Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Teachers, Pi, a Cemetery and Some Bars

MARCH 14, THURSDAY

I met seven other teachers I used to work with at Magee Middle School in Round Lake at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, for breakfast.  It is always good to get together with old friends.  Stopped at my State Farm agent to see if I could get an adjustment on my vehicle insurance on the '05 Dodge Dakota and '85 Firebird since I don't drive either very much, but already was getting the lowest amount I could.

Bought an apple pie at Jewel for $3.14.  I wonder why that price?

MARCH 15, FRIDAY

Drove to Arlington Heights, Illinois, to replace the flowers on my mother and father-in-laws' graves, stopping along the way in Lake Zurich to get the tax information on my Charles Schwab account.  On the way back stopped at Sunnyside in Johnsburg and the Fox Lake American Legion.

Pi Is 3.14.  --RoadO'Green

Oh, Those Pontiacs, Trivia at Donovans and Alan Snyder at Sunnyside

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16

Went to the Car Show at the McHenry Moose Lodge which was featuring Pontiacs.  Too bad I couldn't take my '85 Firebird because of a flat tire and I can't get it started.  They had several GTOs and Trans Ams, but no regular Firebirds.  A 1968 Pontiac Tempest brought back memories as we used to have a '67 Tempest, the poor man's GTO.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

THUSDAY, AUGUST 18

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois, and saw Alan Snyder do his show.  Great music and trivia.

I Sure Miss Pontiacs.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do we ship by truck and send cargo by ship?

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

Around Here: No More Firebird Cruises This Year, MCCWRT Meeting, Donovan's Reef and Trivia

TUESDAY, OCTONER 26

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the '85 Firebird to start, so that's it for my Firebird Cruises until next spring.  Hopefully I can get the problem with starting it worked out then.  Well, actually I wasn't going to get much more in cruising as my Extended Antique license plates only go to the end of October.

I went to McHenry and bought two cassette bricks at Meijer and had a Wendy's four for $5 special, then a McHenry County Civil War Round Table Board of Directors meeting at Sandy's house.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

We had quite the spread of snacks at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.  No live trivia today, but we did enjoy playing along with the "Beast,"  "America Says" and Jeopardy on TV.

--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.

Good Times Around Here July 31-- Part 2: Front Porch, Radio, Two State Parks and Stucky's

SATURDAY, JULY 31

The usual morning stuff, FP, internet and radio (Bill St. James' Time Warp, WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback 1992-1993 and the Surf's Beach Music Top 25 Countdown)

Took a nice Firebird Cruise south of here to the Moraine Hills State Park and the McHenry Dam State Park.  These are two of the most beautiful parks you can imagine.  Lots of walking trails and views.

I went to the McHenry Dam Park first and you get a view of the dam on the Fox River which regulates the depth of the Chain of Lakes.  The other side of it you can see the Stratton Locks which boaters use to get up and down the river.

The Moraine Hills Park takes its name from the geologic form known as a moraine, which is an accumulation of boulders and rocks and other debris deposited by a glacier when it melts.

There were a lot of people taking advantage of the two parks with picnics, walking and fishing at the dam.

We went to Stucky's that evening for the $1 draft pints and I had the chicken Kiev special.

--RoadDog

Just Like Old Times Around Here Last Week: Bars, Car Show, Plants, Margaritas, Trivia and the White Sox

Things sure are looking up this summer as compared to the last one we had.  Here's what I did  this past week.

MONDAY, JUNE 21

Obviously pretty much every day I am in the internet posting to as many of these eight blogs as I can.  And, this past week, we finally started getting some rain after an extended four week drought.

Monday, we went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed their $1.50 draft pints.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22

Made the rounds of the nurseries for plants in McHenry, Illinois: Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Meijer's.  Drove back to the McHenry Moose Lodge for their weekly car show.  I am a big Firebird guy and as I entered the grounds, I immediately saw a 2002 Firebird and a 1977 Trans Am.  Sadly, you don't see that many Firebirds.  Lots and lots of Camaros and Mustangs, but nor many Firebirds.  They were the only ones there.

Enjoyed a $3 margarita and their taco special (3 for $6 including rice and beans).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played trivia while watching the White Sox game.  Afterwards, enjoyed the half price burgers at Bricks & Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois.

Sure Good to be Back to These Fun Things in the Summer.  --RoadDog

Fish Fry, '85 Firebird, Out on the Chain, Stucky's & the Legion

This past weekend was another one of those great times out here in northeast Illinois in the famed Chain of Lakes.

FRIDAY, June 18

We finally had some much-needed rain all morning.  We met a group of friends at Stucky's in Johnsburg for their great Fish Fry.  I just love a good Friday night fish fry.

SATURDAY, June 19

The big news is that Vince came over and installed a new starter in my '85 Firebird and it now runs!!!  He had it all winter and it is fixed up as good as new, so there will be some good times in it this summer.  We've had it since it was new.

During the afternoon, we went over to Rosie's Italian Eatery on Grasslake, one of the Chain of Lakes, to see a band that was playing on their deck.  Unfortunately, the place was packed so we didn't even go in.  Since we were already over in that area, we decided to check out the Sunset Grille where we found a duo playing outside and a place to sit so ended up there.

Nothing like ice cold beer, the sun, a band and sitting outside here in the Chain of Lakes, especially with everything opening up again after you-know-what.

Afterwards, a group of us went back to Stucky's to get a bite to eat and enjoy their $1 draft beers.

SUNDAY, June 20

Bob Stroud hosted his annual Rock and Roll Roots Salute to Summer, so that was a good way to welcome the season.

In the afternoon, we went over to the McHenry American Legion and enjoyed their "adequate" $2.50 Bloody Marys and an assortment of beer.

Like I Said, Good Times in the Area.  It's Good to be Back!!  --RoadFun

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