July 2021

Classic Burgers

Burgers, Food and Drink, Travel / By

Since 1950, Frisko Freeze has served up delicious burgers, fries and shakes in Tacoma, Washington.  It was added to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2008.  While it did not make it into George Motz’s Hamburger America, which describes 200 great burger joints…. Seattle’s Dick’s Drive-In made the list…. it is on par with Dick’s from a classic burger standpoint.  However, don’t expect fast service.  It’s not.  While they’ve replaced the little white order pads with a computer, the grill is the same size as it was back in 1950.  But it’s worth the wait. When in Tacoma, check it out.  

– Jet Cannon and Hunter S.

Happy Place

Food and Drink, Good Clean Fun, Music, Travel / By

Our visit to Baby Boomers Mike and Karin’s Happy Place began with a mini live rock and roll concert in their neighbor Dave’s man cave.  Dave’s a musical entertainment czar and he’s got the photos and rock posters in his cave to prove it.  Welcome to Crescent Bar!  

Mike and Karin’s condo overlooks the mighty Columbia River and surfing behind their Centurian Surf boat is a popular activity. And so is golf.  And so is ripping around the community in golf carts to visit with other happy folks enjoying the summer.  Whether behind the wheel of the boat, his cart, his truck or just sipping from his WSU Cougar coffee cup, Mike was in the zone.  Karin will surf your doors off and is the reigning community midnight golf champion. Mike is the reigning champion mixer of the perfect Manhattan cocktail and he insists on making his own Bloody Mary’s, not trusting his inexperienced guests to do it properly.  That last part is not entirely true.

Visiting on July Fourth meant being able to enjoy a golf cart parade in the morning and spectacular fireworks in the evening.  Crescent Bar is hopping!

We were fortunate to partake in the summertime fun in a truly Happy Place with such great hosts.  There are vacation rentals available and a limited number of RV spots.  Google “Crescent Bar rentals” for various options.

– Jet Cannon and Hunter S.

Gimme a Whiskey

Food and Drink, Travel / By

At the Branding Iron Saloon in Twisp, Washington the signature cocktail is…. beer. As it should be. Twisp is a quiet little town on the Methow and Twisp Rivers originally inhabited by miners, ranchers and the small businesses supporting them. Things haven’t changed all that much since it was settled in 1897, although fires and floods have required rebuilding over the years. It’s still a small, quiet little town.

Pursuant to Buzzed Boomer’s interest in signature cocktails, I asked the nice waitress in the Branding Iron, besides beer, what do the locals drink? Whiskey and water was the reply. Pendleton is a favorite.

So there you go. Beer and whiskey in a western town. It feels right and tastes good too.

  • Jet Cannon