Tonight We Dine…

The other day, a co-worker of mine—Joe—told me some startling news. Joe, like me, is a frequent Disney visitor. He and his wife go every November. He called Disney Dining to make reservations for their trip—exactly 90 days from their vacation. But they found out something that had surprised them and he passed it along to me.

Disney had gone back to a 180 day (6 month) window for dining reservations.

When did that change? And why wasn’t there any notice about it?

So, Friday night, my dad and I focused on making our dining reservations. We tried calling, but we were ten minutes too late—the call center shuts down at 10PM EDT/EST. But we did try the Online Booking. And I must say, it was quiet easy. You can search by a park or hotel or you can find a specific place. You can also search for restaurants that are on the dining plan. Next, you select the day you would like and a desired time to make the reservation. The system will then check to see if your time is available. If it isn’t, they will find the next available time closest to your desired one. You can book your reservation then and there and specify if there are any special dietary needs or allergies of which the staff should be warned. They give you a confirmation number to keep with you.

For those who know where and when they want to eat and do not have any questions, I would suggest you use the online booking. It’s easy and quick.

We only made two reservations online—reservations for the Liberty Tree Tavern and for the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge. We would’ve made the others, but we’re trying the Fantasmic package. My father and I felt it wiser to talk to someone for that reservation.

The next morning, I called the Disney Dining Call Center and was quickly connected to a cast member. I told her when we were going to Disney and that we wanted the Fantasmic dining package. The lady was very helpful and we were soon booked for reservations at Hollywood and Vine for the package. The cast member also helped me book the rest of our reservations for the Rose and Crown, San Angel Inn, Cape May Cafe, the Primetime Cafe, and Teppan Edo.

At the very end, I stayed on to take a survey. I felt odd answering the question “How would you rate the service you received?” Because it’s Disney, I always expect excellent service from their employees. And this one was no different.

But seriously—did anyone know that Disney had changed their reservation policy?

Congrats!

The Creative Arts Emmys have been handed out and congrats go to Betty White and Neil Patrick Harris.

White won for her turn hosting Saturday Night Live, which was a no-brainer.

NPH won two Emmys—the first was for his turn on Glee, which was great. The second was with all those behind last year’s Tony Telecast. He picked up the statuette as the show’s host.

Also, NPH will become a father with his partner in October, so another round of congratulations to him for that!

TV Premieres

I cannot believe how fast September is approaching. Before we know it, a brand new TV season will be upon us! Here is  run down of selected shows and their return dates.

* indicates a new night for the show

Sunday

The Simpsons (FOX) 9/26

The Cleveland Show (FOX) 9/26

Family Guy (FOX) 9/26

American Dad (FOX) 10/3

*CSI: Miami (CBS) 10/3

Monday

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 9/20

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 9/20

Two and a Half Men (CBS) 9/20

House (FOX) 9/20

Chuck (NBC) 9/20

*90210 (CW) 9/13

Gossip Girl (CW) 9/13

Tuesday

Dancing With the Stars: The Results (ABC) 9/21

NCIS (CBS) 9/21

NCIS: LA (CBS) 9/21

The Good Wife (CBS) 9/28

Glee (FOX) 9/21

*One Tree Hill (CW) 9/21

Wednesday

America’s Next Top Model (CW) 9/8

Criminal Minds (CBS) 9/22

*Law and Order: SVU 9/22

Thursday

*Big Bang Theory (CBS) 9/23

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 9/23

Private Practice (ABC) 9/23

CSI (CBS) 9/23

The Mentalist (CBS) 9/23

The Vampire Diaries (CW) 9/9

Bones (FOX) 9/23

30 Rock (NBC) 9/23

The Office (NBC) 9/23

FRIDAY

Medium (CBS) 9/24

*CSI: NY (CBS) 9/24

Smallville (CW) 9/24

Supernatural (CW) 9/24

I highlighted only RETURNING shows, not any NEW shows. Please note if your show has moved.

I’ve decided to save my recaps for the weeks preceding the Glee season premiere so we’re all caught up and reviewed for the upcoming season. So, look for the first recap Aug. 31st.

 

On Our Way…Now With a Place to Stay!

See that above? That is the extent of my rhyming ability! Sorry if it’s a bit corny, but Dr. Seuss I am not.

We can check off another step on our path to Disney. On Thursday, my parents and I went down to the travel agency and booked our trip! Though we were considering staying in a moderate resort, after getting estimates, we’ve decided to return to our usual stomping grounds.

That’s right—it’s back to Pop Century for us!

(Building in the 80s at Pop Century)

We are also trying the dining plan this go-round, so expect a review of that from me. Hopefully, they’ve ironed out the wrinkles and the confusion we’ve seen in the past years, when we were the annoyed customers behind the people who couldn’t figure out how to use the plan.

How I Met My Co-Star

With Don taking the job in Chicago, breaking poor Robin’s heart, our favorite early early EARLY morning newscaster needs a new co-anchor.

Enter Laura Bell Bundy, who was nominated for a Tony for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical. According to reports, she’s been cast in How I Met Your Mother as Robin’s new co-anchor who may have a storyline with Ted. Maybe she’s the mother? Maybe she’ll be a girlfriend Ted keeps around for more than one episode? Either way, I’m excited for this casting news. I’ve seen Bundy in both “Wicked” (as Glinda) and Legally Blonde. She’s a good comedic actress and will serve as a nice foil to Robin.

So, all this casting news is making me excited for the new season!

Mama Who Bore Me

The next season of “Glee” gets better and better…And it’s only August 4th!

Reports are saying that “Glee” mastermind Ryan Murphy has cast legendary actress Carol Burnett as Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) mom!

If this is true, the episode(s) she will be in will be great. You know with Sue’s personality, her mother is even more brash and bitchy. And I can just see Carol Burnett camping the role out magnificently.

Oh, I hope they give her and Lynch a great duet to do!

Either way, this makes September 21st seem so far, far away.

On Our Way…

I’m going to Walt Disney World in January!

And now you’re all heading for the door.

So, for those of you who are staying, here’s how the vacation plans are going:

My father, in true form, has already booked our flights to Orlando and back home. Once again, we’ll be flying JetBlue but won’t be leaving at the crack of dawn, as we usually do. While this means that your favorite non-morning person blogger gets to sleep late, it also means that there is a higher chance of the flight being delayed. It also means that we’ll lose more time in the parks, but it is only day one.

And Epcot does have evening Extra Magical Hours that day.

Where are we staying? We don’t know yet. Since we’re going at off-peak, it means the rates are lower. So we don’t have to stay in Pop Century and can upgrade, if we want. I’m pulling for Port Orleans, either the Riverside or French Quarter side. I don’t know what my parents are considering, but we can’t find anything on the Disney website past December 31, 2010.

What gives Disney?

Stay tuned for more vacation plans!

Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Sam goes to spend a weekend full of music in Austin, Texas!

Friday night: Southern Converse Avenue is full of tattoos, neon and hot rods. It looks like you stepped back in time to the 1950s. Sam hits the Continental and gets to go upstairs to meet the artists. She meets a local blues legend, Gary. Sam tries to jam with him but can’t keep up. Sam wonders how he can be able to really play the blues at such a young age but he says he can.

Saturday morning: Sam goes to Jo’s for some coffee and music. Sam meets Kinky, another local music legend. He says he’s been performing in Austin since Christ was a cowboy. They get some breakfast and enjoy the house band. Sam then hits Sixth Street and walks into a…tattoo parlor? Oh, she’s just getting a henna tattoo. Sam notices hula hoops, which the owner keeps it out so people waiting can keep entertained. She also teaches hula hooping. After a quick lesson, Sam gets a henna tattoo of the lotus. She tells Sam her tattoo means whatever she wants it to mean. So what does our girl decide on? “Buy me a beer.” That’s our Sam!

Coming up: Sam takes a dip.

Saturday afternoon: Sam decides to spend some time outdoors and goes to Lady Bird Lake. Sam joins John at the Barton Springs, an Austin institution according to John. Sam gets in and it is cold. Rather than a morning jog, some people take a morning dip in the springs. John does a cannonball into the springs, causing Sam to laugh.

After getting out of the springs, Sam goes to Lockhart to eat at Smitty’s Market. It is Texas barbecue, complete with giant fire. She meets the pit master, who is the grandson of the founder. San is surprised the Market still accepts checks. Sam eats with two locals, though one is a vegetarian. He says he comes for the cole slaw. Sam gets a food coma and learns the vegetarian is the designated driver.

Coming up: Bats.

Saturday night: Sam stands by the Bat Signal, leading to the Bat Bridge. There’s an audience. Bats moved in to the bridge once Austin redesigned it. And as the Ride of the Valkyries plays, 5.5 million bats fly out of the bridge. It’s a swarm and the creatures of the night inspire Sam to hit the town rather than hit the hay. She goes to Broken Spoke to experience some honky-tonk. Many have stopped by the place and the owner shows her pictures of Willie Nelson over the years. He even serenades Sam about his place. Sam gets to be apart of a tradition—she pushes the wheel to get the party started. She gets a private lesson on the two-step and dances the night away.

Coming up: Cars and Chickens?

Sunday morning: Sam goes down to an annual Austin festival celebrating cars. Like his club, the festival founded by the Continental owner are inspired by the 1950s. He introduces her to Sweet Nadine and gives her a spin in the Black Dahlia.

Sunday afternoon: Sam spends her last hours in Austin in Little Longhorn. You can drink, dance, listen to music, play dominoes and ever tailgate in the parking lot. Sam joins some of the Austinites outside. But the real draw on Sundays is Bingo. And not just any type of bingo. You put money into a pot, pick a number and if a chicken poops on your number—you win!

Eww.

Sam doesn’t win and she grabs her bags to leave. But first, she gets waylaid by some friends of the tattoo artist who gave her her henna tattoo. Turns out they wrote a song for her because she saved them when they were stuck in a blizzard. They play their song for her and Sam says “adios” to Austin.

Sam’s weekend in Austin looked like great fun. If I go, I’m not going in the summer—too hot! But it seems a car ride across the US is in order.

And As the Years Go By, Our Friendship Will Never Die…

In 1995, the Walt Disney Company and Pixar introduced the world to Toy Store, a movie made completely using computer generated images (CGI). It also introduced us to Andy and his toys: Woody the Cowboy (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Hamm (John Ratzenberg), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney) and the Aliens from Pizza Planet.

Fifteen years and a sequel later, Toy Story 3 picks up as Andy has finally grown up and is packing for college. His days of play are behind him and his toys—now including Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris) and Bullseye the Horse—miss their owner. After a series of mishaps, Andy’s beloved toys and Barbie (Jodi Benson)end up in Sunnyside Daycare. The gang meets the leader of the daycare toys, Lot-So-Love Bear (Ned Beatty), and Ken (Michael Keaton), who is immediately attracted to Barbie. After spending one day in the daycare, the toys learn it isn’t all it is cracked up to be and try to find their way back to Andy.

The movie has two great storylines going and reminds viewers why Pixar is revitalizing the movie experience. The first storyline was of course growing up and moving on. Andy is doing both and thereby forces his toys to do the latter. In many cases, the original audience of “Toy Story” is Andy’s age, my sister included. She and I have moved on from our toys of old, like many of adults have done. But like Andy and Woody, there is still that one toy that you hold on to and need to keep you going. In essence, the buddy story has become the coming-of-age story featuring toys.

The other storyline is the prison break plot featuring the daycare center. Frankly, upon reviewing the past three movies, each featured this plotline. But this one was by far the best. It reinforced to the toys that they need each other and are better together. And do it with one of their own on the fritz (Buzz in Spanish mode is a delight!) It is also nail-biting and makes you really worry that your favorites may not make it home this time.

The animation is still top-notch, as one would expect from Pixar. The script from John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich is fast-paced, properly sentimental and throws some great gems to the audience. There are also connections to the first movies for viewers to keep their eyes open for (Example: Pay close attention to the garbage-man) and serves as a great ending for a great series.

Or, knowing Disney, is could even serve as a great new beginning. You make the choice.

Out of five Mickeys, I rate this movie:

Walt would be proud!

Culture, Cubans and Cuisine

For Sam’s next great weekend, we travel north of the border to our friendly neighbors!

Bienvenue a Montreal!

Friday afternoon: Sam goes to Paul Patates for Quebecois food. She gets frites avec frommage. And that’s all topped with gravy and washed down with Spruce Beer. Is that like root beer? The patrons tease Sam for how slow she is eating but she is the one who gets a backstage tour to see how the store makes Spruce Beer. Apparently, the recipe goes back to Benjamin Franklin (legend has it) and Sam tries to find the secret. They don’t give it to her, but they do let her help bottle the drink.

To work off all those calories, Sam goes ice skating. She wears socks adorned with the maple leafs. She gets some help with her skates before hitting the rink for some disco ice skating. There are people skating in short sleeves. Seriously? Sam manages to do a twirl and not fall down!

Friday night: Apparently, Montreal is the bachelorette party capital of Canada. I guess they need something if they can’t fly to Vegas, right? Anyway, Sam decides to avoid all the about-to-be-weds and go to the Casa d’Havana, a store full of Cuban cigars. And she’s going to smoke one. Bad, Sam! Well, that’s one store I’ll never go to. I don’t smoke and you can’t bring those back over the border. The owner lights cigars with a blow torch. He advises her not to inhale.

Coming up: CRICKET!

Saturday morning: Sam finds a game of Cricket, a cousin of baseball. It is also highly mesmerizing. It almost made my professor and several of us miss the Tower of London. Sam gets an explanation of the game and I didn’t understand a thing. Neither did Sam, though, so I don’t mind. Sam at bat. Swing and a miss. She tries again. Swing and a miss. Swing and a miss. She hits the next ball, runs, but she’s out. But they applaud her anyway.

Saturday afternoon: From the sports field, Sam hits Montreal’s fashion district. She meets Caroline and Jeffrey, who tell her about Montreal fashion sense. She tries on the “bag dress.” It looks pretty good. I like the pant ensemble Sam tries on next. She makes them repeat their compliment in French before turning the Montreal streets into her person runway.

Next: FOOD!

Saturday night: Sam goes to Joe Beef, named after a Montreal tavern man. He would send people out to gather the drunks and give them a place to sleep it off. Sam says that Joe used to let people work for meals. They let her in the back to shuck oysters. She gets some tips from one of the workers at Joe Beef’s before trying it herself. He tells her she going too small and earning a small steak. Sam blames the oyster; he doesn’t believe her. After she fails, they still let her eat. Sam says she didn’t have to work hard for her meal. The owner says it doesn’t hurt to show up with a camera crew.

Sam then is drawn to the bars. Surprise, surprise. She goes to Hurley’s for some Irish music. As she enjoys a pint, Sam makes friends with some locals. Sam gets pulled on stage, courtesy of her producer. She tries her hand at the drum and is pretty good at it. A round of applause greets her.

Coming up: Dance lessons!

Sunday afternoon: Sam decides to get Burlesque lessons. She learns how to walk properly before getting a boa. Sam finishes off her lesson with a giant feather fan.

Sunday night: Sam goes to the Chinese Botanical Garden to enjoy the annual Magic of Lanterns festival. It is beautiful, celebrating Chinese acrobats.

Montreal looks beautiful. When I went to the Canadian province of Quebec, I went to Quebec City. It is a beautiful city with great history and a mixture of France and Canada, old and new. But Montreal looks like a great place to visit as well.

Quote of the Episode:

“We have two seasons: winter and July.” –Montreal native about the weather. Don’t let them fool you. I went to Quebec twice in May. The weather was beautiful—sweater weather.

 

Orlando: More than Theme Parks!

I have been to Orlando many, many times. Of course, it’s only been to Disney. And then to Church (Vacation is no excuse to miss Mass!). But there’s more to Orlando than Sea World, Universal, Harry Potter and, of course, Disney World. And this episode, Sam is going to discover it!

Friday evening: Sam starts at her hotel, the Grand Bohemian, before going to Winter Park. It takes it’s name because wealthy northerners built their winter homes down there. Sam says it has many bars on the path and heads straight for one—the Wine Room. That’s our Sam! It’s a wine shop and a bar, with a wine tasting selection. Sam gets a prepaid card to try out her wines, which is dispensed in a high tech dispenser that looks more like it should be in Walt Disney World. Sam makes nice with some people in the store, getting free wine from them. They offer her food and she says she’s good…unless she’s passed out on the floor. Sam discovers more friendly people and ribs the men drinking beer. Sam continues to drinking until her card runs out.

Saturday morning: Downtown Orlando is an artist’s haven and Sam goes down to visit Charlie, a glass-blower. He offers lessons in the art and Sam takes one. Charlie has clearly watched the show before because he offers to teach her to make a pint glass. Sam says one common mistake people make is to touch the glass once it comes out of the oven—it’s glowing red, it’s that hot! Sam worries about touching the glass with a wet newspaper, which Charlie calls an old Italian tradition. Charlie says that the city has changed in the past ten years from just bars to “bars and other stuff.” As the continue to make the pint glass and Charlie offers to buy after they are done. I know Sam’s not going to pass that up! The finished product goes in a kiln and Sam takes up Charlie on his offer—once the glass has cooled down.

Coming up: Sam finds home.

Saturday afternoon: Sam heads out to the Winter Park Saturday Farmer’s Market. She hits the free samples, knowing to never turn down free food. She also talks to some of the locals. She also knows the secret to getting more—praise the vendors! She samples all over the place! As she hits landscaping, she goes back for another lap.

After that, Sam hits a shoe boutique, which Sam calls her “home.” Sam goes on a shoe shopping spree. Sam says she used to just have three pairs. I’m not a shoe-aholic, but I even have more than that! And my dad is still boggled. The owner says the residents love the theme parks but they also love having a small, quiet town. Sam makes her selections and leaves the store.

Coming up: Sam finds the heart and soul of Orlando.

Saturday evening: Sam heads back to the bars, with Charlie. He brings her to NV. By day, it’s a photography studio run by Stephanie. By night, it’s a popular bar. Sam says she had no idea there were people who lived in Orlando. The locals say they get that a lot. Sam gets to drink out of the glass she made with Charlie that morning.

Sunday morning: Sam hits Johnson’s for breakfast. It’s a soul food diner and a Orlando institution, according to Sam. The regulars and the staff welcome Sam to the diner. She meets Clarence Taylor, the third generation to own the diner. He says everyone comes there and you can find both Bentleys and shopping carts in their parking lot. Clarence says he can’t change the menu and if dishes don’t taste like how his mother made it, customers will tell him. Sam enjoys her meal and thanks Clarence.

Coming up: Sam gets a thrill.

Wow. It looks like Era hasn’t filmed a new commercial since the late 80s, early 90s the latest.

Sunday afternoon: Sam is all digested and heads to get a thrill, but not in the theme parks. She suits up, puts on a helmet and heads to a wind tunnel for indoor skydiving. Now that’s my idea of skydiving—no planes and jumping from heights involved. And there’s a mesh net, not hard ground, below!

And thus ends Sam’s trip to the “hidden” Orlando. Will I stray outside the walls of Disney World when I go in January? Considering I’ve never been to Universal, probably not. It’ll once again be Disney and Church. But maybe one day.

Exchange of the Episode:

“You know you’re at a wine bar.”

“But there’s still beer.” –Sam and a guy who was probably dragged to the Wine Room by his girlfriend/wife.

TV Updates

It may only be July, but news of the upcoming 2010-2011 television season is still coming out!

On the “Glee” front…I’ll eventually get to the remaining recaps. Before the season premiere, I promise. And speaking of the season premiere, FOX has officially set Glee’s return to be September 21st! Also, Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem has been signed on to guest star in an episode, promising a plot that revolves around Artie. Hopefully, Bardem is the first of many awesome guest-stars this season on “Glee” (including, perhaps, the return of one Neil Patrick Harris?).

Also, I hope they do another episode focused on just one artist/group’s music. I myself am rooting for an all-Beatles episode, maybe with an appearance by either a Sir Paul McCartney or a Ringo Starr? Who would you like to see in Glee? Vote now in my poll!

On the “CSI: NY” front…There’s been a casting shake-up! Melina Kanakaredes AKA Detective Stella Bonasera announced that she would not be returning for the show’s next season. Actress Sela Ward (Once and Again, House) will take her place. I hope they give a good reason for Stella to have left suddenly. Here’s to giving Ward a chance—I firmly didn’t think I’d like Lindsay because I liked Aiden, but now she’s my favorite character. So, we’ll see.

On the “CSI: Original Flavor” front…Most of the cast members have signed new contracts, but Liz Vassey (tech Wendy) has been released from hers. I am going to believe that Wendy decided to take a job elsewhere so she and Hodges could live geekily ever after.

Staten Island: Come and Visit!

Since Sam Brown took us on a tour of her home borough in my last post, I’ve decided to take you around my home borough this one.

So, hop off the Staten Island Ferry and actually dare to wander out of the St. George Terminal for a Weekend in Staten Island!

Friday evening: Here in the summer, the best way to spend your Friday night is at the ballgame! Right next to the ferry terminal is the Richmond County Savings Bank Ball Park, home of the Staten Island Yankees. The Baby Bombers are the minor league team of the New York Yankees and uphold their major league counterpart’s championship tradition. There are no bad seats in the stadium and allows for a great view of the New York skyline and New York Harbor. For less than $20, you can go see a great ballgame. And, win or lose, Friday nights usually end with a fireworks display.

Note: Public transportation on Staten Island is not as good as the other boroughs and we recently suffered cutbacks. Where I live, we only have about two buses that run out here. It’s advised that if you don’t have your own car, you rent one.

Saturday morning: Staten Island is just that—an island. Go enjoy the morning down by the beach—South Beach! Enjoy the view of the Narrows and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Verrazano Bridge. There are several diners scattered throughout Staten Island, most of them owned by Mike. They are opened 24/7 and just as good for breakfast or lunch as for a late night snack.

Late Saturday morning/Saturday afternoon: Around Staten Island are several cultural and historical things waiting for you to discover. There is the grounds at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. There the botanical gardens, museums and performances to be found in this center. If you are traveling with children, there is also a Children’s Museum on premises that always provided my friends and I with days of fun. There is the Alice Austen house. Austen was a photographer at the turn of the century who captured New York City as it grew into a modern metropolis. Her house on Staten Island is preserved and houses many of her pictures.

A recommendation for lunch is DeNino’s Tavern for some pizza. Sure Brooklyn has all the well-known pizzerias. But you know what happens to Brooklynites? They move to Staten Island and open more pizzerias! DeNino’s is well known throughout the Island, especially for how thin their pizzas are. I had a slice from there and it was delicious!

Moving down the cultural highlights of Staten Island, there is also Historic Richmondtown. This was the location of the original settlements on Staten Island and now is a collection of houses between 100 to 300 years old. Most were moved from their original locations to the town. Tours are available as well as the ability to just wander through town. While driving along Arthur Kill Road, be sure to stop in to Holtermann’s. Their baked goods are sold in many stores, but the main bakery is here on Staten Island. I get my birthday cake from there every year and my family loves to pick up their cupcakes. Pick up a delicious snack as you continue down the Island.

The last stop in the tour of Staten Island’s history is the Conference House Park, a personal decision of mine since I volunteer there. The house is the oldest stone manor house in New York City and the site of the oft-forgotten Staten Island Peace Conference held on September 11, 1776. The house is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 PM. The Conference House itself isn’t the only reason to visit the park. There are several other historic houses on property—not yet open to the public, but we have no problems with people peeking in the windows! There is also a gazebo that looks out over the Raritan Bay and on a clear summer day, it is a beautiful sight. You can also walk along the beach and kick around in the surf. You may also find the South Pole, marking the southern most point in the State of New York.

Saturday night: Time for dinner, right? After all that, you’re probably starving. My suggestion for a good meal is to eat at the Marina Cafe in Great Kills. It sits on the water and my mother has eaten there with colleagues many times. You can sit outside (if the weather permits) or inside and enjoy a great meal for reasonable prices. Try to hold off from ordering dessert because I am sending you to a Staten Island institution—Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor (namely the one on Hylan Blvd by Tysen’s Lane). I went there after I graduated from high school to celebrate, even if chocolate ice cream and a white dress wasn’t such a good combination. At some point, Staten Islanders have flocked to the store for some delicious ice cream and is a highlight.

Sunday morning: Staten Island is about 85% Catholic, but I don’t know the percentage of those that are practicing. Either way, areas around churches will be slightly crowded with Sunday church-goers. It might be best to have breakfast in your hotel before venturing out for the day.

For the rest of Sunday, I advise you discover why they call us “the Borough of Parks.” There’s Wolfe’s Pond Park in Prince’s Bay. Lemon Creek Park or Blue Heron Park. There’s Gateway in Great Kills. But I would suggest Clove Lakes Park. My high school track team had practice there during the cross-country season and ran two cross-country races there every year (The Wagner Invitational and Championships). There are several paths to walk, pass the Clove Lakes and Martling Pond. You can find the trails we use for cross-country and walk deeper into the woods, though be careful by Royal Oak as those are often used as soccer fields.

Also located in Clove Lakes Park is the Staten Island Zoo. While it might not be as famous or as grand as the Bronx Zoo or the Central Park Zoo, it still can delight all ages. When I was younger, they used to let the peacocks roam free. I am not sure if they still allow it, but it is pretty awesome. Another attraction at the Staten Island Zoo besides the petting zoo is Charles G. Hogg, better known as “Staten Island Chuck.” Every Groundhog’s Day, he comes out of his little home to predict whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. While his predictions have been off the past few years, he still has a better track record than a more famous groundhog who shall remain nameless.

As the sun sets once again on our island, I hope you enjoyed your little tour of what Staten Island has to offer. Come by and see us!

Fun Fact: Brooklyn is the Fifth Largest City in the US!

This episode, Sam comes close to my home sweet home—she visits the next borough over: Brooklyn!

How sweet it is!

Sam apparently lives in Brooklyn as well.

Friday afternoon: Sam hits Coney Island. I’m going to do the Cyclone one of these days. No matter how rickety and old and ready to collapse it is. Sam goes to visit Nathan’s to have her first Nathan’s hot dog. Really? After my grandmother’s funeral, my great-aunt stopped at Nathan’s to have a “dawg” in her honor. And yes, that is actually how we say it. It’s not gangsta or imitating Randy Jackson. It’s just how New Yorkers talk. Sam then visits an old fashion freak show. She gets to admire a real handle-bar mustache. He responds he always wanted to tie a woman to the railroad tracks. Awesome. He puts a nail in his nose and…eww…I can’t watch. I can’t. He’s followed by a snake dancer (no, not Britney) and a sword swallower. Madame Electra is called to the stage. Turns out—it’s Sam. He puts Sam in an electric chair. And of course everyone wants her to get zapped. Sam is able to light up a light bulb and ignite a torch. Sam worries about her hair around open flames. She takes a bow as the crowd goes wild.

Coming up: She offends a Brooklynite. Quick! Troll the East River!

Saturday morning: Sam heads down under the Manhattan Bridge to DUMBO, a place for the bohemians. She meets Tom, an artist who makes art from trash. And ladies and gentlemen, the reason I dislike modern art immensely. Sam helps him collect trash from the streets. Not so hard in New York, honestly. Sam finds a hat and Tom says they always do photoshoots in DUMBO because of the view of the city. Sam decides to go get a pizza from Grimaldi’s. I’ve heard some very good things about this parlor. Right now, I’ll stick to my pizza places in Staten Island. After all, we’re where all the Brooklynites come anyway! Especially since Grimaldi’s comes with an hour’s wait. Sam makes nice with some girls who have a picnic basket—and sanitary wipes. Sam says she never uses a fork and knife on pizza. Don’t get one in Italy, then, as they don’t eat pizza with their hands. She and Tom enjoy their pizza and beer.

Coming up: Sam shares some of her secrets.

Saturday afternoon: Sam goes shopping in Park Slope. She goes to Flight 001 for travel goods. She shows some of the great products—including a book for you to point things you want to people in other countries. I think I need to hit that store before my next major trip. She then goes to Cobble Hill for desserts! At One Girl--Where the cookies are named after girls! Two little girls ask for lemon cookies and are adorable. Sam talks about the property costs in Brooklyn as she walks around Brooklyn Heights, the swanky neighborhood. And I’ll tell you—it is. Sam points out Arthur Miller’s brownstone, the house Truman Capote wrote “In Cold Blood” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Sam then goes to her favorite bar with her friends. They talk about alternate side of the street parking. Guess what Staten Island doesn’t have? Alternate side of the street parking. It’s heavenly.

Coming up: Dog park! And Sam’s boyfriend? Really? We get to see what he looks like?

Sunday morning: Sam goes to her favorite park, Prospect Park. Which includes hours that dog owners can let their dogs run free. Sam talks to someone who runs a doggie day care as she yells for them. Sam helps leash some of the dogs.

Sunday afternoon: Sam and husband Kevin go on a dinner date at The River Cafe. They are on Fulton Street, facing Fulton Street. He’s the Brooklynite, born and raised. He seems great. And as they end with dessert, my DVR stopped recording.

C’est la vie!

Many people forget that New York City is made up of more than just Manhattan. The other four boroughs have a lot to offer, if you know where to look and how to find it. Often, it takes meeting a native to know how to do that. And believe it or not, so get off Manhattan and visit the outer boroughs!

Where Are They Now: The Legally Blonde Edition

Oh wow! I realized I let this blog’s anniversary pass without any acknowledgment! I’ve made it to two years! Thanks to all those who’ve read and commented over the years.

When this blog started on June 9, 2008, the very first show I recapped was MTV’s talent search “Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for the Next Elle Woods.” Ten girls from across the country were chosen to compete to be the next Elle Woods in the Broadway production of “Legally Blonde the Musical” once original star Laura Bell Bundy left. Hosted by Haylie Duff (Hilary’s sister), the Elle-wannabes were trained by the ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky and performed each week for Paul Canaan (a Legally Blonde ensemble member), Bernard Telsey (casting director) and Heather Hach (librettist). In the end, the final battle was between Bailey Hanks and Autumn Hurlburt as they performed for not only the judges, but for their families and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Bailey was chosen the ultimate winner and assumed the role the day after the final episode aired on MTV.

The show closed shortly after.

And now I’m revisiting my first recapping venture with an update on our finalists!

Both Bailey and Autumn have been busy on the stage side of things but they will be starring together in an upcoming concert of Maury Yeston’s (Nine) “Titanic.” The show will be performed on June 21st for the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Their exact roles haven’t been defined but the cast calls for many characters, so it is likely they are playing a character and not just part of the ensemble.

Pictures of the two in rehearsal can be find here at Playbill Online.

Break a leg, girls!

Relaxing in the Land of Enchantment

It’s time for rest and relaxation with Samantha Brown!

Just like the dude ranch episode, this is a repeat of an earlier episode. At the rate I’m going, I may be able to recap all of Sam’s Great Weekends!

This time, we’re in Santa Fe, NM.

Friday afternoon: Sam decides to go for a hot air balloon ride. I give her credit. My fear of heights would probably prevent me from getting off the ground. But that is one great way to see the city and the landscape. Her tour guide shows her five inactive volcanoes on one side and the Rio Grande on the other. It reminds me of the time we flew to Disney (I know, I know, which time, right?) and the pilot came over the loudspeaker. He said if we looked out to our right, we could see the Washington Monument. If we looked out to our left, we could see Hurricane Floyd! Of course, we were several miles away from the hurricane so in no danger, but it’s a bit unnerving and awe-inspiring to look out an airplane window and see the arms of a hurricane. It’s an image I’ll always remember.

My trip down memory lane is complete and so is Sam’s balloon ride! She touches down somewhere near Albuquerque.

Friday evening: Sam hitches a ride back to Santa Fe to take in the art scene. She walks down Canyon Road, just lined with art galleries and parties. Sam arrives to one where they already finished the cheese. She even meets one of the artists as she admires his glasswork. Sam decides to try her hand at art—namely pottery. Sam makes her own bowl.

Saturday morning: Sam trades in her jogging shoes for a bike helmet. She goes biking along Santa Fe trails, enjoying the smell of sage as she climbs uphill. She heads away from the city and into the mountains, enjoying the view of the Rockies’ southern most point.

Coming up: Dance lessons and New Age things?

Saturday afternoon: Sam talks about the Spanish influence on the city and goes to get a Flamenco lesson. Sam jokes that the people in the apartment below her are going to love her new skills as she learns the different feet sounds in the dance. She then moves on to the fan part of the dance. Once they add the music, Sam gets the feel of the dance and does well. Sam decides to explore some of Santa Fe’s alternative healers. Also known as New Age stuff. She goes to Louisa, a medicine man. Er, woman. Louisa invites many spirits and ancestors into the room, which seems to take a while. She then takes a drum to play…What tribe is Louisa associated with? She then gives a reading. She tells Sam to continue to do her shows. I agree!

Sam then goes to visit Millie, who uses color therapy. Okay. She plays different tones for Sam, who hopes to cure her altitude headache. It does lull Sam into a sleeplike state, you know the one where you’re between sleep and being awake?

Next: Sam hits the bar and the hot tub.

Sam is staying in the Inn of the Five Graces. It looks beautiful, with mosaics and beautiful patterned sheets. Sam lies on her bed, enjoying the view of both her room and the outside.

Saturday evening: Sam goes to the Pink Adobe, the restaurant by her hotel. She particularly goes to the Dragon Room, the establishment’s bar. The barkeep makes her a martini and lets her assist. She raises a glass with everyone sitting at the bar and enjoys her drink. Sam then takes a shot of tequila. Did that last week. Three of them. And it turns out the Pink Adobe is haunted and the barkeep had an experience. He was alone in the restaurant and heard a woman say “Look at me” but there was no one there. Sam asks if he was scared before saying that the next time he tells the story, he should start with “It was a dark and stormy night…”

How cliché, but we’ll forgive her.

Coming up: SPA!

Sunday morning: Goes to a Ten Thousand Spa, Sam gets into the hot tub. Today, everyone is in bathing suits because of the cameras but usually the women are au naturel. Sam decides to take the plunge—into the icy water tub. After that shock to her system, Sam goes to get some treatment with basalt stones. Sam finishes her weekend in Santa Fe in her own private bath.

Now that’s what I call pampering yourself! Another great weekend for anyone who wants to press the reset button.

Start Your Horse and Come Along…

Anyone else remember the old show “Hey Dude”? Aired on Nickelodeon around 1990? Starred David Lascher and Christine Taylor (AKA Mrs. Ben Stiller)? Took place on a dude ranch…

From the East Coast, Sam is westward bound as she goes to Wyoming.

Oh hey, this is from when the show was still known as “Passport to Great Weekends” so we’re doing an early show.

Sam heads to Shell, Wyoming for a dude ranch there. The town’s population? Fifty. Well, that must’ve been very easy to count for the 2010 Census. Don’t have to bother with the mail-in questionnaire or enumerators. Just have one person stand there, gather everyone to one spot and just count heads on April 1st! Anyway, Sam says that she’ll be spending this weekend living out that old cowgirl fantasy you know you all had…particularly during that “I want a pony” phase every girl goes through. (You know, somewhere after the “I want to be a ballerina phase” and before you discovered boy bands/teen idols. May coincide with the “I want to be a princess phase” because every princess has her own horse. Duh). She’ll even be in a rodeo!

Friday morning: Sam watches Sean wrangle some horses. He shows her how it’s done, with Sam bonding with a horse. Sean calls what the horse does next a “tickle,” Sam determines it was a sneeze. Sam takes the horse out anyway for a cattle drive. Stuart tells Sam that they are moving the cattle to another location for fresh grass and water. They herd the cattle along some beautiful landscapes that spring to mind when someone says “The (American) West.” Sam learns herding cattle is hard as cows don’t always do what the cowboys want and it’s a hard ride. She’s placed in charge of the little cows as she orders one back to it’s mother like it’s a child who has decided to wander away in the mall. We get some shots of…Are those the Painted Hills?

(No, they aren’t. The National Park Service website confirms that the Painted Hills are actually in Oregon. I just learned something!)

Sam and the cowboys leave the cattle to enjoy the watering hole but the cowboys head home as there’s a storm a-brewing.

Friday night: Sam decides to treat herself for a job well done and goes to Cody to eat at Cassie’s Supper Club, which has a sign proclaiming that gambling and loose women are allowed into the establishment. Cute. Sam finds out that Cassie’s was opened in 1922…But as a brothel. No wonder they let in loose women! But now it’s gone back on the right side of the laws and has a dance floor. Sam takes a few spins on the dance floor. She asks if they do the Macarena and the residents stare at her. Sam thinks it’s because no one knows how to do it. I think it’s in horror that she would even suggest doing that dance! It died as 1996 came to a close for a reason!

Coming up: Sam, smoke and a rodeo!

Saturday morning: Sam shovels the manure and learns the proper procedure, which I’m sure she’ll use next time she has to shovel out of a snowstorm. Once the stables are clean, she goes to visit Jared to learn how to shoe a horse. Sam straddles a horse’s leg as Jared shows her how to pull off a shoe. In the end, he gives her a little hand. He shows her how to clean out the dirty and tells Sam the horse doesn’t feel a thing. The horse seems to agree. Jared throws the shoe in an oven and goes back to get another shoe. When the oven dings, Jared hammers it a bit and then BURNS it on to the horse’s hoof. Sam comments that she hasn’t been in a room filled with so much smoke since college. Ahh, dorm life. I love the looks I get when people realize I recognize the smell of pot. But the fact I dormed explains EVERYTHING.

Saturday afternoon: Sam goes river rafting! Even if the river is a balmy 46 degrees. She enjoys the scenery before being pulled into a white rafter. Sam moans the lack of beer before getting entirely soaked.

Coming up: Preparing for that rodeo.

Saturday afternoon: They put Sam on kitchen detail. The chef makes her draw but she drops her ice cream scooper. She helps Chris cut up steaks for that night’s barbecue. She also mashes some potato while the other chefs watch her. This segues into…

Saturday evening: Everyone at the ranch gathers round to enjoy Sam’s dinner. She meets some people from New Jersey, just across the river from Sam in New York. They enjoy the scenery as the sun sets.

Sunday morning: Sam gets rodeo lesson from Jim and Buster. They teach her the lasso on a stationary plastic steer. She almost manages to lasso a steer but is still just shy of her mark.

Coming up: The Rodeo!

Sunday afternoon: Sam heads back to Cody, Rodeo Capital of the World. It’s rodeo is 70 years old! There is bull riding, lassoing and barrel racing—a woman’s sport. So that will be Sam’s competition. She is coached by seven-year old Cindy, who lets Sam ride her horse. Cindy doesn’t seem seven. Are you sure Cindy isn’t really ten? They set up the barrels and out of the gate, one contest completes it in seventeen seconds. Sam heads out of the gate on Starlight. She trots around a barrel, two barrels and around the third barrel. She gallops back home in 30.03 seconds. Sam lets Starlight bring her to the bar.

Apparently an oldie, but a goodie. While I’m not much of an outdoors-girl, so a weekend at a dude ranch may not be my ideal weekend. But even this city slicker needs to escape into the wilderness every so often and the views in Wyoming looked beautiful. The West still intrigues, excites and challenges America. Forget space, we’re still not done with that frontier!

Exchange of the Episode:

“That’s the best mash potatoes ever.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not doing any of the work.” –The chefs and Sam.

Islands of Cape Cod

There once was a Sam who visited Nantucket…and she loved it! Then she went to Martha’s Vineyard…and didn’t know who to give the reward!

Phew.

Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are New England island vacation spots and therefore rivals. Sam approaches Martha’s Vineyard via boat, saying that is the larger of the two islands. She is dropped off by an old Methodist ground, filled with dollhouses. It’s a bit creepy. A family welcomes her on to their porch. They let her in and it looks like a dollhouse on the inside. These houses were built from the tents the Methodists used to stay in for their summer revival meetings. Sam asks the owner about Nantucket, and he recalls how during the 60s, the people in Nantucket used to meet the people coming off the boats. If they looked like hippies and didn’t have a place to stay, they were sent back on the boat.

Sam goes to a local ice cream store which sells…lobster ice cream. Eww. And there are real chunks of lobster in it. Sam tries it and has to chew it a bit. Sam then hops in a car to catch the sunset at the Outermost Inn. It had an exquisite view and Sam enjoys it while she chows down.

Sam wonders what they are doing in Nantucket.

Coming up: Wind-surfing goes wrong and Sam jumps to Nantucket.

Saturday morning: Sam decides to forgo the popular beaches to go visiting inland. She visits a farm along with several children who are learning about farm work. Sam gets to milk a goat before hitching a ride on a trailer. She talks with some of the children on the trailer as they head to feed the cows. After that, Sam goes to learn how to wind surf. Sam asks for her producer to see why they thought she could learn it in an hour. They put Sam out in the water and she wipes out. She wonders if they shot a scene from Jaws in this lagoon as they play a variation of the Jaws theme. The instructor confirms sharks could swim into the waters by Martha’s Vineyard and the fear keeps Sam on her board.

Next: Trash talking in Nantucket!

Saturday afternoon: Sam travels via ferry to Nantucket or the “Gray Lady” because of the fog that shrouds the island. After passing yachts, she starts with a cocktail (that’s our Sam!) at White Elephant Hotel before getting a tour of the yachts. Sam says that there is a tradition where when people pass a lighthouse, they throw in a penny for a safe return. Sam jokes that that is something she can afford on Nantucket. Meanwhile, her captain takes her clamming. He says they will be gathering quahogs (like Quahog, setting of Family Guy). Sam uses her feet and manages to pick a few clams. Sam mentions that all of Nantucket’s beaches are open to the public.

Sam heads back to the island for a clam bake, which is forced into a garage due to a storm. Sam enjoys a clam bar before going down to see the clam bake down on the beach. As music plays, everyone enjoys their seafood dinner. Sam sits down and talks with some of the locals. One says she likes living on the island, thirty miles away from land. Sam watches the Nantucket sunset, which is gorgeous.

Coming up: Nantucket v. Martha’s Vineyard

Sunday morning: Sam walks along the beach and talks about Moby Dick. She meets Chuck, who takes her out on a boat. He talks about the whaling industry. Sam asks him about Martha’s Vineyard and he says nothing. It doesn’t exist. He says that they (Martha’s Vineyard) gets the movie stars while Nantucket gets the CEOs.

Back on shore, Sam goes biking through a small town that looks more England than New England. Mark Donato takes Sam around Nantucket. She says she tries to never use the words “quaint” and “picturesque” but Nantucket forces her to use it. Mark says that the difference between people from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard is that Nantucket folk have all their teeth. He reveals that there is a big football game between the two islands and Sam deduces that the rivalry is all sparked from high school football. As most great rivalries are indeed sports related. See: Yankees, New York and Red Sox, Boston.

As another storm drenches Nantucket, Sam decides to put her umbrella to good use and go shopping. She describes Nantucket’s style as preppy and bright-colored. She goes to visit Cheryl Fudge, who owns a store on Nantucket and lets customers try their hand at designing. Cheryl shows Sam how they do that and it looks like alcohol is served. Sam’s set. She picks pink tee and designs her own souvenir shirt.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard? She loved them both!

Now this is better! This is a weekend normal people could actually do, rather than the last episode I recapped which had her spend a weekend with a traveling circus. While both islands had the reputation of being the playground of the rich and famous, both seem to have much to offer for a weekend getaway. I would like to go to either or!

Quotes of the Episode:

“I seem to have wandered onto the pages of a well-illustrated children’s book.”—Sam, about her first stop on Martha’s Vineyard.

“We used to slay whales, now we just slay the stock market.”—Sam, about the type of people who visit Nantucket.

Big Top Samantha!

Sam tells us that she’s going back to her childhood and waits for her ride. And it’s a truck? A circus truck? She’s spending her weekend with a traveling circus. Okay.

Can a normal person actually do this?

Anyway, she’s in San Jose with the Circus Vargas, a family circus traveling around California. Sam asks if there was a time he didn’t want to be in the circus and he says “no.” They will be staying in a mall parking lot, where the Big Top will be set up. They let Sam drive the truck before breaking out the forklifts and hard hats. She hits the “go” button and the tent rises like dough. She is informed the tent is from Italy. One of the people helping Sam is also a trapeze artists and he shows off his muscles. Sam meets Nelson, the circus owner, as she continues to finish setting up the tent. Nelson reveals the construction crew, like the trapeze artist, are all in the circus. And all seem to be related to him either by blood or by marriage. Sam commiserates about having to live with the people she works with and asks to borrow the sledgehammer. You know there’s a tech somewhere off camera shaking his of her head.

It’s Saturday and the tent is finally set up. She goes to get dolled up for a circus parade at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Sam kicks out the camera crew before emerging dressed for a parade. Santa Cruz is a top surfing spot and is one of the oldest Boardwalk amusement park in Cali. So the circus performers go out, get people hula-hooping. She finds the trapeze artist, watching and eating ice cream. But it’s not all work and no play as the performers hit some rides.

Next: She flies through the air with the greatest of ease, the high-flying Sam on the flying trapeze…

Saturday afternoon in San Jose. Sam begins her training with the Lyra. The performer, Danielle, says you can use your dancing skills with this act. She herself is a former dancer who has been performing with the circus for years. She teaches Sam some moves on the Lyra. Sam isn’t so graceful when she tries to right herself from the pose. She trains how to fall properly with Nelson. He tells her to land on her back for safety but she doesn’t need to practice. It’s only falling. He gets her in a harness for the trapeze. Tense music plays as Sam tries to get out of doing it. She even offers to buy everyone beer. That’s our Sam! The others refuse, saying they don’t drink. Sam knows she’ll need one. But she takes the leap and swings through the air, lets go and lands on her stomach. She knows that isn’t how she was supposed to land.

Next: Sam the Swami meets Sam the Chicken.

Saturday evening. Sam decides to get down with (funny) business with Circus Vargas’ head clown. She gets the makeup on as the clown says he really feels it when the nose comes on. They stick a red nose on her and reveal what she looks like while it sounds like “76 Trombones” from “The Music Man” plays. She asks for a cream pie and they love that she’s in character. “No, I’m just hungry” she says. The crowds arrive and the MC welcomes them to the Circus Vargas. We see Danielle and the Lyra as Sam prepares to enter with the clowns. They entertain the crowds, pulling some victims from the audience. She manages to get applause.

Sunday morning. Sam practices the trapeze again, but she won’t have a safety rope that night. Louis helps her out of the harness as Sam gets some tips. She prepares to jump off the platforms and has a panic attack. She talcs up her hands, getting a pep talk. She leaves the platform and flies, this time remembering to land on her back. You know, I have to give her credit. I couldn’t never do that. I’m too scared of heights to even get up on the platform, let alone to fly the trapeze.

Coming up: The final performance!

Sunday evening. It is Circus Vargas’ final performance in San Jose. As the family performs, Sam worries she may not be able to do the trapeze. She gets dressed in her costume as we see Danielle one last time on the Lyra. Sam reminds herself to smile, to show the audience she is having fun. The MC introduces the flying trapeze artists, who perform stunts that elicit gasps of delight from the crowd. Sam stands on the platform, looking pretty until her turn. She grabs the trapeze and flies. After a few swings, se lands with a bounce in the net. She takes a bow with the others as the evening draws to a close. The family tells her the next time, she’ll do some somersaults in the air. She agrees.

The episode ends with Sam flying in the Lyra, voicing over how she was glad to live out her dreams of running away with the circus.

But the question begs to be asked: Can a normal person looking for a weekend getaway just book a trip with a local traveling circus? Do they allow the average Joe to perform with them? One of the things I like about Sam’s show is that while she is granting special privileges because she has a camera crew, she goes places and does things that anyone can do in a weekend. While watching Sam perform with the circus was fun, I would’ve rather her take me around San Jose, show what the city has to offer.

Quote of the Episode
“I’m just hoping the nose gives me powers I need to make people smile.”—Sam, before her circus debut.

In Search of America(na)

It’s summer and you know what that means! It’s time for me to return to Samantha Brown’s escapades crammed into one weekend.

We start with Samantha in a red convertible driving a road. She’s driving Route 66 to find the America immortalized in the memories of the post-war generation and “Cars.”

If you ever plan to motor West/Travel my way, that’s the highway that’s the best/Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Horns go off everywhere. One is even the wolf-whistle. It’s a classic car club. This one included an Edsel, the legendary lemon produced by Ford. She gets the red convertible we saw in the cold open. She hits the road, leading a parade of classic cars, heading west from Albuquerque. She first stops at the Route 66 Hostel where a band welcomes her. They jump into the car with their instruments—including an upright bass—and we meet Felix and the Cats. Felix is the one playing the guitar. The other two are the cats. She drops the Cats off in a random parking lot. I guess they have to walk back?

It winds from Chicago to LA/More than two thousand miles along the way/Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six

Route 66 was built in 1926 and spans from Chicago to LA. She leave Albuquerque and enjoys the wind in her hair. She says Route 66 is still mostly intact between New Mexico and Arizona, complete with gorgeous scenery. She stops in Gallup, “the Indian Cultural Center of the Southwest.” She wants to find a wacky hotel and El Rancho answers her call. Many Hollywood actors stayed there while filming the Westerns. And she first checks out the neon in Gallup. Remember the scene in “Cars” where Radiator Springs lights up? That’s this looks like.

Coming up: Birds!

Now you go through St. Louis/Joplin, Missouri/And Oklahoma City is might pretty

Saturday morning, Sam hits Route 66 and prepares to enter the state of Arizona. She’s like me—randomly shouting “train!” as one chugs along behind her. She enters Holbrook and says the roadside attactions look like a nuclear war zone, meaning it’s a good stop. She wonders if she can pet the ostrich as the camera pans to a giant sign reading “Caution: Ostrich Bite.” So she opts to feeding them before going to eat some eggs for breakfast. Ostrich eggs that is. She feeds some people before continuing along down Route 66. She promises us the strangest thing on Route 66. And a giant car designed to look like it belongs in Cars as a performance artist car. The owner, John, runs a diner in Seligman with his sister Christine. Their dad, the original owner, was a big practical joker, noted by the fact that the door handle marked “pull” doesn’t work. She asks for a shake and the two hold out their hands. After some other jokes, Sam jumps behind the counter to serve some customers.

Coming up: Donkeys and Sam shoots the sheriff (but not the deputy).

You see Amarillo/Gallup, New Mexico/Flagstaff, Arizona/Don’t forget Winona/Kingman/Barstow/San Bernandino

Sam hops back into her car and continues to drive Route 66. Sam wonders what she should name her car. She doesn’t know if the car should have a female name or a male name, pondering this while eating a Snowball. She decides to name it after the sugary sweet. She’s driven 500 miles and I noticed her rearview mirror decoration has changed. It’s gone from a dwarf to a dream catcher.

She stops in Cool Springs, population: Gas Station. The gas station no longer provides gas, probably because of all the changes made to gas formulas throughout the years, but it’s store still operates! Sam gets a soda, pulls up a seat and enjoys the view. She feels as if time has stopped because she could be in any era. She gets back in the car, where her rearview mirror decoration is again a dwarf. She takes the dwarf down and decides to put out a hula girl. She hits a treacherous part of Route 66. She says it has to do with the turns but I’m sure the fact it seems the road hasn’t seen a paver in decades has something to do with it as well. She even spots the remains of cars who didn’t survive the trek.

She arrives in Oatman, a living ghost town. Bwah? There are still burros in town, who come down to get carrots. And people give them because, hey, they’re adorable. She joins a bunch of people to witness a gunfight in the center of town. The troupe pulls out our own Annie Oakley. She shoots and the cowboys fall down. She leaves the town and Route 66 as well. She picks up Interstate 40 and says she has a big Hollywood finale planned for the ending of her Route 66 road trip.

Coming up: Cliff diving?

Won’t you get hip to this timely tip?/When you take that California trip/Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six

Deer! Sam arrives at a national park. At a quarter to 5 AM. Eww. I usually don’t like to acknowledge that time exists. She and a bunch of early morning birds watch the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. Sam then jumps into a helicopter. Her pilot says the park spans the entire area of Switzerland. He then asks her if she wants to jump off a cliff and takes her over the Canyon. They see the Colorado River from the air. The pilot says it’s one of the natural formations viewable from space. I don’t think you can see anything from space except the continents, but okay.

Sam and Snowball drive to their goodbye point, with fluffy white dice now dangling from her rearview mirror. She says goodbye and leaves the car…And then my DVR cut out. Sorry guys!

It’s great to be back with Samantha Brown and her trips. You might notice she didn’t have a single alcoholic beverage this trip, something I know I make a running gag of her alcoholism in the other episodes. I assume it is her being a conscientious driver and not drinking because she is behind the wheel. Either way, it was a fun ride and gives me ideas. Maybe not Route 66—that sounds like something my dad would do. I’m not one to stay in a car that long!

Moment of the Episode:

The expression on the French tourists faces when John and Christine pull some pranks in Seligman.

Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six