Month: November 2014

25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Two sections of the Berlin Wall

Two sections of the Berlin Wall

Today, November 9th, is the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Google Doodle tipped me off or I would not have known. We came through Rapid City SD last summer, and we spotted an interesting bit of history that applies to today’s landmark.

We were just driving around checking out the town and spotted a sign in a park next to the convention center that said “The Berlin Wall”. There is a memorial to the history of the divided city and the ultimate fall of Communism and the tearing down of the wall.

There are two sections of the original Berlin Wall displayed along with information filled plaques, signs and even old tank traps that were once used at Check Point Charlie, the only gate between East and West Berlin during the times of the divided city.

If you travel through the Rapid City area on your way to Mt. Rushmore, take a few minutes and go see this memorial. It is worth the time.

An ominous sign back then...

An ominous sign back then…

Knightstown, Indiana Jellystone Park resort

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Yogi greets you as you enter the RV Park

Yogi greets you as you enter the RV Park

This park, one of a chain of camping resorts themed to the Jellystone Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters, is located on I-70 between Indianapolis and Richmond. Exit 115 will take you to the park which can be seen from the interstate.

The Jellystone Park staff organizes many activities for kids of all ages. Seasonal themed events are often offered. The pool provides a nice summer break from the heat. If you want to wet a line, the fishing lake is well kept and well stocked. For a modest fee Yogi Bear himself will come to your site and tuck in the kids.

The facility is easy to negotiate with wide interior roads. Among the 130 sites there are several full hook-up pull through sites and a separate tent camping area for those who prefer a more primitive experience. The Comfort Station is immaculate and is large enough to handle a near capacity crowd.

Check the Knightstown Jellystone Park website for details. Be sure to notice the many specials that are listed. This campground has many different ways to offer its clientele reduced rates for seasonal campers and group camping.

This was one of the first campgrounds that we used back when we had our little Starcraft. It is kid and family friendly.

 

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at Edmonds Center for the Arts

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
L to R: McEuen, Fadden, Hanna, and Carpenter

L to R: McEuen, Fadden, Hanna, and Carpenter

Tonight Sher and I shared a theater full of fellow baby boomers in order to hear from an old friend. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gave a one night concert at the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) as they are wrapping up their 2014 tour. Press releases and the NGDB website itself refers to the band as “iconic” and a catalyst for American Rock. Since 1966 the band has earned those accolades and still command the respect of the music industry.

Tonight’s performance in the fine accoustics of the historic auditorium at ECA was a delightful trip down memory lane. The audience had obviously been concert goers for decades. Nearly every person in attendance (with the lion’s share over 55) did his or her own style of appreciation be it foot tapping, hand clapping or engaged in the classic ‘sitting body rock’. OK, maybe not everybody, but I sure had some good memories of concerts past.

From organ to honky tonk piano and everything in between, Bob Carpenter brings a diversity of sounds from his keyboards that have you wondering where the sounds are originating. Jeff Hanna’s vocals are truly powerful in effect. Guitar playing? Hanna shows his skills across several styles of guitar work and blends with the other instruments perfectly. Jimmie Fadden is a classic and superb drummer. I would challenge anyone to name a musician who can get as much out of a harmonica as Fadden can. John McEuen’s work on guitar, mandolin, steel guitar, fiddle and 5-string banjo is at times unbelievable. You won’t find a better 5-string picker than McEuen.

The playlist tonight was classic NGDB as you would expect. “Face on the Cutting Room Floor” was played early in the show with reference to the late John Goodman given. The band gave a moving version of “Dance Little Jean” one I had not heard for a long time. The instrumental solos offered by each of the men during the playing of “Ripplin Waters” was one of the highlights for me. I really got a kick out of the NGDB version of the Beatles “Get Back” with a 5-string banjo. And of course “Mr. Bojangles” was appreciated by all.

John McEuen was brilliant in his monologue and presentation of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”. He successfully had an entire crowd of boomers singing along with him as he reminded us all that we would have to explain the ballad to our kids and (gasp) grandkids.

Don’t miss an opportunity to see NGDB in concert. This was one of those events that Sher and I can say we were glad we attended. This was a great concert in a great venue.

Kyoto: A great Japanese steak house in Everett, WA

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment
Chicken, steak, shrimp and veggies on the grill at the Kyoto

Chicken, steak, shrimp and veggies on the grill at the Kyoto

Last night Sher and I went to a Japanese Steak House named Kyoto in Everett, Washington. Our daughter and son-in-law and grandson were with us on this fun dining trip. The chef came to the table with the built in grill. Our chef was really a treat and he enjoyed taking to us as he cooked.

This place is stuck in the end of a strip mall building across the street from the big Everett Mall. It is worth seeking out. We would give this place a five star rating on both the service and the quaity of the meals.