45 Years In The Making
I celebrated my 45th year last week. Before I run down the celebratory festivities, I wanted to say thanks to my parents for having me and putting up with me over the years. After all, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here... Thank You!
That's me at the US National Whitewater Center, where I was joined by Rob Monkey who was in town to help celebrate and take in a couple live shows.
First up on Friday the 15th was JJ Grey & Mofro at the aforementioned Whitewater Center for their Spring Festival, but not before we enjoyed the "White Trash Burgers" at Pinkies for dinner.
I had mine with sweet potato fries... Mmmmm Hmmmm!
That's JJ Grey and the band playing alongside the Whitewater Center's man-made rapids for rafting and kayaking. There's lots to do there including rock climbing, zip lines, biking and hiking trails, and there's a restaurant that overlooks the rapids. They have a good beer selection too, but as you can tell from the photos (above) the beer selection outside was not as good. But hey, I'm no beer snob... I just like what I like.
Saturday, the weather was not so great and we post-poned a brewery excursion to Asheville for Sunday. So instead, I introduced Rob to the Wild Wing Cafe, my "world-famous" grilled chicken & sausage chili, and Sierra Nevada's Big Foot Ale.
The wings served as a late lunch. We shared the 25-piece sampler with five different flavors.
For the chili... this time I added Sierra Nevada's Stout and topped it with some shredded chipotle gouda.
The next day, we drove up to Asheville... first stop was the Lexington Avenue Brew, aka The Lab. Rob had their Belgian White Ale and I had their IPA. Good stuff... we paired the beers with their large soft pretzels served with white ale mustard and horseradish cheese sauce.
I picked up a T-shirt and we made our way down Asheville's "artsy" main street. We stopped in a CD store... wow, can't remember last time I set foot in a physical CD store. Funny, back in my younger days I could spend hours perusing through record stores.
Rob picked up the latest offering from John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours, who we were going to see Monday night. Yes, that's John Popper of Blues Traveler fame.
We ambled over to the Asheville Brewing Company, where Rob had their "Red Light" Pale Ale and I had their "Shiva" IPA. Again, good stuff and I picked up another T-shirt with a cool Hunter S. Thompson quote on the back... "Good men drink good beer."
We were hoping to hit more stops on what's considered the Asheville brewery tour, but as we had to drive home and had steaks marinating in the fridge, it was time to go.
Once back, we paired the steaks with a Woodside favorite, the Clos Du Val Cabernet, and watched a movie based on the true story about how the California wineries found respect among the international wine community... a cool little film called Bottle Shock. Worth checking out while enjoying a nice bottle of California wine.
Monday we had a late lunch then caught a matinee of Scream 4. I've been a big fan of the Scream movies ever since I saw the first one. I think I got lured in because in my younger days, friends and I went to see the latest horror movies like Friday The 13th, Halloween, etc. I still remember the first time I saw movies like Halloween and The Exorcist, probably my top picks for scary. I liked the new incarnation of Scream, and is it me or does Neve Campbell just get better looking!
We had dinner on the patio of Hawthorne's Pizza. We had the "Elizabeth Special" - Pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, white onions and mozzarella cheese... this NY-style pizza is so good I sometimes dream about it!
The Visulite Theater was just around the corner from there for the John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours show. Lisa Bouchelle opened, a fellow NJ native, and John Popper joined her for her closing song.
The John Popper set rocked and included two Blues Traveler tunes.
Rob of course got both Lisa and John's autograph, and even a photo with John Popper following the show.
Tuesday was laid back. We made our way up to the Flying Saucer for another late lunch and some great brews, then back to the Woodside for some leftover chili.
Thanks Rob, had a great time and I'm looking forward to some other cool events this year including Elvis Costello, Phillies & Iron Pigs games, DMB Caravan and The Big 45.
- Salud!
That's me at the US National Whitewater Center, where I was joined by Rob Monkey who was in town to help celebrate and take in a couple live shows.
First up on Friday the 15th was JJ Grey & Mofro at the aforementioned Whitewater Center for their Spring Festival, but not before we enjoyed the "White Trash Burgers" at Pinkies for dinner.
"Juicy five-ounce burger with provolone, fried pickles & onion rings and spicy ranch sauce."
I had mine with sweet potato fries... Mmmmm Hmmmm!
That's JJ Grey and the band playing alongside the Whitewater Center's man-made rapids for rafting and kayaking. There's lots to do there including rock climbing, zip lines, biking and hiking trails, and there's a restaurant that overlooks the rapids. They have a good beer selection too, but as you can tell from the photos (above) the beer selection outside was not as good. But hey, I'm no beer snob... I just like what I like.
Saturday, the weather was not so great and we post-poned a brewery excursion to Asheville for Sunday. So instead, I introduced Rob to the Wild Wing Cafe, my "world-famous" grilled chicken & sausage chili, and Sierra Nevada's Big Foot Ale.
The wings served as a late lunch. We shared the 25-piece sampler with five different flavors.
For the chili... this time I added Sierra Nevada's Stout and topped it with some shredded chipotle gouda.
The next day, we drove up to Asheville... first stop was the Lexington Avenue Brew, aka The Lab. Rob had their Belgian White Ale and I had their IPA. Good stuff... we paired the beers with their large soft pretzels served with white ale mustard and horseradish cheese sauce.
I picked up a T-shirt and we made our way down Asheville's "artsy" main street. We stopped in a CD store... wow, can't remember last time I set foot in a physical CD store. Funny, back in my younger days I could spend hours perusing through record stores.
Rob picked up the latest offering from John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours, who we were going to see Monday night. Yes, that's John Popper of Blues Traveler fame.
We ambled over to the Asheville Brewing Company, where Rob had their "Red Light" Pale Ale and I had their "Shiva" IPA. Again, good stuff and I picked up another T-shirt with a cool Hunter S. Thompson quote on the back... "Good men drink good beer."
We were hoping to hit more stops on what's considered the Asheville brewery tour, but as we had to drive home and had steaks marinating in the fridge, it was time to go.
Once back, we paired the steaks with a Woodside favorite, the Clos Du Val Cabernet, and watched a movie based on the true story about how the California wineries found respect among the international wine community... a cool little film called Bottle Shock. Worth checking out while enjoying a nice bottle of California wine.
Monday we had a late lunch then caught a matinee of Scream 4. I've been a big fan of the Scream movies ever since I saw the first one. I think I got lured in because in my younger days, friends and I went to see the latest horror movies like Friday The 13th, Halloween, etc. I still remember the first time I saw movies like Halloween and The Exorcist, probably my top picks for scary. I liked the new incarnation of Scream, and is it me or does Neve Campbell just get better looking!
We had dinner on the patio of Hawthorne's Pizza. We had the "Elizabeth Special" - Pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, white onions and mozzarella cheese... this NY-style pizza is so good I sometimes dream about it!
The Visulite Theater was just around the corner from there for the John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours show. Lisa Bouchelle opened, a fellow NJ native, and John Popper joined her for her closing song.
The John Popper set rocked and included two Blues Traveler tunes.
Rob of course got both Lisa and John's autograph, and even a photo with John Popper following the show.
Tuesday was laid back. We made our way up to the Flying Saucer for another late lunch and some great brews, then back to the Woodside for some leftover chili.
Thanks Rob, had a great time and I'm looking forward to some other cool events this year including Elvis Costello, Phillies & Iron Pigs games, DMB Caravan and The Big 45.
- Salud!
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