Figured it might be a good idea to write about my recent trip Stateside. It was about a month ago, but computer issues, vacation, and the mental short-circuiting that takes place when you fill in on the morning show have made it difficult to put the story together.
On Saturday, July 26th, the Cannonball Run began with a trip to Boston for the Red Sox and Yankees. Final score...10-3 Yankees... Just look at the happy faces!!!
Fenway magic...catch it!
Despite my morose disposition, a bad day at the ballpark is better than a good day just about anywhere else, so what the hell.
I didn't know it at the time that it would be my last time seeing Manny Ramirez in a Sox uniform. Being a Sox fan who takes it a little TOO seriously (and, honestly, is there any other kind of Sox fan?), I'd gotten use to the Manny Show. Every year, he'd run off to join the Space Program for a couple of weeks, but return to his old self. This time seemed different, though. Fans calling in to WEEI, the sports station in Boston, seemed a little more venomous this time. Sure enough...later that week, Manny was on his way.
A couple years ago, I took my oldest daughter, who was 6 at the time, to Fenway. It was a last-minute trip, as the missus and I had tickets, but in a gametime decision, she couldn't make it. Julia and I had a great time, I bought her a Manny 24 shirt, and she was a fan for life. I think I took the trade a little harder than her, but he's still her favourite player, and we make sure we pay close attention to the Dodgers highlights, in hopes Manny will hit a homer.
Anyhoo...after a beautiful sunny day at the ballpark, pizza and beer at Uno in Kenmore Square, plus a walk down Newbury Street back to the car...we were on our way south.
First stop was the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, Mass., a Boston suburb.
http://www.deluxetowndiner.com/
Classic diner, in an old railroad diner car. Great Huevos Rancheros. Fast, friendly service, and a straight run to the Mass Pike for the trip south.
If you're ever in need of a good cheeseburger...maybe the best you've ever had...check out Ted's in Meriden. Connecticut. The burgers are steamed...one of a very few spots that will use that method. They also use some sort of gooey cheese mixture...the contents of which they won't divulge. Check this out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3qJYB4V34
From Meriden, we jumped on the 91 and headed for Louis' Lunch in New Haven, where, as the legend goes, the hamburger was invented more than a century ago. By all accounts a tiny, skanky old place, with a surly wait staff. What's not to like? We finally navigate our way through downtown New Haven, and.....closed.
Nearby, however, we came across a legendary dive bar, the Anchor Restaurant. Stopped in for a bowl of chili and a Pabst Blue Ribbon. They had a nice jukebox, as well, playing an old Boz Scaggs song, whose name escapes me, off the original 45. Sounded great, and fit in perfectly with the overall vibe of the place.
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Another place that was on our 'must-see' list was Frank Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, which was close by, but we didn't realise how close, and missed 'er. Next time.
Off to NYC next...on the construction-riddled Interstate 95. It was a dark, cloudy day, and as we were driving south, a system of thunderstorms was moving over the city, and lightning strikes killed four people. Good times!
After making it to our hotel in Jersey (about half the price of staying in Manhattan), it was off to see Springsteen. An incredible setlist, and with a sea breeze blowing in from the shore, it seemed like a huge beach party. There's nothing like seeing E Street anywhere, anytime, but in Jersey, it takes on a whole new dimension. Here's a video I took during the unofficial New Jersey national anthem...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UXUFEDsHMI
The second night was even more of a party...ending with the Beatles' Twist and Shout, played by request. Bruce has started taking requests on this leg of the tour. Steve Van Zandt says that with so many people in the band, somebody is bound to know the song...so they're never stumped. If you feel like nerding it up a bit, here are the setlists for the two nights. Incredible. Actually, the whole summer has been full of rarities.
Scroll down to July 27th and 28th...the two shows we attended...
http://backstreets.com/setlists.html
I honestly don't know how many more times I'll get to see E Street...nobody's getting any younger. Except Bruce, of course. Don't know how he does it.
Some people's idea of a lifetime ambition is to climb Mount Everest, or become a CEO of a Fortune 500 company...mine is to be in double digits for Springsteen concerts attended. Well...here we are!
We managed to get over to Manhattan for a Letterman taping (featuring a very pregnant and yummy Gillian Anderson of the X-Files, and Simon Pegg from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz). My second time seeing a Dave taping...Jennifer and I went in '95. George Carlin was the guest that night.
The Ed Sullivan Theatre is notoriously chilly...right around 53 degrees, and all the interns were wearing heavy jackets despite the fact that the outside temperature was pushing 90. Actually, the sub-arctic temperature was a nice relief.
Next time you're in Manhattan, check out the Empire Diner on 10th at 22nd. Great burgers...
Back to New Brunswick the next day. About thirteen hours, and seven states later, we were back in Saint John for the night. Along the way, a quick stop at Carl's Steak Subs in Waltham, Massachusetts. If you ever make the trip...one bit of advice...order SMALL. Here's the Large Cherry Bomb.
Fire in the hole!
