Ol KK is proud of her man, the drunk that he is.

I thanked her for bringing her pet monkey out.

just for the record, i was there.

Fuck yeah you were. So was Shiv as well as the First Mate.

Well, I'm sadly back in the office and chained to the desk again a little worse for wear and tear. Just wanted to say thanks to you Bah-stonians for coming out on a Monday while I was there. It was cool to finally you meet you guys after, what, 7, 8 years? Shitty day for that to fall on but I completely appreciated the effort.

Trip was pretty spectacular if not a little alcoholic. The problem with going on a vacation where you are constantly visiting with people you haven't seen in a while is that drinks are consistently involved. I think we went 2 days of 9 without drinking to excess and one of those we still had a couple glasses of wine with dinner. I need a vacation from my freaking vacation at this point. RELAXATION FAIL.

Pictures are to come later this week but I just wanted to post some random thoughts or facts from this journey:

1) Everyone should see a game at Fenway Park. As much as thrillhouse has damn near ruined every Boston sports team for me there is something truly special about that ballpark and the atmosphere there. I didn't expect it to be so, relatively, small. Guess that accounts for the intimacy of it

2) Boston is simply a great town. Fact. Pretty easy to navigate by foot or bike once one gets their bearing. Much less metropolitan than I expected. Although, I had pefect 75 degree weather every day I was there. Everyone was quick to remind me that I wouldn't think so highly when I was digging my car out of snow in April.

3) Dunkin Donuts. JESUS. They are everywhere. I even saw a Dunkin Donuts/Sushi combo joint.

4) I went to the DC 4th of July fireworks show when I was really young and I remember it being pretty good but the Boston show was the best I've ever seen as an adult. But, it was probably the spot we had on this guys roof 2 blocks away and the open bar.

5) Mount Washington was further away than anticipated.

6) Saw a Moose and a black Bear in the span of 30 minutes while in the White Mountains. The bear literally walked 10 feet from our table at our restaurant. Wasn't quite prepared for that.

7) Most random moment of the week: FemDerris and I having lunch in Bridgton, Maine with Sen. Loogar's dad (long story). That said, he was in good form and I had the best sandwich of my entire trip there: Parmesan encrusted Haddock. Also, he gave us a bottle of Champagne. The Colonel now kills with kindness.

8) If you ever find yourself traveling along Hwy 1 cruising the Maine coast and you come across a mexican joint called Dos Amigos.......keep driving. Worst cheese dip I've ever had and I judge mexican places by their chee dip. Also had to order OFF the menu just to get some beef tacos.

9) Bar Harbor is a beautiful place. FACT. Outside of Crested Butte, CO, probably the most beautiful destination wedding I've ever been to.

10) If ever in Bar Harbor, stop by the Carmen Verandah and ask them to tell you the story of the guy who did "Beast of Burden" for karaoke one summer. They will know.

11) There is a reason you guys have so many boats up there. You can't get in the damn water it's so cold.

12) I fell victim to the lure of the Maine Lobster and had it 3 times while I was in the state and I've come to the conclusion that I just think Lobster is overrated. Don't get me wrong, it was great and I had fun at dinner with everyone but man, it's expensive, it's messy, and very difficult to get right. Even if you do it can be a bit chewy or tough and it relatively little meat really. At least in comparison to a nice steak.

13) That said, one of the best meals I had all week was the Lobster Ravioli at this Italian place in the South End of Boston called Giacomo's. Incredible.


All in all, pretty great trip if not a little too "on the go". If I did it again I'd probably cut out the New Hampshire portion or I would've left Boston a day earlier and stayed another day up there to rest. Regardless, the White Mountains and Bar Harbor were spectacular.

Also, for what it's worth:

The best clam chowder I had was at a place called The Waterfront restaurant in Camden, ME.

The most overrated Chowder was at the Union Oyster House in Boston. Talk about rape city.

Actually better than any chowder I had was the Lobster bisque at a place called Rupununi's in Bar Harbor. Ri-damn-diculous.

I remember freaking out when I got here about that. And now I totally don't notice it anymore. It is completely, insanely out of control. It's like someone's got a master plan for getting Mass to pass Wisconsin as Fattest Place On Earth, and it involves lots of sugary drinks and breakfast items.


You know what, you're a goddam sonofabitch. I go up there and sleep in the woods in the middle of fucking nowhere, what, 10, 12 times? And I don't see more than tracks. You go eat at a Ruby Tuesdays or something and the big game comes out to put on a parade for you... so completely unfuckingfair.

Yeah, people live here for years and never see anything. As it is, I've been here about 20 years and have only seen a handful, though that has included a moose walking down our driveway.

If I were Cap'n, I'd be afraid of the bear absconding with me & making me her/his cub.

Plenty of that kind of bear up in NH too, though I don't know as I've ever seen any of their tracks.

It was pretty random obviously. We shot past the Moose going about 65 down 302 and saw it just standing on the side of the road chilling. We slowed down to maybe go back and get a picture but he started walking into the woods.

We were at this place called Fabyan's Station in Bretton Woods a half mile from our hotel for the bear. The place is an old coverted train station but we were just sitting in a corner table with window on each wall and we hear this gasp from a couple of people. We turn and there's this 150 pound bear walking through the parking lot. Of course a couple of idiots, including myself, walk outside to possibly get a quick pic. We walk around the restaurant and he's just standing there hanging out on the train tracks. The cook is back there also and telling us that it's cool because he's got his ears up, etc. but we should be wary that the momma is probably nearby. He then kind of turns to look at us and pins his ears back. The cook then says, "uhhhh, okay guys, let's take it inside."

Then I lunged at him with my bare hands and killed him.

holy shit that's funny.

that sounds like it almost would've made Faces Of Death 8.

Sig'd

And, he likes Derris and KK better than he likes any of his own children

Honestly, do you blame him?

SON FAIL

Or better still: the Son shines out of Colonel's behind.

Dunkin Donuts, lol. If you ever say anything bad about them to a local, you'll probably get the same look as if you just stabbed their mother.

Derris, if you had a blog, I would follow it. Good writin'.

EDIT- pics moved to page 4

He like 6 other kids (and 3 or four other families) but he likes Derris and KK best.

Seriously, the Colonel makes Charles Kuralt look like Ward Cleaver.

The HL Hunt of the Army Heli-Corps

EDIT- pics moved to page 4

Jesus. This is sig worthy.

Also, I think he could probably take or leave Derris, he just wants family # 19 to be with KK.

EDIT- pics moved to page 4

Are people able to see these?