On the ferry to Sweden, then driving to Norway to see the fjords. Enjoying a Carlsberg (sure it's Danish, but...) at the bar. Our room is nicer than our room in London. Way, way more comfortable than flying. Much nicer, funner, and cheaper than driving and staying in a hotel. We are thinking about booking another for the trip back to Poland. This is a mini (11 hour) cruise, which is about the only cruise I would ever take.
Didn't make it, as we had to visit family in Puwaly. Turns out we have two very good friends from Zamość. One is in Chicago and the other returned to Poland a couple of years ago.
It is just about midnight in Oslo and it is just starting to get dark. Dawn is in 3 1/2 hours or so. Bars are open until 3:00, but we are done. I have another 8 hour drive tomorrow. Some Fun.
Philadelphia is a great old city. I wish I could spend more time there. Have fun and see if you can gently persuade Jim Curtin to reconsider his signing a contract extension.
Getting ready for week 2 in the UP. Just found out my favorite pasty place delivers to a nearby brewery in Alpha. Alpha is the smallest town in the world with a brewery.
If you get a chance, drop into Ray's Happy Birthday Bar, on 1200 E. Passyunk (South Philly). It's just a block from Pat's Steaks. Do not give bigoted screwheads at Geno's across the street, a dime. Ray's was my local for a few years. Was a solid a Philly attytood place and, barring too much neighborhood change, should still be. Bartenders were a show themselves in the '00's.
Was unable to get to Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, teenagers in tow and wife had other plans. Been in the Hudson River Valley this week. Lovey part of the country…and surprisingly does feel like ‘in the country’. Almost forgot how to do R&R, but this place has been restorative…plus some fun hiking! Explored some ‘ice caves’. It was 85deg outside and the caves were at least 40deg cooler.
Great city. Art museum is solid if you're into that sort of thing. I did get to a Union game last year and the Sons of Ben have a fun tailgate set up. IT was 15 bucks for all you can eat and drink (craft beer) with a dj. Stadium is nice too. Only downside is it's isolated in Chester
OK in case any of you travel to Cincinnati (for an away match or any other reason) I have several recommendations as my journey was a success in many ways. Aside from visiting a small venue I once gigged at North Side Yacht Club (more a punk rock bar with a nautical theme) I didn't spend too much time on the Ohio side of the river short of wandering through Findley Market and looking at thick cut bacon and Ox Tails behind counters. It was a nice exploration visit/pub crawl/visiting local friends. Herb and Thelma's-80 year old + lunch tavern with EXCELLENT BURGERS in Covington, KY https://dannwoellertthefoodetymolog...lewisburg-tavern-burgers-at-herb-and-thelmas/ Herb and Thelma's FB https://www.facebook.com/herbnthelmastavern/ Jerry's Jug House-a terrific neighborhood bar that closes at 10:00pm for the neighbor's sanity. https://jerrysjughouse.com/ York Street Cafe- Newport, KY -a little pricier fare worth the trouble in a historic pharmacy space. https://yorkstreetrestaurant.com/ And when you really want to see the seedier side of life I recommend Bobby Mackey's in Wilder, KY. I mean...Interesting places like this are disappearing quickly only to be replaced by homogenized corporate gruel. OH yeah...three words, haunted mechanical bull.