Because the boys (Cleetus and Bentley) have had some health issues within the past year, we felt more comfortable bringing them with us; that means a long car ride filled with multiple pit stops and overnight breaks (there and back) in Virginia.
The boys were so good in the car. We weren't sure how they would react being couped up in the backseat for hours on end listening to Stern and comedy albums. I think they were relieved to finally catch up on naps in the 14 hours of interstate travel, since at home they only get to nap all day.
We got to West Seneca on Thursday afternoon. It was nice to get home and enjoy a quiet evening with the family and have an awesome, Thanksgiving-style dinner prepared by Mim. I would guess that after the trip was complete, and we were back in GA, I must have gained 10 pounds. Everyone knows you can feel weight gain in your pants, but when you can feel the difference in an elastic waistband, then you know you packed on the pounds. Speaking of packing on the pounds:
Friday night we met up again with our Schwabl friend and his wife (great people) to hit a concert in Delaware Park. It was really a festival headlined by Rufus Wainwright, but we were there for The National (listen here). We met at our friends' house, because we would be able to walk through the park and be there in no time. This was a quaint idea. It turns out that one mile became two and the path we were following ended at a chain-link fence and some overgrown shrubs only a park rapist could appreciate. But, the hike got us there just in time to see our band hit the stage. At the concert we were able to meet up with more friends and family and enjoy music and beer. I'm not a huge fan of beer (although I do like dark beer), so I had wine. Oh, read this:
It was just a few days before my 31st birthday, and I presented my Georgia License to a member of security for a highly coveted "alcohol bracelet". You would have thought I was trying to buy a one-way ticket to the twin towers the way this guy was eyeballing my license. He was tilting it up and down, left and right - trying to expose the hologram. Listen, I am thankful for being carded at 31, but do I really look younger than 21? I get carded when I buy wine at the grocery store, but they just pretend to look at it. This guy was studying it like it was the Zapruder film...back and to the left...as if my name was listed as "McLovin".
Anyway, The National gave a great performance and overall the night was super fun. We took a cab back to our friends' house for some pizza and wings. And, let me just say how after walking off the beaten path and an extra mile on the way to the venue, that the cab ride back easily became the most grateful cab ride ever, especially after some jezebel wine and a pair of cute shoes that didn't give a shit about the comfort of my feet.
Then Saturday was the party. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this event. But, it was a gorgeous day to be outside. While the locals thought it was unusually hot, I was thrilled as to how cool it was. Just before we left Georgia, it was already hitting 100 degrees plus disgusting humidity.
I was nervous about meeting new people, who I hope to impress, but a couple of cocktails before guests arrived and everything was copacetic. We had great food, awesome desserts and it was so good to finally meet the people I've been corresponding with for so long. Cleetus was a hit at the party. He made sure, without begging, to let everyone with a plate know he was there and could help out if any food, hoping to escape its plate, got daring and made a break for it.
Due to the large crowd, Bentley was overwhelmed and had to stay indoors - he watched TV and waited for anyone passing his room to hit the restroom to stop by and give some petting and adoration, which they did.
We were sad to leave on Sunday morning, but ready to get the road trip finished.
While I was there, I took a roll of film with my trusty Nikon FM10, which I haven't used since before Katrina (I cleaned it up a little but I don't know if it was really affected by the mold or if both the mirrors and lens are still clear), but the film was exposed when the winder didn't work properly. I was super bummed, but I've got more film and I'm currently giving it another try. If it works out, perhaps this will get my back into photography on a regular basis.
(picture removed)
SCHWABL's
On Friday, we had a Schwabl's Beef on Weck.
(Beef on Weck is a roast beef sandwich on a salty Kümmelweck.)
BEEF ON WECK
Schwabl's is an old-school place. Online, they tell you that it's a place for those who'd like to "step back in time" and they mean it. Getting inside was a little awkward - only because we entered through the side door - and everyone seemed to take notice of the newcomers (if you know it, think Paradise Catfish Kitchen). The waitresses meant business and were obviously Schwabl veterans adorned with bronze stars. Our waitress wasn't rude, but she was bold...and a little meaty - meaty in the sense that the customer is not necessarily "always right". We met up with a friend and enjoyed the hell out of our sandwiches, German potato salad and coleslaw.
THE NATIONAL ON STAGE : Photograph by Joseph Popiolkowski
We already planned to have a beef of weck sandwich when we hit Buffalo, but when we saw Schwabl's featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations (Travel Channel) a few weeks
before our trip, we made our own mental reservation with Schwabl's.(Beef on Weck is a roast beef sandwich on a salty Kümmelweck.)
BEEF ON WECK
ROCKIN' AT THE KNOX
THE NATIONAL ON STAGE : Photograph by Joseph Popiolkowski
Friday night we met up again with our Schwabl friend and his wife (great people) to hit a concert in Delaware Park. It was really a festival headlined by Rufus Wainwright, but we were there for The National (listen here). We met at our friends' house, because we would be able to walk through the park and be there in no time. This was a quaint idea. It turns out that one mile became two and the path we were following ended at a chain-link fence and some overgrown shrubs only a park rapist could appreciate. But, the hike got us there just in time to see our band hit the stage. At the concert we were able to meet up with more friends and family and enjoy music and beer. I'm not a huge fan of beer (although I do like dark beer), so I had wine. Oh, read this:
It was just a few days before my 31st birthday, and I presented my Georgia License to a member of security for a highly coveted "alcohol bracelet". You would have thought I was trying to buy a one-way ticket to the twin towers the way this guy was eyeballing my license. He was tilting it up and down, left and right - trying to expose the hologram. Listen, I am thankful for being carded at 31, but do I really look younger than 21? I get carded when I buy wine at the grocery store, but they just pretend to look at it. This guy was studying it like it was the Zapruder film...back and to the left...as if my name was listed as "McLovin".
RECEPTION
Then Saturday was the party. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this event. But, it was a gorgeous day to be outside. While the locals thought it was unusually hot, I was thrilled as to how cool it was. Just before we left Georgia, it was already hitting 100 degrees plus disgusting humidity.
I was nervous about meeting new people, who I hope to impress, but a couple of cocktails before guests arrived and everything was copacetic. We had great food, awesome desserts and it was so good to finally meet the people I've been corresponding with for so long. Cleetus was a hit at the party. He made sure, without begging, to let everyone with a plate know he was there and could help out if any food, hoping to escape its plate, got daring and made a break for it.
Due to the large crowd, Bentley was overwhelmed and had to stay indoors - he watched TV and waited for anyone passing his room to hit the restroom to stop by and give some petting and adoration, which they did.
We were sad to leave on Sunday morning, but ready to get the road trip finished.
While I was there, I took a roll of film with my trusty Nikon FM10, which I haven't used since before Katrina (I cleaned it up a little but I don't know if it was really affected by the mold or if both the mirrors and lens are still clear), but the film was exposed when the winder didn't work properly. I was super bummed, but I've got more film and I'm currently giving it another try. If it works out, perhaps this will get my back into photography on a regular basis.
(picture removed)
1 comments:
I miss our trip.
(Geoff)
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