Emission Testing and Coupons Run Out: We Hit the Road-- Part 2

March 29, Wednesday

We drove the 2011 Malibu to Crystal Lake for its emissions test.  And, it passed as well.  It is such a proud moment when your vehicles pass their emission test.  Perhaps we should have bumper stickers like those my kid is an honor student at .....

We then drove over to Hermann's Lowlife Pub and had a good time talking with the folks there.  Sure wish it was closer to home as this would be a regular hangout.  Our kind of dive.  On the way to the Riverside Pub at Burton's Bridge on the Fox River, Liz remembered seeing something about the old Sentimental Journey reopening and since it is right by the Riverside, we stopped in to check it out.

It is now called All Inn Pub & Grub and the new owners sure did a lot of work fixing it up.  Windows all around and a Las Vegas 50s vibe going on and even an old-fashioned player piano.  We enjoyed the happy hour prices and split one of the best Polish sausage sandwiches I ever had.

Going to Be a Regular Stop.  --RoadDog

BIZARRE LAWS IN AMERICA:  In Texas, there is no eyeball selling allowed.

JSS: No Such a Thing-- Robins Gone-- A Legion Win-- Ania's Polish Deli-- Stoplights on US-12

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  NO SUCH A THING--  Liz is putting together the table for our new 32-inch HD TV.  The instructions say easy-to-assemble.  No such a thing!!

2.  ROBINS GONE--  We believe we had two baby robins in the nest over the porch light to our back deck.  They both flew away last Tuesday.  These were the first robins hatched there in several years.  We enjoyed watching them.

3.  A LEGION WIN--  I drove to Lake Zurich, Illinois, last night to see the Fox Lake Bulldogs (sponsored by our American Legion) play the Lake Zurich Bears.  because of stoplights on US-12, I didn't get there until the top of the second inning with our boys down 4-1, eventually down 5-1.  Things looked bleak.  But they came back and ended up winning 7-6.  Way to go Post 703 Legion baseball team.

4.  ANIA'S POLISH DELI--  Before going to the game I went to Ania's Polish Deli and Grocery next to the Lake Zurich Wal-Mart to use an Entertainment Book coupon at 50% off.  I order a tenderloin sandwich and this was one really, really big sandwich.  I've eaten on it twice and still am not finished.

5.  STOPLIGHTS ON US-12--  Like I said, there are a REAL LOT of stoplights on US-12 between Spring Grove and Lake Zurich and I caught most of them just as they turned red.

Sure Made My Day.  --RoadDog

SILLY PUNS:  A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

Using Up the Chain Crawl Coupons-- Part 2: Hermann's Low Life Bar and NCAA Games

MARCH 24, THURSDAY--  Drove to Hermann's Low Life Bar and Grill in Port Barrington.  This place dates back to the 1920s and hasn't changed much and is a favorite of ours.  Used a Chain Crawl coupon for half off their delicious pizza.  Then we went to Broken Oar for the $1 drafts and then to Half-Times in Johnsburg for their $1 drafts.  We also had an inch of snow with the biggest snow flakes I've ever seen.  watched four really boring NCAA Tournament games.

MARCH 25, FRIDAY--  Went to Walgreen's in Spring Grove and found they were selling all their left-over St. Patrick's stuff for really, really cheap so bought a really, really lot.  We went to the Route 12 Bar and Grill and used another BOGO coupon for their burgers.  I had one of my favorites, a BleuBurger, a half-pound black angus patty with bleu cheese and thick bacon.

We then met a group of friends at the Legion in Fox Lake.  Watched NCAA Tournament games and two of four were real good ones.

I Got friends in Low Places.  --RoadDog

EXERCISE!!  I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

Using Those Chain Crawl Coupons: A Taste of the Caribbean in McHenry

MARCH 22, TUESDAY--  We went to Vickie's Place in McHenry, right on the Fox River to use another Chain Crawl coupon.  It was buy one burger, get one free.  This is a place with a definite Caribbean feel to it with a huge deck area and a big stop for boaters during the summer.

They also have some of the best and most unique burgers around.  I had a Big Kahuna which is a half pound Angus with pulled pork, cole slaw and onion straws.  Mighty good eating and it comes along with a side of seasoned fries and onion straws.

We then stopped at Sunnyside.  The big topic there was the horrible terrorist attacks in Belgium.

MARCH 23, WEDNESDAY--  We went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and the Grove in Spring Grove.

Big Kahuna Me.  --RoadDog

EXERCISE!!  I like long walks, especially when they are done by people who annoy me.

Good Times in the Area, St. Patrick's Day Continued

MARCH 20TH, SUNDAY--  OK, so St. Patrick's Day was past, but we soldiered on.    We went to the Spring Grove Fire Department Explorers pancake breakfast.  The Explorers are a part of the Boy Scouts.  We then drove over to Hickory Lodge in McCullom Lake and later the Polish Legion in McHenry.  Ran into local character and good friend Jerry there.

We had thought of stopping at the VFW in McHenry, but it was too crowded, so went to Half-Times and then Sunnyside in Johnsburg where we watched a whole lot of the NCAA Tournament.

MARCH 21ST, MONDAY--  Looking at the first four days of the NCAA Tournament, it has been everything that I like about it.  I'd call 23 of the 48 games as good ones, either major upsets or good close games.  I was sure hurt by Michigan State losing to Middle Tennessee on Friday as I had them going all the way to the Championship, but was pulling all the way for Middle Tennessee.  I always support the underdogs.

We have decided to make a last effort to use up our Chain Crawl coupons (which expire at the end of the month) and went to Kross Inn in Ingleside for dinner and used a buy one, get one free one for their sandwiches.  Stopped at the Fox Lake American Legion on the way home.

I Always Wonder Why We Wait Until It Is Almost Time For Coupons to Expire Before We Really make An Effort to use Them.  --RoadDog

EXERCISE!!  I don't jog.  it makes the ice cubes jump right out of my glass!!