Looking back over my first half century on the planet I've come to realize that Labor Day weekend has come to signify the unofficial end of summer which doesn't really make sense as the temps here in SC are summer-like for another month or so. I understand that reasoning back in Canada as school would only start the day after Labor Day. If there is anything that signifies the true end of summer; it is no doubt the trauma of going back to school when you are a teenager. Summer truly is a magical time when you are a teenager.
Anyways over the last couple of years with Jackie; I think we have tried to make Labor Day weekend unique or fun. I know that one year we had beach weekend near Charleston. Last year we were down in Atlanta for a ball game and then on Lake Keowee with friends. I can't remember the other one. LOL. Yeah yeah I am getting old. I'm sure we had a good time though as all weekends really seem to be fun, different and enjoyable filled with good food, good music, good drinks and general all around smiles.
As is often the case in the spring and summer, Friday night is all about being downtown listening to free music on Main Street and enjoying some Fat Tires, Stella Artois or Shocktops. The band playing this past Friday was the Palmetto Swamp Congregation. A local blues / folk rock group from Taylors that have been playing on the local music scene for quite a while. The band was tight and played some songs that you don't normally here downtown. Songs by the Allman Brothers and Spartanburg's own Marshall Tucker Band. No beach music there. Thank Gawd!
Once the band was done Jackie and I decided to end our Barley's Taproom boycott after about a year because of some terrible food and service that we endured as a group of 8 or so the year before. The less said about that particular dining experience the better it is. We were really in the mood for some craft beers and decent pizza and decided to stroll on over. My choice was what us Montrealers call an all-dressed with pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers and cheese. You say all-dress to the wait or counter staff down here and they look at you as if you lost your effin' mind. J got one of those healthy pizzas with veggies and greens. It wasn't all that bad considering it was meatless. My beer choices that night were a Bell's Amber Ale out of Michigan and a Stone Double Bastard Pale Ale. You try ordering a Double Bastard with a straight face. LOL. Anyways Barley's is back in the good books. The pizza was phenomenal and brought back memories of all those classic Montreal pies I have had in the past and really miss having down here.
While we were at Main Street Fridays, we decided that we would attend the Foreigner show on Saturday night at The Biltmore Estate and bring J's youngest along with us to give her the chance to see a great classic rock band live and in person. We decided to make an overnight trip of it as we were going to stay in hotel up there to partake in some of Asheville's tourist delights. The Saturday and Sunday part of the weekend is going to be in my next blog which will likely include a review of the Foreigner show.
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