Johnny's Cafe, Legion, Ray Chevrolet, USO, BBQ, Plaquing a Cabin

JULY 15,  Friday

Met the usual suspects at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois, and afterwards, adjourned to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

JULY 16, SATURDAY

Went over to Ray Chevrolet (where we bought our last two Malibus) in Fox Lake for their cookout to raise money for the USO and met Glen and Barb.  Outstanding brats for just $2 as well as a classic car show.  

We then went over to where Pink Harrison's used to be on Pistakee Lake.  The McHenry County Historical Association was plaquing one of the original vacation cabins and there was a huge crowd in attendance.  Makes you think that History might just have a chance.

Oak Park Lounge is right next to it and is an original Chain  O' Lakes bar and resort.  Pictures of it on display show that it still looks much like it did in the 1930s.  Had a couple brews there.  It opened in the 1890s.

--RoadOld

Last Week: An Automotive Double Whammy, Pizza, Sunnyside and Trivia at Donovan's Reef

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 

Well, great news, the '11 Malibu is ready from Ray Chevrolet as we're down to just the '05 Dakota running at present, but it has been making strange noises.  Went in and paid my $1,743 for the repairs after I hit the raccoon.  As I pulled out of Ray Chevrolet in the truck, all of a sudden it started to jerk and shudder and I made it into the next BP station.  Then got it back to Ray Chevrolet.

Oh boy, an automotive double whammy.  They were nice enough t take me home in their courtesy vehicle.

Later had a great pizza at Half-Times in Johnsburg (for half-price and $1 14 ounce drafts, then went to Sunnyside.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

It will cost $1,050 to repair the truck.  Ouch!  That was on top of the $1,500 to repair the Malibu.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

This was one really windy day, by an equally windy night.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and had a real good time with Uncle Jeffy in trivia.

Ain't Owning Cars a Lot of Fun?  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  It sounds like English, but I can't hear a word you say.

The $3800 Six Mile Auto Trip, Nov. 10, 2020-- Part 3: Since Then

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

The guy came from the Chevy dealer and towed the car there.  Later that afternoon, we got a phone call about the damage to the car.  I planned on paying for it myself if it was under $1000, but it sure wasn't.  To do the mechanical repairs (with damage to the radiator and various other parts up front, it came to $2100.  To get the grill and front bumper replaced the whole price came to $3800.

Quite a bit more than I wanted to pay for.  So, I called our State Farm agent (not Jake from State Farm) and made a claim.  After giving the information, we were assigned a claim number and told their person would contact the dealer and work out something.

The contact, however we found out, was to be virtual in these virus days.

We have not heard from anyone as of yet, but will be calling today to find out where we stand and what will be done.

Just several years ago, we had four vehicles and now we are down to just one, a 2005 Dodge Dakota.

Kind of Would Like to Have At Least Two Vehicles, Though.  --RoadAlmostCarless

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why are you "in" a movie, but "on" TV?

The $3800 Six Mile Auto Trip Nov. 10, the Next Day

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 11

And that is considering that since March 16, I haven't driven further than 25 miles from home.  With this virus, it is just no fun to drive anywhere.  We even dropped plans to join family in Savannah, Georgia, this coming Thursday for Thanksgiving.  We had that in the plans for a year and a half.

That storm, as bad as it was, was over in about an hour.

Anyway, the next day, I walked out by the car and saw the garage floor was very wet under the front of the car(perhaps, I thought, from all the rain we had) but there was nothing by the back tires.

I looked at the front of the 2011 Malibu and could see the license plate and holder were a bit bent and he bumper under it was dented as well.  Then I saw a piece of wood jammed in there, but I couldn't loosen it. (Nor could I get the hood up after I pulled the inside lever to do it.  I couldn't find the latch in the engine.)

I started the car, and it started right up.  Backed it out of the garage and drove around a couple blocks.  It ran well.  No warning lights came on either.

Parked it on the driveway which was dry, figuring I would see if it was still leaking.  I went out a few hours later and the driveway was covered with some sort of liquid.

I called our Chevy dealer to have it towed in the next day.

Watch Out for Them Motivating Big Tree Branches.--RoadWreck

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do we press harder on the remote when we know the batteries are getting weak?

The $3800 Six Mile Auto Trip Last Tuesday-- Part 1: One Helluva Storm

We had had an almost unbelievable streak of warm weather for almost seven days in early November, so we had been taking advantage of it.  

However, Tuesday, November 10, it was supposed to end and in a big fashion with storms rolling through and really big winds.  Of course, that was the sky-is-falling weather forecasters so it was something you had to see.

We were down in Johnsburg sitting outside enjoying a late lunch (wow, sitting outside comfortably with just a sweatshirt and short pants in November here in the Midwest.  Wow!!) and then it began looking like the weather folks might be right.  Some really bad-looking black clouds were rolling in from the west and the wind was picking up.  (We were sitting outside because of the virus and no dining inside.)

Around 4:15, a big blast of wind and a smattering of raindrops hit, sending customers chasing after chairs, tables and umbrellas and then we and others decided it was time to hightail home.  We got to the car just ahead of a downpour.

Driving north on Johnsburg Road, we could see the rain coming down horizontally.  Trees were bending over alarmingly.  The pavement was becoming slippery.  We stopped at Ringwood Road for the sign, proceeded through the intersection and about a quarter mile north, I saw a large tree branch blown down and start across the road.  This was maybe a hundred feet in front of us.

Slammed on the brakes, but had to let up when I started skidding.  The branch was sliding across the road, but enough in it so that we were going to hit it.  We did.

The car continued going with no problems and we drove the last couple miles to home.  Parked in the garage and we could see no damage.

Hopefully, we wouldn't have any damage, but would have to wait until the next day to take a look in the daylight.

That Was Too Close.  The Heart Was Racing.  --RoadSmash

THINGS TO PONDER:  If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2.

JSS: Dumb Commercials-- Calvin & Hobbes-- Butterflies & Humming Birds

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  DUMB COMMERCIALS--

 How dumb is that Pepsi commercial with Nate and Kate as taste buds in your mouth?  Way too much flirting and stupid dialogue.  How much longer must we be subjected to it?

Plus, that weird little Prince-ish guy for Diet Dr. Pepper.

2.  CALVIN & HOBBES--  I sure wish the creator Bill Watterson would bring it back.  But, I go to Go Comics every day and see am old one.  On August 6, 2019, we see Calvin talking to his tiger, Hobbes, and saying:  "Dad might be a secret super hero but driving a car that isn't cool.  I know, ours doesn't even have a cassette deck."    Kind of dates the comic strip.

Today's kids wouldn't even know what a cassette deck is.  Shoot, in Chevrolets, you can't even get a CD deck anymore.  That will be a big problem when we buy our next Chevrolet.  I have to have at least a CD player.  Last year, we sold our '03 Malibu which had both a CD and a cassette player.  Now  that was a great sound system.  Our '11 Malibu at least still has a CD player.

3.  BUTTERFLIES & HUMMINGBIRDS--  Well, butterflies might be endangered now, but I sure have a lot out in the yard.  As a matter of fact, I usually have several fly into me whenever I'm outside.  I especially have a lot of monarch butterflies.  I also have several hummingbirds (even though I don't feed them) that scare me badly every time I see see them.  My first thought is, "Look at the size of that mosquito!!"

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog

STATE OF THE JOKE:  INDIANA--  What is the difference between Indiana sports fans and puppies?  Answer:  Eventually, the pups will grow up and stop whining.

Nothing Like A Summer Around Here-- Part 3: Two Bars, Two Bands, Ron Santo and Summer's Officially Here

JULY 14, SATURDAY

I went to Ray Chevrolet/Dodge in Fox Lake, Illinois, for their sixth annual BBQ fundraiser for the USO, that organization which does such a great job for the troops.  This took place outside the two dealerships under a huge tent.  The American Legion Post 703 honor guard started the proceedings with the local Cub Scouts and then the Fox Lake mayor and the bossman, Ray Scarpelli, said a few words.  A deejay was playing oldies and there was free burgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs, chips and soda.  They just asked for donations.  Ray said they had raised $600,000 so far.

I had been reading a book about Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs awhile back and had seen the name Ray Scarpelli.  Ray said that his father had been best friends with Ron Santo.

Later, Liz and I went to Choppers in Antioch off Il-173 and Channel Lake and were entertained by a guy on guitar while sitting out on the deck.  We then went to Captain's Quarters off Grasslake Road on Fox Lake and saw the band Pirate Radio at the outside bar.   We always consider summer officially started when we see a band at Captain's.

Something About Outside Activities This Time of the Year.  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S A REDNECK COMPUTER WHEN:  The screen saver is a picture of Ned Beatty with "Dueling Banjos" playing in the background.

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

Holy Replica! Life-size Lego Batmobile

From the January 18, 2015, USA Today by Detroit Free Press.

Chevy unveils vehicle inspired by upcoming movie.  I saw previews of the Batmobile Chevy commercial at the movie theater yesterday.  Talk about your ultimate tie-in between Chevrolet and the movie which is soon-to-be --released in a theater near you.  The movie is "The Lego Batman Movie."  It looks to be a hoot and I am thinking of seeing it.

Designed and assembled by Lego master builders in Enfield, Connecticut, it took 344,187 Lego bricks and 1,833 hours to build it.

--RoadDog

Good Times in the Area: Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day-- Part 3: A Tribute to Harold Ramis

MARCH 13, SUNDAY--  Getting used to Daylight Savings Time.  Pizza and pitchers at Hickory Lodge in McCullom Lake.  Stop at Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

MARCH 14, MONDAY--  Took the '03 to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake to get the back lights fixed.  Went to Half-Times for their Monday Happy Hour with 1/2 price appetizers and $1 20 oz. drafts.  Really getting tired of all the political ads as tomorrow is primary day in Illinois.

MARCH 15, TUESDAY--  Took the '11 Malibu to Ray Chevrolet for recall on the seatbelt.  Enjoyed looking at the 2015-1016 Camaros and Malibus.  Probably our next car.    I tried the Taco Bell breakfast offerings, not bad for a buck.

Drove to Woodstock for the Harold Ramis Tribute at the Woodstock Theatre.  First, I saw the movie "London Has Fallen."  I then went to La Placita Taqueria Mexican Restaurant for dinner.  Great burrito.  Even better, this was where the Tip-Top Cafe was in the movie "Groundhog Day" and I sat in the spot where Bill Murray crammed all that food into his mouth.  Harold Ramis was very involved with this movie and directed it as well as co-wrote the screenplay.

I then saw the third of the movies in the tribute to him, "National Lampoon's Animal House."  This is my all-time favorite movie and it was great seeing it on the big screen again.  Until the end, this movie could have been my old fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi.  There sure was a lot of laughing and many, like me, knew the lines essentially by heart.

Laughing All the Way.  --RoadDog

RAMBLINGS OF A RETIRED MIND:  Why do they put up pictures of criminal in the post office?  What are we supposed to do-- write to these men?  Why don't they put their pictures on postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?