A simple beach cruiser upgrade to get you more speed

I recently got a good deal on some Schwinn black wall tires to replace my worn whitewalls with.  The big fat black walls looked pretty sharp, but I realized straight away that they didn't look nearly as good as my old whitewalls did.  Furthermore, the new black walls were incredibly wide for a stock tire.

It's not just that the tires were too wide however.  The surface area meant to come in contact with the road was also flatter, which caused a heck of a lot more drag, not to mention a greater chance for getting flat tires.  After a couple weeks, I decided to go back to white walls mainly for aesthetics, but the poor design of the black walls got me thinking.

Most standard beach cruiser tires for 26 inch bikes are sized at 26 x 2.125.  I decided to go down to a less wide tire measuring in at 26 x 1.175, and found a pair of whitewalls on Amazon that were not only the right size, but featured a raised center to boot.


 
Before.. with 26 x 2.125 black walls



After.. outfitted with 26 x 1.175 whitewalls

While I can definitely see a huge difference in tire width, I don't think the new tires detract in any way from the retro feel of the bike.  This is largely in part thanks to the whitewalls, which give the tires more depth and nicely compliment the bikes paint scheme.  Some bikes look better with an all black tire, but this particular cruiser does not.

In the end, a simple upgrade of two tires that cost $10.00 each, increased my average cruising speed, made it much easier to climb hills, and allowed me to turn
on a dime.  It's an easy and affordable upgrade I'm glad to have made, and will only make my rides in the hilly parts of Northern Colorado easier and in turn more enjoyable.


Deep fried Alligator

The beginning of Fall gets me reminiscing about summer fare I enjoyed during the year.  Stuck in my mind for some reason today, was some fried Alligator I ate at the historic "Linger Lodge" in Bradenton Florida during one of my last visits.



I must say it was awesome, and no.. It didn't taste like chicken.  (although the two look very similar when cooked).  I think I found my new white meat! 



HiBoy Restaurant. Another "To Do" on my list of retro eateries to visit.




During a recent excursion to the local flea market, I came across this HiBoy plastic mug.  When I first saw it, I was quite amused and thought HiBoy to be a failed simile of Bob's Big Boy restaurant.  After some research, I learned that this family owned Drive-In restaurant located in Independence Missouri, was founded in 1957 and has two locations that are thriving to this very day. 

HiBoy is an honest to goodness old fashioned family owned and operated burger joint, with deep ties to their community.  They have supported many local sports teams since the 60s, and also currently support many high school activities as well.  HiBoy also throws an amazing annual cruise night that from archived pictures, appears to be an absolute blast.

Their made-to-order burgers consistently get great reviews online, and their onion rings have been voted the "Best in Kansas City" for several years.  The HiBoy stores happen to be in close proximity to the route I travel on during my pilgrimages to Florida, so I'm seeing a visit to HiBoy in my distant future.

Amazing isn't it?  The history lesson you can get from something as simple as a retro branded restaurant item.  Rich stories and history abound in the world of flea markets and thrift stores.  You've just got to slow down and take notice to find them.




Dad's Game Day Chili recipe

Colder weather is currently moving into our region of Northern Colorado, and I've already been hard at it making chili to warm up with.  More often than not, friends and acquaintances ask for the recipe, so I thought I'd post it here for easy access.  It was a recipe I jotted down many years ago while watching the cooking show "Emeril Live".   I've taken some liberties with it over the years, and its morphed into the recipe you see below.


Not to toot my own horn.. but this chili seems to always be a big hit whenever I make it for parties and get-togethers.  Last year, a buddy of mine entered this recipe into a fireman's chili cook-off competition and took first place.  He added jalapeno and habanero peppers to kick up the heat, which I've also done on occasion when I crave a spicier version of this chili.

If you happen to be looking for a new chili recipe to try, check it out.  You of course can add more heat to suit your personal taste, but I usually keep it a bit conservative because you never know how hot is too hot for folks.


Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion chopped or minced
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • 2 pounds stew meat cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • Crushed red pepper (to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika
  • 2 tablespoons of minced or chopped garlic
  • 1-28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1-4 ounce can of tomato paste
  • 8 cups beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons masa flour
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 2-16 ounce can of red beans
  • 2-16 ounce cans of pinto beans
  • 1 bag tortilla chips
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
  • 6 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 small jar of sliced pickled jalapenos

Directions
In a large stock pot, heat the vegetable oil until hot and then add the onions and saute for about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the stew meat, chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, paprika and oregano. Brown the meat for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef stock. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the liquid partially covered for about 1 1/2 hours. Make sure to stir occasionally, and skim off the fat from time to time.

Mix the masa and water together. Slowly stir in the masa slurry, add the beans, and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Make sure to taste and re-season with salt and cayenne if needed.

Plating
You can place a handful of tortilla chips in each shallow bowl and spoon the chili over them, or crush the chips and sprinkle them over the chili as well. You can also garnish the chili with grated cheese, a dollop of sour cream in the middle of the bowl along with jalapenos, and chives if you so choose.  I sometimes also just grab a handful of Frito's corn chips and toss them in the bowl.





No matter how you like to top your chili, in the end.. you've got a meal that will warm you to the bones even on the coldest of days.  Pair the chili with a nice stout beer, and you've got a meal fit for a king!






Old Florida Kitsch at its best - The historic Linger Lodge in Bradenton, Florida

The Linger Lodge got its start as a campground in 1945.  Frank and Elaine Gamsky moved to Florida from Wisconsin, and purchased the Linger Lodge in 1968.  Gamsky was an amateur taxidermist, and filled the restaurant with all sorts of local creatures like snakes, coyotes and alligators, just to name a few.

The Linger Lodge is perhaps the most eclectic and off the wall restaurant I've ever eaten at.  That being said, I enjoyed the experience immensely, and am glad I got a chance to dine there during my recent trip to the Florida gulf coast.  Down home southern cooking dominated the menu, and everything my family ate was superb.

The restaurant made it to the list of the "5 weirdest restaurants in America" and you'll soon see why.   I don't even know where to begin when describing the Linger Lodge, so I'll just jump into it with pictures..

The Linger Lodge is located in Bradenton Florida, and backs up to the edge of the Braden River.  The restaurant is flanked by a campground and RV park, and is enveloped by palm trees and huge oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

 
These little guys greet you upon entering the Linger Lodge, and set the vibe in motion that you're going to enjoy for the remainder of your visit.


We visited the Linger Lodge on our first day in Florida.  We arrived well after the lunch rush, so we had the run of the whole restaurant which made for some great photo ops.  We got a choice table situated right next to a fireplace, with a 15 foot Gator mounted directly above.




 
 Hush Puppies and Fried Green Tomatoes

For me.. I wanted nothing more than to enjoy some good Southern cooking, and that's exactly what I got. Appetizers of fried green tomatoes and hush puppies started us off, and fresh caught local gator with ice cold beer was the icing on the cake.  I also sampled some wonderful pulled pork that my bride ordered, which was the best I had eaten in quite some time.  All of the food was freshly made, full of flavor, and superb.

 Deep Fried Gator, Fresh cut fries, and rice







 I haven't seen a bonafide bear skin rug since I was a wee lad!


 The stuff $2500.00 Gucci shoes are made of


 Yup.. those are snakes that this sign is made with.  Which reminds me.. if you have an aversion to snakes (even dead ones) the Linger Lodge may not be the place for you..


This guy will keep you company at the corner of the bar




Huge Snake Skin lacquered into the bar top


 
This Diamond Back Rattler apparently got a piece of the person who caught him, and there's a picture of the hunters bitten hand to prove it!


  
Views from the bar

 
The incredibly welcoming staff actually encouraged me to go behind the bar to look around and take pictures.





Some more pics from around the restaurant..














After we finished our meals, and thoroughly walked around the restaurant to investigate all of the great conversation pieces, we decided to take a stroll outside to get a closer look at the campgrounds and property.





If you can take the Florida heat and humidity, there is a beautiful view of the Braden river from the back patio.  However, the deck is screened in and ceiling fans are moving plenty of air.  Plus.. don't ever underestimate the cooling power of beer!


Kayaks are available for the "adventurous"


 
 Heed the signs if you don't want Fido to become Gator Bait








I'm so glad I got the chance to visit the Linger Lodge with my family.   Not sure if I'd ever go as far as kayaking there, but we all had a blast, and will definitely be back.



Retro dining "cafeteria style" down south at S&S Cafeteria in Georgia

2124 Riverside Dr.  Macon Georgia
(478) 746-9406

I visit the South just about every year with my family for vacation.  The last time I passed through Macon Georgia, I ate at S&S Cafeteria, and was not disappointed in the least.

I did some research prior to our trip, which resulted in my discovery of S&S Cafeteria.  I already had my heart set on dining on plenty of authentic Southern cooking during the trip, and read a lot of good things about this restaurant on Yelp and Urban Spoon.  I also wanted the kids to have the experience of eating at a cafeteria style restaurant (heck.. its been at least 23 years since I've dined this way).  Open since 1936, S&S has definitely got some serious staying power.  We knew there must be a reason why, so we decided to take a gamble on S&S, and it paid off big time!

 

I would have loved to take pictures of the serving line, the friendly staff and some of the retro decor, but I had my hands full with showing the kids how the process of cafeteria dining worked.  At first they had the inclination to start grabbing everything that looked good.  My bride and I emphasized that you have to pay individually for items at a cafeteria, and that they needed to choose wisely and be very attentive to exactly how hungry they were.

They had some good dinner deals however, which included your choice of salad, entree, vegetable, choice of bread, and dessert for $6.99.  An absolute STEAL considering that all of the food was generously portioned, absolutely delicious, and made fresh.



The meal that I chose included chopped sirloin steak, twice baked potato, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, cornbread muffin, and a slice of warm cherry pie.  I was originally torn between the meatloaf and corned beef, until the chopped steak caught my eye.  I didn't know exactly what it was, so I asked the server behind the counter.  He replied with a very lively "It's our delicious fresh made chopped steak, which comes with a twice baked potato".  I felt I couldn't go wrong ordering an item that the server was so enthusiastic about, and that decision proved to be a good one.

The chopped sirloin steak was juicy, full of flavor and drizzled with a ladle full of the rich and flavorful pan drippings.  The twice baked potato was rich, sharp, and creamy.  The black eyed peas were very tasty, and reminded me of the ones my Grandmother use to make.  The sweet potato casserole was possibly the best I've ever had, and the cornbread was so good, I found myself cleaning the plate of every last crumb.  The cherry pie was incredible.  I can't remember the last time I had one this good, not to mention one that was made from scratch.

I was able to sample a few other items from my kids and my brides plate as they were winding down and ready to call it quits.  Cooked green beans offered a flavor explosion the second they touched your tongue.  Fresh made biscuits were fluffy, flaky, and tender.  It was obvious to me that the corned beef from the carving station had been perfectly brined, and was incredibly tender.  The very last thing I tried was a bit of coconut cream pie, and I must say it was everything coconut cream pie should be.  Made from scratch right down to the pie crust, with real coconut, and incredibly delectable. 

During our dinner I started reminiscing about eateries like S&S, and the kids were surprised to hear that eateries like this one used to be the norm years ago.  Fresh cooked food and superior customer service.. two simple concepts that many eateries of today simply can't grasp.  

In short, every single thing we ate tasted incredible.  The staff was pleasant, informative, and beaming with Southern hospitality.  They bent over backwards to help us get through the serving line, and took the kids under their wings to explain what their options were.  S&S was hitting on all cylinders, and we all had a wonderful dining experience. It's definitely old school cafeteria dining at it's best.  We're definitely going to make it a priority to dine there whenever we're in the vicinity of Macon Georgia.




Retro Monster cereal boxes are back on shelves

Tis' the season for Monster Cereal goodness!  While shopping at Target today, I was very pleased to learn that they are once again carrying General Mills throwback Monster Cereal boxes this year.  They are different from last years designs, and feature cut out masks just as this run of old box designs featured back in the day.





Fruit Brute and Yummy Mummy did not return in this years lineup like they did last year, but a few other items were rolled out that also have a retro vibe..



These Fruit Roll-Ups and Chocula treats are available in other stores, but it appears that the retro box art versions are also only available at Target.



These are the 2014 box art designs you will see at other stores, feature re-imagined monsters that were designed by various DC comic book artists.



On a final note, take care if you're buying the new retro boxes, because I noticed several today that do not feature the cut out mask on the back of the box.  Instead.. many of the new boxes feature the same comic strip that was on last years throwback boxes..


I'm not sure why General Mills approved this printing.  First of all, Fruit Brute and Yummy Mummy are on the strip, and they're not even included in this years lineup.  Second of all.. they're holding last years box designs to boot.  Yeah.. there are going to be some confused consumers for sure. 

I really do like the retro designs released this year.  I'm also ecstatic that the retro design wraps all the way around the box (apart from the boxes I saw with last years comic strip).  All in all, I'm in hog heaven right now, and will be eating my weight in Monster Cereal for the next month or so!