Here we are it’s the first of march 2020, the damn worlds coming apart. Corona virus, blockades on rail lines to protest a pipeline, a convicted rapist/movie mogul who i hope gets what he deserves in prison,stock markets crashing ect, ect. 2020’s off to a rough start. Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about this whole scenario a fews years back. ( it always comes back to Jimmy) called ” a lot to drink about”. If your not familiar with the song i suggest you check it out. Besides being a damn good song its incredibly prophetic. Now what are we to do with all this shit happening? My suggestion? Some bbq and head for a lake or warm beach. There currently is a lot to drink about.
My winters are incredibly busy filled with a lot of hockey, and not enough bbq, beaches, lakes or the margaritaville lifestyle i live my life by. Come march i have had enough cold, snow,ice and lack of outdoor time. Jacquie and i are ready for some beaches, as we are still a few months away from lake season. Shortly we will be taking off for Aruba to enjoy a week of sun, sand, warmth, beer and of course the never ending quest for bbq perfection. Till we do leave for Aruba i have decided to fill some time and head to the Pittsburgh area one weekend and central New York the next for what else? Hockey, beer, bbq and of course margarita’s to celebrate national margarita day ( feb 22nd).
Feb 15th Jacquie and i arrive in the Pittsburgh area saturday night and head to the local favourite Primantii Bros for some iron city lights and of course their famous sandwiches. As usual it doesn’t dissapoint. Saturday is spent doing a little relaxing, shopping and then later on heading our for bbq. Tonight we go to smokey bones a regional chain with decent bbq. Unfortunately we are a little late getting there and they are sold out of multiple items. Most dissapointing, no Brisket or burnt ends. Without question my favourite item is Brisket. A perfectly cooked Brisket with a good smoke ring ect is a thing of beauty. Having said that it is also the most difficult to cook. I’ve eaten my share of poorly cooked, marginal brisket. My starting choice tonight are the smoked bologna sliders. Jacquie first scoffed at my choice, however after a taste she had to admit they are pretty good. The meat is thickly cut, i can taste a nice hint of smoke and they are finished off with smokey bones kc style bbq sauce and coleslaw. For our main course we decide to split a 3 meat combo. My two choices are the smoked wings and back ribs. Jacquie chooses the pulled pork. All three are good but i find the pulled pork a little dry without enough smoke. Our sides are mashed potatoes and fire roasted corn. The fire roasted corn is outstanding! The next day is followed by more shopping and the drive home.
A mural with Steeler great Franco Harris
Fish sandwich from Primantii Bros
Bologna sliders from Smokey Bones
Three meat bbq player from Smokey Bones
Feb 21st and we head back to our old stomping grounds in the Syracuse area. Saturday the 22nd we make our way to Morrisville for the Womens hockey game and post game $2 miller high lifes at “the fort” and renew acquantinces with old friends. Several beverages later we say our good byes and head back to Syracuse. However our night is not over. It’s national Margarita day and i’m feeling it. That and a few landshark lagers. Where to go? Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville of course. It just so happens Margaritaville has $3 Margaritas on to celebrate the day. My choices are a Margarita on the rocks or blended. I make the natural choice. Both! and they are good. We hang out listening to the music, have a couple of landshark lager chasers and call it a night. Its been a great day. No bbq but the margaritas and landsharks make up for it. I have forgotten about the Corona virus already. Sunday we make the trek home for the upcoming work week.
Pittsburgh and Syracuse have been great diversions and are getting me in the right state of mind, Aruba is on the horizon and i can feel the trade winds, warm sun and water already. Get your Margaritaville state of mind on. Watch for my upcoming blog as Budge does Aruba. And as always “Earls dead, cadillac for sale”.
Jacquie and I enjoying the night with a selfie