So for the last month, i was able to go to WV for some valuable training. But lets be honest...the actual training part was at the bottom of the totem pole of reasons i went. It was mostly to get out of my current work assignment in Tampa for a while, and see a bunch of people I hadnt seen in years. So, on the way, I stopped in Atlanta to see one of my best friends, Josh Corn...had a great dinner catching up! The next day, i stopped in VA at an awesome brewery (Devils Backbone), which has won several awards over the years. Their Pumpkin and Vienna Lagers were especially good...so i picked up some for my return trip to FL (a common theme). While in WV, it turns out another good friend from the kickball days (Whos Deep?!?), Anna Kathy, lived only a short distance from where i was staying, so i went up into the mountains to visit her and the family for a day...great catching up, once again! Over Labor Day weekend, i was able to go up to my old boss house in Harrisburg, PA for a cookout, with some other work friends, which turned out fantastic. But how could i be up in Harrisburg/Hershey without stopping at one of my fav breweries? Troegs Brewing never disappoints...the Hop Knife Harvest Ale was sensational...luckily they had some bottles i could bring back to FL! The following week saw a trip to DC to tour the Capitol and go catch a Nationals game. While at the game, i got to see one of my oldest and best friends in the world, Shawn McKern...we went to Gordon Biersch Brewing after the game, and stayed for many beers. Luckily, he was working in Baltimore at the time...2 Region Rats meeting up on the East Coast! Another week, another baseball game...got to catch the Orioles face off against the Yankees for one of Jeters last appearances. Great game (Os with the shutout)...and Camden Yards never disappoints...probably my favorite stadium to catch a game outside Wrigley! The very next day saw me acting as tour guide to some new friends (Elaine Mata) in my first return trip to Philly in a couple years. Unfortunately, it was kinda last minute, so i wasnt able to meet up with any Philly phriends, but definitely next time. After a couple obligatory stops (Chickies and Petes for lunch, Rocky Statue, Liberty Bell), we went to another of my favorite breweries...it wouldve been criminal not to bring back some cases of the Ales of the Revolution to FL! On the eve of the return back to FL, i had a chance to eat at a great German restaurant, the Rathskellar at The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown...good beers and beef stroganoff with great friends! My return trip to FL began with getting a nice shot of the Virginia countryside en route to Richmond. I also felt like grabbing a beer, so i looked up any that might be on my way. Turns out a great little brewery, Midnight Brewing in Rockville as i was passing through...and it happened to be their grand reopening in a new, bigger facility. SO, I was customer #10 (netting a sweet mason jar glass and keychain) before trying their Virginia Wheat and Black Granite Oatmeal Stout, which was one of the best Ive ever had...highly recommended! But back on the road, I was...had to get back today for the wedding of 2 of my good friends...James Ryan and Kristina Marie. Unfortunately, i missed the ceremony, but made it for the reception. Well, at least a part of the reception. You see, what had happened was I had an allergic reaction to one of the hors doeuvres...not sure what set me off, but next thing i know, we were racing to the hospital so they could stick me with needles and give some much-needed pharmaceuticals. Life Saved. Feel bad about missing the reception, so ill make it up to you guys upon return from the honeymoon! But I procured enough beer to last a few days! Anyways, that was my last 30 days...what did you DO?!?
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 05:30:08 +0000
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