We're Back

We had a very nice long weekend, but all good things must come to an end.

Not that good things don't happen every day. It was just a real treat to spend the holiday weekend with the family.

We started off the Outer Banks with a plan to stop a couple places on the way.

One of those places was Weeping Radish Farm Brewery.

I've been a big fan of this business for a couple years. They make an outstanding line of beers. They also make a terrific line of smoked/cured meats. They even have a nice sit down restaurant/beer bar.

That's a full service brewery if ever there was one.


A view of the taps at the bar.

Chris ordered a pint of "Black Radish", a smooth, amber beer. I opted for a large "Corolla Gold", a nice light German lager style beer. We also ordered a big soft pretzel and an appetizer of "Pig Wings".

Never heard of "Pig Wings"?

Me either.

I had to see.


"Pig Wings". (Note my "large beer" in the background.)

We sat, ate, and watched the NFL for a bit. Beer and food finished, we went over to the meat case. These folks have "mad skills" in all they do.

I picked out a few of my favorites.


Top: Nitrate free bacon, Andoullie. Bottom: Pastrami, Ham, Kielbasa.

I had the Kielbasa for breakfast this morning. It's delicious.


I also picked up a case of "Black Radish" lager.

I paid up, we loaded up, and left.

Seventy five minutes later we were at Sis' house in Virginia Beach.

Sadly, my debit card was still sitting at the Weeping Radish Farm Brewery.

I called them immediately. They confirmed my fears that I had indeed left it there. It was too late in the day to drive back down and get it, but they would be open on Monday.

Early Monday morning I drove seventy five minutes south, picked up my card, and drove seventy five minutes back to start our trip home.

We started of by driving to my brother Bruce's grave. It's been just short of a year since he passed away.

There isn't a day goes by that I don't think of him.

We paid our respects, I said a silent prayer, and we hit the road.

The drive up was actually a pretty relaxing trip. The weather was nice and clear, the traffic fairly light.

I'd missed breakfast due to my early start and was getting pretty hungry. Fortunately, my oldest brother Kev's favorite seafood restaurant was right on the way.

I'm a huge fan of The Great Machipongo Clam Shack's food. The link will take you to their shipping website, but click on their link for their menu. Simple, but outstanding in quality.

Christine had fried shrimp. It was a nice basket with a good portion of shrimp, french fries, hush puppies, and slaw. I had my usual:


Two stuffed clams and an order of fried clams.

What can I say? Clam is one of my favorite foods.

We got back on the road and headed home. It didn't take too long.

Yesterday I took care of a favor for Doc and his family, Christine got back to daily grind.

Today, maintenance around the house. Dryer repairman and window replacement folks due here any minute.

That's my cue to close this out.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.