JSS: Gas Prices-- Flower Sales Finally-- Buddy Denny's Massive RoadTrip-- A Fish Fry and View With a Brew

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  GAS PRICES--  After last year, when the prices were so low, but essentially nothing was open, we have been in for a massive gas gouge as things open up and people hit the road.  Gas around here in northeastern Illinois are anywhere from $3.00 to $3.50.  Go over the border to Wisconsin (inly about eight miles away) and the gas is $2.95.  Guess where I get my gas?

2.  FLOWER SALES FINALLY--  All last year, I waited for annual flowers to go on sale, but it never happened.  I was beginning to give up for this year as well.  The best I could find were clearance flowers at Wal-Mart which were near dying, but recoverable.

However, the last two days I was on a buying spree at Menard's as their six pack annuals and seed geraniums were 50 cents.  Six packs of wave petunias are $1.25.  Now, I just have to find someone to plant them.  Any volunteers?

3.  BUDDY DENNY'S MASSIVE ROAD TRIP--  In a few hours I will be driving over to Marengo, Illinois, to meet my buddy Denny, who, after chomping at the bit last year, finally got to go out on the road and what a trip he has been on.  He has driven the entire length of the old Yellowstone Trail which traverses the U.S. from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound and is coming back from Oregon to Massachusetts on U.S. Highway 20.  Marengo is on US-20.

4.  A FISH FRY AND VIEW WITH A BREW--  Last night, we met up with friends at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road in Antioch, Illinois, for their wonderful beer-battered fish fry, then adjourned to the nearby Lake View Bar on Grasslake and sat out on the deck, enjoying the view toward Blarney Island, the sunset and especially the $1 brews.

Great Times.  --RoadDog

One Great Time Last Weekend: Barhopping, Wings, $1 Drafts, Beach Bumz Band, Fish Fry and the Legion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

Barhopping at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.  Two places where everybody knows your name.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

Met Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Bootleggers on Grasslake Road in Antioch and enjoyed the 50 cent wings and $1 draft pints.  Then went to the It's Thursday in Antioch, the weekly party by the bandshell behind Main Street.  Every Thursday from mid-June to mid-August, they have a band playing there from 7:30 to 9 p.m..

Tonight the band was Johnny Russell & the Beach Bumz.  If you like Jimmy Buffett, reggae or country beach music, this music is for you.  We also met several good friends there.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Enjoyed WDRV's Ten at Ten's American Road Trip songs.  Road tripping on old highways is one of our favorite things to do, especially on Route 66 or the Lincoln Highway.

We met Kelly and Kevin and Barb and Glenn at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their beer-battered fish fry, auce for $9,99 and $2 craft beer pints.  Then went to the Fox Lake American Legion with them for the 50-50.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

Buying Books That I Don't Need-- But the Price WAS Right

I have "sworn off" book purchases for the most part. I have lots and lots and lots of books that I haven't read, and it is not likely that I'll ever get around to reading. But, I just hate getting rid of even one. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll read it.

However, in the last five days I have bought SIX books at that Half-Price Books store in Arlington Heights, Illinois. As Flip Wilson would say....

They are all on three of my favorite subjects: old roads, music, and the Civil War. That was mean to put them out for mostly $5 or $6.

MUSIC

(Earlier today I was listening to the Surf, 94.9 FM, out of North Myrtle Beach, SC, playing that great Beach Music. Now, I am listening to The Beach, 95.1 FM, WBPC, Panama City, Florida, which plays Beach Music and some pretty obscure oldies. Isn't the internet wonderful?)


THE BOOK OF HIT SINGLES: TOP 20 CHARTS FROM 1954 TO THE PRESENT DAY-- $5-- paperback-- A list of both UK and US Top 20 charts by month over all those years. Brings back the memories.

HEART AND SOUL: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK MUSIC STYLE IN AMERICA 1930-1975-- $6--hard cover-- Lots of pictures of black performers and groups as well as information. Some of the greatest music ever made: Joe Tex, Jackie Wilson, Billy Ward & His Dominoes featuring Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson, Solomon Burke, Isley Brothers, Falcons, and O.V. Wright on just four pages.

More to Come. --RoadDog

From a Cop: "I'm glad to hear the chief of police is a personal friend of yours, so you know someone who can post your bail."

Hittin' the Road-- Part 1: Lincoln Highway in Illinois

We're heading out for a cruise on the Illinois stretch of the Lincoln Highway. Plans call for a stop at the Franklin Grove, Il., LH visitors center and then we'd like to see the covered bridge I just found out about near Morrison. I'd also like to check out Dixon's 1930s swimming pool and Logan Park.

Planning on catching Clinton Lumber Barons game. That'd be Class A minor league baseball, where the players definitely aren't millionaires. You might say it's real baseball.

The Lincoln Highway is the nation's oldest transcontinental road and dates back to 1913, some 13 years before Route 66.

--RoadDog