Bucket List of Illinois Events-- Part 5: Driving, Buildings and a Fort

17.  SPOON RIVER SCENIC DRIVE--  Fulton County  First two weekends of October

Rural area made famous by Edgar Lee Master's "Spoon River Anthology.  Roughly 140 miles.

18.  OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO--  Chicago  Early October

Free access to over 200 buildings for a behind-the-scene peak.  Many are not regularly open to the public.

19.  FORT MASSAC ENCAMPMENT--  Metropolis   Middle October

Hey, Superman's home and see what life was like in Illinois back in the late 1700s at Fort Massac.

20.  FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE--  Des Plaines

Tens of thousands on Catholic pilgrims, many of then Mexican make their way to pray or lay flowers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

--RoadDog

Salute Those Vietnam Veterans Today

Today is National Vietnam Veterans Day.  I have my flag flying.

Over 58,000 Americans died.  Over two and a half million served.

In the early 1960s we sent military advisors to South Vietnam and by 1963, some 16,000 Americans were there.  After the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution the conflict expanded and by 1968, there were 500,000 military there.

The last American fighting troops left on March 29, 1973, which is why we commemorate their service today.

Hats Off to the Vietnam War Veterans!!!

Bucket List of Illinois Events-- Part 4: Swept Under the Table at the House

13.  ARCOLA BROOM CORN FESTIVAL--  Arcola    Early September

Get swept away at this broom corn bash.  Arcola is a leading producer of brooms made with ornamental grass.

14.  MORTON PUMPKIN FESTIVAL--  Morton

Enough pumpkins are processed here each year to fill 50 million pumpkin pies.  That's why they call themselves the Pumpkin Capital of the World.

15.  VINTAGE ILLINOIS--  Utica    Mid-September

Drinkin' wine spo-de-doh.  Get a taste of Illinois-made wines.

16.  TOUR OF HISTORIC GALENA HOMES--  Galena   End of September

Much preservation in this city with so many homes pre-Civil War.  Hey, and U.S. Grant's home is here also.

Wine and Pumpkins  --RoadDog

Bucket List of Illinois Events-- Part 3: Tugging the Corn At the Parade

These were put out in honor of the Illinois Bicentennial of statehood in 2018.

9.  GREAT RIVER TUG FEST--  Port Byron   Early August

Teams from Illinois and Iowa pull their weight on a  2,700 foot rope between Port Byron and Le Claire, Iowa.  And, that would be across something called the Mississippi River.  As of 2018, Illinois leads 20-11.  Sorry Hawkeyes.

10.  MENDOTA SWEET CORN FESTIVAL--   Mendota  Early August

More than 50 tons of sweet corn gets devoured after being cooked by a vintage steam engine.

DeKalb has a Corn fest near the end of August.

11.  ILLINOIS STATE FAIR--  Springfield    Mid-August

A life size cow made of butter is just one thing to see.  And, you can eat Cozy Dogs.  Worth admission right there.

12.  BUD BILLIKEN PARADE--  Chicago   Second Saturday of August.

Just the way to get you ready for school.  The largest black parade in the country.

--RoadDog

Bucket List of Illinois Events-- Part 2: Superman, Milk and a Taste

5.  HARVARD MILK DAYS,  Harvard  Early June

Billed as the state's longest-running hometown festival started in 1942.  I remember dropping one of our actives off  in Harvard after taking him for a ride when I was pledging Delta Sigma Phi in 1970 and thinking about taking the cow statue downtown for a ride.  We didn't.

6.  SUPERMAN CELEBRATION, Metropolis   Early June

Way downstate, but with a name like this town has, you'd kind of have to do this.  See the 15-foot-tall statue of "favorite son."

7. MORE ON 34    US Highway 34  Aurora to Galesburg    Mid-June

All sorts of stuff for sale in flea markets, yard sales and etc..

Lincoln Highway also has a Lincoln Buy-Way along its route during the summer.

8.  McHENRY FIESTA DAYS / ANTIOCH TASTE OF SUMMER  McHenry and Antioch

These two towns are about twenty miles apart and have these two festivals at the same time.  We live right between them and I keep trying to get them to have it at different times, but no luck yet.

--RoadDog

Bucket List of Illinois Events to Visit-- Part 1: Groundhog Days and Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival

From the January 7, 2019, Chicago Tribune.

This was in honor of Illinois' Bicentennial of statehood last year.

1.  GROUNDHOG DAYS,  Woodstock  Around Feb. 2, Groundhog Day, you know.  Site of movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray.  Activities over the whole weekend.

2.  BLESSING THE BIKES,  Alto Pass   Motorcyclists kick off season in Shawnee National Forest.  Late April.

3.  RED CARPET CORRIDOR FESTIVAL, Joliet to Towanda along Route 66.  Each of 13 towns has something going on that weekend.  Early May.  There is also a Blue Carpet Corridor Festival for cities south of Springfield in September.

4.  BIKE THE DRIVE , Chicago    For one morning in late May, cars are kicked off Lake Shore Drive and bicyclists get their shot.

--RoadDog

Along the Lincoln Highway: The Penn-Irwin Motel Closes in Pennsylvania

From the March 22, 2019, Trib Live  "A Route 30 mainstay, historic Penn-Irwin Motel closes as owners retire" by Steve Huba.

The motel has operated for 73 years on U.S. 30 and the western terminus of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but new interchanges were built on the turnpike and people began bypassing the old Irwin at North Huntington.  Owners Gary (71) and Deb (68) Salada decided it was time to retire and closed their doors on Saturday, March 23..

They have owned the historic motel for the last 34 years and are the third owners since the place opened in 1946.  It is setback from the highway but visible in the woods with its neon sign reading "A Quiet Night's Sleep Assured."

There were originally five buildings, each with two rooms featuring knotty pine walls and wooden furniture.

The property has been sold to Colony Holding who has plans to develop the property.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Feb. 2019: "Green Book" and A Passport

FEBRUARY 20--  The Smithsonian Channel's "Green Book" documentary will air Monday, Feb. 25 at 8 pm Eastern.  Too late.  You missed it as did I because we don't have the Smithsonian Channel.  Too bad as I really would like to have seen it.

Sure glad it is not necessary to have a Green Book anymore, but I am glad people are becoming aware of it now, including myself.

FEBRUARY 22--  The Route 66 Navigation creators are working on a Route 66 Passport. as a smart phone app.  You get stamps at select visitors centers.

Passports are always good to help spark tourism.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Feb. 2019: A Bridge, A Sign and No More Trailers

FEBRUARY 18--  Work to replace the historic Horse Creek Bridge near Afton, Oklahoma, is underway.  It was built in 1936 on the east side of town.  Now it is structurally deficient.

We must have driven over it if it is on 66, but don't remember it.

FEBRUARY 19--  The Sonrise Donuts sign in Springfield, Illinois, came down.  It was on top of the building for 70 years and Springfield purchased the sign recently for $22,000.  But, it will be restored to its former glory and placed somewhere, so it is not gone.

Always enjoyed looking at it as we drove by and we once ate in the building when it was open.

FEBRUARY  20--  The Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post is no longer renting out its vintage tractors.  It is in West Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In the past you could stay in a 1974 Silver Streak, 1959 Spartan, 1969 Airstream or 1956 Yellowstone.

They said it was too expensive to keep the trailers in condition.  That would have been a trip back into time.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Feb. 2019: Launching Pad Food and Neon Signs

FEBRUARY 16--  The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois is hoping to be offering a full-service menu by April.  It is owned now by Tully Garrett and Holly Barker.  They bought the place in 2017 after it had been closed for seven years.

It opened in 1960 as the Dairy Delite by John and Betty Korelc and renamed the Launching Pad in 1965, after the U.S. space program.  The Gemini Giant also came in 1965.

Of course, this is the home of the world famous Gemini Giant.

They are offering a selection called a Carolina Dogs.  Could this be one with cole slaw.  And if they have that, how about some of that great Carolina 'Cue?

My biggest problem with the Launching Pad is that it is too close to the Polka-Dot in Braidwood. You can't eat at both as you'd be way too full.

FEBRUARY  17--  The Tulsa Route 66 Commission will soon begin a neon sign program.  Always time for more neon signs in my book.

--RoadDog

Along 66, February 2019: H.R. 66, Ted Drewes

These stories are taken from the Route 66 News blog which has many more and more in depth stories.  If you're keeping up with Route 66, that is the place you want to go.

FEBRUARY 6--  Fire has damaged the historic, but closed Brookshire Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It is at 11017 E. 11th Street.  It has a neat looking main building.

FEBRUARY 7--  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act.  How's this for a bill number:  H.R. 66.  Hey, anybody looking for a member?  I'll sign up.

FEBRUARY 13--  Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard gas opened for its 90th year.  I am just about through with my St. Louis boycott because of the removal of the Confederate monument so look forward to tasting that good stuff again.

--RoadDog

Got Our Irish On This Past Weekend

The objective was to eat lots of corned beef & cabbage, drink a lot of green beer, see a parade and have lots of entertainment.  After all, it only comes once a year.  Enjoy it while you can.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Movie Day.  I saw the new movies "Captive State" and "Captain Marvel" at the Fox Lake Theatre.  Then went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the corned beef & cabbage dinner, green beer and a deejay.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

Went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society meeting in the morning, then to Lake Villa for the St. Patrick's party at the VFW and parade on Main Street.  I have a long history with this party as I deejayed at Ed's Cedar Inn for many years.  However, it is closed now.

We had a great you-know-what meal, lots of green beer and enjoyed the band Typhoid Mary.  Stopped at the Fox Lake Legion on the way home as well as Britt Street in Spring Grove.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17  ST. PATRICK'S DAY

We went to Stucky's and had the best corned beef & cabbage dinner yet and enjoyed Jim Sieg on the guitar.  Stopped at Sunnyside Tap on the way home.

I'd Have To Say We Accomplished a St. Patrick's Party.  --RoadO'Dog

Some Good Irish Party Music on You Tube

Spent way too long of late checking out Irish drinking and party music on You Tube.

It's all in the way you approach St. Patrick's.

These are some of the real, really good ones.

IRISH PARTY IN THIRD CLASS & JOHNNY RYAN'S POLKA-  Gaelic Storm

MASSED PIPES & DRUMS PARADE

O'SULLIVAN'S MARCH-- Chieftains

ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN--  High Kings

I'M SHIPPING OFF TO BOSTON--  Dropkick Murphys

DRUNKEN SAILOR--  Irish Rovers

BUGGER OFF

IRISH PUB--  High Kings

COME OUT YE' BLACK AND TANS--  Irish Descendants

THE SPICY McHAGGIS JIG--  Dropkick Murphys

Set the Mood.  --RoadDog

The Sorry State of the Streets in 1919

From the February 20, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"The dirt crossroads of the city were being given attention yesterday by the commissioner and the big grader, and many of them heretofore impassable, are today in good shape.

"A number of the cross streets of the city have been in bad shape for some time past and delivery men and  others driving about the city were detouring rather than try to get through on some of the thoroughfares.  The work of the grader has helped in some instances, and had the weather remained mild, it was the intention of the road men to give all the side streets a going over."

I don't know if this city was DeKalb or Sycamore.

--RoadDog

Gettin' Our Green On This Weekend

Since this is you-know-what this weekend, we surely intend to get our green on as much as possible.  And that includes plenty of corned beef & cabbage CB&C, beer, bands and a parade.

In just a little bit, we're on our way over to the Fox Lake American Legion for CB&C, a band and this weekend also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Legion in Paris, France, in 1919.  We'll be celebrating both.

Saturday we have a choice of two parades, food, bands and beer between nearby Lake Villa and McHenry, Illinois.  We're thinking Lake Villa because last year the one in McHenry was way too big and crazy.  Although they will be dying the Fox River green in McHenry.

Sunday, Stucky's in Johnsburg for more CB&C and a band.

Doing Our Best.  --RoadIrish

Chicago's Best Corned Beef-- Part 3

8.  MANNY'S CAFETERIA & DELICATESSEN--  Corned Beef sandwich, $14.95

7.  KAUFMAN;S BAGEL & DELICATESSEN--  The New Jersey Bypass sandwich. $13.75

6.  CHITOWN SANDWICH CLUB--  House-Cooked Corn Beef sandwich, $11

5.  VIENNA BEEF FACTORY STORE--  Corned Beef sandwich, $9.99

4.  A.P. DELI--  Original Corned Beef sandwich, $10

3.  HARRINGTON'S CATERING AND DELI-- Corned Beef sandwich, $8.79

2.  STEINGOLD'S--  Uncle Rube sandwich,  $12.75

1.  BOEUFHAUS--  Reuben sandwich  $14

Gettin' Hungry Typing This.  --RoadDog

Chicago's Best Corned Beef-- Part 2

#15    Moon's Sandwich Shop, Moon's Famous Corned Beef Sandwich.  $9.30   Everything plus lettuce and tomato.  Open since 1933.

#14   New York Bagel and Blaly   Corned beef rye bagel sandwich  $7.19.  Bagel?  And what is Blaly?   Lincolnwood

#13   Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant    Corned beef sandwich  $14   You can also do it Reuben-style for a buck more.

#12   Eleven City Diner   Corned beef sandwich  $15.29

#11  Onion Roll Restaurant & Deli   Corned beef sandwich   $7.85   Jewish-style deli.  Oak Park

#10.  Morry's Deli   Hot corned beef sandwich   $8.99    Opened 1960

#9  JB's Deli   Corned beef sandwich  $11.95  Inside a pharmacy

--RoadCorned

Chicago's Best Corned Beef-- Part 1

From the March 13, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Louisa Chu.

"Chicago is a corned beef town, unlike New York, Los Angeles or Montreal, where they prefer pastrami.  We like our brined and braised beef served steaming hot, sliced thin and piled high in rye bread sandwiches, or cut thick with cooked cabbage."

I like my corned beef in either sandwiches or the classic corned beef & cabbage (CB&C) dinners we get around this time of year for some reason.  I already had a CB&C dinner this past Saturday at the Fox Lake Fire Department and have plans for CB&C Friday at the Fox Lake American Legion, Saturday at the Lake Villa VFW and Sunday at Stucky's.

Anyway, she visited 31 restaurants and sampled their corned beef sandwiches.  She said all have merit, but came up with a list of her favorite 17.  I sure would have liked to go along with her, but, truthfully, I don't believe I ever met corned beef I didn't like.

All are in Chicago unless otherwise noted.  She gave reasons why she liked them so check out the article for info and addresses.

#17.  City Mouse    The corned wagyu beef sandwich.  $14   My question, what is wagyu beef?  She says the fries almost stole the show.

#16.  Schmaltz Delicatessen   The No. 5 Wall Street  $12.49     Naperville

More Corned Beef, Please.  --RoadDog

Listening to That New Orleans / Louisiana Music

I spent a goodly amount of time these last several weeks listening to this kind of music on my CDs.

PICK UP ON THIS--  Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST OF CAJUN & ZYDECO VOL. 1 & 2

LA TOUSSAINT--  Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys

COME ON JOE--  Jo-El Sonnier

SNAKE BITE LOVE--  Zachary Richard

BEST OF LOUISIANA MUSIC

RENDEZ-VOUS LOUISIANNAIS--   John DuBois

Primed and Now It's Gone For A Year.  --RoadDog

That New Orleans/Louisiana Kinda Music: Ground Zero For Fun!!!

Well, along with Mardi Gras food (anything from New Orleans and Louisiana), a big part of a correct and functional Mardi Gras would have to be the music.  And what a gumbo of music you get from that area.  You have your Cajun and Zydeco as well as Second Line, Blues, R&B, Jazz, Dixieland and lotsa others.

I listened a lot to the CD I wrote about earlier and now would have to regard that as the first album you get if you're getting into this kind of music.

My first introduction to music from this part of the country was back in 1986 with the movie "The Big Easy."  The movie was so-so, but the music!!!!  Wow, it just blew me away.  How could that kind of music have been there for so long and I bot know about it?  Well, I had to go right out and buy that album and listen to it over and over and over again.

And then, I had to go out and start buying as many songs and artists of it as I could.

It Was Ground Zero for My Immersion in This Great Music.  --RoadDog

Along 66, Feb. 2019: National Parks, Signage and a Diner

I take these from the Route 66 News Blog.  That site has more information and a lot more items (as well as pictures and information).  I just pick out the ones I am most interested in and write about them.  So if Route 66 is of interest, I highly recommend the site.

FEBRUARY 1--  Damage was done to California's Joshua Tree National Park during the U.S. government's partial shutdown.  That was really sad business, both at the park and in the government.

FEBRUARY 4--  In Tulsa, Oklahoma, they have painted Route 66 shields on the pavement on both the eat and west sides of the city.  I always enjoy seeing the shields on the road.  Shows pride in heritage and is good signage as well.  The first place we ever saw shields on the pavement was Dwight, Illinois.

FEBRUARY 6--   Woody's Diner on 66 in Miami, Oklahoma is for sale for $330,000.  It is a 1930s diner.  I don't remember it, but when we'rein Miami, it  is Waylon's for us.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Jan. 2019: Camp Joy Cabin in Lebanon and Bedrock City in Arizona

JANUARY 30--  The last standing cabin of Camp Joy in Lebanon, Missouri has been donated to the Lebanon Route 66 group.  It is a 16-foot square structure.  It is located across the street from The Cowan Civic Center.

Camp Joy was built on a four-acre site in 1927 and closed in 1981  Some famous folks who stayed there were Bonnie and Clyde Barrow, Pretty Boy Floyd and Tex Ritter.  After that the cabins became long-term rentals.  All but this last one were torn down in 2010.

The cabin was donated by its owner, Lee Sing of Sing rentals.

The cabin is to be restored. But nothing was said about where it would be.  Liz and I read about it in the excellent tourist booklet put out by the county this past summer and drove over to see it.  We didn't know it was there before that.

JANUARY 31--  Bedrock City, near Williams, Arizona, inspired by "The Flintstones" TV show, has closed.  It is on 30 acres near Valle, Arizona.

--RoadDog

Gettin' Our Mardi Gras ON-- Part 6: The Day Arrives

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

The day before Lent arrives.  Time to fatten up and party.  And, we did.

First, we drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin,  after gathering up our Mardi Gras tree and beads we caught down in Panama City Beach and Panama City.  Then to Bodi's on Twin Lakes' Main Street.  It's an old time kind of bakery.

We picked up our King Cake which was huge and decorated with beads, masks and two babies.  One on top and one baked inside.  It is good luck if you find the inside baby if you don't accidentally eat it and choke.  They also had probably thirty different kinds of Polish paczkis and we picked up four different ones.

Then, on to Donovan's Reef where they were having their own Mardi Gras party.  Bartender Heather had also gone to a bakery and stocked up on paczkis, plus they had Hurricane and Grenade drinks for $3.25.

Everyone got a piece of King Cake and pieces of paczkis.

When we left there, we also went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg to finish off our Mardi Gras Day.

Good Times Here Anyway.  --Roadpaczki

Your Ultimate Mardi Gras CD

Nothing like listening to some good old New Orleans-style Mardi Gras music to get you in the mood.  and this one is a good one.

There are 15 songs on the CD.

1.  THE SECOND LINE--  Stop, Inc.

2.  BIG CHIEF  (COMPLETE VERSION)--  Professor Longhair and Earl King

3.  THEY ALL ASKED FOR YOU--  Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.

4.  COLD, COLD MARDI GRAS--    DJ Dynamite Red

5.  HEY, HEY MARDI GRAS--  Big Al & the Heavy Weights

6.  DO WHATCHA WANNA--  Rebirth Brass Band

7.  ALL IN A MARDI GRAS DAY--  Big Al Carson

8.  MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS--  Olympia Brass Band

9.  CAJUN ROUX--  Big Al & the Heavy Weights

10.  BALLIN' ON ZYDECO--  Lil' Nathan

11.  DOWN AT THE MARDI GRAS--  Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.

12.  MARDI GRAS MAMBO--  Fredy Omar  Con Su Banda

13.  SMOKE MY PEACE PIPE--  Buig Chief

14.  NEW ORLEANS MUSIC--  Rebirth Brass Band

15.  BECAUSE I GOT HIGH--  Big Al Carson

Believe me, this one'll get your toes a'tappin' and body movin'.

You can listen to it in its entirety on You Tube.  Just type in Ultimate Mardi Gras.

Doesn't Get Much Better Than This.  --RoadDog

Getting Our Mardi Gras On-- Part 5: Cinco de Marcho Day

TUESDAY, MARCH 5   Mardi Gras

In my Down Da Road I Go blog I have a weekly post (s) on I'd Celebrate It!!!  This is a list of the daily things you can celebrate like National Oreo Day and so forth.

March 5 is also Cinco de Marcho Day.  This is a day to start getting you ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, just 12 days away at this point.  I like that idea.  The best way to prepare for St. Patrick's Day is to start eating lots of corned beef & cabbage as well as drinking beer (both green and amber, well dark Guiness) and, of course, Irish whisky.

This day is especially intended for you that don't often drink.

Oh yes, I now will pull out my Irish CDs, cassettes and LPs.  It's a music thing as well, don't you know.

And this year, we don't get a month off to recover from Mardi Gras, just these 12 all-too-short days (well, 11 days now)..

The Count Down to Paddy's Day Begins.  --RoadDog

Getting Our Mardi Gras On-- Part 4: Lundi Gras New Orleans Food and Music

MONDAY, MARCH 4  Lundi Gras

Of course, had heated up Muffuletto and jambalaya today and listened to New  Orleans music both by the computer on CD player and in the car.  In the car we've been playing a really great CD compilation called "Ultimate Mardi Gras."  If you are only going to have one CD of Mardi Gras music, this would be the one.  I'm listening to it right now on You Tube  and they play it straight through.

Met Kevin and Kelly, who were off school today because of Casimir Pulaski Day here in Illinois, at J's, played NTN, enjoyed $1.50 pints and half-price BLT pizza.

--RoadDog

Getting Our Mardi Gras On-- Part 3: Muffulettos and Jambalaya

We may not have been down PCB, but we sure ate our Mardi Gras' worth of food up here in the freezing north.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

It was almost all Monkees on Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV, 97.1 FM, Chicago's Drive, as he Root Saluted them after the death of Peter Tork last week and Mickey Dolenz's upcoming 74th birthday this Friday.  What is Mardi Gras if it is not about music and any kind of music.

We went to Corkscrew Pointe in McHenry, Illinois, for a muffuletto (spelled many different ways) sandwich, one of the few places around that makes them.  This was originated by Italians in New Orlenas and consists of and olive sauce,  salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, and mortadela on a toasted bun.  Absolutely delicious and a huge sandwich.  Liz and I could just finish half which means today we get to eat it all over again.

We then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and had a great time with the people there and played a lot of  music on the juke box.  They had jambalaya with shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage.  Even though we were full, we ordered one for $8.75 and snacked on it, but had plenty left over to eat another meal today.

Hey, you don't get jambalaya just everyday.  You eat it when you get the chance.

I was disappointed that Tom Marker did not feature New Orleans music on his Bluesbreakers show on Sunday.  When he was on the air on Mondays, he used to have a great Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) show.

Listening to a CD by Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys right now while I'm typing this.  Doesn't get much more Cajun than that.

Eating Our Way Through Mardi Gras.  RoadDog

Getting Our Mardi Gras On As Best We Can In his Land of the Cold

Even though we aren't in Panama City Beach, Florida, for their Mardi Gras fun (and Panama City had their St. Andrews Mardi Gras parade last Saturday) we are doing the best we can here in northern Illinois to recreate some of it.

Yesterday, Saturday, we went to the Legion and partied with Joe Kadlec on the guitar and watched the Hawks lose as well as the Cubs.  But, baseball has something to do with spring and the end of the winter, doesn't it?

And Friday, I found out that Jewel does sell king cake, but in bundt cake fashion, so bought one.  We also placed an order with Bodi's Bakery in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for a more traditional king cake which we will bring over to Donovan's for their Mardi Gras party, complete with Hurricanes and Hand Grenade drink specials.

Today, we are going over to Corkscrew Pointe in McHenry for a muffeletta sandwich, a New Orleans tradition, and maybe one of their ultra bloody marys.

Doing the Best We Can Up In the Cold.  --RoadDog

Getting Our Mardi Gras On As Best We Can

Liz and really wanted to be down in Panama City Beach (PCB), Florida, this weekend because of their annual Mardi Gras parade and celebration.  Sadly, due to the hurricane this past fall, the Driftwood Lodge has been sold out for months, so no go for us.

The parade actually passes by the front of the motel (and it is one of those old mom and pop motels you so rarely see anymore on PCB where the sky seems to be the limit in height).  To me, that just isn't beach.

Anyway, I looked up PCB's schedule for today and tomorrow and I'll tell you WHAT we WOULD have been doing:

Friday:

7 pm--  Second Line Parade Crawl  Pier Park

7:30 to 8:30 pm--  Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band at Celebration Stage

8:30 pm--  fireworks

SATURDAY

Noon to 1:15 pm:  Chicks With Hits:  Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Suzy Boggus  at Aaron Bessant Park

1:30 to 2:45 pm--  Lonestar  at Aaron Bessant Park

4:15 to 5:45 pm--  Krewe of Dominique Youx Mardi Gras Parade

5:45 pm--  Waylon Thibodeaux  Celebration Stage

7:00 pm--  Fireworks

And, weather there Saturday is supposed to be 70 degrees, but thunderstorms.  Weather here in Spring Grove today has a high of  31 degrees.  Right now, at 6:46 am it is 26 degrees with snow falling.

I don't know if I should be hoping they get thunderstorms or not.

Man, We're Missing a Whole Lot of Fun.  --RoadDog

Bob Lehman (October 11, 1937-February 28, 2019)

From the Laclede (Missouri) Record.

Robert  "Bob" Lehman.  Born Oct. 11, 1937, in Postville, Iowa.  Married Ramona Jean Hopperworth in Iowa November 15, 1957.

They have owned and operated the popular Route 66 icon, the Munger-Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, since June 1971.

Funeral service will be Monday, March 4 at Shadel's Colonial Chapel.

I am going to miss our morning coffee talks in the motel lobby and seeing Bob zipping around on that golf cart.  he was some character and a great guy.

We'll sure miss him, Ramona.