Well, I hope everyone had a nice New Year’s celebration,
whether by yourselves and quiet (like the Flutters) or as part of a party with friends. At any rate, we’re off and running in
2016. Unlike my Michigan State Spartans
who couldn’t find any offense to speak of against “the Tide”. Ugly, ugly, ugly. Should be at least an interesting game next Monday,
Clemson surprised me (and everybody else) by whupping up on the Sooner’s (Can’t
win the big one). So besides the so-called
National Championship game, college football is a wrap. On to the “pros”.
Well I kind of need to get us home from Missouri (which we are). We left FOJTY’s digs on Monday the 28th, per plan. If you have been paying attention to the news or weather, you know there has been “historical” flooding on the Mississippi and its tributaries. We drove in the rain that caused those floods, and mostly this is what we saw on those rare occasions, when the rain didn't obscure any view
I don’t ever recall
driving in such torrential downpours for so long. It was well into Kentucky before we finally
outdistanced the storm.
530 miles and seven (grueling) hours later, we finally arrived
at our Charleston overnight stop
We generally favor Marriott properties (points, you know), and it’s funny about
their pricing. You would expect as you
go “up the chain” from Springhill Suites to Fairfields, to Courtyards and
finally the full Monty Marriotts that the price would follow. It ain’t necessarily so.. this big boy Marriott in the heart of
downtown Charleston was only a hundred bucks (plus taxes after taxes which are common
to all). So if you’re traveling you
might take a moment to check the rates.
Anyway, pooped from the road, we once again
fashioned a nice little charcouterie plate from stuff we brought along (with
our usual road kit of appropriate utensils (cutting boards, sharp knives, real glassware),
And finally turned in to the dulcet tones of some football
game long forgotten.
The next day proved to be much nicer driving conditions,
except in West (BG) Virginia where a lovely cloud formation
Turned out to be emanating from the paper mill, with all its
attendant odors
Time and miles passed, eventually we crossed lovely Allen’s
Fresh
190
And greeted by the familiar welcome home sign
So concluded our 19th
journey to Missouri for Christmas, accumulating 2200 MOMSTER miles, seeing good friends
and family, consuming four (well, three and a half, Charlie Gitto’s) very nice restaurant
meals, along with great homemade food from both FOJ’s, nice drink, and we got
to meet our newest Granddog, Smoke (on the left) Stanley’s “brother” who despite my best efforts, refused to sit still for a family portrait
As everybody knows, being with family (including the
rambunctious for legged ones) is so rewarding.
So we’re looking forward to our 20th trip next year. Thanks to our family for hosting MFO and I,
along with MFO’s Sister. a wonderful time (except for the crappy weather).
By the way, the fourth meal was at The Libertine in
Clayton. For you St. Louisans, it is the
current occupant of the space that once housed Chez Lyon. Food was really good, preceded by a lovely Charcuterie
and Cheese board for sharing, and I had a great “Crispy Pork Belly Carbonara”. A very creative dish. Kind of a bistro place, quite loud (as judged
by the aging Feeder) but a lovely time, where we were all
DFD
No comments:
Post a Comment