Due to travel, next week I'll be updating my Epic Weekend In Pictures on Tuesday. You can always see them in real time on my Instagram story @SteveAllanRadio. This was definitely a fun weekend I'll never forget! This weekend girlfriend Brooks and I went up to see her family in Syracuse, New York! This was my first time ever going to Syracuse and we made many fun memories. I was able to see Brooks Mom and Dad again, and meet her brother Dave, sister in law Jill, plus nephews Paul and Ben, with niece Abby. They're 11, 9, and 7. We had such a great time seeing them, and they loved getting to spend time with their Aunty Brooks. We then played a spirited, competitive game of wiffle ball in their front yard. Brooks was up and hit a hard grounder out towards me and left field. Have you ever been on a golf course, and see a ball hit the cart path and then skyrocket? This is exactly what happened with how Brooks hit her grand slam home run. The wiffle ball hit their street and just catapulted. It was a very competitive and fun game. My biggest goal honestly was to not injure myself, because I know there is no pride in injuries from wiffle ball. We also ate these "Walking Tacos," that I had never seen. Picture Doritos bags, that you can rip open and put in all of your taco toppings on the chips. Hence how you can walk around with the bag, a Walking Taco. I don't know if they have these around in New Jersey, but they were pretty neat. Saturday afternoon we were then able to see Brooks Mom and Dad, who were amazing hosts for us. We enjoyed a burger and then ventured out to watch nephew Paul's Pop Warner football game under the lights in Mexico, New York. My Weekend Trip sounds like I traveled much further than just Syracuse, since I spent time in both Liverpool, New York and Mexico, New York. I promise there were no passports harmed during this fun weekend. The weather was much more cooperative in upstate New York than it likely was here in Jersey this weekend. The game ended and it started to get chilly, we were happy the game ended when it did. This was my first time watching a kid football game in probably 30 plus years and I loved every minute of it. We had so much fun getting to cheer on the kids. The stadium built in 2018 was also very beautiful. This worked out fantastic for me! After being out in the almost cold weather watching the night time football game, we probably slept like rocks!
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Sunday morning we ventured out to get hot dogs at Heid's, which apparently is quite the Syracuse staple. After wolfing down two delicious hot dogs and french fries, I can clearly see why this place is a staple. We all had a wonderful lunch, which was definitely needed before our next adventures with the nephews and nieces! Brooks Mom and Dad, Terri and Joe, took me over to this Lake and showed me a massive bald eagle nest. The eagles frequent there, and it's really beautiful to see. I am completely in love with Onondaga Lake Park. It reminded me so much of The Charles River by The Esplanade in Boston. The weather was beautiful despite the heavy winds.
The niece and nephews showed up, and it was time to play Pickleball! The kids were really good and we had so much fun playing with them. This was my second time ever playing Pickleball, to which nephew Ben said to me "for a new guy you're actually really good." Thanks! Out of the mouths of babes, or kids saying the darndest things. Either way I'll take the compliment! We had fun despite the heavy winds which definitely had a major impact on the wiffle balls! We then played wiffle ball on the baseball field. We only lasted one inning due to both heavy, consistent winds, and also a ton of goose poop. Indeed, the Lake is a beautiful, popular place for both people and the geese as well. Brooks was a great sport helping clean off my new sneakers after that fun. We then played Shuffleboard, which I had never done outside. That was a fun challenge too.
After the grandparents were taking the kids home, Brooks looked at me and said "Steve, is there anywhere you want to go?" I replied with "Brooks, I just want to go somewhere for an ice cold beer, and try to watch the rest of my New England Patriots game. Brooks smiled and told me she knew exactly where to take me. We went to a restaurant called The Retreat, and were able to get seats with a slight view of the Patriots game on TV. I was happy to watch the rest of the 4th quarter and our win against The New Orleans Saints! That Syracuse craft beer definitely hit the spot.
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Sunday night we attempted going out to Dinosaur Barbecue which everyone swears by and says is amazing. Unfortunately, they're correct, because even on Sunday night at 6 the line was 20-30 deep outside the place! We ended up doing dinner at The Retreat, which was hilarious for us because we had just been there a few hours earlier. There were definitely some folks who were still at the bar that had likely showed up by 12-12:30 for the 1pm Sunday football games! We had a great time.
Monday I did the long and gloomy drive back from Syracuse to Jersey right through the Nor'easter. That wind and rain was intense. Not the most fun conditions to drive in, but at least I had great company with Brooks being my copilot.
Overall we had a great weekend, and can't wait for next weekend. I'm taking Brooks up to see my family in Boston next weekend. She'll see things she hasn't seen before, that's for sure!