Five Things We Love About State Fairs-- Part 1: Big Tex

From the July 20-26, 2014, American Profile Magazine by Sarah Miller.


Rides on the mighty midway, animal-calling competitions, fireworks, funnel cake, kettle corn.  You'll find all these things and more at most every fairground."  But a few fairs went above and beyond in their creativity.  She picked five:

1.  BIG TEX-- State Fair of Texas (Dallas, Sept. 26-Oct. 19.  A 55-foot tall cowboy statue wearing a 75-gallon hat has been greeting folks since 1949, but as a Santa Claus statue commissioned by the local chamber of commerce to drum up the Christmas shopping season in Kerens, Texas.

In 1951, former fair president R.L. Thornton purchased the statue for $750 and hired a Dallas artist to transform the jolly guy into the giant cow-puncher.  Over the years, he has gotten a nose job and a mechanical arm that waves as well as remote speaker system lets him have a voice.

An electrical fire destroyed much of "Big tex" in 2012, but a taller, heavier and stronger "Big tex" returned last year.

Things Are Bigger in Texas.  --RoadDog

Indy Fest, Milwaukee 2014-- Part 3

After finally finding an open parking lot at the state fair grounds, as far away from our seats as you can get, we walked and walked and walked to our seats on the other side of the track.  There were a whole lot of people who wera also walking and walking to their seats.

The race started while we were walking.  Probably missed the first 4-5 laps.  It was loud on the other side of the stands but REALLY LOUD when we got to the seats about ten rows up.

Right away I noticed that you couldn't read anything trackside about who was in what place and what lap they were in at the time.  At Indy, we have plenty of information we have great information.  The announcers evidently were talking, but we didn't know it until there was a break in the race for either an accident or stalled car (we never knew).  But, in the lull, we could hear them and we were even able to talk to each other.

At least, this close to the track, I could see the numbers on the cars.  At Indy we are so high and far away that I can't see the numbers and have to rely on car colors to figure out who is where.

--RoadDog

Taking an Oldies Music Break

Songs played on the Boomer Radio All Hit Oldies Station yesterday.

Yesterday while typing on these blogs, I tuned into this internet station and heard some nighty good stuff, though with the shortness of the songs, I had to stop really often to write their names down.  And a few I even had to look up to be sure who sang it.

WORDS--  Bee Gees
LITTLE BIT OF SOUL--  Music Explosion
SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH--  Four Tops
DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE--  Mamas and Papas

YOU CAN'T DO THAT--  Beatles
BAND OF GOLD--  Freda Payne
TRACY--  Cuff Links
TOO MANY FISH IN THE SEA--  Marvelettes

DRIFT AWAY--  Dobie Gray
LET ME BE--  Turtles
PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY--  Monkees
CRACKLIN' ROSIE--  Neil Diamond

1,2,3, REDLIGHT--  19010 Fruitgum Company
GREEN TAMBOURINE--  Lemon Pipers
TELL HER NO--  Zombies
SHAPES OF THINGS--  Yardbirds

GET READY--  temptations
CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & Shondells
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash
TIGHTEN UP--  Archie bell & the Drells

DON'T GIVE IN TO HIM--  Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
WHAT KIND OF FOOL--  Bill deal & the Rhondells
THE LOVE YOU SAVE-  Jackson Five

Some Mighty Good Listenin' Music--  RoadDog-

Indy Fest at Milwaukee-- Part 2: Fun and Games on I-94 and Parking

We were sort of hoping that all the road construction on I-94 that started last year would be over...but it sure wasn't.  perhaps even worse.  First off, we had to take a confusing detour just to get on the interstate at Wis.-50.  Then. it was road construction off and on the rest f the way, of course with all those dire warnings about what will happen to you if you speed.  We never did see anyone working on it though, just lots of signs and barrels.

Always a problem on I-94 are the goody folks who go 20-30 miles over the speed limit in crowded conditions.  Traffic was heavy the whole way, but it would have been even worse going south as they had two major backups that went on for miles.  This convinced us that we didn't want to return that way.

Took the I-894 bypass out west and got off by the state fair park.  There were no parking lots open on the side we needed to park on for easy getting to out seats.  We kept driving north and finally found an open lot, paying $10 to park about as far away as you can get from our seats.

We then walked and walked to our seats at the south end.  While on foot, the race started.  And by the time we met up with the others, it was so loud with all those Indy cars going by, talking was an impossibility.  Fortunately, we had bought along some earplugs.  In the three times I've been to the Indy 500, I never needed them.  But believe me, we needed them here.

Vroom, Vroom Went the Cars Around the Track.  --RoadDog

Indy Fest at Milwaukee-- Part 1

This past Sunday, we went to the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis, Wisconsin, just west of Milwaukee for the 2014 Indy Fest Race, featuring most of the drivers I's seen in may at the Indy 500.  We were all there as guests of Terri, a teacher I taught with for around 27 years in Round Lake, Illinois.  This is her last year as she is retiring after 35 years.

As such, she invited us and some of the other teachers I taught with, including Bob and Paul, so it was like old home week, even if we couldn't talk until after the race.  It is pretty impossible to talk and hear each other with those cars coming around that often (on the one-mile race track).  This was Liz's first car race and my fourth (3 Indys).

We had quite the drive getting there as we were stopped at Wilmot, Wisconsin for the Kenosha County fair.  Then, we had a slider attack at the Wis-50 entrance ramp to I-94.  It is essentially against the law to drive past a White Castle when we're hungry.

More to Come.  --RoadDog

Good Times in the Area, August 16th: House, Boating, Lake, Snake in the Ointment, Steak Fry and Anniversary

Enjoyed the house, boating, a lake front park and a steak fry and one-year anniversary.

Started off with breakfast and coffee on the front porch in the morning.  The rest of the the morning enjoyed Wendy Rice's Saturday Morning Flashback on WXRT, 93.1 FM in Chicago.  She did the year 1974.  Hard to believe that year is already 40 YEARS AGO!!

Went boating on Fox Lake and did a boat float, read a magazine and listened to the music of 1974.

Afterwards, got a Polish sausage and drink at Thornton's on US-12 for $2.70 and enjoyed dining out at Fox Lake's Lakefront Park. Came home and read the newspaper out in the gazebo.  Sad to see that out property tax assessments will be published Wednesday.  We were at $9,500 last year, a really hurtful amount when you're retired.  If we ever move from here, it will be because of the horrible taxes. (Snake in the Ointment)

Came home and at 6:30, drove over to horse Fair Park in Spring Grove, Illinois (our village) and had the Firemen's Annual Fish Fry for $16 apiece.  They gave you a good-sized slab of steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, cole slaw and dessert.

Mitch Edwards and the Second Chapter Band played tunes while we were there.

Afterwards, we went to Never Sink In (a play on Nippersink Creek which runs through Spring Grove) and enjoyed their first anniversary party and grand opening of their beer garden.  A two-piece band was playing outside, so listened to them for awhile.  Liz didn't like them, but I did.

A Good Day Out on the Chain of Lakes.  Why Go Anywhere Else?  --Roaddog

Lots Going On Around Here Today

Earlier, I went out boating in Fox Lake and then had lunch at  Fox Lake's Lakefront Park.

In a few hours, we'll go to the Spring Grove Fireman's annual steak fry and listen to the band.

Also, Never-Sink-Inn in Spring Grove, Illinois, is having their one-year anniversary party in the downtown (what little there is of it).

Three other places in Fox Lake/Ingleside are also having parties.  J's in Ingleside celebrates its third anniversary with bands all day and Squaw Bar is having six bands for their volleyball fest.  Dog 'n Suds in Ingleside is having the Lakes Area Swing band, all 17 members, out in the parking lot along with a car show.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

Update on the Great River Tug Fest: Illinois Wins!!

From WIBQ Newstalk Radio, 1230 and 1440 AM.

I had to look all over, but finally found that my state, Illinois, had won the 29th annual Tug fest!!  Even despite all of Iowa's preparations.

I'm thinking seriously of going there next year.

And' I'll view from the Illinois side.

Sounds Like a Hoot.  --RoadDog

The Great River Tug Fest-- Part 2

Viewing areas are set off on both sides of the river.

But, Tug Fest is more than just a tug, though.  It also has parades, a carnival, live entertainment, food and even mini tugs for kids.  This year's contest took place August 7-9th with spectators treated to a huge fireworks display from a barge in the middle of the river on August 8th.

You can get more information about next year's list of events at tugfest.org for Port Bryon and tugfest.com for LeClaire.

In case you're wondering, until last weekend, Illinois leads 16-11.  I don't know who won the latest effort.    But, Iowa is serious about catching up and start practicing as early as May and participants learn techniques, the key of which is the 45 degree angle of the body

The teams first run backward to take up slack in the rope, then they dig in and...

Pull, Pull, Pull for Iowa.  --RoadDog

The Great River Tug Fest: It's Illinois vs. Iowa in Annual Tug of War-- Part 1

From the July 20, 2014, Chicago Tribune by John Handley.

It ties up boat traffic for a short time, but every year for the last 27 years, that oldest of summer picnic competitions, an old-fashioned rope tug of war takes place.

A 2,700-foot rope is stretched across the the Mississippi River between Port Byron, Illinois, and LeClaire, Iowa in what is called the Great River Tug Fest and is the heart of a three-day celebration on both sides of the river and attracts a typical crowd of 30,000.

Each state fields ten teams of 20 men and one team of 25 women and all grab the rope for a three-minute exertion.  Sadly, judges stop the cation before anyone gets dragged into the river.

Winning state takes home the Alabaster Eagle in Flight as bragging rights for the year.

Pull, Pull, Pull for Illinois!!  --RoadDog

Road Work Ahead, N.C. Trip Summer 2014-- Part 16: Must Remember Flip Flops

From day one at Topsail Beach, I remembered the hard way that I must bring my flip-flops along with me.

I had to walk to the beach barefoot and that was severely painful across the small rocks at the end of the concrete at the condos as well as the regular gravel stones by the walkway to the beach.  It was a painful walk to the beach.

My brother Bob forgot his flip-flops as well, so when he arrived at Topsail Beach on Sunday, we went out in search for some of those foot-savers.  All the flip-flops we found at the Wings and other souvenir stores were $9-10.  A bit more than I cared to spend.

Drove across the swing bridge and found a Dollar General (or Family Dollar) and bought flip-flops for $6.  And, they had the thicker soles.  Ah, smooth striding to the beach again.

Be Fine My Poor Feet.  --RoadDog

Road Work Ahead, N.C. Trip Summer 2014-- Part 16: Godwin's at Topsail Beach

July 26th, Saturday

I usually drive to either Godwin's store or the Jolly Roger Pier in Topsail Beach, N.C.,  every morning for my daily newspaper while here, the Wilmington Star-News.  The newspaper is still 50 cents except on Sundays when it is $1.50.  It is one of my favorite newspapers.

This time I bought the paper at the pier as Godwin's opens whenever the owners get around to opening it.  Godwin's has been in Topsail Beach since the beginning of it after the military left, shutting down their missile testing and used to have gas.  The same family still runs the place, although now it is the second generation who are also getting up in years.

If there is still such a thing as a 50s mom and pop general store, this be the place.  The door is always open and there is no air conditioning.  All items have price stickers.  You'd have to describe the place as "Real Retro."  None of this new stuff made to look retro here.

Talked with my cousin Vickie who has the next door unit in the complex.  Her husband Graham and she bought their place in the 1980s.  Smithfield's 'cue and slaw for lunch!!!

Spent the afternoon out at the beach, reading magazines and collecting shells and "lima beans."

--RoadDog

Road CDs: Rock 'n' Roll: The Early Years 2-- Part 1

Signature Records out of Britain.  Twenty track compilation of songs from probably late 40s to early 50s, showing what was to become Rock and Roll.

This features cuts by Louis Prima (4), Lionel Hampton (4), Will Bradley and Ray McKinley (2), Billy Penrose(4), Tommy Dorsey (4) and Sugar Chile Robinson (2).

Sadly, there were no liner notes which would have made the CD even better.

But, if you want to see some of the influences of Rock before it was Rock, this would be a good place to start.  I looked up Ray McKinley and Will Bradley, and they definitely had interesting stories which I will write about soon in my Down Da Road I Go Blog.

Going Even Farther Back Down the Rock Road.  --RoadDog

Road Work Ahead, N.C. Trip Summer 2014-- Part 15: To Da Beach

We went to the beach on July 15th, stopping to visit my Aunt Louise and cousin Joe at my grandparents' house in Mt. Olive and another stop at Smithfield's Chieken and Barbecue in Warsaw, N.C., just off I-40.  We had their pulled pork sandwiches and did they ever pile them high.  There are several Smithfield places along North Carolina interstates and well worth a trip.  Outstanding bbq and fried chicken and Brunswick stew that is out of this world.  In the past, I have often stopped at the one by Mebane, near Burlington (also off I-40).

Crossed over the famous swing bridge connecting the mainland to Surf City (and Topsail Beach to its south).  Mom says that there are plans to replace the swing bridge with a new one that doesn't have to be turned when intercoastal boats come through, causing huge back ups going on and off the island.  I have spent many a minute waiting for the bridge to open again.

Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach are all on Topsail Island which is a barrier island.  Once across the bridge, we turned south and drove to Topsail Beach, passing several of the old post World War II missile towers.  The U.S. developed part of its missile program on Topsail island.

Opened the place up in Topsail Beach.  I took the lower level instead of my usual main floor room as my brother Bob was coming in on Sunday and that is where he stays.

Went out to the beach and found lots of those great polished stones I call "Lima Beans" because of their appearance.  Sometimes, they are not to be found.  Lots of people out there as well since this is prime time summer beach time.

--RoadDog

Road Work Ahead, N.C. Summer Trip 2014-- Part 14: Bentonville and Embers Washout

We were originally planning on going to Topsail Beach on the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, but on my way to Goldsboro, had heard that the Embers were going to be playing at the Goldsboro Center Street Jam on Thursday.  This band has been around since at least the 60s and is considered to be one of the best Beach Bands around.  I was more than happy to stay.

Ate at my first-ever Zaxby's on Wednesday and found the food to be excellent.  Went shopping to various places the next two days, including the local K-Mart since we don't have any of those near us anymore in Illinois.

My brother and I drove out to Bentonville Battlefield, about twenty miles from Goldsboro to see what was going on in the several years since we last went there.  This was on Thursday, a day when the skies let loose deluge after deluge of rain, making any battlefield drive too difficult.  We did tour the small museum and saw an excellent short film about the Civil War and Sherman's Carolina's Campaign which led to Johnston's surrender at Bennett Place, near Durham, North Carolina.

Sadly, the rain  caused the Embers show to be cancelled.

Oh Well, There's Always the Beach.  --RoadDog