A fun stop on a great ride.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:27 pm

Bullet had a couple days off that I did this week, so we took advantage of the great weather and went for some really nice rides.

Tuesday, we went to one of our parks, called Stoney Creek. It's a huge park, with many hidden coves and picnic areas, surrounding a largish lake. We parked the bikes and tromped off into the woods. Being a country girl at heart (and having spent all my summers growing up on my grandparents farm) and Bullet being a city boy, it was a rather interesting experience. I pointed out deer sign, raccoon tracks, different bird tracks, a muskrat nest, and we watched a pair of swans flirting for a while. We watched some sort of animal in the water but never got close enough to figure out what it was. As we were riding the circumfrence of the park, a deer stepped right out onto the shoulder of the road. If I could have let go of my throttle hand, I could almost have touched it. Bullet was more sensible, and blew his horn so it wouldn't dart out in front of us.

After we left the park, we went in search of dinner, and stopped at a place in Utica called The LockerRoom. I hadn't been in the place in about 15 years, when I used to live in the area. We sat down and were greeted by a very bubbly smiling bartender, who called herself, of all things, "Smut." Apparently, everyone who works there gets a nickname at some point. We didn't ask how Smut got hers.

Anyway, I ordered sliders, and Bullet ordered perch. The sliders were made with Angus beef, and the rolls were that sweet, kinda chewy Hawaiian bread. Pure bliss. The perch was 3 huge fillets lightly breaded, NOT battered (thank God) and the breading they use is a secret mix, all their own. It was the best fish I'd ever had, including any I'd ever caught myself. The cook came out and talked with us, asking about the food, as he was still perfecting the sliders, and wanted to know how we liked the fish. I told him he had the sliders to perfection, not to change a thing. He had a tip bucket in the window to his kitchen and I dropped 5 bucks in it. Bullet had a couple beers, I had an N/A beer, and we had an appetizer. Smut kept coming around, checking on us, and was so funny and cheerful, joking around with all the customers.

She had carded us when we came in and remembered our names for the whole time we were there, involving us in conversation with the rest of the few patrons, calling us by name. I was tuly impressed, and it is almost impossible to impress me when it comes to service. I am a very difficult customer.

We hung out for 1 1/2 hours, just because we were having so much fun. When we got the bill, it was under $30, which also surprised me. I tipped Smut ten bucks, and apparently, when they get a good tip, they get to sound this loud siren as a show of appreciation. We got a good, long blast from it, and then the cook came out and said, "HEY!!! I get to blast the siren, too!! They left me 5 bucks!!" So we got 2 blasts on the siren.

I had a great time there, and if I get lucky enough to host the gathering of FG, this bar is a must-do for one of the evenings, especially if Smut is working.

Just wanted to share a fun night. :-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:49 pm

Oh, the day outdoors sounds so lovely. And what a great place to stop at! 2 blasts for a great day!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:53 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Oh, the day outdoors sounds so lovely. And what a great place to stop at! 2 blasts for a great day!
The best day we've had in a while, Chonsi. I had a very relaxed Bullet to enjoy that evening. And now I know...getting him out in the woods for a few hours is some good therapy for him!! I was sure glad to learn that!! :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:54 pm

More trips to the woods and the country, summer lies ahead for you both, on the road ahead!

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:02 pm

*Ears perk up*

You host a FG gathering..... oooooooooooooo the bar you just described sounded perfect. When can I come down and join ya hehehe (well that is how the first gathering started)

Your tromp around the wilderness sounded like a must do as well. Yes yes I like your thinking.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:20 pm

minks wrote: *Ears perk up*

You host a FG gathering..... oooooooooooooo the bar you just described sounded perfect. When can I come down and join ya hehehe (well that is how the first gathering started)

Your tromp around the wilderness sounded like a must do as well. Yes yes I like your thinking.
I'd love to host the gathering. I don't have much room, but can get good rates at a certain hotel chain. My sisters boyfriend works for a well-known chain. You are welcome anytime, Minks, as is most everyone who wants to come. It is just going to take planning. We keep talking about it, but it's a huge task to undertake!! We have lots of volunteers for hosting, but nothing set in stone yet as to who can meet where and when.

I'd love to take everyone on a good tromp through the woods, only it wouldn't be at Stoney Creek, it would be in the REAL country, out where my grandpa lives. Acre after acre of woods and wildlife. It would be a BLAST!!!

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:51 am

Sounds great. Rather reminds me of the summer, many years ago, when I accompanied my nephew's 6th grade class on a camping trip at Alleghaney State park, in the southern tier of New York State. On the last night, all of the chapperones, and my nephew's teacher decided to stay up all night...we took a walk in the woods around the camping area (always withing site of the cabins) and saw alot of animals and sights. It was a great experience.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:22 pm

Awwwww.....:-6