Pennsylvania, Warm, Soft And Chewy

 

 

In search of “The Best Philly Steak Sandwich”, I take an afternoon stroll towards 2nd and Market in the Old Historic portion of downtown Philadelphia. Here I am promised to discover what I am looking for.

 

I have a feeling my discovery will uncover that this city has more than one way to show a little brotherly love.

 

 

 

 

 

It is not long before I arrive at Sonny’s Famous Steaks located at 228 Market Street.

 

 

 

 

The amount of customers in line ahead of me along with the scent from a sizzling grill tells me I might be onto something.

 

 

Although Sonny eats “The Classic” (Beef Steak With Cheez Whiz And Fried Onions), I opt for “The Plain Steak” with a side of grilled onions.

 

 

I have a feeling Sonny is not worried about fitting into his Banana Speedo for summer like some of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I patiently wait, salivating as my order is freshly made. “One Plain Steak With Side of Onions” is welcomed news to all my senses.

I calmly proceed to the pick area where my sandwich is wrapped like a new born baby but nice and hot to the touch as I gladly retrieve it.

 

With free peppers as compliments, I unwrap my new born and let it breathe for a moment like a fine bottle of wine.

Loaded with piles of meat, an aroma of flavors and seasonings escape to my nostrils as I allow my sandwich to cool.

 

 

 

 

Adding onions, the moment arrives and I take my first bite and then another, then another to be sure.

This can’t be right!

 

 

 

 

The meat is warm, tender and full of flavor not salty like others I have tasted. While the bread is soft and chewy just enough to make it all work.

Drizzled with the juice I have just freed from a pickled pepper, I am enjoying this too much for it not to be a sin.

I am thinking Summer and Speedos be damned!

 

Next time “The Classic” minus the Cheez Whiz, I think Sonny would forgive me.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Pennslyvania,Philadelphia,Sonnys Famous Steaks,Cheez Whiz,The Classic,The Best Philly Steak Sandwich,Speedo

Georgia, Buy Me Some Peanuts

 

 

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the park, buy me some peanuts ....

And if you cop an attitude, I won't be like Bono and U2. I guess, I will just have to see the game with or without you. Nevertheless, I would prefer that we see the game together.

 

After all, this is Bobby Cox's last year. Can you believe he has been The Braves manager for 25 years? Wow!

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Peachtree MARTA Station, it's a short train ride to the next stop, 5 Points Station located at the famous Atlanta Underground.

 

From here, I follow signs to the free MARTA bus shuttle service to Turner Field, home of The Atlanta Braves.

 

 

 

 

“Ice Cold Water, $1.00 …. Ice Cold Water, $1.00”. It's a hot and humid afternoon in Atlanta with temperatures in the high 80's. I am sure this street vendor will make a fortune. Her water is indeed ice cold and quenches her customer's thirst.

 

 

For a total of $2.50, I am on my way with a bus load of fellow baseball fans to take in a night of Braves baseball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't have a ticket for tonight's game and usually never do when I visit an out of town stadium. Most baseball stadiums have a fair amount of seats available and tickets are normally easy to come by, even at the last minute.

This is bus load of baseball fans, maybe someone on board has extra tickets. Why not start my search here?

 

“Tickets, Tickets … “ It doesn’t take long.

I have a $40 ticket for half price.

 

 

 

 

A bargain except the seller tells me, it will force him to sit next to John. A good laugh from his friends that see some poetic justice in it all.Turns out to be a nice group of guys from Alabama.

Arriving at Turner Field about an hour and a half before the first pitch, I am on a little mission to blend in.

From Bangkok to California, Buenos Aires to Vancouver or wherever I travel, I always want to experience where I am as much as I can like a local.

A Braves Jersey, T-Shirt or Hat would fit the bill nicely. At a parking lot souvenir stand I accomplish my mission for $10.00.

 

A blue T-shirt with No.19 Escobar, makes me one of the many Braves fans that are disappointed that their beloved shortstop was just traded two days ago.

I truly feel their pain.

 

 

 

 

I am a happy camper pocketing free samples of a new High Energy Minute Maid Drink. Coincidently, Minute Maid is owned by Coca Cola, an Atlanta institution.

 

 

Although I have not had a major league start since Cleveland, I take a recommendation from one of the “Minute Maid Girls” and head to “The Bull Pen”.

 

Pull Pork With Coleslaw                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

            

 

 

 

                                                                 

This time there are no coaches yelling at me as I whine up with a pull pork sandwich topped with coleslaw and an ice cold Miller Lite.

 

It's going to take a 100 miles per hour fastball to beat this taste. I sure hope they don't call me in for relief because I am enjoying hanging out in this bull pen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As silly as it may seem, I am always proud and touched to hear or sing my adopted home's national anthem.

 

 

 

 

A part of baseball tradition, this evening's national anthem is sung by the son of Terry Pendleton, a Braves coach celebrating his 50^th birthday.

What a neat tribute by a son that brings cheers from the stadium crowd and makes a father proud.

 

 

Let's play ball!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The home team is not doing so well tonight especially the new shortstop, one Mr. Alex Gonzalez.

 

We miss No. 19, Escobar.

 

 

 

 

 

Conversations with my neighbors about Nick Saban, Alabama football and Lebron James playing in Miami eases our pain.

Late in the game, the Braves gives the crowd some excitement loading the bases.

 

We abandon our political correctness and sensitivities.

Soon 20,000 plus fans are doing “The Tomahawk”.

 

 

 

Not able to capitalize on our situation, we let the Milwaukee Brewers walk away with the win. The final score 9 to 3.

Knowing we will have a chance for redemption tomorrow night, we are still in a good mood.

 

About 20 minutes after the game ends, the stadium goes dark then night sky explodes.

Bombs bursting in the air, it's Publix Friday Night Fireworks at Turner Field.

 

The area around Hank Aaron drive lights up and had I not known any better I would have thought we just won another World Championship.

 

 

 

 

More, “Ice Cold Water $1.00, Ice Cold Water $1.0” as I leave Turner Field for a free Marta shuttle bus ride back to 5 Points Station. Not a bad evening for under $50.

It's a nice evening as I disembark at 5 Points Stations. Joining a few other fans from the game, I stroll along Forsyth Street towards my hotel near MARTA Peachtree Station and save $2.50.

For most people, a night at the ballpark, fireworks and a late evening walk would complete a night out on the town.

 

But then I hear, “We all wanna be Big Big Rock Stars ...”

 

 

 

 

 

Is there Red Bull being pumped into the city? All of a sudden my feet has wings as I follow my ears to Metro Cafe Diner.

 

Located on corner of Peachtree Center Ave and Andrew Young International Drive.

 

 

 

 

 

Metro offers 24 hour dining (The Chicken Wrap was good) and your chance to be a “Big, Big Rock Star” 7 Days A Week.

With over 21,000 songs available how can you resist?

So you don't feel like being a Rock Star? Well, have I still got a deal for you.

 

How about I be “The Rock Star” and you and about five of your friends come help me eat a “Mile High” Carrot, Chocolate or Strawberry Short Cake?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you say CHOCOLATE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite, Strawberry “Tall” Short Cake!

 

 

What, you want me to audition first?

“Where it began, I can't remember but ..”

 

 

 

 

At first, I thought I might lose my NAACP membership singing a Neil Diamond song in Atlanta . The crowd participation eases my fears. I think I even see Rev Jackson and Al Sharpton in the audience, reaching out, touching me, touching you. Moving!

Later, all my fears are removed when another NAACP member does “Purple Haze”. Wow, what courage.

My little meteorology knowledge tells me that temperatures are suppose to fall as the evening goes on.

 

Something is definitely a mist here as the temperature is rising and No.19 Escobar is dripping in sweat.

 

 

 

Does it have something to do with “The Humpty Dumpty Dance” or Sir Mix A Lot's, “I Like Big Butts And I Cannot Lie”?

 

 

This requires further investigation that lasts until the wee, wee, wee, wee hours of the morning. It is indeed cooler outside as I leave Metro Cafe but I think inside the temperature is still rising. Oh, what a night.

I must now re-write the “7^th Inning Stretch Song”.

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the park, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, Atlanta Georgia, Please Let Me Come Back!

 

Technorati Tags: Georgia,Atlanta,Bobby Cox,Atlanta Braves,MARTA,Minute Maid,Coca Cola,Cracker Jack,Metro Cafe,Bono,U2,The Humpty Dumpty Dance,Sir Mix A Lot,Terry Pendleton,The Bull Pen,Atlanta Underground,Alabama,Miller Lite,Nick Saban,Alex Gonzalez,Lebron James,The Tomahawk,Publix,Turner Field,Hank Aaron,Red Bull,Rock Star,Strawberry Short Cake,Carrot Cake,NAACP,Neil Diamond,Rev Jackson,Al Sharpton,Purple Haze,Escobar

.

Tennessee, Whitewater Rafting

 

Ducktown,Tennessee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You must be from Ducktown? Why is that? Because you are the only Ten I See! I am not sure that line works anymore so use it royalty free but with lots of discretion.

What I am still sure of though is that Ducktown is a good launching spot for whitewater rafting. Just an hour and a half easy drive north of Atlanta, the Ducktown area can be a nice weekend escape.

With hiking, tons of dirt trail and river sports available this area located in the southern Appalachian Mountains is a hidden gem.

 

If you are driving from Atlanta take a slight detour and ride a pig before having lunch at Blue Ridge Mountain Bar-B-Q.

Hickory-Smoked Pork,Chicken,Beef And Ribs With All The Fixins.

3870E 1st Street Blue Ridge, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

After lunch it's about a 30 minutes scenic drive through two lane country roads before you arrive at Ducktown Historic District. Hang around and along with others you might get the temporary population up to around 500.

 

 

 

Just beyond Ducktown you will find one of the many businesses offering Ocoee River and other area activities.

 

At Ocoee River rafting, a nice facility with clean restrooms and changing areas. It is a short time before we are geared up with helmets, paddles and life jackets then given a safety briefing.

 

 

 

 

 

Like soldiers on a mission we are boarded on a bus loaded with bright blue rafts and set out for our launch point.

The bus struggles up the hills but relaxes on the decline as my weight helps it's momentum. Reaching our launch spot a light hearted and entertaining briefing is given about the tremendous skills required to navigate the treacherous and roaring rapids. Since I have done this before, I am sure my expertise in exiting the raft will once again be on display.

Our river entry begins just beyond a Class 6 rapid with a $15,000 fine if you get caught riding it. We all decline.

 

Sitting in front it is not to long before I am attempting to synchronize the team effort in navigating our first rapid …. Uno, dos, tres … I wonder do they understand my fluent mastery of the Spanish language.

 

 

 

 

Our guide, Brad is excellent as he navigates the river and tells us stories about the area. Weeks before our trip rains created huge mountain slide and we still can witness much of the destruction left behind.

At YouTube you can see one of the actual slides as it happened:

 

Since I am an expert, I soon find myself tasting the cold Ocoee River. Passing through a Class 4, Uno, dos, tres does not work and I take the plunge. Finding myself under the raft, a familiar place for me, I discard my momentary panic and swim to the surface. Making my way to the side of the river, I am soon rescued after an exciting rush.

Between rapids the river provides an area for floating or swimming and this time a few us take a voluntary plunge. This time I play lifeguard to a non swimmer with a maladjusted life vest and help him return to the raft.

Thug and tight with a life vest, it will keep your head above water and with your stomach sucked in you will look like a super hero. Remember, it is not how you feel. It is how you look and you look, marvelous darling, simply marvelous!

 

Okay, who wants to ride The Bull?

 

 

 

 

 

With a rope attached to the front of the raft, two for now let's say lucky rafters will get to ride The Bull as we navigate through two different Class 5 rapids. The first rider does a great job and I now believe is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) member.

Well folks, hang on to your hats, our next bull is a mean one and I think our next rider ain't gonna be so lucky.

Two seconds into the next Class 5 and this bull is bucking like I would be if someone tied my family jewels into a knot. Our bull rider does not stand much of a chance. My son and I are playing rodeo clowns trying to rescue her from overboard while we are being doused with what seems like multiple fire houses at an oil rig fire. Hanging on to her life jacket for what seemed like an eternity we finally get the energy and luck to pull her back on board.

Taking a breath I am fazed as I look to the rear of the raft and Brad our guide is gone. A few blinks and I realize all the other rafters are here but we have a new guide. Is this a bad joke?

 

Apparently while we were rescuing the bull rider another guide jumped on board to help with our dilemma and then for kicks traded rafts with Brad. Whew, for a moment I thought I had gone to The Big River in the sky.

 

 

 

 

More rapids maneuvered with swimming opportunities then our two and a half hour adventure comes to an end too quickly.

So much fun, it now seems like only an 8 second ride. Shucks, Darn it! Ya'll come back, you hear?

 

Yes, Ocoee, we will!

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Ducktown,Blue Ridge Mountain Bar-B-Q,Class 6 Rapid,Ocoee Gorge,Bull Riding,Tennessee,Atlanta,Whitewater Rafting,Ocoee River,Blue Ridge,Big River,Class 5 Rapid

Ohio, Cleveland And Cedar Point

 

 

It is the summer of 2003 as I revisit with my family Harpo's Sport Cafe near Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland.

 

 

 

 

 

We are honored to see that Harpo’s like the city of Cleveland is still proud of our family name.

 

 

 

 

 

Great wings and cold beer is a better reminder of the good days living in Brookpark, Ohio rather than the frost bite pinkie tip from the coldest day of my life.

 

 

Yes, Cleveland can be a mean city in the winter combined with the howling moist winds of Lake Erie. It is here that this island boy received a baptism by fire and experienced the fierceness of old man winter. He is one bad mutha.

Shut yo mouth!

 

 

 

No summer trip to Cleveland would be complete for me without a visit to Jacob's Field home of the beloved Cleveland Indians.

 

At Jacob’s, I get my first major league start with an awesome 47 miles per hour fastball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strike One! And the sell out crowd goes wild!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A blinding sun and I am silently screaming with dangling feet as I plunge 240 feet towards the earth. I have just experienced Power Tower one of the many exciting rides at Cedar Point. Located at Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point has the most roller coasters in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having regained my stomach, dining at Johnny Rockets is almost as much fun as we are entertained by singing waiters and waitresses.

 

 

 

 

 

Witches' Wheel, a race on Gemini where the blue cars always seem to win, damn it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnum XL-200, something I am use to, Mantis and Mean Streak that shakes my grill loose along with all the other rides, we have a ….

Shut yo mouth, Blast at Cedar Point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although a bit out of the way, you won’t regret a trip to Cedar Point unless you forget to bring a clean pair of shorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the night, I am so whipped I get the finger and don't even know it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Ohio,Cleveland,Cedar Point,Power Tower,Meanstreak,Gemini,Magnum XL-200,Sandusky,Johnny Rockets,Lake Erie,Jacobs Field,Cleveland Indians,Browns,Brookpark Ohio,Harpos Sports Cafe,Hopkins International Airport