Good Times in the Area: Donovan's Reef, Sunnyside Tavern, Ace Hardware, Dog 'N Suds. Charcoburgers, Squaw Bar, Stucky's

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for beverages and trivia, then to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois, for more.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Liz had a hair appointment in Round Lake, Illinois, and I went along.  While she was inside, I went to the Round Lake Ace Hardware store which is still the largest Ace Hardware store in the United States. When we lived in Round Lake, we spent a lot of money in that store.

Liz's salon is right across from Magee Middle School where I taught for 31 years.  School's back in session, but I'm not.  Something about retirement.

We then went to the Dog 'N Suds on Rollins Road in Ingleside for their Thursday Charcoburger special ( 2 for $4).  Charcoburgers are one of our favorite burgers anywhere.  Have to eat them now because they close in a month.  There are only about seven Dog 'N Suds left in the United States and we have three of them within about fifteen miles of us.  And, of course, there's that great root beer.

Next, we went to the nearby Squaw Bar to see what was going on.  This is a bona fide dive bar if there ever was one and we have had a lot of fun there, especially on Sunday afternoons when the Chicago Bears play.  Bear fans all over the place.

Last two stops were at Sunnyside and Stucky's in Johnsburg.

Always something to do around here during the summer and fall.

Why Go Anywhere Else?   --RoadDog

Just Hangin' 'Round Here-- Part 2: Doing That History Thing, Tacos, Oak Park, Sunnyside, Legion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

I went to the Fox Lake Historical Society's meeting where a presentation was made on the role Waukegan, Illinois, played in the early days of he motion picture industry.  And, it was a big one.  Enjoyed talking with my buddy Frank who was also there.  We've had a great many good times boating in the past, but don't see much of each other anymore.

Afterwards had the delicious Baja Fish taco at Taco Bell (and a spicy tostada). The two of them came to $2.30, a hard deal to beat.

Later that afternoon, we went over to Oak Park Lounge on Pistakee Bay.  This place looks just about as it did when it was built back in the 1880s.  A real piece of history, and with $2 drafts, not bad.  And, we got to see Bomber, the much-spoiled bar dog.  He puts the lick of approval on customers.

Then, it was on to Sunnyside in Johnsburg where we had fun with the regulars and continued watching college football.  Too bad that Iowa beat Minnesota, but, at least Georgia eat Auburn.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Kind of a lost day for us, as no NFL football.  The Bears didn't play until night and the Packers were off for the week.  Enjoyed a rotisserie chicken from Jewel for $5.99.

We went to the McHenry American Legion and enjoyed talking with people there.  Crowds are improving as the Legion is trying to reopen again.  Then to Sunnyside again.

Watched Da Bears lose another game in Margaritaville.

--RoadDog

Along 66, September 2019: Tulsa Neon and Worrisome Elbow News

SEPTEMBER 6--  First neon sign restored with a Tulsa Route 66 grant program.  Billy Ray's BBQ and Catfish neon sign.  It has been dark for about fifteen years.  The program has gotten a lot of applications for this worthy project.

My idea is that you can never have too much neon.

SEPTEMBER 7--  Elbow Inn operators lose lease; owners will restore the place to its 1950s appearance.

The people operating it right now have had it since 2006, but the owners want the place to move in a different direction and it will reopen after a face lift.  They do say that it won't be a winery.  What would they do with those hundreds of bras on the ceiling?

I am a bit concerned about this news.  Other than the bathrooms, I like everything just the way it is.  Not only is the place rustic, but it really puts the dive in Dive Bar. It is a must-stop every time heading for the Munger-Moss.

Keep It Real.  --RoadElbow

This Blackhawk Fan Was Pulling for the Blues in Stanley Cup

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

We were shocked to see the parking lot at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference center in Springfield, Illinois, full, and when we went to get a room, found out they were all sold out.  We've never had a problem getting a room in Springfield before.  We heard that there was a big horse show and golf tournament going on.

We did get the last room at the Motel 6 just a bit south of Springfield on Toronto Road.  Then, we went to get our Cozy Dog fix and to Curve Inn to see the first part of the St. Louis Blues-Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Championship Game 7.  Watched the first period there, with several Blues fans.

We are both Chicago Blackhawk fans, but pulling for the Blues for several reasons:

 #1.  If the Hawks aren't in, pull for someone from the Midwest.

#2.  No one wants anyone from Boston or New England winning anything else.

#3.  The Blues had never won a Stanley Cup.

We saw the last two periods and Blues win at Motorheads on 66, a new bar and grill on Toronto Road in an old Stuckey's.  This place was jammed with Blues fans and everyone was really having a great time.

We Went Right Along.  --RoadDog

PCB 2017: Got Beads? We Made It to St. Andrews Mardi Gras

Yesterday, we were expecting to be unable to see the Mardi Gras parade in St. Andrews (a part of Panama City now), but the extremely heavy traffic made it at one point to be unlikely, but we actually found a parking spot by a church near the beginning of the parade and got to see it after all.

Even though we weren't actively trying to get beads, we still managed to accumulate more than a few strands, some of which hit me in the face or head.  You have to be on constant lookout as the various Krewe floats come by.

Afterwards, we went to a  real dive bar, Joe's Corner, near the bridge for their world famous wings and then to Christo's on the east end of Panama City and lastly to Donovan's Reef across from the motel.

Bead My Face.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66: Christmas at the Elbow Inn and Devil's Elbow bridge

DECEMBER 25, 2016.  Route 66's Roamin' Rich posted videos of Christmas decorations at both places and if that doesn't get you into a belated Christmas mood, nothing will.

The videos were taken of the Elbow Inn Bar, an ultimate dive bar and of that beautiful Devil's Elbow Bridge in Missouri.

You can view the videos on Ron Warnick's Route 66 News for this date.

While the Mood Still Strikes You.  --RoadDog

Good Times in the Area This Past Weekend-- Part 1: Why Go Anywhere Else?

This past weekend, there was more than enough to do around here.  Between the high school, college and Bear football games, decent, but a little chilly weather, as well as the Chain Crawl, Beer and BBQ Walk in Antioch, Bears game in the outside garage at the Squaw Bar and Autumn Food Walk in McHenry as well as boating, it was a mighty good time.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

It was a rainy day so we decided to hit some of the places we haven't visited yet on the Chain Crawl for the Chain of Lakes.  We still need some passport stamps.  Of course, this would be done by car, not boat.

We drove to Fox River Grove and went to the Dead End Saloon, right on the Fox River by the US-14 (Northwest Highway) bridge.

Next stop was further upriver at Herman's Lowlife Bar and Grill in Lake Barrington Shores, one of our favorite places on the Chain.  Unfortunately, it is at some distance so we rarely go there. The name says it all.  These first two bars are what some would call dive bars.  We love our dive vars.  As always, lots of great conversation with other patrons.

Last two stops were at Riverside at Burton's Bridge on Illinois Highway 176.  These three bars were all on the Chain Crawl and Fox River (well, Herman's is on a channel to the river).

Last stop was at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.

Finally Finished "The Local Character"-- Savannah's John Potter

Today I posted the final entry on John Potter, the Savannah resident who created a fake photo of the Confederate ironclad CSS Georgia which was sunk in the Savannah River in December 1864 to prevent its capture by Sherman's men at the conclusion of their March to the Sea from Atlanta.

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently in the middle of a project to raise its remnants for a river deepening and widening project.

Interest in the old Confederate ironclad has never been higher and Potter's "hoax" photo was the only one known  in existence.  From all accounts, he was quite a "local character" on Tybee Island at one time and hung out at a bar called Huc-A-Poos.

We went looking for this bar back in April.  We found it after enduring quite the traffic jams getting to the island, a Civil War fort, driving around lost quite a bit and an incorrect GPS site, but finally found the place and had drinks and ate.  Huc-A-Poos is one of those bars that is definitely different from your BW3s or TGIFs.

To get the whole story, go to my Running the Blockade blog for today's date and punch the Potter John label to get the whole story.

It Was Quite the Road Trip.  --RoadDog

Woody Creek Tavern: Where Gonzo's Spirit Lives On

From the May 31, 2014, Chicago Tribune "Spirit of Thompson lives on" by David Kelly.

WOODY CREEK, COLORADO

Most days someone wanders into this "rustic little saloon in a lush valley outside of Aspen" asking for directions to Hunter S. Thompson's house.  They are often wearing black, smoking cigarettes and have "gonzo" tattooed somewhere.

People at the bar don't tell them.

Ten years after Thompson's suicide at his Owl Farm, this bar, where he would get "frightfully drunk, abused drugs and incited mayhem has become a shrine" of sorts.  The walls are covered with his pictures at different stages of his career.

Looking at a photo of the bar, I'd have to say it is definitely one of those dive bars.  there are stories of Thompson carrying a gun in his golf bag, leveling a gun at the bartender and shooting...blanks and emptying the place with a smoke bomb.  Most folks definitely would not be asked back, but that was not accorded to the gonzo journalist.

When he died, his ashes were blasted from a 100-foot cannon," said one patron.

At the Woody Creek Community Center next door, there is a whole shelf of Thompson's work and his wife, Anita, who still lives at Owl Farm holds a class here as part of her Gonzo Foundation to promote his legacy.

On Feb. 20, 2005, Thompson, 67 and in declining health, ate a breakfast of fresh fruit and Jell-O with gin and Grand Mariner splashed on top then got a pistol and shot himself.

A place to Visit If Out There.  --RoadDog

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights at Route 66's Curve Inn

This past Saturday, a very tired Liz and myself made it as far back home as Springfield, Illinois, checked into the TraveLodge and then went over to the Curve Inn for a couple or three beers.

Great crowd there having fun as usual, shooting darts, eating and drinking.  Plus, playing some really good tunes on the jukebox like "Knock Three Times" and Freddie Fender's "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights."  The second time we heard "Wasted Days" I commented that someone must really like the song.  The bartender overheard me and said that the the unofficial song of the Curve.

It seems that they were out on a bar crawl a while back, and they would play the song every place the Curve Crew visited.  It has since become a tradition of sorts.  Seems like a song that pretty well describes this great old Route 66 roadhouse.

As a matter of fact, they had another bus trip to St. Louis to the Anheiser-Busch Brewery and several other bars in between and they were about to come back.  Folks looking at Facebook said they were getting rowdy.

We decided to leave just as the bus arrived,  First guy into the bar had a red, white and blue speedo on and dirty old man's coat and nothing else.

We Beat the Hasty Retreat.  --RoadDog