Heading for the Warmth: December 31st (Part 3)-- It Must Be New Year's Eve Somewhere

From Boozer's we went across A1A to a favorite of ours, Capone's Flicker Light, right on the intercoastal.  This is a Chicago bar with all sorts of Chicago items in it.  The last time the Bears were in the Super Bowl, the game was played in Miami and Capone's served as the de facto headquarters for Bears fans.

We got dinner here.  Great food and reasonable drink prices.

Went back to the room for awhile, then back on the Broadwalk and watched the people walk by and an occasional firework.  Hollywood was supposed to have a fireworks display, we thought, at 9 PM, but found out later it would be at midnight.

Walked by Nick's and Boozer's, but both were too  crowded so we then went to Le Tub, next to Capone's and on the intercoastal as well.  This was another favorite of ours from years past.  Unique is the word for this place.  Kind of dead, though, and we weren't too happy with the $3.75 beer cans (somewhat warm), so went to Capone's again.  While there, two former NIU football players from the '83 California Bowl team came in along with a former wrestler.  Last night they had had a reception for all the former football players and coaches.  I sure would have liked to be there.

Talked Huskie football, of course.  The stroke of midnight came, but nothing at all happened at Capone's.

Walked over to Joe's Tiki Bar on the intercoastal as well and they were having a huge party so stuck around there awhile.

Made It Through Another NYE.  --RoadDog

Heading for the Warmth; December. 31st (Part 2)-- Having a Good Time in Hollywood Beach

After trading good-natured barbs with the FSU fans, we went next door to the Sahara and got a pitcher of beer for $6.99 (watch out, some Florida places charge an additional tax on alcohol) and enjoyed watching the folks walking on the Broadwalk (not  Boardwalk like you'd think, but very appropriate).  Then, there was the Atlantic Ocean about fifty yards away.

Back when we used to come down to Hollywood, there were two neat bars on the south side of Johnson Street called Frenchie's and 12 O'Clock High.  But both moved because of the redevelopment of the beach.  Frenchie's moved into the traffic circle and 12 O'Clock High  moved across the street.  It too is now gone, and a place called Boozer's is now there.

Boozer's is a good follow-up to 12 O'Clock and has entertainers from the late afternoon into the night.  Of course, they sing about half French and half English songs.  The bartop has a regular beach under the glass.

Still Celebrating.  --RoadDog

Heading for the Warmth: December 31st-- Hollywood Beach Here We Come

December 31st, we took A1A south to Fort Matanzas, an old Spanish fort south of St. Augustine and then headed out on a mighty confusing road to I-95.  Stopped at a McDonald's for lunch.  You know, IT IS McRib time and I've got to have my fix. 

Lots of traffic and the great RVusBiggus Migration going on still,today.  By the time we hit Palm Beach, it was so heavy that it was starting to really bug me, so got off at Ft. Lauderdale and took US-1, the Federal Highway, to A1A and The Caroline in Hollywood Beach.

Got our room and then went out to the Broadwalk, as they call it, to have somelibations to relax.  They have put millions into the Broadwalk and it is quite impressive now with all the landscaping and paver bricks (it used to be just asphalt).

Had a drink at Nick's and talked with some Florida State fans.

More to Come.  --RoadDog

Heading for the Warmth: Heading West Today

I haven't been on the ol'  'pute since the 31st.  Been sort of busy.

Besides a New Year's Eve celebration, then there was New Year's Day and Night, taken up with this lil' bowl thing here in South Florida. Sure had a good time except for the final score.  One local paper called it a blowout and the score would seem to indicate it.

However, the score was 17-10 at the start of the 4th quarter.  Right before that, a Huskie drive had been  stopped when one of the Florida State players intercepted the ball on their 10 yard line.  Had we scored, the end might have been different.

Yesterday was relaxing, the first time since the trip began where we didn't have anything to do.

In a bit, we'll be on the road to Clearwater Beach on the gulf.

It's a Far, Far Better Beach I Do Today Than E'er Before.  --RoadDog

The Sunday Comics and Me-- Part 1 Hunky-Dory's

This past Sunday, two of the comic strips in the Chicago Tribune were about me.

One of my favorite comic strips is Mister Boffo and His Wonder Dog "Weederman."

This one had two guys in an office talking.

First-- "Johnson in accounting says everything is Hunk-Dory."

Second-- "Hunky-Dory?! I don't want hunky-dory, I want facts and figures."

Third-- "Hunky-Dory means nothing! I want charts, graphs, and every bit of statistical data we have."

Fourth-- "You got that?!"

Fifth-- other guy leaving and saying "Okey Dokey."

For many years, we used to go to Florida for spring vacation. A favorite place to stay was at the Beach House in Hollywood Beach. Right across A1A was a great place called Hunky Dory's which was right on the Intercoastal Waterway and featured bands and $1 margaritas.

For some reason, I could never remember the name of the place and kept calling it Okey Dokey's. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't remember it. It kept coming out Okey Dokey.

One year, we went back and I was so proud that I had finally learned the correct name, and wouldn't you know it, the place had been sold and the name changed to Bimini Bay. Well, at least this new name was easy to learn.

What's in a Name? --RoadDog