Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 5: Those Crazy Iowa Gas Prices and the Little Blue Nun

If you want traffic, you got traffic on the Iowa side of that bridge.

I found a station advertising $3.70 a gallon and doubled back against a lot of that traffic to fill up.  However, as I was putting the gas in, I saw that I was paying $4.10 a gallon.  WHAT??  What gives here?  Have I been victimized again by crazy Iowa gas prices? You've got to keep an eye on gas prices here.  Often regular is more expensive than midgrade.

I then saw that there were two kinds of regular at the station:  Regular and Regular Supreme.  And, I had chosen poorly and been victimized by Iowa gas prices again.  I am going to have to talk to my buddy Mark about gas prices in "HIS" state.

After that expensive gas fill up, we drove back across the bridge and stopped at one of our favorite liquor stores, Van's in East Dubuque.  I bought two bottles of Barefoot Riesling wine to keep Liz's dad's tradition going.  Ambrose (Amby) gave us a small bottle of Blue Nun wine for our honeymoon.  He knew that we didn't like wine (well, Ripple and Annie something or other were acceptable in a pinch).  

Well, every year for the first 44 anniversaries we would get a bottle of Blue Nun to drink.  But, sadly, no one carries it anymore.  But, it is a Riseling wine and you can find them easily, so we drink as close to a Blue Nun thing as we can.

--RoadDog

A Movie, Meal and the Civil War As Well as Wings and a Concert

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Bob Stroud played Ten at Ten from that great college year for me, 1972, including "Ventura Highway" by America and "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards.  Took me back.  

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie "Minions:  the Rise of Gru."  Gotta love those little yellow guys.  Then met some Civil War buffs at 3 Brothers restaurant in Il. Highway 47 and then to The Woodstock Library for a presentation on the USS Merrimac(k)/ CSS Virginia.  I especially like presentations on anything Civil War Navy.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had those great 50 cent wings and a good talk wih a Sox fan where we figured out that the Sox really have stunk up the place this season.  Drove to Wisconsin and got gas just over the border for $3.87 ($3.86.9) which is 45 cents cheaper than in Illinois.  A whole lot of Illinois folks near the border do this these days.

Then went to Antioch's It's Thursday concert featuring a good party band, 28 Days.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How can a SLIM CHANCE and a FAT CHANCE  be the same, while a WISE GUY and a WISE MAN aren't.

Gas Gouge Really Hits Home: Gas in Illinois to $4.60 and $4.20 in Wisconsin

Yesterday, the gas gouge really hit home in a big way.  Driving from home in Spring Grove, Illinois, to meet friends from my teaching days at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin (just over the border), I saw that gas at the Rock Corner gas station at the corner of Illinois Highway 173 and Wilmot Road was the highest I've ever seen it, at $4.60 (well $4.59.9).

Sadly, I then passed three stations in Wisconsin, who had been at $4, but now were at $4.20.  That's the highest I've ever seen gas prices in that state.

On the way home, I filled up at one of the Wisconsin stations, of course, saving 40 cents a gallon.  But this was a new high price for gas for me that I have ever paid.

Later, I was cutting the grass when I ran out of gas in the tractor (we have an acre) and I had to go to the Mobil station in Spring Grove where that new record high gas price I had paid was broken when I had to pay $4.60.

These are not really the records I want to break, you know.

GRBs and Their Gas Gouge.  OUCH!!!

--RoadBroke

Bringing April Showers: Breakfasts, Deals, Donovan's Reef and Taxes

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Met the usual Sunnyside crew at Granny's Dinner in Johnsburg for breakfast.  Hard to beat the special:  8 ounces chopped steak, two eggs, sour dough bread and hash browns for $8.95.

Rain off and on all day.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

Rained all last night and part of today.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef  in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and that great happy hour.  All drinks half price plus 25 cents.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Rain splatters all day.

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, and filled the tank on the '2005 Dodge Dakota for $3.80.  Gas in Illinois is still $4.10 and much higher.

I had called H&R Block to talk to Bill and when he called back he said they weren't taking any new taxes to be filled out.  But since we had used him the last four years or so, he did take us.

That was a bit frightening at this late of a tax date.

--RoadDog

About Last Week: A Breakfast, Cheaper Gas, No Blue Nun, Snow Showers and a Shrimp Fry

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It is on US Highway 45 and features some of the best breakfasts anywhere around.  I'm especially fond of the Mediterranean omelet loaded with gyro meat and feta cheese.  I end up with two breakfasts at home afterwards.  Always good to get together with friends I have known since the 1970s.

Got gas on Wisconsin Highway 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08 ($3.07.9) after quite a bit of maneuvering because of long lines of Illinois folks.  Gas in northern Illinois now goes for between $3.50 and $3,60, so this is quite a savings.

Went to Antioch Wine and Liquor store to look for Blue Nun wine.  The owner told me they no longer carry it because of lack of demand, but at one time they could hardly keep it in stock it sold so fast.  This is a special wine for Liz and me as her dad, Amby, a World War II vet, gave us a bottle of it on our wedding day back in August 1973, as we left the reception, in DeKalb, Illinois, and told us to have a drink on him when we got to Galena.  Ever after that, this was or "drink" on our anniversaries.

When soldiers returned from WW II, they started drinking Blue Nun wine from Germany and it became  very popular.

The store did have several other Riesling wines, so I bought one.  Blue Nun is a Riesling wine, so those will have to take the place.  Very close to the Blue Nun taste.

We had snow showers all day and kind of a blustery cold. No accumulation, though.

Met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  Well, actually a shrimp fry as we all got shrimp dinners.  I usually don't order shrimp because it is of the popcorn shrimp variety which means a really small shrimp covered with a WHOLE LOT of breading.  Their fried shrimp is medium-sized and with a Calabash, N.C., style of breading, which means lightly breaded.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  "I can see your point, but I still think you're strong."

JSS: Fillin' Up Over the Border-- So Sad About Kenosha-- $9.39 for a McRib Meal?-- 'The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget'-- Raindrops

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  FILLIN' UP OVER THE BORDER--  Around here, folks have been taking to filling up their gas tanks just over the border in Wisconsin.  Why, you might ask?  Because gas in Wisconsin is anywhere from 40 cents to fifty cents less than Illinois.  It sure helps to be living just eight miles from the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  $3.10 sure beast $3.50 to $3.60.

2.  SO SAD ABOUT KENOSHA--  That well-publicized trial is coming to an end in Kenisha, Wisconsin, where the teenager killed those two people during the riots there in August 2020.  And there is a big fear that certain people will start rioting, burning and looting again if they are not happy with the verdict.

That is a sad thing to have to worry about.

3.  $9.39 FOR A McRIB MEAL?--   I went to my local McDonald's the other day to buy a McRib meal and didn't.  I wanted to, but not at the $9.39 they wanted for a McRib meal.  Gosh.  Inflation give me a break.  I could buy almost three gallons of gas for that price.

4.  THE KIND OF BOY YOU CAN'T FORGET"-- RAINDROPS--  I was listening to Jim Morgan on the Surf, 94.9 FM in North Myrtle Beach (SC) the other day and heard this song again for the first time in a long time.  Give it a listen on You Tube.  And, it has a very interesting story to how it was made.

Listen Up.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  Our baby was born last week.  When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again.  A:  When the kids are in college.

Around Here: Wisconsin Gas, Omelets, Old Friends, and the Blue Gill

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

Drove across the border and met the former Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It was also time to fill up the Dakota which was down to about an 8th of a tank.  It has a big gas tank and it takes a lot to fill it when it is that low.  Gas around northern Illinois is anywhere from $3.40 to $3.60 now.  Gas in Wisconsin is lower and along Highway C was $3.20.

We had a good turnout for our first get together since the coronavirus hit back in March 2020 with six:  Bob B., Maxine, Bob D., Karen and Cindy.  Great to catch up with old friends.  And, the Diner has really great omelets.  I usually get the Mediterranean one and have several meals off it at home.

On the way home, I got gas at a station on Wis. 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08.  A considerable savings for me as it took 18 gallons to fill up.

Later, we met Kevin and Kelly at Kelly's in Trevor, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  I had some delicious blue gill.

--RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q   What is the most common craving for women during pregnancy?  A     For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

JSS: Your Math Problem for Today-- Gas Under $2!!!-- The Last Panic

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  YOUR MATH PROBLEM FOR TODAY--  I was in Jewel (our local grocery store for you non-Chicago area folk) last week and bought an apple pie.  Regular price was $6.99.  It was marked down $3.85, such a good deal.  How much did I pay for it and why was it marked down so much?  (Hint.  Pies haven't been found to spread you-know-what as of yet anyway.)

2.  GAS UNDER $2!!!  Friday,I got gas in McHenry, Illinois, for my Dakota at $2.05 (well, $2.04.9) and thought that was a great price.  But, yesterday, on our way over to Sunnyside in Johnsburg for St. Patrick's festivities, my eyes espied $1.86 at the Mobil station.  And, no lines.  We were getting down to below half a tank so filled up.  Never thought I'd see gas under $2 again.  But, I'm sure the virus will send it back up again.

Of course, back in 1970, had you told me I'd get excited about how low $1.86 was, I wouldn't have believed it.

3.  THE LAST PANIC--  Friday, I went to Meijer in McHenry for their fantastic Buy Ten for $10, Get One Free Deal.  This was in the afternoon and the first thing that should have tipped me off was the full parking lot.  Then, when I went in, there were only a couple shopping carts available and then I saw all those really, really full shopping carts.  Was there a hurricane on the way?

The last time I remember seeing a panic like this was back in the infamous Y2K.  Remember that?

--RoadDog

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "I'm So Miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here."

A Football, Flooding and Oldies Kind of Weekend-- Part 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Rained most of the night.  We've been having lots of rain this last week.  Went to Twin Lakes, Wi., an ate at Burger King and got gas at $2,45!!  That's the lowest we've seen it in awhile.    Went to Donovan's Reef and to bricks & Ivy on the way home.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

And we had real heavy rain all night.  The drainage basin behind the house was about half full.  That's a lot of run-off water

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Sorry to hear about the death of one of my favorite performers, Eddie Money.  Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on Eddie Money Songs:

Baby Hold On
Think I'm In Love
Walk On Water

Gimme Some Water
Shakin'
I Wanna Go Back
Rock 'n Roll the Place

Two Tickets to Paradise
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Take Me Home Tonight

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We're hearing about serious flooding on the Fox River and Chain of Lakes.  The Fox River is closed to boats and the Chain is all no wake.

I went to the Johnsburg-Richmond-Burton (R-B) high schools football game.  Johnsburg High School is one of my Cubs-Sox, Packer-Bears teams.  I pull for Johnsburg unless they play Richmond-Burton, which is where the kids from our subdivision go as well as a real lot of out tax dollars, about $3,300.  (I also pull for the Cubs unless they play the Sox and Packers unless they play Da Bears.)

The R-B Rockets blew the Johnsburg Skyhawks out 49-0.  That kind of makes up for the 55-0 shellacking R-B suffered a couple years ago from Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

Last Weekend: Gas Gouge, Famous Freddie's, Legion, Yard Work,

Another busy weekend for us.

THURSDAY. APRIL 18

Gas gouge in Fox Lake, Illinois, with gas at $3.10.  I was kind of hoping we wouldn't see it that high again.  Oh well.  Saw the creepy movie "Pet Sematary."  Stephen King can sure write a creepy story.  We went to Famous Freddie's on Pistakee Lake for 25 cent wings and $1 Hamm's 12 ounce beers and then to the Legion on Nippersink Lake.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

I was going to see movies, but remembered most schools are off today because of Good Friday which means parents will be sending their kids to the movies.  I don't much care for crowds.  Met Usual Suspects Barb and Glen at the Legion for 50-50, which Barb won.

It's rare that we win 50-50.

--RoadDog

TRIVIA:  Which actress was censured by the U.S. Congress in the 1950s after deserting her Swedish husband and children for film director Roberto Rossellini?


Ingrid Bergman

JSIS: A Travesty of Justice-- $3 Gas

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE--  Everyone around here is really angry that the TV guy who faked his mugging was let off yesterday.  I mean, come on, the guy was guilty of a HATE CRIME!!!  Trying to set up white people like he did.  What we have is another O.J. thing.

2.  $3 GAS!!   Well, they did it.  Gas around here in northeast Illinois hit $3 yesterday.  Well, it hit $2.99.9 which is REALLY $3.  Who do they think they are fooling at $2.99.9?

Why?  Who knows?

--RoadDog

NOT SAYING THAT BASEBALL PLAYER ARE PAID TOO MUCH, BUT....  Mike Trout's new contract calls for $1,645 per pitch for the next 12 years.

No More Pleasure Riding on Sundays During World War I

These last two entries should actually have been in my Cooter's History Thing, but I didn't know how to move them nor did I care to retype them.  So, here they are.

From the September 26, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Much interest has been taken locally, as well as all-over the country, in the new gasoline rules which go into effect Sunday, by which owners of  automobiles are requested not to use their machines for pleasure riding on Sunday."

--RoadDog

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 12: On the Way Home

July 31, Sunday.

US-70 to Raleigh and then I-40.  Doing this on a Sunday means there is no traffic jams.  Got off on US-421 and stopped at a Cook-Out restaurant which has a really good Carolina bbq, slaw, fries and hush puppies for $3.99.  Good deal.

Then US-52 to I-77 and gas and Chocolate Uglys at Wytheville.  Gas now $1.87.  I always love gas under $2.  Experienced long back ups at the first two toll booths heading north on the West Virginia Turnpike and just plain heavy traffic.  Sunday must be a big travel day in the state.  Then I hit quite a long traffic stop a few miles outside of Charleston.  Never did see why we had that backup.

I-77 north to US-33 and then into Ohio.  Stopped at a place I've been meaning to stop at in Logan, Ohio, called Millstone BBQ.  I'll definitely stop again..

I-70 through Columbus to Motel 6 in Richmond, Indiana, for the night.

A Traveling, Eating Kind of Day.  --RoadDog

OH HELL! ... Let's Offend Everybody:  What is the difference between a southern zoo and a northern zoo?  Answer:  The southern zoo has a description of the animal along with a recipe.

Sorry If You're Offended, But These Are Funny.

Ouch!! We Got Gas Gouged Again!!

For the third time in three weeks, we had gas prices make a big jump here in Fox Lake, Illinois, located in the northeast section of Illinois.

Gas prices yesterday were $2.30.  Today, they are $2.50.  Last Wednesday, they jumped from $2.20 to $2.40.

Twenty cents seems to be the number they like to go with when they gouge us.

And, the price of crude oil continues to drop, but we get increases and not just a few pennies.

Something Stinks in Denmark.  --RoadDog

Ouch. Gas Gouge Around Here

Gas prices here in northeastern Illinois, in Fox Lake, had gotten down to $1.84 this past Friday.  However, Sunday we saw it had been raised to $2.20.  For what reason I know not.

Today, it was "down" to $2.14.

Not complaining as this is still a whole lot better than $4.

But, What Gives?  --RoadDog

NEWSPAPER ERRORS:  Our newspaper carried the notice last week that Mr. Oscar Hoffnagle is a defective in the police force.  This was a typographical error.  Mr. Hoffnagle is, of course, a detective on the police farce.  (Oops, Again.)

N.C. Summer 2015 Trip-- Part 2: Another Day Driving, Grazing and Shopping

July 21, Tuesday

Took the road from the LaQuinta 6.7 miles south to US-33 and then that to West Virginia.  Only 4 stoplights and speed limits at least 55 mph and as high as 70 on the limited access stretches.  There are even two rest areas on this stretch, something you don't often see on US highways.

Stopped at Dogpatch Crossing for gas.

Then I took I-77 to Charleston after which it turned into the West Virginia Turnpike and into Virginia.  Made my usual stop at the Virginia Welcome Center for my peanut fix.  Then a fill up at the cheapest gas place on the trip, Wytheville, Virginia, where gas was $2.36, cheapest of the trip.

On into N.C. and a stop at Mt. Airy where I was too late for that porkchop sandwich, but did manage to graze at Golden Corral.  Back to I-74/US-52 to Winston-Salem then US-421 to I-40.  Unfortunately I hit the Raleigh-Durham area right in the midst of rush hour, never a good thing, but not as bad as it could have been.  Then got on US-70 east to Goldsboro.

I stopped at J-Rs and thought I would get out of there without buying anything until I happened upon the Christmas store section.  Also stopped at a Wal-Mart to stock up on my CheerWine, a N.C. favorite.

Arrived at Mom's and found out that my brother Bob had caught an opossum in his basement.  Later, he called to say he had caught another one.

One Possum, Two Possum.  --RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS:  BAR CODE--  Them's the fight'n rules down da local tavern.

Gas Gouge Around Here

I knew it was going to happen, but it still hurts.  Not complaining too much, though, as at least it is still a little under $3.  And for us here in northeast Illinois, that is a real good thing.  Part of the reason for the gouge is the annual change to the summer blend of gas for our area, always a great excuse for gas companies to jack prices.  Also, I heard something about problems at facilities in the area.

Anyway, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, gas in Fox Lake was $2.23.  I filled up in Round Lake for $2.21 after we had seen prices in Twin Lakes up to $2.40 and one place at $2.50.  I figured they were about to jump the prices.

On the 18th, gas in Fox Lake was $2.49, a 26 cent jump!    Then on March 20th it was up to $2.79 in Fox Lake.  Another 30 cent jump.  In two days, gas in Fox Lake jumped 58 cents!!

Still better than the $3.74 it was in Fox Lake a year earlier.

But, Ouch!!  --RoadDog

$2.36 Gas in Fox Lake, Illinois: Prices Going Up

I noticed Wednesday that gas prices had jumped to $2.36 ($2.35.9) in Fox Lake from $2.20 on Tuesday.  Sadly, it bodes gas prices starting to head up again.  I expect $4 in 2-3 months.

But, I sure enjoyed it while it lasted.  I never thought I'd see gas prices in the $2-3 range again.

Fox Lake got as low as $1,90, but have been over $2 since the new year began.  Every weekend, they do what I call the Weekend Bump, where they raise gas 15-25 cents on Thursday and drop it throughout the weekend and until Wednesday.

In a few weeks, $2.36 is going to look CHEAP!

This is going to be a particularly had rise to $4.  Last year, gas had gotten "down" to $3.50 before the pre-pre-pre Summer Driving Gouges started in February.  $3.50 to $4 is not as bad as $2 to $4.

--Enjoy It While You Can.  --RoadDog

Around Here

THURSDAY DEC. 11TH:

Drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and had lunch at the Lake-Aire Restaurant and then went to Donovan's Reef in Twin lakes, Never Sink Inn in Spring Grove and Tommy's.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12TH:  I went to McHenry and paid $2.22 for gas as the "GAS WAR" continues.  Went to Target, Aldi's and on the way home, Angelo's Super Market in Johnsburg.  Gas there at $2.50.

Later, met the Usual Suspects at The Tank in Ingleside for $1 bottles and stopped at the Legion on the way back home.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13TH:  Met the president if out teacher union during the strike, Terri, for breakfast at the Iron Horse Grill in Round Lake.  This was my way of thanking her for the outstanding job she had done 20 years ago during the 38-school day strike we had to endure while the school board did all in its power to break the union.

In just a little while, we are going to the Legion for the Army-Navy game and then a later, a fundraiser for a lady with cancer.

--RoadDog


YOU THINK ENGLISH IS EASY?  The buck does funny things when the does are present.  (Well, the buck passed the buck.)

JSS: Christmas Lights-- Low Gas Prices-- Why So Few Sports-- Great Radio

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  CHRISTMAS LIGHTS--  I've been working on the outside lights whenever I get the chance because of really cold weather and have most of them up.  I have found a whole lot of the light strands where half of them don't work, way more than usual.  Perhaps it was the extreme cold from last winter which stopped me from taking them down for so long.

I also helped Liz put up the two inside trees, something I normally don't do.

2.  LOW GAS PRICES--  Gas prices in northeast Illinois are around $2.60 to $2.70.  Yesterday, gas in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was $2.56.  But, the best news is in McHenry along Illinois Highway 31, where a Murphy USA station opened and has sparked a gas war.  Wow, gas war.  How long has it been since you've heard that?  Gas is "down" to $2.27!!

Enjoy it now, because come spring, Big Oil and their friends will have gas back up to $4+ and that will be really hard to take now that we're starting to get used to gas below $3.

3.  WHY SO FEW SPORTS--  Even though I don't mention it often, I am a real big sports fan.  I don't mention it, especially where success is concerned because that is the "Kiss of Death."  I mention it and my teams lose.

4.  GREAT RADIO--  Tune into WXRT, 93.1 FM tomorrow morning from 8 to noo, CST to listen to Saturday Morning Flashback which goes back 30 years to 1984.  It streams at www.wxrt.com.

Also over the internet, check out Fessa John Hook's Beach Class Reunion which this week is to 1955.  He will play the Top Forty Beach Songs from that year and give you lots of background.  Some of the songs he played: "No More Alcohol" by Jimmy Liggins, "Can't Do 60 No More" by the Dominos, "Fujiyama Mama" by Aniston Alla, "Hearts of Stone" by the Jewels and "Tweddly Twiddly Dee" by LaVern Baker.  This is Rock and Roll before it became Rock and Roll.  Streams at www.beachshag.com.

--RoadDog