Eating Those Kringles-- Part 2: Wisconsin's Official State Pastry

The Racine Kringle is the the Official State Pastry of Wisconsin as of 2013.

According to the Racine Danish Kringle site, they come stuffed with 26 flavors, but the most popular are pecan and raspberry.

The kringle is a Danish pastry that is unique among baked goods.  Danish immigrant bakers introduced kringles to Racine and southeast Wisconsin in the late 1880s.  It is an authentic pastry dough and when baked to a golden brown, filled with gourmet fillings and then shaped into the distinctive kringle oval.  As if that is not enough, they then spread vanilla or chocolate icing on it.

They are baked fresh every day.

Mighty Good Eating.  --RoadDog

Eating Those Delicious Racine Kringles

This past Saturday while doing some grocery shopping at our local Angelo's in Johnsburg, Illinois, I saw a guy over at a table looking at some oval objects and walked over to see. He was looking at three packages of Racine Danish Kringles.

Now, I have heard of these Kringle pastries on several occasions and have been told it is one of those local foods you "gotta try."

Well, I "'didda try." I bought a 14 ounce package for $4.99. I've been wanting to try one anyway. I was surprised that Liz had never even heard of them, but we, with difficulty, got the plastic wrap off...

And... it was everything I could want. Man, was that good!! I will now keep an eye out for them. And, Racine is maybe 30 miles away, just north of Kenosha.

We could even GO THERE.

Mighty Tasty, Even If I Do Say So. --RoadDog

A Cold Trip to NC-- Part 1: Music On the Way

I left home in Spring Grove, Illinois, on March 23rd with odometer at 24,809 on the '11 Malibu, setting the trip odometers to zero and reading in at 28.4 mpg. Temperature was a mighty brisk 34 degrees.

One good thing about leaving on a Sunday morning was a was able to listen to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on 96.9 and later 97.1 FM, on WDRV.

At 8:21 AM, he played "Magic Bus," a good traveling song. Driving into Woodstock on Il-129 to pick up Illinois Highway 47, my ultra far-out-of-Chicago bypass, I passed Goat Hill and it was too cold for the goats, as they were inside. The Leaning Silo of Woodstock was leaning even more.

Once to Woodstock, I take Queen Anne Road as a bypass around that town to Il-47.

Stroud was playing CSNY's "My House." That temp was reported as 21 degrees "biting cold breeze." It sure was, and stayed cold the whole trip. Gas in Woodstock was $3.80 and $3.87 at Stark's Corner at Il-72 and U.S.-20.

Just Gettin' Started. --RoadDog

Some Changes in Woodstock Square-- Part 2: Bill Murray's Tip-Top Cafe from 'Groundhog Day'

There is scaffolding around the old courthouse cupola. I am glad to see that as I have been reading that the building is in need of repair. It is too unique a structure to let go.

They must have fertilized the grass in the square as it is already very green.

After the movie, I was able to eat at the Taqueria La Placita at 108 Case Street (815-337-2309). This place served as the Tip-Top Cafe in the movie "Groundhog Day" where several scenes were filmed, including when Bill Murray was cramming all that food into his mouth.

There have been a succession of restaurants in the place ever since, but none have lasted too long. Here's hoping this one will last. I had some excellent tacos right in the nook where Bill ate.

Across the square is a restaurant called Angelo's which had the show from the Food Network come in to "save it." It went out of business shortly thereafter. Fortunately, a new person owns it and is returning it to what it was before the Food Network got itand messed it up.

--RoadDog

Some Changes in Woodstock Square-- Part 1

On April 8th, I went to Woodstock, Illinois, one of my favorite towns, and saw some changes going on in and around the historic 1840s Woodstock Square.

I was there for a meeting of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table and decided to go to town a little earlier and catch a movie and dinner beforehand.

There is two hour parking until 5 PM on the square, so went to one of several untimed lots adjacent to the square and parked. I immedialely noticed that the theatre was different from the back. It had expanded tremendously and now has eight theaters.

This movie theatre was in the movie "Groundhog Day," most noticeably when Bill Murray took his date to see the Clint Eastwood movie and was dressed in Clint's best spaghetti western outfit.

The theatre now has several additional buildings, all made to blend in with the square's side street. Sadly, however, they did away with the old ticket window out front. The lighted marque still remains, though, but I don't think it will be the main entry anymore (there is still construction underway).

More to Come. --RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 7: Stroud's 'We Choke Our Own Chickens'

STROUD'S RESTAURANT & BAR-- Kansas City, Mo. Began in 1933 and they say, "We choke our own chickens." Freshness? Pan-fried chicken a specialty, but original restaurant closed in 2005.

Now, there are two "Chicken Shacks:".

They recommend starting with breaded livers and gizzards (I don't know about that).

 At 5410 NE Pak Ridge in KC and Fairway, Kansas.

That's All of 'Em. --RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 6: Camp Washington Chili

CAMP WASHINGTON CHILI-- Cincinnati. This is the only one that I have been fortunate enough to eat at, thanks to my buddy Denny who told me about it and took me there. Now, I am forever hooked on that Cincinnati chili and never miss a chance to get some. (I always stop on my trips to North Carolina at the Skyline Chili place by Dayton off I-70.) //// A Greek immigrant's secret recipe for chili has been served from the same location (new structure, though) since 1940. You can order you chili from three-way to five way. A Five-way has spaghetti, chili, cheese, beans and onions. (I get four-way as I'm not crazy about the beans.) You can also get a hot dog piled high with the stuff. It is closed Sundays, but otherwise open 24-hours. Located at 3005 Colerain Avenue. (There are several places serving Cincy Chili as well as two chains: Gold Star and Skyline.) //// Never, Ever Pass Up a Chance for Cincy Chili!!! --RoadDog

Record Stores Near Me-- Part 2

WISCONSIN RECORD STORES-- Black Circle Records in Lake Geneva. This one is about 20 miles away, but I've never been to it. Shame on me. EXCLUSIVE RECORDS STORES-- There are several around Wisconsin. I used to go to the one in Oshkosh a lot, but I also see there is one in Janesville. IN KENOSHA, there is a CD, DVD Games Warehouse. //// IOWA RECORD STORES-- CO-OP RECORDS in Clinton (There used to be one in Illinois Quad Cities town of Rock Island.) In DUBUQUE, there is CDS-4-Change and Ragged Records in Davenport (another Quad Cities town). //// --RoadDog

Record Stores Near Me-- Part 1

HERE IN ILLINOIS: Really close to me (withing 15 miles) TRACK ONE VINTAGE STEREO in Antioch; SUNSHINE DAYDREAM in Lake Zurich. //// Farther away, but still in the state: CO-OP RECORDS in Moline; TOP 5 RECORDS-- Palatine and RECYCLED RECORDS in Springfield. There are four mom and pop record stores in Rockford. //// Only problem for me going into these places is that it gets sort of expensive. //// Supportin' the Mom and Pops. -- RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Delights-- Part 5

AL'S BREAKFAST-- Minneapolis. Its Facebook page proudly boasts: "There's a stool for every a__" even if it is just ten feet wide and considered the city's narrowest restaurant. And, they can seat a whopping fourteen of thoses a__es. Hearty fare with a little flair as well. Things like sweet potato latkes and pumpkin pancakes. They close at 1 PM and cash only at 413 14th Avenue. SE. //// THREE BROTHERS-- Milwaukee. Branko Radicevic turns 91 this April and has lived much of his adult life above this Bay View neighborhood landmark, which his father opened in 1950. The menu is Serbian fare and hasn't changed much since then. Try a buttery and flaky burek filled with cheese and spinich or meat at 2414 S. St. Clair Street. //// Gettin' Hongry. --RoadDog

Record Store Day Today

Go to the site, find the nearest location and relocate yourself to one of those grand old mom and pop record stores.

Also, if you have one of those great Half-Price Book Stores in your area, that is another great place to stop. Not only do they have a great and ever-changing selection of used and new books, but also the same can be said for their vinyl albums and CDs. It usually costs me at least $30 to go into one, particularly the place at Dundee and US-12 in Palatine, Illinois. I call them the national chain mom and pop record/book store.

I see that there are also two mom and pop record stores near me, both about 15-20 miles away. One is in Antioch, Illinois, and the other is in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1973 and they are saying a lot about Record Store Day. Give it a listen as it goes on until noon.

Anyway, Support Those Record Stores. --RoadDog

Missing My Long-Gone Record Stores

With tomorrow being Record Store Day (personally, I prefer National Record Store Day), I think back on three of my all-time favorite record stores that are no longer with us. All of them had listening posts and great selections as well as owners or employees who were very knowledgeable and helpful.. And, you could always find other record nuts in there to talk with. //// The first one was Record Revolution in DeKalb, Illinois, right on the Lincoln Highway. No trip to NIU was complete without a visit here. //// Then, theer was Full Cyrkle Records in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where I always enjoyed talking with owner Skip and Sean. //// Lastly was a place it always cost a hundred bucks to go in since they featured Beach Music, something we have little of here in Illinois. Mean Jean and Stanley were great at keeping me up on what is newest in the genre. //// All Gone But Not Forgotten. --RoadDog

Banjos in Baltimore and TURN in Virginia

From the April 2, 2014, USA Today "State-By-State." //// MARYLAND-- Baltimore: a six-month exhibit about the banjo in Baltimore opened this week at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Baltimore is home to the first banjo factory in the country in the 1840s. I sure didn't know that. //// VIRGINIA-- The Virginia Tourism Corporation has launched a TURN trail to help visitors explore the Colonial and Revolutionary War-era attractions featured on the new AMC series that debuted Sunday about the U.S.'s first spy ring. //// I am hooked on it already, even though it takes place near New York. //// It's a Redcoat Thing. --RoadDog

Planting Trees in Illinois, Watching Prairie Chickens in Iowa

From the April 3, 2014, USA Today "State-By-State."

ILLINOIS-- Volunteers plan to plant more than 200 trees to replace those lost in Gifford in November's tornado. Two dozen tornadoes touched down in Illinois November 17, 2013. We didn't have a tornado, but I lost a tree that was knocked down by high winds as well as some large branches off another one that day.

IOWA-- People are invited to come out and watch prairie chickens do their courtship ritual dance at Kellerton. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the Annual Prairie Chicken Festival will start before dawn April 5th at the Grand River Grassland Bird Conservation Area.

Dance, Chicken, Dance!! --RoadDog

US-80 Hi-Way Sale This Weekend From Alabama to Texas

From the April 3, 2014, USA Todat "State-By-State.

ALABAMA-- Alabama is joining Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas for the US-80 Hi-Way Sale April 18-19th.

Alabama has organized the World's Widest Yard Sale along US-80 for the last two years. US-80 was the first coast-to-coast, all weather highway in the country. I always thought it was the Lincoln Highway.

Buying Our Way Across.  --RoadDog

Record Store Day This Saturday!!!

Last Saturday when I went to my local mom and pop record store, Vinyl Frontier, in McHenry, Illinois, I was happy to find out that this coming Saturday is that great day where we get to thank those bastions of music still available to us technologically impaired folk. //// Those great (and many late-great) mom and pop record stores. This happens not just in Illinois, but all across the country and even overseas. They have lists of mom and pop record stores in every state and you can find them at www.recordstoreday.com. //// We had planned a trip to DeKalb to see the NIU spring football game, but it looks like weather and other things will keep us from going there, so I will definitely be in McHenry at the Vinyl Frontier. //// I understand there are some interesting things you can buy in addition to all the vinyl and CDs. //// So, Get Out There, Say Hi, and Buy Somethin'. ---RoadDog

Dave Clark Five's Greatest Hits

OK, a bit off topic, but no good road cruise can go without good road music and here is some great stuff. As I wrote in my Down Da Road I Go Blog, I have been an a Dave Clark Five state of mind ever since seeing the special on them on PBS last week. I knew they had a lot of hits, but, wow, that many!!! //// This past Saturday, I went to my local mom and pop store, Vinyl Frontier, in McGHenry, Illinois, and bought three Dave Clark Five albums: Return, Glad All Over and Greatest Hits. //// There were ten mighty fine songs on the Greatest Hits album: Over and Over, Everybody Knows (I Still Love You), Can't You See That She's Mine, Bits and Pieces, I Like It Like That, Catch Us If You Can, Because, Anyway You Want It, Do You Love Me and Glad All Over. //// Now, That's Some Great Music. --RoadDog

Getting Our Kicks on Route 66 Songs

Listening to some current songs which mention Route 66. //// First "Anybody Going to San Antone" by the Eleven Hundred Springs. They took the old Charlie Pride song and updated its sound. ""Walking down Rote 66...." //// The new CD "We Are Tonight" by Billy Currington has a song titled "One Way Ticker." In it, Currington mentions "I'm gonna dip my toes in the river of life //// Buy me a Harley and Route 66 it, a one way ticket and I'm gonna enjoy the ride." //// Yep, Billy, We Still Really Enjoy the Ride. --RoadDog

Cruising Music: NC Spring 2014 Trip

When I travel, I alternate between local radio stations and CDs I haven't gotten a chance to listen to yet. This past trip, the CDs were: //// Speed of Darkness by Flogging Molly; From Here to Now to You by Jack Johnson; Drinks After Work by Toby Keith, Sunshine & Whiskey by Frankie Ballard; Redneck Crazy by Tyler Farr and Magpie and the Dandelion by the Avett Brothers. //// That was quite an assortment from new drinking country, to old drinking country, to Irish rock, to new rock and Rockin' Bluegrass. //// I liked all the CDs, although the Avett Brothers required several listens. I liked several songs right off the bat, but the others grew on me. //// Pop That CD In. --RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 4: Lagomarchino's

When traveling, what better way to pick up local culture, than eating local? Here is another likely spots to eat in the Midwest. As I said, we will be checking out Breitbach's Country Dining in tiny Balltown, Iowa, (pop. 68), near Dubuque and half-way between there and Decorah, where we hope to see their famed bald eagles. //// LAGOMARCINO'S-- Moline, Illinois. Now, here's another town we have been to often, we're huge fans of the Quad Cities out there on the Mississippi River, but this is yet another place we've never heard of before. //// The century-old soda fountain, established by an immigrant from northern Italy, is best-known for hot fudge sundaes topped with whipped cream which is nearly as high as the ice cream is deep. //// Sauces arrive on the side, in a little glass pitcher. A lunch favorite is ham salad, served on a house-made Swedish rye. //// Located at 1422 Fifth Avenue, Moline. There is a newer Lagomarchino's in East Davenport, across the river. //// --Getting Hungry. --RoadDog

The Good, the Good and the Really, Really Bad

All that happened on Saturday around here. //// The first "Good" was that the big stores had opened their yard nurseries, always a favorite time of mine around northern Illinois. That means that spring has arrived. And, with the 70s temps, it sure felt like it. Well, the hail storm in the morning wasn't so good. //// Another really "Good" thing was that I went to my local mom and pop record store in McHenry, The Vinyl Frontier, and found out that next Saturday is the National Record Store Day Celebration, always a favorite of mine. But, even better, I saw a young boy, maybe 8th grade or freshman, going through the stacks. Not ONLY wasn't he downloading tunes, this young guy was grabbing albums. Maybe there is hope for us old, non-downloading folks after all. Maybe albums, CDs and cassettes will somehow survive. //// Now, the BAD and something that definitely will affect my travels this summer. The price of gas had passed tghe "magical" $3.99.9 mark all over McHenry, Illinois, and was at $4.10, or $4.09 as most would say. //// Nolt Every Thing Goes Your Way. Thanks GRBs. --RoadDog

Balltown, Iowa: State's Oldest Restaurant

OK, I'd never heard of this town before, but found out it is in Dubuque County, Iowa. And, we have been to that city many times as it is favorite of ours (and about twenty miles from Galena, Illinois, another favorite. //// The next time we're there, perhaps as early as next weekend, when we go to DeKalb for the NIU Spring football game, we're planning on heading out to the Mississippi River from there before gas gets too expensive. //// A stp at Breitbach's is planned. //// Hope to Check It Out. --RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 3: Watts Tea Shop and Breitbach's Country Dining

WATTS TEA SHOP-- Milwaukee-- Since 1870 has sold crystal, china and other fine items in an old-time tearoom. Expect delicate finger sandwiches and sweets like a light, custard-filled Sunshine Cake. Located at 761 N. Jefferson Street. //// BREITBACH'S COUNTRY DINING, Balltown, Iowa-- Billed as Iowa's oldest place to eat and drink. It is now owned by the family's sixth generation, having opened during the Civil War in 1862. // Fire destroyed it twice (2007 and 2008) and the tiny community (pop. 68) twice urged its rebuilding. // The popular buffet has a house-made corn relish, pickled beets, fried catfish and other items. Located at 563 Balltown Road. //// --RoadDog

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 2

I'd never heard of this award before, but here are some previous Midwestern winners. //// KRAMARCZAK'S: Minneapolis, Minnesota. (2013) Ukranian immigrants began making sausage, bread and pirosky (filled buns) by hand. It still does to stock its deli, bakery, sausage kitchen and restaurant. Other treats are nalysnkky (meat-stuffed creoes) and varenyky (stuffed dumplings). At 215 E. Hennepin Avenue. //// ST. ELMO STEAK HOUSE: Indianapolis (2012). Dinner-only restaurant began as a tavern in 1902 Classic steakhouse with special horseradish sauce. At 127 S. Illinois Street. //// More to Come. --

Midwest Culinary Classics-- Part 1

From the March 16, 2014, Chicago Tribune by Mary Bergin. //// The James Beard Foundation announced finalists in its annual culinary awards //// Past Chicago winners of this prestigious award: Calumet Fisheries in 2010, Tufano's Vernon Park Tap in 2008 and the Berghoff in 1999. //// One of the finalists this year is Sokolowski's University Inn in Cleveland, a cafeteria-style restaurant that began as a tavern in 1923 and started serving Salisburg steak to construction workers in the 1950s. That entree coupled with Polish foods like pierogi, kielbassa and stuffed cabbage rolls are still served. Located at 1201 University Road. //// However, winning a Classics Award does not ensure a great future. Chicago's Berghoff closed in 2006, but then reopened (I'm still mad about that one. The family sure took advantage of folks in that move and made a lot of money in doing so. //// The Pickwick Restaurant and Pub in Duluth, Minnesotawon it in 2007, then was sold in 2010. It had begun serving simple grub as a beer brweers pub 100 years ago. Now it is known for its char-grilled steaks, seafood and pasta. It is at 508 E. Superior Street in Duluth. //// More Good Food Coming At Ya. --RoadDog

What Other Countries Warn Their People About the U.S.-- Part 2

One big thing all countries should warn their people about is that there are certain areas of U.S. cities that they should avoid. Find out where they are and stay away from them. //// CANADA warns about violent crime, often connected with drugs and alcohol. //// ENGLAND AND THE UNITED KINGDOM warn about crime, weather and traffic (and, I'd like to talk about all their super dangerous roundabouts), hurricanes, snow storms, US highways and traffic, speeding and drunk driving (our limits are lower than U.K.). //// GERMANY-- nudity. Don't do it in public. //// IRELAND-- crime and weather. ITALY-- California fires. //// So, Know Before You Go. --RoadDog

What Other Countries Warn Their People About the U.S-- Part 1.

From the Yahoo! News Good Morning America "Odd Things Other Countries Warn About Travel in the USA" by Rick Seney. //// I know of things we are warned about when traveling in other countries, but what things are their tourists coming here are warned about? Some of the nature-related things are earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, brush fires and even volcanoes. //// Australia warns abou the "high incidence of crime." Also harsh laws, drinking age is 21 (it's 18 in Australia) and weather like hurricanes, floods and extreme heat. //// What About the Drinking Water? --RoadDog

Sweet Soul Music from Boomer Radio

I recently came across this site which I am sure will appeal to roadies everywhere. And, especially if you are a big-time soul odies fan like myself. Just go to Boomer radio site and scroll down to Sweet Soul Music. Sit back and enjoy. //// Songs played since 12:56 PM today: //// I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE-- Teddy Pendergrass // FUNKY STREET-- Arthur Conly // DISCO INFERNO-- Trammps // THIS OLD HEART OF MINE-- Isley Brothers // SUN GODDESS-- Ramsey Lewis and Eart, Wind & Fire //// THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE-- Persuaders // SPECIAL LADY-- Ray, Goodman & Brown // RESPECT-- Aretha Franklin // I'M IN LOVE-- Evelyn Champagne King // WALK AWAY RENEE-- Four Tops //// ELECTRIC AVENUE-- Eddy Grant. IN A MONMENT-- Intrigues (Beach Music) // DISCO LADY-- Johnnie Taylor // LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND--Deon Jackson // JUST TO SEE HER-- Smokey Robinson // JUST MY IMAGINATION--Temptations //// WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING-- Billy Ocean // EXPLOSION (IN MY SOUL)-- Soul Survivors // MACHINE GUN-- Commodores // NOTHING'S TOO GOOD FOR MY BABY-- Stevie Wonder //// Wonder If You Can Get It On Your Car Radio? --RoadDog

Ford Mustang's 50th Anniversary-- Part 3: "Mustang Sally," Thanks Wicked Pickett

TO THE TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING-- A Mustang convertible rode the elevator to the top of New York City's Empire State Building. But not in one piece. It was cut into four sections and reassembled for display on the 86th-floor observation deck in 1965. Wondering if they were able to put it back together after that? All the king's horses and all the king's men. //// JAY LENO-- The newly retired "Tonight Show" host owns several Mustangs, including a 1965 Shelby GT350. Must be nice to be rich. Now he has time to drive 'em. //// "MUSTANG SALLY"-- "All you wanna do is ride around, Sally," sanf the Wicked Wilson Pickett in his 1965 hit, "Mustang Sally." One of my all-time favorite songs. I also liked the Commitments version of it. //// 2014 MUSTANG-- A 2014 Mustand V6 premium convertible costs $31,610-- no extra charge for all-time favorite color red. //// "Ride, Sally, Ride." --RoadDog

Ford Mustang's 50th Anniversary-- Part 2: One Good-Lookin' Falcon

How's that for an idea? Take your basic little Falcon, sport it up and sell a lot of them. That essentially was all a Mustang was. And, the early Mustangs looked real good. Then came those gosh-awful 80s things, especially that sad little Mustang II. //// ** FIRST PRODUCTION MUSTANG-- Gail Wise bought the very first production Mustang in 1964 at age 22. She paid $3,447.50. She is in a picture taken in 2010 and still owns it. "Hey, Gail. Wanna sell it?" //// ** MUSTANG SKETCHES AND EMBLEM-- Ex-GM designer Phil Clark did the first sketches for a new Ford sports car and the running pony emblem. //// ** "BULLITT" CHASE-- Steve McQueen drove a Shelby GT390 during the legendary 9-minute, 42-second chase scene in the 1968 movie "Bullitt. I didn't remember the car as I was way TOO Scared. //// Henry Ford Would Have Been So Proud. --RoadDog

Ford Mustang's 50th Anniversary: In Pop Culture-- Part 1

From the March 2014 AARP Bulletin "The Ford Mustang in Pop Culture." //// And, a car I would have loved to drive in 1964, but I was too young for a driver's license. By 1967, I was old enough, but it was in those days before kids got their birthright car at age 16 and Dad MEVER would have bought me one anyway. "What, buy my son a car??!! I'd rather see him walk!!" The article includes pictures. //// "The Ford Mustang, a true American icon turns 50 this year. The first one rolled off the assembly line in March 1964 and debuted the following month at the New York World's Fair. Over the years more than nine million Mustangs have roamed the roadways. Some memories and milestones:" //// Beep, Beep. --RoadDog

Waldmire Meets Filmore

The other Bob Waldmire print that must find a spot on my crowded walls is the one dated 2006 showing the meeting of two noted Route 66 VW vans. It reads "Wish I was there...a Chance Meeting, Somewhere On 66..." You see Filmore with his grass-infused eyes and all the hippie peace stuff on the sides off the road and saying "Far out, man, it's Waldmire!" //// Then we see Bob at the wheel of his heavily Route 55 decorated van (which you can see yourself at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois) and saying "What the f___! Wow, it's Filmore." You see a sign for Radiator Spgs with a puzzled bird sitting on it. Off in the distance is the town of Radiator Springs, made famous in the movie "Cars" which was so based on Route 66. //// This movie was the one that got me to liking animated films. Of course, the character of Filmore was based on our own Route 66 resident hippie and artist, Bob Waldmire. //// But now I have to find a place to hang it. /// Thinking about close to the computer right now. //// Good Old Bob. I Sure Do Miss Him. --RoadDog

Eagle Update

Liz follows the bald head eaglets fairly closely, now on three sites. //// Glad to report that E-4, the chick in Fort Myers, Florida, has finally fledged and took his first flight Friday. But things weren't easy for the big galoot as his first attempt to land ended with him on the ground. A second flight, and much better landing, ended with him in a nearby tree which unfortunately had a very protective smaller bird who kept buzzing the poor guy. Poor E-4 was very confused by that, but sadly, will be leaving the nest soon. //// However, we have the eaglet at Berry College in Georgia who is growing rapidly. //// Then, we were very happy to have two of the three eggs hatch at Decorah, Iowa, and two chicks actively in the "bonking" stage right now as they vie for nest supremacy, They are hilarious as both have a hard time keeping their heads up and a bonk often leads to a fall. //// Enjoying Those Eagles. --RoadDog

And Then, There Are Those Two New Bob Waldmire Prints: The Bridge

Two more road-related items that need a place to hang. //// When I got home from my NC trip Thursday, Liz showed me two more things that MUST be framed and put up on a wall: somewhere, somehow. I've already stopped by Dollar Tree and bought the frames. //// These two prints were gifts from friends and fellow roadies Barb and Glen who were at a museum (I think Liz said the Route 66 one in Pontiac, Illinois) and won them and then gave them to us. //// One is dated 10-96 and shows the famed Route 66 "Chain-of-Rocks Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri" right there at the bend. We're hoping to get to cross it this June with the Route 66 Association of Illinois' annual motor tour. That's a drive through history. //// To Hang a Bridge, But...Where? --RoadDog

Good Gosh, More Things to Hang Up on the Walls

After my stop at J-R's in NC on my way home last wekk, I bought one of those big metal stars to hang up on the gazebo and that wooden "How Many Roads Must a Man Go Down...Before He Admits He's Lost" sign for inside. As those folk of infinite wisdom, Da Yoopers, from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, said in one of their hilarious songs: "I think we're lost. I've been lost before and this is what it looks like." //// Only problem now is finding a place to hang it up. The basement Margaritaville/North Woods walls are getting mighty full, practically floor-to-ceiling in some places. //// And Liz won't let me hang anything more upstairs, in a vail attempt to keep me from cluttering in her domain. //// I'll Have to Have a Drink and, As Ricky Ricardo Would Say, "Thin'" About It. Maybe I Can "Sneak" One Upstairs? --RoadDog

Found Them Uglys

Without a doubt, one of my favorite sweet breakfast items are Uglys, made by Salisbury, NC's Apple Bakery. However, finding them is quite hard. Until last November, the only place I'd seen them was at the BP station west of I-65 in White House, Tennessee.

However, in November, I was needing a bathroom break and got off at the Hillsborough, NC, exit on I-40 and stopped at the first station I came to. As always, I buy something if I use a station's facilities without buying gas. Was I ever shocked when I saw a whole box of Apple Uglys, so stocked up. I went back there this past Wednesday and stocked up again.

Then, I got gas at Wytheville, Virginia, always the cheapest gas (well if you call anything above $2 cheap) and got gas for $3.22. It was a Valero station. I never pass up a bathroom break (I don't recommend this one at the Valero, pretty nasty), but on the way out, I saw they had several varieties of Uglys so bought some more.

I Know Two Places I'll Be Stopping From Now On.

 --RoadDog

How Many Roads Must a Man Go Down...

On my way home from North Carolina a couple days ago, I stopped at a well-known roadside emporium called J-R's off I-40 in that state. I bought a $5 sign that caught my eye.

It had a bunch of road signs on it, including one from Route 66 and the words "How Many Roads Must a Man Go Down...Before He Admits He's Lost?"

This is a very typical spoof on male drivers who have a serious aversion to asking for directions.

But not me. If I think I'm lost, I'll pull over as soon as I can to find those needed directions. However, I have another problem and that is remembering those directions if I don't write them down. Anything more than one direction and there is no way I'll remember them.

As a result, even though it is my idea to pull over for directions, poor Liz ends up going in and asking for the directions.

C.R.S.: Can't Remember Stuff. --RoadDog

Britt's Donuts: Now You Can Read About 'Em, While You're Eating 'Em

From the March 30, 2014,  Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Book pays tribute to sweet local obsession" by Ben Steelman.

Review of the new book "Britt;s Donuts: Forever Sweet" by Daniel Ray Norris and Halyn Prusa, published by SlapDash Publishing in Carolina Beach, NC, $19.95.

This is the story of one of my all-time favorite places to go for donuts (never let the Britt's folks catch you spelling it doughnuts.  That would be like going to the Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois, and ordering a corn dog.  You will be corrected.

And, a sure sign of Spring has arrived, Britt's officially opened for business on Carolina Beach's world-famous boardwalk this past Friday.  My cousin Cathy and her daughter, who attends UNC-W, were among those first-dayers.

Britt;s has been a family favorite of ours ever since I was a young tyke back in the early 1950s.  No trip to the Carolina Beach is complete without a ride on the bumper cars (no longer there, sadly), snowcones, Britt's Donuts and the next-door shooting gallery.

Nothing Like a Piping Hot, Fresh Britt's.  --RoadDog

Ten New NRHP Sites in North Carolina

From the March 21, 2014, WECT News, Wilmington, NC.  Two of the new National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) were near Wilmington.

One was Fort Caswell by the mouth of the Cape Fear River and the other the beach cottage of James D. and Frances Sprunt at Wrightsville Beach, built in 1937 and considered an example of beach homes built by wealthy persons during the time.

Fort Caswell, built in the early 1800s, saw considerable action during the Civil War and a lot of it was destroyed after the capture of Fort Fisher.

Other new  NRHP sites:  Old South Mebane Historic District, Mebane;  Durham Hosiery Mills Dye House, Durham; Hillside Park High School, Durham; Louise Cotton Mill, Charlotte;  Valentine-Wilder House, Spring Hope, Nash County;  Oakdale Cemetery, Hendersonville;  Eureka Manufacturing Company Cotton Mill, Lincolnton and Flat Top Estate, Blowing Rock.

--RoadDog