Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[MAGICFOR2]

I have been reading but not commenting. This tablet gives me trouble. I remember that you did a drive by at Ralphie's house. Love that movie! The best part is the " Major Award" oh but who can forget Fa ra ra ra ra at the Chinese restaurant. we had a Happy Birthday song like that once !

Love the honeymoon pictures with the Harley. Cute story.

 

[QueenJen]

That's... different.
I'm trying to see where
the differences are
between what you hate
and what you like.

Can't figure it out.

I guess I'm an odd duck. lol My food preferences drive my dh crazy.....you like this...but not this??

 

[Tracy161]

This is poor planning on
your part.
There was a $1.6 billion
lotto the other day.
You should have just won that.

Problems solved.

Dang. You're absolutely right. I really screwed things up for myself on that one.

It's like a scene from
Groundhog Day.

Yes!

If you're going to call
yourself "Erie"...
The least you can do
is fit the part.

I couldn't agree more!

You sure they were real?
Maybe they heard about
the lack of spooks in Erie
and were on their way there.

Good point. I'm sure you're right on this.

So you passed out
in your attempt to find it.

Check.

 

[pkondz]

I have been reading but not commenting. This tablet gives me trouble.

Hi Tammie.
Yeah, multi-quoting
on tablets and phones is...

problematic.

I remember that you did a drive by at Ralphie's house.

Love that movie! The best part is the " Major Award" oh but who can forget Fa ra ra ra ra at the Chinese restaurant.

Yes!

we had a Happy Birthday song like that once !

How did that go?

Love the honeymoon pictures with the Harley. Cute story.

It is, isn't it?
So glad I stumbled
on that.

 

[pkondz]

I guess I'm an odd duck. lol My food preferences drive my dh crazy.....you like this...but not this??

I can totally see
your dh's point!!!

 

[pkondz]

Dang. You're absolutely right. I really screwed things up for myself on that one.

Poor planning, Tracy...
Poor planning.

Yes!

I couldn't agree more!

I should think so!
I think a sternly worded
letter to the chamber of commerce
is in order!

To whom it may concern,
Where da spooks?
Erie is woefully bereft
of eeriness.
Get on that.

A concerned visitor.

Good point. I'm sure you're right on this.

Of course I am!

Have I ever been wrong?

(feel free to answer that
with tongue firmly in cheek
and fingers on both hands
firmly crossed.)

 

[MeghanEmily]

I've probably watched Groundhog Day
over a dozen times.

Heh heh hehehe I see what you did there.


And now I see it again.

And now I see it again...

...and again...

.....and again.....

 

[Steppesister]

I have great news!
This update will be short.

The news was short-lived. Whereas the update was not.

I don't think it was stupid early
and it wasn't fashionably late.

Which is how vacation should be done. Unless you need to get to a RD for some reason.

I just don't trust
hotel biscuits and gravy.
The gravy always looks
like baby vomit.
A sick baby's vomit.

Never, ever ever trust a hotel B&G.

The town of Erie, PA just sounded.... eerie.
I had visions of pumpkins lining streets
flanked by rows of gnarled trees
draped with Spanish moss.
And a full moon. And night.

You paint quite a picture!

I've probably watched Groundhog Day
over a dozen times.

I think the only movies that fall into that category for me are It's a Wonderful Life and Casablanca.

I stopped there (for a poker
chip of course) and was immediately
disappointed to discover that
it appears to be a lovely little town
that glaringly fails to have demons,
ghouls and ghosts roaming the streets.

Did the poker chip look like this:

If you haven't seen it, the movie
takes place in Punxsutawney, PA,
home of the famous rodent weather
prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil.
A weather man (Bill Murray)
spends ten years there on
Groundhog Day... the same day...
For ten years. He lives it
over and over and over again...
(Although apparently, the numbers
were run and he actually spent
8 years, 8 months, 16 days there.
Considerably less than the 10,000
years he was supposed to be there.)

Why do I have the feeling I've read this before?

After picking up my Erie
poker chip, I drove a block
or two and stopped at a store.

If they'd spelled it with 2 E's maybe the poker chip would've been cooler.

I don't think the bag made it
out of the State.
Well, the contents didn't.

Well... they probably did in some form or another.

I suddenly found myself
driving through it.
And while I very much enjoyed
driving through Amish country,
I couldn't really stop.

I loved my drive through rural Kentucky Amish Country and got his one.

Currently run by the third generation
of the family.
I kinda fell in love with this place.

I can understand why!

After a couple of quick stops,
I arrived at the border
and prepared myself
for the inevitable customs gauntlet.

nah, you had a couple of quick "stops". And hulless corn puff thingys.

"You look angry... or sad... no...
you look constipated.

Maybe your stops should've been longer.

I was treated to a delicious meal,
including some yummy cauliflower...

I love cauliflower. My favorite recipe is:

Steam until tender a head of cauli.

Coursely mash with the bottom of a glass in a big frying pan.

Saute in a lot of butter, and season with sea salt, plenty of cracked pepper, and a generous teaspoon of Hungarian paprika.

Garnish with fresh parsley, chopped.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

The previous evening, when I was
visiting with @orangecats2 and Joe,
she happened to mention... Utz.

Carrie explained that Utz made something
called "Hulless Puff Corn".

I know I am forgettable and don't have much interesting to say, BUT, I think this was our conversation! Unless @orangecats2 and I had the exact conversation with you. Maybe I astral projected myself to your meeting with her? I know they are amazing and I can see why she would think they are her favorite (from the US so not favourite) too.

I opened the bag and drove on,
planning on trying some and either
1. tossing it scornfully aside in distaste; or
2. snacking occasionally as I drove.

Neither of those happened.

I grabbed a couple bits
and popped them in my mouth.

My eyes went round and my
taste buds cheered with bliss.


Holy crap those things are good!


It was like cheese covered crack.

I planned on eating just a little bit
but my hand kept finding its way
to the bag and then to my mouth.
Soon my fingers (and, I assume, my mouth)
were a bright orange of deliciousness.

I don't think the bag made it
out of the State.
Well, the contents didn't.

I would say " I told you so" but apparently I didn't.

I suddenly found myself
driving through it.
And while I very much enjoyed
driving through Amish country,
I couldn't really stop.
Gotta make tracks!
But I did get slowed down
from time to time.
Which, frankly, I rather enjoyed.

Just for future reference, be careful if you are ever in Amish country again taking pictures. Amish are really funny about pictures being taken, especially of their children.
Some of the Amish community can get a bit upset with it. Other communities are "Ok" with it as long as they can plausibly deny that they were complacent with having pictures taken. Some see it as a "zoo-exhibit treatment". Mennonites on the other hand, do not have any issues.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

They have this????

I know! I went down it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[franandaj]

Hi Alison!
Thanks for reading.
See you soon!

OK I'm caught up, ready for fun interactions.....so either you need to update or respond to my latest update.

 

[Tracy161]

I should think so!
I think a sternly worded
letter to the chamber of commerce
is in order!

To whom it may concern,
Where da spooks?
Erie is woefully bereft
of eeriness.
Get on that.

A concerned visitor.

Yes! This is perfect.

Have I ever been wrong?

Never!

 

[pkondz]

Heh heh hehehe I see what you did there.


And now I see it again.

And now I see it again...

...and again...

.....and again.....

No idea what you
could possibly be
talking about.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Not. A. Gravy. Fan...….


Turn in your man card
at the first opportunity.

Counterpoint: my view of gravy is the same--it's mostly chalky, thick gunk that doesn't add much to a dish. If I smoke the Thanksgiving turkey (and I do), I don't need no stinkin' gravy.

I'm sure it's not
real eggs.
As in crack them open.
I suspect it's poured
out of a carton or box.

It has to be fake. They never look right.

Don't you mean,
"Yes! Down with necessary ""'s!"

U are correct.

Wow!
We have a historic train ride too.
Just the one train though.
Been on it. It was nice.
That mini-golf though...
Not what I was expecting at all!
Really nice!
I can see why it'd
be your favourite.

Cool! There's something about trains.

The mini-golf is a lot of fun. Really creative holes--definitely not a run-of-the-mill place. They actually have 2 different courses.

I certainly think so.
The woman I spoke with
certainly was very nice
and seemed quite happy.
You can tell how a place
is run by the demeanor
of the staff, no?

Yes! Absolutely.

When she pulled it out
of the oven, my heart sank.

How was I going to eat that
and not insult her by gagging?
I took a bit and prepared myself
to force it down.
I ate a bit and...
I'm pretty sure my eyes
went round and I stared
first at the cauli and then her.

I couldn't believe it actually
tasted... good!

Chalk that up in the win column.

 

[pkondz]

The news was short-lived. Whereas the update was not.

Well, by my standards
it was pretty short.

Which is how vacation should be done. Unless you need to get to a RD for some reason.

I did very little of that,
however.

Never, ever ever trust a hotel B&G.

Thanks for the tip.
But I think I figured
that out already!

You paint quite a picture!

Eerie, isn't it?

I think the only movies that fall into that category for me are It's a Wonderful Life and Casablanca.

I've seen Wonderful Life
about as often.
Not quite, but close.
Casablanca I've only seen
twice, but just recorded it
and plan on watching it
again soon.

Did the poker chip look like this:

Wow! That's cool.
Where is that from?

Why do I have the feeling I've read this before?

Perhaps you scrolled up?

If they'd spelled it with 2 E's maybe the poker chip would've been cooler.

Actually, the chip was
pretty cool.
I also bought a shirt there
and it's one of my faves now.

Well... they probably did in some form or another.

I loved my drive through rural Kentucky Amish Country and got his one.

Wow! You got a much
better photo than me.

I saw some much nicer
buggies, but...
since I was driving,
I couldn't take a photo.
I was stopped for a second
so took a quick snap.

I can understand why!

nah, you had a couple of quick "stops". And hulless corn puff thingys.

Maybe your stops should've been longer.

I love cauliflower. My favorite recipe is:

Steam until tender a head of cauli.

Coursely mash with the bottom of a glass in a big frying pan.

Saute in a lot of butter, and season with sea salt, plenty of cracked pepper, and a generous teaspoon of Hungarian paprika.

Garnish with fresh parsley, chopped.

That sounds good.
Mom's method was....

Boil until gross. Serve.

I use this one:

On a sheet tray, spread 1/4 of the florets with the oil, season with salt and bake until caramelized in 350 oven, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine remaining cauliflower, milk and half a teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook until cauliflower is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Strain cauliflower from milk mixture, reserving both. Transfer cauliflower to a blender. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and butter to the blender. Add half of the reserved milk liquid. Secure top on blender and puree mixture until smooth. If mixture is too thick, thin by adding some of the remaining liquid. Season, to taste. Serve in a large serving bowl topped with caramelized florets and chives.

 

[pkondz]

I know I am forgettable and don't have much interesting to say, BUT, I think this was our conversation! Unless @orangecats2 and I had the exact conversation with you. Maybe I astral projected myself to your meeting with her? I know they are amazing and I can see why she would think they are her favorite (from the US so not favourite) too.

Oh, My, God...

I'm so sorry!
You're right!

This is what happens
when you make notes
on the fly at the end of
the day and then don't
look at them until
a month later!

I remembered you both
looking at a chocolate bar...

But now I remember
the conversation clearly.

Yes of course it was you!
I feel like an idiot.
More so than usual.

I've gone back
and edited the chapter.

1,000 apologies, Jenn!

I would say " I told you so" but apparently I didn't.

<sigh>
Yes. You did.
And thank you.

I'm really sorry.

Just for future reference, be careful if you are ever in Amish country again taking pictures. Amish are really funny about pictures being taken, especially of their children.

Thanks for the tip.
While I'm legally allowed
to take their photos...
I don't normally take
photos of people without
asking for permission.
You'll notice it's more
a photo of the horse(s)
and carriage than the driver.

Some of the Amish community can get a bit upset with it. Other communities are "Ok" with it as long as they can plausibly deny that they were complacent with having pictures taken. Some see it as a "zoo-exhibit treatment". Mennonites on the other hand, do not have any issues.

Interesting.
And... I can totally see
being upset if you just
want to be left alone
but people are constantly
taking your photo
and getting in your way.
Famous folks expect that,
they shouldn't.

I know! I went down it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No way!!!!!
How awesome is that?!?!?!?

 

[pkondz]

OK I'm caught up, ready for fun interactions.....so either you need to update or respond to my latest update.

I just replied
to your update a few
minutes ago!

 

[pkondz]

Yes! This is perfect.

It's in the mail!

Never!

Well, apparently this
is not the case.

I made a major mistake
in the last update.



I fixed it... but the damage
was done.

I feel like a jerk.

 

[pkondz]

Counterpoint: my view of gravy is the same--it's mostly chalky, thick gunk that doesn't add much to a dish. If I smoke the Thanksgiving turkey (and I do), I don't need no stinkin' gravy.

Then you're doing the gravy wrong.
It should be silky, not chalky.
It should taste like a fine wine,
not glue.

But... dang that turkey
looks amazing!
Is that from last year?

It has to be fake. They never look right.

Agreed.

U are correct.

The mini-golf is a lot of fun. Really creative holes--definitely not a run-of-the-mill place. They actually have 2 different courses.

Huh. Big place!

Chalk that up in the win column.

Yep!

 

[Tracy161]

Well, apparently this
is not the case.

I made a major mistake
in the last update.



I fixed it... but the damage
was done.

I feel like a jerk.

Oh no! I didn't realize a mistake, but all the same, sending a great big