or crunching one is you've a mind to do so.  This has been a Chain of Lakes tradition since the 1940s.

Then back to Hidden Point for a second band.

Last stop was at Sunnyside in Johnsburg where they had another band playing.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."  As in "Over Yonder."

JSS: This Weekend-- Rain, Finally-- '85 Firebird At Mechanic-- Yesterday

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  THIS WEEKEND--  Busy weekend as always on the Chain.  Later tonight we go to Sunnyside and the Legion.  Saturday we go to Dueling Pianos at Cabana's on the Chain in the afternoon and then to the Spring Grove Fire Department Steak Fry.

Sunday, we will go to the Rally By the Lake old car show at the Fox Lake Lake Shore Park on Nippersink Lake, then we see New Odyssey playing music at the St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg and then the Keeping the Spirit of '45 Alive event honor our World War II G\"Greatest generation" at the McHenry, Illinois, Veterans Memorial Park.

2.  RAIN, FINALLY--  No boating or outside work today because of the much, much-needed rain we are having.  I am getting tired of watering.

3.  '85 FIREBIRD AT MECHANIC--  In July, I discovered that my '85 Firebird was leaking oil big time so today the mechanic came over and towed it to his place so they could find out what the problem was.  I am hoping it is not the end of it, but will see.

4.  YESTERDAY--  I did yardwork on the overgrown part of my west side of the house and then cut the weeds.  With this drought, the grass isn't growing, but the weeds and crab grass sure are.  IO then saw the new "Star Trek" movie.

I was planning to go out boating, but the skies were questionable so didn't.  We went to Grasslake Landing on Grasslake and had half price pizza and pitchers.  Sadly, they are closing this Sunday.  We also got our Chain Crawl passport book signed.

After that, we went to the final It's Thursday show in Antioch and saw an excellent country band named Hillbilly Rock Starz.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Plans for This Weekend

I am writing about the Chain of Lakes in my Cooter's History Thing blog.  Yesterday, I went boating on Fox Lake, then saw two movies.  After that, Liz and I went out to get some passport stamps for this year's Chain Crawl at Famous Freddie's (at their tiki bar) and Moretti's, both in Fox Lake, Illinois.  We had hoped to go to the car show and band at Antioch's It's Thursday event, but it was too doggone HOT!!!  So went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

In a little bit, we will boat over to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake for their rib special, then the Legion to meet up with the Usual Suspects.

Tomorrow, plans call for a trip to McDonald's in Fox Lake by boat for breakfast.  Later we will be going to Oak Park Lounge on Pistakee Lake to celebrate owner Tom's 40th year of owning the place, which dates back to the 1890s.  After that, it's a band at the Legion from 3 to 6 p.m. and then a band at Captain's at 7.

Then, home for either FP or Gazebo time.

--RoadDog

Good Times Last Weekend (Despite That Lousy Carnival)

FRIDAY, MAY 13TH--  We definitely were not happy to see that lousy Round Lake Spring Carnival set up, which meant we were really going to have crummy weather, which we did.  Rain, overcast, plunging temperatures and even frost Sunday morning.

Even then, we enjoyed meeting up with our Usual Suspects at the Legion in Fox Lake.

SATURDAY, MAY 14TH--  What better way to forget about crummy weather than to think about boating, so it was a great time to have the Kickoff Party for the Chain Crawl on the Chain of Lakes.  We picked up our passbooks, coupon book and tee shirts at Port of Blarney on Grasslake Road and then went over to Lake View Place on Grasslake for food and get-together.  It was fun to talk with Don and Pat and other boating friends.  There was even a guy there that remembers me from my deejaying days at the Puppet Bar and Jackson bay.

We then ended up at Sunnsyside.

SUNDAY, MAY 15TH--  Frost this morning.  We went to Sunnyside and watched the Sox and Cubs games and then to Half-Times in Johnsburg.

Good Times on the Chain.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER:  when all your friends got their hair cut at the kitchen table.

Well, At Least We Have the Chain Crawl Today

We'll have to dress warmly, but at least we can get our minds off that crummy Round Lake Spring Carnival Weather today as this is our first chance to pick up the passports, tee shirts and Chain Crawl books.

We will first go to Port O' Blarney on Grasslake Road to get our swag, then on to Lake View Place on Grasslake.

Hopefully, This Will help us Forget the Weather.  --RoadDog

Using Up the Chain Crawl Coupons-- Part 2: Hermann's Low Life Bar and NCAA Games

MARCH 24, THURSDAY--  Drove to Hermann's Low Life Bar and Grill in Port Barrington.  This place dates back to the 1920s and hasn't changed much and is a favorite of ours.  Used a Chain Crawl coupon for half off their delicious pizza.  Then we went to Broken Oar for the $1 drafts and then to Half-Times in Johnsburg for their $1 drafts.  We also had an inch of snow with the biggest snow flakes I've ever seen.  watched four really boring NCAA Tournament games.

MARCH 25, FRIDAY--  Went to Walgreen's in Spring Grove and found they were selling all their left-over St. Patrick's stuff for really, really cheap so bought a really, really lot.  We went to the Route 12 Bar and Grill and used another BOGO coupon for their burgers.  I had one of my favorites, a BleuBurger, a half-pound black angus patty with bleu cheese and thick bacon.

We then met a group of friends at the Legion in Fox Lake.  Watched NCAA Tournament games and two of four were real good ones.

I Got friends in Low Places.  --RoadDog

EXERCISE!!  I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

Using Those Chain Crawl Coupons: A Taste of the Caribbean in McHenry

MARCH 22, TUESDAY--  We went to Vickie's Place in McHenry, right on the Fox River to use another Chain Crawl coupon.  It was buy one burger, get one free.  This is a place with a definite Caribbean feel to it with a huge deck area and a big stop for boaters during the summer.

They also have some of the best and most unique burgers around.  I had a Big Kahuna which is a half pound Angus with pulled pork, cole slaw and onion straws.  Mighty good eating and it comes along with a side of seasoned fries and onion straws.

We then stopped at Sunnyside.  The big topic there was the horrible terrorist attacks in Belgium.

MARCH 23, WEDNESDAY--  We went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and the Grove in Spring Grove.

Big Kahuna Me.  --RoadDog

EXERCISE!!  I like long walks, especially when they are done by people who annoy me.