|
P.A.L.S.
4th FIELD TRIP 2/19 - 2/20/00 The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house All that cold, cold, wet day . . . NOT! The sun did not shine, but we did indeed go out to play. The road trip to Janesville was memorable from start to finish. Fear that it would get called off due to a 6½ inch snowfall the day before was replaced by fear that Heidi didn't have any money. All problems were resolved, and we were on our way, on a journey we won't soon forget. The ride west on rural highways was worth every mile with snowy scenery keeping us occupied. We knew this was OUR weekend when we were rewarded by the glorious sight of an Eagle soaring above the road . . . absolutely awesome. Lisa recalled fond memories of trips out to Delevan with her family as a little girl and had various insights to the other little towns we passed through. As we got closer to Janesville, we got more and more thirsty. We had a little trouble with directions and poor Denise had to fight off skis as they attacked her at every turn! We finally found the right road that took us to the hotel. Lisa talked her way into getting us a room we could check into immediately (off the pool hallway, for $10 cheaper), we unloaded our gear, and were on our way to find Gray Brewery. Janesville has some pretty strange streetscape, but we did get there, and right on time! We were welcomed and offered brew samples immediately as we stood in the mini gift shop/tap/bar room. It actually was quite comfortable. The walls were lined with beer bottles from many different breweries, and there was a display case containing historical items. The tour was interesting and enjoyable. The brewery actually began as a bottling plant and brewed beer before prohibition but not again after until 1993. We learned that the great-great grandfather of Fred Gray, our tour guide, would drink a quarter barrel of beer on a Sunday . . . HIMSELF! His body did appear to prove that in pictures we saw. Nonetheless, we were astounded. The place was clean, and we all enjoyed the black velvet painting of Elvis in the cooler, I guess Fred likes Elvis. We were invited to sample more brews after the tour but we expressed our disappointment to Fred that there was none of the award winning Oatmeal Stout on tap (they displayed the medals in the gift shop). Fred informed us that the brewery was providing beer and the building for a local event being held that evening. The event was called BEER, BRATS, AND BRASS. It was a fundraiser for the Beloit and Janesville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Fred challenged us to come back for it after he learned that we were staying in a local hotel, and after Heidi burped (BIG) right in front of him and he motioned his approval and asked if she was single. We told him we'd think about it and he enticed us further by offering to open up the Oatmeal Stout. Back at the hotel we were unable to get into the hot tub . . .it was jam - packed. Actually the hotel was very crowded, with a lot of little kids running around. We found ourselves feeling curious about the event at Gray's and changed our original idea of driving to Beloit for dinner, to attend the fundraiser. We felt we could take in a little of the local 'color'. We returned to the brewery and spent some time at the 'bar' while others had the tour we had earlier. Eventually we decided to go check out the BRATS and BRASS. We were quite surprised, and a little pissed, that all the brats were gone, and the brass turned out to be a boom box. We had a FEW nibbles and the appetizers had run out. Thank goodness so did the caterer, for pretzels and chips, and a cheese plate. We did, however, get our fill of Oatmeal Stout, and some tasty Irish Amber. Two young women approached us as the night was waning (it was near 7pm) and mentioned they had been at the tour in the afternoon and had also returned; they had remembered us and wanted to greet us. They were so pleasant and we were confident that we were their role models. But alas, it was time to go, and we really needed to GO (if you catch my drift). Since we couldn't get into the hot tub, again, and the pool area was jammed with people having parties, and littered with garbage, we were forced to make it an early evening, some of us earlier than others! PALS could only make it part way through the 'alphabet quiz' (we finished it in the AM). Unfortunately, we were woken by the sound of people running in the halls and police radios. Apparently, we had some underage drinkers and late night swimmers staying next door to us. After about an hour, it seemed to settle down. Morning left us with no opportunity to use the hot tub because the hotel had closed it since no one had the key to test the water. The halls were full of food crumbs and the pool area was still dirty. Lisa valiantly fought our cause before we checked out and was able to get further discount. She vowed to continue to fight the manager on the phone on Monday. We spent the morning talking plants and seeds and prepared ourselves to ski. It was an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day. Perfect for skiing. We picked a 3.2 mile trail on the John Nordic system. Lots of people were there, but our trail was not crowded. It was a fantastic way to spend early Sunday afternoon. We only had one mishap (Heidi fell on a hill) and Denise's calves were mooing for her to stop but we finished and we were thirsty. We had a little bock and some grapes, and we were on our way home. The weekend left us feeling relaxed and satisfied. Life is good and PALS rules! Next meeting - April 1st, Fools Day (not that we are!) HOST ~ Mariana **Mark your calendars, we will meet again on April 29** If we are lucky, we may have a guest on April 1st, keep your fingers crossed! Respectfully submitted, Mariana |
