2019 Route 66 Trip to Lebanon-- Part 6: A Gully Washer, a Cut and a Wagon

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Trying to decide whether  to stay in Lebanon one more day or go to Cuba because of the threat of storms all day.  Went to the office and had coffee and talked with Ramona and Jess McEntire.  This is one of my favorite things to do every morning we stay at the Munger-Moss.  Always a good conversation and usually with other Route 66 folks.  While there, we had one of the worst downpours I've ever seen.

At the Munger-Moss, the office is at the lowest point on the property and it wasn't long before we were manning the sandbag brigade by the two doors as water was starting to come in.

Decided to go to Cuba and drove Route 66 to St. Robert.   It rained, drizzled and cleared up the whole way.  Stopped at Chester's in St. Robert, on the north side of I-44.  If you like fried chicken, this is definitely a place you want to go.  Delicious.  Then we did Highway Z, the four lane highway through Hooker Cut, as I said, my favorite Route 66 place.

In Cuba, we had to wait for another downpour before getting a room at the Wagon Wheel Motel.  Frisco's is closed on Mondays. but Rock Fair, just off 66 wasn't and we had a good time with the locals there as well as at the East Office Pub, near the Wagon Wheel.

--RoadRain

I'd Celebrate That!!! Nov. 12-18: Thursday Is Clean Out the Fridge Day

**  I'd celebrate that.

NOVEMBER 12,  MONDAY--  Pizza With the Works Day**   Garbage pizza, that's for me.  I have to wonder about people who just like pizza with cheese and maybe one topping.

NOVEMBER 13, TUESDAY--  World Kindness Day**  I wonder if Bill Murray would drink to that even if it is not "World Peace?"  Hey, kindness leads to peace.

NOVEMBER 14, WEDNESDAY--  Pickle Day**  And, as we all know, Mt. Olive Pickles are the best.   Guacamole Day**  Mighty good dippin' stuff.

NOVEMBER 15, THURSDAY--  Clean Out the Fridge Day**  We've got things back there that frighten me.   Smoke Out Day**  Think of how much money you could save.

NOVEMBER 16, FRIDAY--  Fast Food Day**  Me, eat fast food?  Yep!!

NOVEMBER 17, SATURDAY--  Baklava Day**  Take A Hike Day*8  Figuratively or Really?   Adoption Day**  Be it a kid or pet.

NOVEMBER 18, SUNDAY--    Mickey Mouse's Birthday    How old is he?  M-I-C-K-E-Y MOUSE.

Donald Duck.  --RoadDog

IT'S ALL IN A NAME:  Steam shovel operator's name:  Doug

From a Hurricane and Eyes to a Frostee and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Hurricane Florence hit Wrightsville Beach, N.C., right by Topsail Beach and Carolina Beach, two of my favorite beaches in the world.  Until a year and a half ago, I owned a condo that I inherited from Mom on Topsail Beach, second tow from the ocean.  Sure glad I don't own it now.

Follow up eye exam with my eye doctor since I had cataract surgery yesterday.  Everything's fine.  We then stopped at Wendy's for those great 4 for $4 specials and split a 50 cent Frostee.  Love those Frostees!

Went to Sunnyside later in the afternoon.  ($5 pitchers on Fridays)

I Can See Again!!  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  Fire investigators on Maui have determined the cause of a blaze that destroyed a $127,000 house last month.  A short in the newly-installed fire prevention system.  But Wait Till Tomorrow.  There's More.

JSIS: Drinking Beer Woes-- Gas Gouge-- McDonald's

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

From the May 25, 2018, Chicago Tribune.

1.  DRINKING BEER WOES--  The beer industry is blaming lagging sales on all this cold spring weather we're having.  Yep, not much fun being outside and having a beer when you're already cold.  Beer share of alcohol peaked in the 1990s and part of the reason for the decline is growing interest in spirits and wine.

Well, I drink inside most of the time anyway.

2.  GAS GOUGE--  Just in time for the Memorial Day Driving Peak.  National average for regular is at $2.96 and that has jumped 19 cents in the last month.  Of course, the Midwest is highest in price and especially in Chicago.

Sure hurting more to fill up these days.

3.  McDONALD'S--  McDonald's will be keeping plastic straws for now, even though environmentalists are against it.  There is still the Fight for $15 going on as well.  The way I look at it, working at a fast food place is an introductory job, not one to remain at your whole life.  Either go up to management or another job.

--RoadDog

12 McDonald's Food Items That Failed-- Part 3: McDLT

9.  McDLT--  Mid-1980s.  Burger with lettuce and tomatoes.  Came in a styrofoam package that separated the vegetables from the burger.

10.  McLean Deluxe--  91% fat free.  So  much healthier.

11.  Big N' Tasty--  McDonald's take on Burger King's Whopper.  Made with Angus burgers.  Was a success, but dropped by the company.

12.  Super-Size--  Started in 1993 and became a public relations disaster.

--RoadDog

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH:  I decided to stop calling the bathroom the "John" and renamed it the "Jim".  I feel so much better saying that I went to the Jim this morning.

12 McDonald's Food Items That Failed-- Part 2: Arch Deluxe

Continued from March 20.

5.  McSpaghetti--  On top of spaghetti, I lost my poor meatball.

6.  McAfrika--  Beef, cheese, tomatoes and salad on pita bread.  released in 2002 during a famine in Africa.  Didn't go over so well.

7.  Arch Deluxe--  1996 for adults.  quarter-pounder, peppered bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, ketchup and secret sauce.

8.  McHotdog--  Self-explanatory.

--RoadDog

12 McDonald's Food Items That Failed Spectacularly-- Part 1: McLobster

From the August 30, 2011 Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance.

1.  McLobster--  Lobster meat shoved into a hot dog bun for $5.99.  I saw it advertised in a trip to Maine, but figured I could get one back home in Illinois.  I was wrong.)

2.  McGratin Croquette--  Japan   Deep-fried macaroni / shrimp /mashed potatoes.  Now, this sounds good.

3.  Hula Burger--  Meatless for Catholics.  Grilled pineapple, slaw and cheese.

4.  McPizza--  Late 1980s.  Made-to-order, but took too long for starving patrons.

--RoadDog

17 Facts About McDonald's That Will Blow Your Mind-- Part 4: 100 Miles From a Mickey D's

14.  From 2011 to 2013 the company plans to open one restaurant a day in China.

15.  McDonald's makes deliveries in 18 countries.

16.  The only place in the lower 48 states more than 100 miles from a McDonald's is a barren plain in South Dakota.  (A long way to go for your Big Mac attack.)

17.  Americans consume one billion pounds of beef at McDonald's in a year which cost some five and a half million cattle the ultimate sacrifice.

That's a Lot of Beef.  --RoadDog

ACCIDENT REPORTS:  "The guy was all over the road.  I had to swerve a number of times before I  hit him."  Sounds on purpose to me.

17 Facts About McDonald's That Will Blow Your Mind-- Part 3: What Was Modeled On the Eggs Benedict?

10.  In 1969, they airlifted burgers to homesick Olympic athletes in France.

11.  A survey shows golden arches are recognized by more people than the cross, 88& to 54% according to Fast Food Nation.

12.  The Queen of England owns a retail park in Slough, which has a drive-thru McDonald's.

13.  The Egg McMuffin was modeled on Eggs Benedict and was invented to introduce breakfast by Herb Peterson in 1972.

--RoadDog

ACCIDENT REPORTS:  "The accident occurred when I was attempting to bring my car out of a skid by steering it into the other vehicle."

17 Facts About McDonald's That Will Blow Your Mind-- Part 4: One Restaurant a Day in China

14.  From 2011 to 2013, the goal was to open one restaurant a day in China.

15.  McDonald's makes deliveries in 18 countries.

16.  The only place in the lower 48 states more than a 100 miles from a McDonald's is a barren plain in North Dakota.

17.  Americans alone consume one billion pounds of beef at McDonald's in a
year.  This equals five and half head of cattle.


Lots of Cows.  --RoadDog

A Football Kind of Weekend-- Part 2: A Homecoming Parade, Historical Society Meeting and Civil War Re-Enactment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

I drove over to the Grant High School (Fox Lake) homecoming parade.  I love a parade, and this one had two marching bands and a Class of 1967 float, just two years ahead of me.

Then I went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Area Historical Society meeting at the Grant Hall Museum in Ingleside where we learned about the huge commercial fishing operations for carp that took place at one time in the Chain of Lakes.

Next stop was in Hainesville where they were having their Second Annual Civil War Re=Enactment.  I got to talk with our Sons of Confederates affiliates in a Tennessee group, my old friend Bob Dawson who was portraying Elijah Haines, who is the founder of Hainesville as well as interesting talks by U.S. Grant and Jefferson Davis.

Stopped at Taco Bell in Fox Lake on the way home for their excellent Baja fish taco (99 cents) and spicy tostada ($1) and free senior drink.  A real hard deal to beat.

Parades, History, Civil War.  I Can Live With That.  --RoadDog

About Last Weekend-- Part 2: Big Wind Blows Down the Tree, Musical "A Christmas Story"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19:  That wind continued to howl all night.  I looked out the window from time to time during the night to see how the Bradford pear tree was doing.  It still stood, but looked smaller than before.  At daylight, I looked out and a good 50-70% of the tree was down, sadly the most colorful part.  Something I sure didn't want to happen.  Some of the bushes around it were somewhat crushed in spots.  Looks like I'll have some cutting to do, but, hey, firewood!  What do they say about when life gives you lemons?

We went to the matinee play at the Woodstock Opera House for the musical "A Christmas Story" put on by the Town Square Players, a local theater group.  "A Christmas Story" is my favorite Christmas movie and I wanted to see how it could be turned into a musical.  They did a great job and, with the exception of two songs, we really enjoyed the play.  How those young kids can remember all those lines is beyond me.  Well Done.

Ate at Wendy's and went to Sunnyside Tap on the way home.

--RoadTongueOnthePole

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA:  Some say okra is a vegetable; others say it's a fruit.

About Last Weekend-- Part 1: Hello McRib, Windstorm & Craft Beer

FRIDAY, NOV. 18:  Rain off and on all day but temps remained unseasonably warm, but started dropping in the afternoon as winds picked up..  Took the '03 Malibu to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, Illinois, to fix a radiator leak and get an oil change.  I had my first McRib of the season at McDonald's!!!  Oh Boy!!  I paid $5 for the McRib meal which also came with fries and drink.

The wind was really blowing by 4 p.m. and the Bradford pear tree by the deck was really doing some bending.   Bradford pear trees are notorious for weak wood and several years back ion a November windstorm I had lost another one.  These trees also are among the last to lose their leaves and have brilliant color.  All the weight and mass of the leaves don't help things either.

We went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their $2 draft craft pints and then to the Legion with friends Kevin and Kelly.

--RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  Iy is a well-known fact that common garden insects will NOT eat okra.  Neither will uncommon garden insects.  That should tell you something.

A Munger-Moss Motel Route 66 Trip-- Part 1: Illinois and Missouri

We left this past Thursday, April 21st for the 500 mile drive to Lebanon, Missouri, for the 70th anniversary of the Munger-Moss Motel on Route 66.  Not only has the motel been serving 66ers since 1946, but owners Bob and Ramona Lehman have had the place for 45 years (1971).  That alone is quite a feat.

We have been coming to the motel since our second trip on 66, back in 2003

The first day was spent driving in Illinois with stops at Dwight for the Route 66 90th Birthday celebration, Dixie Truck Stop, George Ranks, The Cozy Dog and stayed at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center and their Filling Station Bar.

The second day, April 22,  was another driving one with a stop at Jack's (Jack-in-the-Box) in Litchfield for our taco fix, then getting lost in St. Louis.  Then lunch at another Jack's in Sullivan, Missouri.  (We don't have Jack's by us and have a big desire for their tacos.)

We took a ride along Hooker Cut, my favorite stretch of Route 66, and a stop at The Devil's Elbow Inn and the Munger-Moss Motel.  Talked some with Ramona  and then went to Senor Pepper's on Missouri-5 and Applebees.

Great to Be Back On the Old Road.  --RoadDog

Just Hanging Around-- Part 1: NIU Loses and a Very, Very Funny Movie

MARCH 28, MONDAY--  Went to Sunnyside to watch the NIU-UC-SC basketball game in the Las Vegas Tournament.  Northern finished the regular season 20-10 and the was the first post season tournament in twenty years and we were quite proud of them.  Unfortunately, they couldn't get the channel at Sunnyside.

We went over to nearby half-Times and they could get it.  Despite leading most of the game, we lost in the last ten minutes.

MARCH 29, TUESDAY--  Went to the Round Lake Beach Theater and saw one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2."  Enjoyed their Tuesday special $5.19 for ticket, $2 large popcorn and $1 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs.

Stopped at Hardee's on the way home and had their great Four for Four deal.  It's nice to have Hardee's back in the area.

Met some friends at Half-Times later.

--RoadDog

Why Does McDonald's Keep Bringing Back the McRib Sandwich

Nov. 10, 2011, Shine from Yahoo  "Why Does McDonald's Keep Bringing McRib Back?  Blogger Has Theory" by Piper Weiss.

The McRib sandwich was introduced in 1981 and has been brought back at least eight times since then.  Each time it becomes more popular.  The question arises, "Why isn't it a permanent offering?"

Willy Staley of the Awl Theory has a possible answer.  It has to do with pork prices.  Each McRib release has happened when pork prices drop.

--RoadDog

MEMORY LANE:  Remember automobile "emergency brakes?"  Now they are just "parking brakes."

Original Locations of 30 Famous Food Chains-- Part 2: Nation's Famous

6.  STARBUCKS--  2000 Western Ave., Seattle, Wash., 1971)

7.  CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL--  (1644 E. Evans Ave., Denver, Colorado)

8.  NATHAN'S FAMOUS--  (1310 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 1916)

9.  WENDY'S--  (257 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio,

10.  HOOTERS--  (2800 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., Clearwater, Fla., 1983)

--RoadDog

Original Locations of 30 Famous Food Chains-- Part 1: McDonald's

From Mental Floss

Ever wonder where your favorite fast food chain first popped up?  Here they are (with date):

Pictures of the first stores and more information accompany each one.

1.  McDONALD'S--  (1398 North E Street, San Bernardino, Cal., 1940)  Of course the ones we know today, started by Ray Kroc, first opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955.)

2.  PIZZA HUT--  (503 South Bluff Street, Wichita, Kansas, 1958)

3.  T.G.I.F. FRIDAY'S--  (1152 1st Avenue, New York, New York, 1965)

4.  WAFFLE HOUSE--  (2719 East College Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, 1955)

5.  DUNKIN' DONUTS--  (543 Southern Artery, Quincy, Massachusetts, 1948)

--RoadDog

JSS: The Pre-Pre-Pre-Pre Summer Driving Gouge Strikes-- BK's New Rib Sandwich-- Rough Driving Ahead

JSS-- Just Some Stuff. //// 1. THE PRE-PRE-PRE-PRE SUMMER DRIVING GOUGE STRIKES-- I see it hit us here in northeast Illinois big-time yesterday when gas jumped from $3.24 to $3.47. That's 23 cents in a minute. I suspect Big Oil needs a profits infusion as usual. //// 2. BK'S BEW RIB SANDWICH-- Now that McRibs are gone, we still have that just-as-good Burger King Rib sandwich for a buck. I like these every bit as much as McRibs. A real hit for BK. Makes up for the new fries and that uber-dry Johnsonville brat sandwich. I didn't think you possible could make a bad Johnsonville, but, not so. //// 3. ROUGH DRIVING AHEAD-- Ever since that "V" thing hit us a couple weeks ago, I notice a huge increase in potholes and pavement buckling which happens every time we get that cold. //// --RoadDog

Oh Boy: McRibs Are Back!!!

Just in time to help my diet, McDonald's released their ever-popular and personal favorite of mine, that delicious McRib sandwich, this year selling for $2.99. I'm having to wonder how it will pan out now that we have a McDonald's here in Spring Grove, Illinois, a little over a mile from home.

I must stay away. I must stay away.

Nothin' much finer than eating one with an order of fries (and ketchup for the fries, of course) and washing it down with Coke Zero (Well, something needs to be healthy.)

Maybe Today. --RoadDog