2009 – Backroads, Bars and Blue Highways

Mary’s Bar

MineTavern

As I mentioned in an earlier post , I found Santa Fe to be somewhat boring, void of nightlife after midnight. The most interesting and entertaining spot was Evangelo’s. However, the visit to Santa Fe required lodging and food, both of which were found at the Governors’ Plaza.

La Fonda was the hotel of choice, 2nd choice actually, but it easily won over the Inn and Spa at Loretto when viewing the rates. La Fonda is a historic hotel on the plaza built in 1922, but sits on the same site as previous inns dating back to the founding of Santa Fe in 1607. La Fonda was for a time a ‘Harvey House’, until 1968. In short, Fred Harvey’s company provided the restaurant’s for travelers of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, first throughout the Southwest, but later in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois and Missouri. The last of Fred Harvey’s sons died in the 1930’s and although the company remained in operation, the quality of service was apparently not the same. The times were changing as well. Passenger travel via the railroads declined, the depression slowed business and improved roads and air travel became preferred methods of travel. In 1968 the Amfac Corporation bought the holdings of the Harvey Company. The Fred Harvey Trading Company was set up as a retail division of Amfac Parks and Resorts, however in 1988 JMB Realty purchased Amfac and in 2002 the Amfac name was changed to Xanterra Parks and Resorts. Fred Harvey Trading Company products are featured throughout the gift stores in the National Parks operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts. I don’t think Fred would be at all pleased with the way things turned out. He was a visionary and helped civilize the West through hospitality. But he’d be appalled at the price of a meal at La Fonda, as were we, so a walk across the Governors’ Plaza to the Ore House is what we did.

The Ore House overlooks the plaza. It looks as if it should come with a long history, but it is relatively young, only 22 years old. The food was good, the cantina however, was not impressive by any means. …I’m beginning to think I just don’t care for Santa Fe. Although I found one redeeming quality – from Albuquerque, take the 40 east to the14 (Turquoise Trail) north. In Madrid make a quick stop at the Mine Shaft Tavern (pictured above), but then north into Cerrillos. A left on Main to 1st Street will put you right at Mary’s Bar. Aahh,… finally, New Mexico’s finest, New Mexico at it’s best. At last check Mary was 91, she is New Mexico’s version of Utah’s ‘Ruth’, although Ruth passed away in 1989 at the age of 94.

The Continental Room

in Fullerton

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Didn’t think I would have been allowed in wearing shorts, tennis shoes and hood. After all this bar was established in 1925 and has a velvet rope in front. Yeah, Last Chance Saloon is 43 years older, Coldspring Tavern is 60 years older and the Washoe House has it beat by 66 years – but they are wood buildings built out in the country, this is the Continental Room – it’s got a red velvet rope and carpet entrance.

What a place…hard to figure out. The interior is old school with a bit of David Lynch — why do you laugh at that? — look at the photos below and tell me Twin Peaks doesn’t cross your mind. I would not have been surprised if the little man wobbled out and hopped up on the bar stool next to me. The music covers a wide range from hip hop, R&B to alternative, even some Frank. Live music, DJ and on Wednesdays an Elvis impersonator (now that makes perfect sense when you look around at the decor – lots of velvet, red velvet).

At any rate, have to say I am pleasantly surprised. Wasn’t what I expected, thought there would be a Mafia type bouncer telling me that a jacket would be required, pants too…but this place is just an old school staple. My apologies to my buddy Chris as I thought we’d be kicked out faster than it took to get in. On his next visit, we definitely will head inside, right after we leave Hero’s Bar and Grill.

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Who won the race?

in Australia

beer

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Adult fans at one of Australia’s most popular motor sport races, the Bathurst 1000, will be limited to one “slab” of beer a day — or 24 375 ml (12.7 fluid ounces) cans — as police focus on reducing alcohol-related crime. For comparison the US longneck is 341 ml (11.5 fluid ounces). That’s only a difference of 34 ml, but multiply that by 24 and that’s another 816 ml that you get in that “slab”, or another 7 beers.

The 24-can rule would also be placed on mixed drinks for the V8 car race starting Thursday which draws thousands to the rural town of Bathurst in eastern New South Wales state, the NSW police said Tuesday.
But more restrained spectators would be able to slake their thirst, if not their craving for alcohol, with up to 36 cans of low or mid-strength beer.
Again, not really a familiar term in the U.S., but for comparison purposes Australian full strength beer is 4.6%, mid strength – 3.5%, and light – 2.5-3%. Budweiser, a U.S. staple would fall in the mid strength group. So, if you’re a “restrained” spectator attending the Bathurst 1000, your limit would be 36 cans of Bud Light… my question is why drink the “light”? – Watching the carb intake? -or- just wanting those eleven additional cold ones?

On second thought, 24 cans of beer per day is only one per hour, and that doesn’t seem to be too many.
Wine lovers must make do with no more than four liters of cask wine per day and combinations of the options would not be allowed, the police statement said.

The post above is true, new policies in effect for the 2009 race. I am currently in search for the limits as they relate to the following occupations/events listed below. I’ve guessed on numbers based on the Bathurst 1000 policy, please correct me if you know the correct allotment.

School Bus Drivers – one six pack (6 stubbies) per route; pick up of children and arrival at school.
Ambulance Drivers – four beers per emergency call, two en route to call, two en route to hospital.
Race Car Drivers – three beers per race, limit to four races a day.
Pilots – twelve beers per international flight, ten beers per domestic flight.
Taxi Drivers – two beers per fare.
Footy Match – posted limits are for single purchases only, unlimited purchases may be made – what??? hunh? this means you are limited to buying four at one time…you may return to the counter and purchase four more. This is for the safety of the consumer. How can you carry more than four without spilling.
Jockey – unlimited, but must provide some to the horse also.
Prime Minister – apparently there is no restriction on amount or mixtures
Ex-Patriot Magazine Editors – no limits apply. Those falling in this category need as much alcohol as they can consume.

Heroes Bar & Grill

in Fullerton

Not a chain, but there are two Heroes locations and they’ve opened smaller versions, albeit more milder, under the name Roscoe’s Deli. THIRSTY Thursday is their motto for the fourth day of the work week, but go in thirsty all the time because the beers are served in two sizes; large and larger. That makes sense because the plates come piled with oversized portions of lunch or dinner.

The draft list can take awhile to read, the Fullerton location has 119 beers on tap. I can’t say if that holds true at the Heroes in Claremont or the Roscoe’s in Chino Hills – I knew which beer I wanted and didn’t need to see a list. I can say that the sizes remain consistent at all locations. Heroes Fullerton moved to a bigger location a few years ago, but all else remains the same, bags of peanuts at each table and the shells you send to the floor. There’s plenty of things to look at nailed to the walls, and a good view of a TV from any table. That works out just fine as it takes awhile to put away a couple beers.

Baa! – Remembering driving across Tasmania

in Tasmania

The Tasmanian Department of Health defines “safe sex” as sheep that don’t kick. Now you can’t easily bribe sheep with a chocolate candy or a nickle, but over the years Tasmania has begun to reap the benefits of both the industrial and technological revolutions. Tasmanians have discovered with a little ingenuity life doesn’t have to be a kick in the groin, it can be better by applying technology. My friend from Oz just informed me that “they now just clamp their head in the fence, and put their back legs in their gum boots”.

Dutch Garden Restaurant

in Santa Barbara

The German kings and emperors dominated the Netherlands in the 10th and 11th century, so I guess that it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the Dutch Gardens Restaurant is more German than Dutch. After all it was King Henry of Germany that liberated the area from Viking rule around 920AD.

There are Dutch Gardens across the globe, the definition or description given to a particular type of rectangular garden space often enclosed within hedges or walls. So the name fits the outer seating area, but this little place is German on the inside, German throughout the menu and German across the spigots of available drafts to choose from. Actually, this is the reason one should slow down on State before blinking and passing the place by, the beers are German, and if you need something to eat with your drink, then I’d recommend the wurst as the best.

Heinhold’s First & Last Chance Saloon

in San Francisco

If you’re not a Darth Vadar Raider fan, not enrolled in UC Berkeley, visiting a friend or just released from San Quentin, you may not have a reason to be up in the Oakland area, except for a visit to Heinhold’s.

Whether or not you’re fan of Jack London history or just like old bars, this place covers both. Born seven years after Cold Spring Tavern off San Marcos Pass behind Santa Barbara, Heinhold’s celebrates it’s birthdate as June, 1883. A preserved saloon with a bar floor that sunk at about a 30 degree angle after the 1906 earthquake. It was never repaired but anymore of a tilt and the beers would roll off the bar. No food served here and small but well worth the experience just looking around at the collection of history which covers the walls.

Heinold’s First & Last Chance, 56 Jack London Sq., Oakland, CA 94607

Carbon Canyon Road – Hwy. 142

in Uncategorized

I was driving a ’96 Blazer with over 120,000 miles, not a Porsche. The canyon winds with one section referred to as the ‘S-curves’, it’s not the 15 to Las Vegas. There is no passing (legally), so if you’re stuck behind a turtle, you are screwed. At both ends of the canyon where multi lanes merge into one, there is a rush to be at the head of the parade.

So here I was stuck behind the guy that is breaking every 15 seconds, headed up to canyon crest and the Hollydale trailer park, where I was hoping would be the driver’s destination. Just as we got over the top and would head down the steep grade, the car pulled over to the right shoulder and I swerved a little to the left, passed him and happily headed down the hill towards the winding road that leads home. Just one problem…

I guess it took awhile before I noticed the lights. And why shouldn’t it, after all it’s a winding road and I needed to keep my eyes on the road in front of me, not behind me. The officer explained that he was about to call ahead and report me as a ‘chase’. I found that quite amusing and explained that it would be a fairly slow speed chase driving this road in this vehicle. He did not share my amusement. He explained in addition to crossing over the double line when I passed the car earlier (he had been waiting up a side street), that he was considering ticketing me for speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour. Again, he did not share my humor, but I would have certainly argued this one in court. It’s not that I couldn’t get the Blazer up to 70 mph without problem, but no way could I make the curves at that speed.

Carbon Canyon is a pretty drive. It’s only one lane each direction and mostly undeveloped on both sides as it parallels Chino Hills Park and Carbon Canyon Regional Park. This however is not reason to ‘off road’ anywhere along this route, but at least once a month someone has decided to do exactly this. Usually it’s speed related, and 50% of the time it’s fatal. 100% of the time traffic is held up and 10% of the time the canyon gets closed in order to tow, investigate, or repair a downed power pole that had previously been standing in the driver’s way.

Thought more about the ‘off roading” reasons and the canyon in the old days. I’d guess it was probably more alcohol related in the past. There used to be two bars in the canyon, the Canyon Corral and La Vida. Neither exist today, but both great roadhouses that deserve posts of their own, as all other indications that they ever existed are gone. Where the Canyon Corral once stood is soon to be a CVS, and if leveling La Vida wasn’t enough, a couple fires have swept through the canyon as if to ensure it wouldn’t reappear.

Stockade Grub and Whiskey

in Uncategorized

It’s been a long time since I’ve driven up Hwy 18, along the Rim of the World Hwy, and into Crestline. I still own some property, but everyone I knew up there has since died or has moved away and all that remains are the memories. The Stockade Grub and Whiskey has it’s got a spot reserved in my memory, and will probably still be in business long after I’ve retired and/or expired.

It’s a bit bigger inside than it looks from the outside. The inside front, facing Lake Drive is the bar with pool table. Towards the rear are tables, as there should be when you’ve added the word “Grub” in your name. The bar is good, and appeals to me as I favor the roadhouse, mountain, rural and rustic look. That’s the “Whiskey”. You really can’t go wrong on the whiskey side.

As for the “grub”, I only went at dinner, but I understand the breakfast is good. The dinners were great. I can only speak for the steak smothered with mushrooms. Smothered so that the little life this steak might have had left by ordering it medium rare, had been extinguished by a huge portions of sauteed mushrooms covering it. Each visit, this was how the steak came time and again.

It’s time to point the truck north and take a drive up to Crestline. The original “Roadhouse” on Hwy 18 up towards Running Springs doesn’t exist anymore, but I know by taking Lake Drive, the Stockade is still standing on the right. If you go but have trouble finding it, just look for the Skull and Crossbones flying under the Stars and Stripes.

The Palace Grill

in Santa Barbara

The Palace Grill is the higher end of the choices for New Orleans/Cajun style cuisine in Santa Barbara. My preference by far is the Cajun Kitchen(s), although the De La Vina location is preferred over the others.

The differences between the Palace Cafe and the Cajun Kitchen actually balance the scales quite well. The Cajun Kitchen opens at 6:30 am and closes at 2:30 pm, the Palace serves lunch at 11:30, dinner at 5:30 until 10:00 or 11:00 pm.Â The Cajun Kitchen has a long list of breakfast choices and serves Dixie beer. The Palace Grill has a long list of dinner choices and serves hard alcohol and Abita beer. Abita beer tastes a lot better than Dixie to me.

In my opinion, the Cajun Kitchen wins out in taste, hosts and hostesses, cooks and busboys and the dollar figure at the bottom of the bill. The Palace wins only in that it serves food while the Cajun Kitchen is sleeping, it has a liquor license, and if you want an authentic beer with your Jambalaya, you can order an Abita Amber or Turbo Dog.

It’s a good drive, but really there’s no substitute for a meal at Coop’s Place.