12-27-08 Saturday (Asphalt the Beautiful)

With our usual late start, we took a scenic drive. We drove along the Columbia River via the gorge. The views were disappointing but not because it was ugly, just because they could barely be seen. A cloudy day will do that sometimes. It rained on and off today, helping to melt the snow but not aiding in our views.

Our scenic tour took us to Multnomah Falls. It was water, pouring down off some high rocks. Yeah, it was indeed a waterfall. It was cold and rainy. Steps leading up to the viewing area were covered in snow. Walking up and down them with several near slip-n-falls was quite challenging. Oh, and there were some other falls, smaller, just around the corner. I'm so enthusiastic, huh?

After such a long wintry week here, the asphalt is finally showing through. Both Jim and I are so happy to see it! I know, corny, but ya know something, we're done with this snowy winter wonderland shit. The several inches of ice/snow that is on our patio is almost gone. The step from the RV to the ground are much greater now without the snow to shorten the climb.

A few days ago, Jim bought some restaurant.com certificates on a special. $3 for a $25.00 certificate. You have to spend $35.00 total to use the $25.00. We had decided to go out for a steak dinner with the certificate. Jim does not want me to name the place because he felt like they try or something like that. Whatever. This blog is searchable from the internet. If I mention their name, someone could find the pitiful review I'm getting ready to post. OK, the place is called The Baily Dread. Swap the B & D. First off, Jim reviews the menu online to be sure the prices are affordable but not too cheap. Remember, the bill needs to total $35. OK, next Jim and I discuss it's biblical reference and wonder what that's all about. Apparently, nothing. We arrive at TDB and the lot is empty. Upon entering, something smells icky. Like mold or something. We're seated at a booth, in front of a window that has a towel laying on the sill. We assume because of a leak. This place is 90% wood inside. How can they wipe down a wall if food gets on it? Ewwwww. The booth cushions are flat and torn and dirty looking. There's that weird smell again. I'm sure there's some sort of biblical reference to describe the smell.

I convince myself that a lot of dive's or hole-in-the-wall places have great food. I tell myself that we can't get a refund from restaurant.com and just deal with it. I ask for iced tea. I ask for Splenda, which they have but keep hidden because people steal them. Hmmmm, what a strange smell. We both order 8oz NY strips, medium, with REAL mashed potatoes and gravy. Me a side salad, Jim New England Clam Chowder. My salad had nothing but lettuce, croutons and a pitiful splash of dressing. I'm not sure where all the other salad ingredients were, maybe that was the smell of them rotting under our booth? The steaks weren't medium, more like well. Jim states "Hmmmm, I didn't know you could slice NY strip so thin". The mashed potatoes were presented in a lovely icecream scoop shape with gravy surrounding it like a pretty little island. I don't know where they get their gravy from but I could have done better with a packet of instant. Speaking of instant, I've had better instant potatoes than these "real" potatoes. What's that smell, good gawd!

We order dessert to go. Hold the smell, please. I can't help looking around this place. Before dinner, I caught a glimpse of a ceiling fan. The globe housed many dead insects. At least they're dead, right? I waited until after dinner to point that out to Jim. The bulbs were mismatched. 2 incandescent and 2 fluorescent. I hate that.

As I caught another whiff of the smell, I reassured Jim that it was all OK, since he picked the place. If we hadn't went there, I wouldn't have had so much to blog about.

I think the whole day was a whatever kinda day. My general mood has been, unpleased. That kind of mood that even if Jim had laid a golden egg, I would have asked, "Great, and who's gonna clean that up?" Unimpressed.

As I type this blog entry, we've eaten our desserts. Jim had the walnut and caramel pie. Let's start off with this "winner". Jim says: Where's the caramel? It was just like pecan pie except they used walnuts. What, are walnuts cheaper than pecans? The filling was lumpy. Overall, it was on par with the rest of the meal. Bravo! We miss Publix! Jim adds, "even the icecream was lame."

I had the peanut butter and chocolate cream pie. It was 80% cream. The peanut butter was lumpy and the chocolate was, ya know, let's just say it sucked and leave it at that. Wasted calories.