Seeking the Warm-- Part 9-- Mobile Bound

THROWED ROLLS

March 1st we checked out and drove US-98 along the coast to Pensacola and over that beautiful bridge to the city. Lots of traffic there.

First stop was Foley, Alabama, where we had a hankerin' for Lambert's Cafe, a real experience. Watch for those flying rolls and be prepared for some major eating. We also had to watch out for our waitress' practical jokes which made the experience even more fun.

Then, it was NTN Cruisin' east of the bay. First stop was Kelsy's west of Foley. Not much to look at, but really friendly people, including the guy who had gone to school with Mike Ditka and the couple who had lived along the Fox River south of McHenry in our neck of the woods.

Then, it was on to Fairhope and a stop at Tokyo Lounge and after that, the Top of the Bay in Daphne.


RAINING IN MY HEART

It was pouring by the time we got out of the last place and continued the rest of the night so didn't have much fun driving I-10 into Mobile. Took it to I-65 and then to Airport Road, one of the scariest places in the country to drive. You just don't know where you're going to get hit from. And, worse, it was rush hour.

We had to drive it way out west where we played some more NTN at the B-Dub and Boondocks (well deserved name). All five of these NTN Buzztime sites were new to us, bringing us up to 13 new places for the trip.

Ended up driving all the way back to I-65 to find a motel that wasn't too expensive. The Hampton said since we were seniors and it was storming, we could have a room for $110 plus tax. Got a room at the LaQuinta for $50.13 including tax.

Drove over to the nearby Wings and played some NTN before going back. We'd already played here before.

A Really Busy Day. --RoadDog


Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Seeking the Warm-- Part 9-- Destin

Sunday, February 28th, we just sat out by the Gulf on what was to be the warmest day of the trip, about 60 degrees. Still a lot of cold in the wind, but definitely fine when behind the wind block.

At 6, we drove west and did some grazing at Golden Corral.

We checked out tee shirt stores for Liz on the way back and a neat place called Fudpuckers with more beach detail than you could want, but it was essentially dead so didn't stay. They did have a really fine old beer can collection, something I used to collect. Enjoyed looking at it.

We had planned to go to Johnnie Q's for some NTN, but saw a cop car parked behind it. No way I go into a bar with a cop car parked out behind it. Last night, we had seen a cop car waiting on our drive back from the bowling alley. They must have a major effort going on.

Be Careful Out There. --RoadDog


Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.

We're Home

After putting 2,524.6 miles on the Malibu, we arrived back home in the snow lands last night.

Put 473 miles on yesterday and 585 the Tuesday. Getting too old for these 500 mile days.

Had a great drive along Route 66 in Illinois and met an old friend and some new ones as well as having some pleasant surprises.

We also went through nine states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

We spent 13 nights in motels and nine days at the beach.

Wish it could have been warmer, but, we still had a great time.

Give Me That Fillet of Fish. Really Love That McDonald's Commercial. --RoadDog


Some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them.

Seeking the Warm-- Part 8-- Destin, Florida

Saturday, we checked out and drove west to Destin. Ate at Cici's for their $3.99 anniversary buffet in Fort Walton, along with about half the locals. Couldn't check in until 4 pm and had pretty chilly, overcast weather so went NTNin' to new sites, hitting Fans Pub, Third Base and B-Dub.

Stopped into Angler's in Fort Walton Beach to play NTN and look out on the Gulf of Mexico. We were surprised to meet Kim, a person we know from the old Costello's, now Baja Benny's on Fox Lake, back home. Quite a coincidence, but not as much as meeting Hollis and Jean in Christ Church, New Zealand.

Checked into the motel and went to the bowling alley and played some more NTN. We were more than shocked at their $4.75 twenty-two ounce mugs of beer. Not drinking much at that price.

Stayed two nights at the Sea Oats Motel, an old mom-pop place right on the water.

Getting Tired of These Cold Days at the Beach. -RoadDog


I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

Seeking the Warm-- Part 7-- Decent Weather, Well, Sort Of

As we continue this third straight winter of Al's Global Warming.

Friday, February 26th was supposed to be the best day at the beach we've had yet, with temps around 60 and lots of sun.

We got just that, but unfortunately, along with that came brisk wind with plenty of cold in it after noon. Not as pleasant as it might have been. I had to follow the example of the folks near us from Mississippi, and lay the umbrella on is side as a wind block, then it was tolerable.

Went to Bahama Bob's and tried their mile-high nachos which was very good and then Donovan's where we met the Mayor and City Council and listened to some pretty bad karaoke. At least the dj had figured out Yvonne's (one of the better singers from Minnesota) name wasn't pronounced Y-Vonne.

Thanks, Al. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm-- Part 6-- Dusty's, Bahama Bob's, Donovan's Reef

February 25th and 26th were similar days (except for a trip to Walgreen's for prescriptions on Friday).

Catch those rays in the morning and afternoon, then go out to eat and down a few at night.

Thursday, the 26th, we decided to try Dusty's, but again found the parking lot full. Drove over to Sharky's, but no parking place there either. Drove downtown PCB, but ended up back at Dusty's AND found five parking spaces. Evidently at this place, it's a matter of arriving at just the right time.

The place was extremely crowded, and with $5 pitchers and 75 cent draft, I can see why. The food was reasonable as well.

Then, we drove back to the motel, parked and walked over to Bahama Bob's for their live trivia, which put the winning team from Tuesday against the team from Gulf Coast Community College. They split the first two rounds and Bob's team won the rubber match.

Watched Wisconsin win a very boring game with Indiana with a lot of Badger fans at the bar.

Went to Donovan's and enjoyed the $1.25 Natties and the karaoke, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday and draws big crowds.

A Good Way to Spend a Day. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm-- Part 5-- Snowbirds Flocking

One thing about the Florida Panhandle and west to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach over in Alabama, the Midwest takes over come January and February with an annual flocking of what the locals call (and they themselves, including us) "SNOWBIRDS."

Everywhere you go, there are cars from every Midwest state (and quite a few from Ontario). Wear a hat or shirt with the name of a Midwest team, college or pro, and you are sure to strike up a conversation with some one.

Some of these folks arrived as early as November, but most arrive around the beginning of January.

The rates at the motels and condos are pretty low then. And, these birds bring the bucks that the local economy needs during the off season.

Everyone of these birds we talked, however, to say this is the coldest winter they can ever remember.

This is our third year of birding it south, and I'm sure not our last.

Even a Cold Season at the Beach is Still Better Than Our Illinois Winter. --RoadDog

Crummy Day at the Beach

Rainy, cold and miserable today at Panama City Beach. No OD for us at all.

Drove into Panama City and ate at Po' Folks and played NTN at Joe's Corner Pub and now here at BW3, Buffalo Wild Wings.

Typing this from the last place right now. Really nice to have high speed internet again. Doing this at the motel (can only do it outside) is a real pain.

Supposed to Be Sunny in Florida. Not the Sunshine State Today. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm-- Part 4 Panama City Beach, Florida

It's 2:48 pm and enjoying the sun and 60 degrees out here on the deck at the Driftwood Lodge. A little bit of cold in the breeze that comes by every so often.

The people from a couple doors down to our west are from Wyoming. he says that some evil scientist somewhere is at work messing up the good weather they usually have here. This sentiment is heard from everyone we meet. This global warming should be making it warmer, but you couldn't tell from these last two months here in Florida's panhandle.

This morning at McDonald's for breakfast, a big hangout for the senior set, we ran into a couple from Illinois who live in a small town off I-74 between Champaign and Danville. They used to stay at the Driftwood, but now are at the Calypso next door. a 22 story condo. They said it is a little more expensive but at least has a bigger layout with two rooms, a sitting area and two bathrooms. They stay a month at a time and I guess if we were to stay that long, we might want a bigger place. The room is ok for a week, but I'm not sure it would be so great for an extended time.

Still Better Than Back Home in Illinois. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm 2010-- Part 3

Day three on the road, we had an even better hot breakfast at the Days Inn in Prattville, Alabama.

Drove I-65 south of Montgomery and took Al-97 to US-331 and took that the rest of the way to the Gulf of Mexico. I like the Alabama state road signs with the state outline on them. Wish Illinois would do that.

I thought Florama was a dumb name for a town until I discovered it was on the Florida-Alabama border. Sure made sense then. Good name.

Drove around DeFuniak Springs, Florida, definitely a town worth checking out again some time with a beautiful park around a lake near the downtown.

Took advantage of a Whattaburger near I-10. Discovered that next time we will split the meal. That is one big burger.

Arrived at Panama City Beach and checked in. Met Larry from Indiana who was next door to us last year.

Thinking We Finally Found That Elusive Warmth. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm 2010-- Part 2

February 19th.

Late getting started, but a decent hot breakfast at the Super 8.

Stopped at the Alabama Welcome Center (with a 280 foot tall Jupiter Rocket) and got some brochures. One was about 100 places to get some really good food in Alabama.

We saw that in Decatur (a short distance off I-65) there was a place called Big Bob Gibson's BBQ so went there for lunch. They are noted for their bbq chicken with white sauce and pies. Judging by the fact we lucked out and got parking space when somebody left, the place is quite popular with the locals. They were right about the food.

Drove on to Birmingham, where we ate at Pete's Famous Hotdogs which was in a pretty bad part of town. Still full from Big Bob's, we split a special dog, and it was worth every bite.

Drove around through some neat old neighborhoods and played NTN at Billy's, On Tap and Loco's. Then drove south of town to Alabaster where we found a BW3 in the biggest SHS shopping area we've ever seen after a lot of looking and driving around. Played NTN there as well.

Then, drove to Prattville where we got a room and went to a couple bars for drinks.

It's supposed to be in the 60s today. Back home it will get to the low thirties.

Finding Our Warm. --RoadDog

Seeking the Warm 2010-- Part 1

We left home yesterday and took Il-47 south to I-74 and then east into Indiana to In-63. Then that south to Evansville, Indiana.

Had our traditional stop at McDonald's in Yorkville, Il., where we ate breakfast. It now takes about 30-50 minutes longer to drive from Woodstock to Yorkville because of traffic and development. Once past Yorkville, Il-47 opens up considerably and you can make great time.

Terre Haute takes a while because there is no bypass on 47. Evansville also is a drive through and an excessive number of traffic lights.

Crossed the Ohio River to Kentucky and then got on the Penneyrile Turnpike and made great time at 70 mph to Hopkinsville. Here, you have to get off and drive about 15 miles to hook up with I-24.

Took that to Nashville where we hooked up with I-65. Taking the interstates through Nashville, you have to be very careful about all the times it they fork. If you're in the wrong lane, you definitely have a problem.

We had planned to have those GREAT tacos at Jack-in-the-Box, but found this was one we had visited before that was 2.3 miles off the exit. I wish they wouldn't put up places that far off it. Getting back to I-24, I stupidly went west instead of east and this took us around ten miles out of our way.

We stopped in Franklin and ate at a Golden Corral , played NTN at Johnathan's and drove to Columbia where we spent the night.

Half Way to the Warm. --RoadDog