The Old Dummy Goes Smart...Well, Maybe

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

Bob Stroud has been counting through the 1970s in his daily Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  Yesterday, he did 1970 with songs like "Teacher" by Jethro Tull and "The Rapper" by the Jaggerz.  Today, he did 1971 with songs like "Going Mobile" by the Who and "Everythings Coming Our Way" by Santana.  Those were two great college years for me at NIU.  He will continue this the rest of the month going to 1980.  It streams at 10 am and 10 pm.

Drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to the Target store and bought a Consumer Cellular Smart Phone.  My friend Kelly is going to help me shed my old dumb ways.  It's going to be a long haul as when it comes to technology, I am severely challenged.

Met Kevin, Kelly, Pam and Laura at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and we had a good time with trivia.

We had no luck with our attempts to set up the phone.

It's Going to be a Long Road to Hoe with That "Smart" Phone.  --RoadDumb

Good Times Last Weekend

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29  Went to Popeye's (not the fried chicken chain) in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for their most excellent fish fry overlooking the famous Riviera Docks on Geneva Lake.  Great view and plenty of nautical effects as well as some of the best broiled and fried fish, potato pancakes and seasoned fries, cole slaw and hush puppies you're going to get anywhere.

Stopped at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on the way home.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30--  The whole weekend I spent a lot of time chopping back the ice/snow from the sides of the driveway as we had temps into the 40s.

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for their annual Groundhog Days Festival.  This is where the famous movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray was filmed.  Listened to Bob Hudgins, movie site manager, for a bit as he led a large group to the many movie sites around the famed Woodstock Square and downtown.

I walked over to Wayne's Lanes, featured in the movie and watched part of te movie.  Outside of the bowling alley was where they got into the car before going on the chase where they ended up on the railroad tracks.

Last stop was at the Public House by the old courthouse, where the "Drink to World Peace" scenes were filmed, but it was too crowded so came home.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31--  Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX Championship at the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, by watching the "Super Bowl Shuffle" and the game.  Huge , loud and appreciative crowd cheering the whole way.

Good Times For All.  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  Hot water comes out of both taps.

How to Spend a Non-Football Weekend

Well, I don't really consider the NFL Pro Bowl a real football game.

FRIDAY

We went to Lake Geneva, Wi,, and had the great fish fry at Popeye's (not the chicken chain) overlooking the Riviera Docks and Geneva Lake. One of the best anywhere. Then to good old Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for NTN and Liz's belated champagne birthday toast. We were at the other Donovan's in Panama City Beach, Fl., for the real one Jan. 10th.


SATURDAY

Just hung around home' a nice thing to do after all those weeks on the road. I did clear snow off the driveway, but no big accumulation.


SUNDAY

Bob Stroud was doing his Rock and Roll Roots show on the Blizzard of'67 here in Chicago, the biggest snowfall ever in the city. Snow was coming down as he did it and I was sure hoping we didn't have a repeat of 45 years ago. We didn't, but I still had to get out and shovel the driveway again.

Ate at Arby's for the first time in a long time, then went to AJ's Horsin' Around in Round Lake Park where we saw Terry Spizzirri and Nephew entertain for the annual bar bus trip (six bars in six hours). That guy puts on a great show and we all had fun. What else you wanna do on a Sunday afternoon with NO FOOTBALL!!

Play me Some Irish Music!! --RoadDog


HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Skedaddle...(Get out of here mighty fast.)

Lake Geneva Here We Go-- Part 2

I knew Lake Geneva got busy during the summer, but had no idea just HOW busy. We had to detour to get over to Popeye's located across the street from Geneva Lake. Traffic was backed up tremendously and it didn'tappear that we would be able to get through the stop light.

Popeye's, not to be confused with the popular New Orleans fried chicken chain, has been there since the 1970s and, from a modest beginning, has really built up one of the most popular restaurants in town. And then, there's that view of the lake, especially if you are fortunate to get a table along the windows. We didn't, but still had a nice view from a table located more to the interior.

Then, there's the great food, albeit a bit on the expensive side. About the cheapest sandwich on the menu is $8.99. We usually only go when we get 50% off coupons for our birthdays, or in this case, a local VIP coupon, also good for half off and for EVERY WEDNESDAY in August. This helps offset the price and gas to get there. I should mention that once a month, they have a $2.99 meal. This month it's chicken and dumplings.

Great meal.

WALKABOUT

Afterwards, we visited a windsock shop and another with all sorts of signs and other dust-gatherers, but am happy to report we didn't buy anything. Of course, being a tourist spot,there are tee shirt places (where we got the idea for our "I Don't Want To, I Don't Have To, You Can't Make Me, I'm Retired" idea for Liz's Zazzle shirts.

We visited one store famous for their delicious varieties ofpopcorn and the owner talked about Route 66 when he saw the name on my hat. Maybe we should have a special Route 66 popcorn variety.

One sad thing is that after this season, the local video machine place will be closing forever, a victim of the times. This used to be a really hot spot for kids to spend their quarters and play the latest games, but now, they have their own hand-held devices as well as the games on computers.

Then, Again, Sometimes I Feel Like a Victim of the Times. --RoadDog

Lake Geneva Here We Go

Yesterday, we decided it was too much of a chance of rain to go boating, so we went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, about 20 miles away, just over the border. This is a major tourist destination for "Flatlanders" as we Illinois-folk are sometimes referred to by "Cheeseheads."


THE DRIVE

We took US-12 through beautiful antique Richmond, Illinois, and past one of the few remaining Dog 'N Suds on the north side of town. Then, we got on Highway H in Genoa City which features an excellent restaurant on the main street called Keller's with that great old sign. There is also Fitzgerald's at the Octagon House which is famed for their Door County Fish Boil.


Highway H is actually the original US-12 before the freeway was built. We especially like this route because there is little traffic and it goes through rolling hills, past farms, lots of silos, and The Upper Crust restaurant in Pell Lake, also a favorite and unique eating experience.


UPON ARRIVING IN LAKE GENEVA

At Wisconsin Route 120, Highway H cuts off to the east, but continue through the intersection as this is still the original US-12. You will now be on Wells Street. Along a three mile stretch there are about seven old mom and pop-type motels, including one with cabins. This is where most regular folk (non-millionaire) stayed when visiting.

To Be Continued...

A Good Day in Cheesehead Land, --RoadDog

Took a Drive Up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin-- Part 1

Yesterday, Liz and I took a trip to Lake Geneva to see those beautiful lights at Grand Geneva, close by Wisconsin 50/US-12. We like to do this every year, and it is a magnificent display with over a million lights.

In keeping with our 40th Anniversary "Trip Down Memory Lane," we stopped at Dilar's in Richmond for lunch. We stopped at this place many times while dating in high school and college. At that time, and, until about seven years ago, it was Mr. Sitka's. They had some excellent pizza and very reasonably prices for modest high school and college budgets.

At the time, we were living in Palatine and it never would have entered our minds that one day we would be living only about six miles from it. That drive north on US-12 seemed to go on forever.

Still has excellent food, especially their broasted chicken, and a whole meal with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and salad came to $8.25.

We then drove past the Wisconsin border on the four lane US-12 speedway. Speed limit is 65, but you'll get run over if you adhere to it. My favorite place along this stretch of road is where they have signs for "Airplane Crossing" and "Watch for Low-Flying Planes." This is not what you'd expect to see on a road. There is a subdivision at this point where one of the roads is a landing strip. These folks fly to their jobs.

It was still light, so we stopped at the Lake Geneva Lanes on Wi-50 and played NTN. It has 12 lanes and a great little lounge done up north-woods style with exposed timbers.

More Tomorrow. --RoadDog