On a Jeep ride with Jeff and Connie Stahl to Brown County; after a hike at Brown County State Park, we dined at the Sycamore Saloon and it was outstanding!!!

And how about that plump and juicy blackberry on that beer! Btw, Hog Molly is a brewery out of Columbus, Indiana.

Jeep with friends ✅

🥾 Hiking ✅

Great food ✅

We arrived in Berlin tonight and our 🥘 dinner was at Hasir, a wonderful Turkish restaurant. While we were dining the European Cup game ⚽️ between Turkey 🇹🇷 And Georgia 🇬🇪 was being played. We often heard the cheers from the staff and patrons as Turkey gained the victory.

Raki is the national drink of Turkey. 🇹🇷 Our bus driver, Norbert, bought me a round. Next thing you know, everyone needs a shot.

After dinner we hit the subway and I had a “Wiezen My Ass” at the Brauhaus which is made up of shipping containers. Cool spot. We sat outside in the Biergarten for an enjoyable time.

Shipping container turned into a stairway.

Someone said something about The Frog 🐸 👑 Prince and I was pretty sure we were going to a bar… Turns out, we are going to an extended train station to see a crowned 👑 frog monument. Imagine my disappointment.

Night 1 in Berlin was a huge success. We are on to the Berlin Wall site and learning about the Cold War and How East and West Germany 🇩🇪 became unified… Walt Wintin, Life Long Learner! (That’s for you, Stephanie!)

In Venne today there was a unified outdoor church service of three Lutheran congregations. Of course it was in German, however, also unique in that there was a 19 piece brass band providing the music.

Maybe serving beers and brats after church might boost attendance!!!

Tomorrow we head to Bremen.

While roaming the Venne countryside in 🇩🇪 Germany, we came upon the Restaurant Trentmann in Hunteburg. Tonight’s specialty was a German delicacy, White Asparagus, along with schnitzel, pork 🐽 , 🐓 chicken, potatoes and of all things, scrambled eggs.

We spent the day traveling around Venne and stopping at old farms and home towns of Jackson County ancestors. Old home places of the Melloncamps, Stuckwisches, Darlages, Schaffstalls, etc.

RaeAnn turned 35 on May 31 and we celebrated tonight with grilled 🐓 chicken, asparagus, baked 🥔 potatoes, homemade ice cream and Heidi knocked it our of the park ⚾️ with the strawberry 🍓 Bundt cake.

The cake was super moist and had a homemade icing as well.

The food and camaraderie were first rate.

Now, on how to eat this cake and ice cream; the best way is to put the cake in a bowl and then top it with ice cream. But don’t stop there. You need to mix it up until is is a bit soupy. Excellent!

The kids got me a wood fired pizza oven for Christmas 🎄 and it took me until May to put it together.

The maiden voyage was tonight while the grandkids were visiting and it has me interested.

I used kiln dried wood from Huck’s Gas Staion ⛽️ and also discovered you can get a big box at Sam’s Club for a better price.

We used Great Value sauce, pepperoni from a bag and mushrooms from a can. Not fancy, but easy.

Although it got a little black on the bottom, the crunch factor was its redeeming feature for me. We will get some better ingredients and branch out as I get more comfortable with how it works. One thing I especially want to try is cooking a 🥩 steak in a cast iron 🍳 skillet, as well as potato 🥔 wedges and 🥕 carrots when the the steak is done. ✅

We enjoyed the historical aspect and I want to return to try the meatloaf!

1982: Fast Times At Ridgemont High:

Jeff Spicoli: So, today, Jeff Spicoli has his own pizza 🍕 at Brooklyn Pizza on 2nd Street in Seymour, Indiana.

Before Shawn Malone brought Brooklyn Pizza and Seymour Brewing to 2nd Street, I had purchased at least one growler from Twisted Crew Brewery. Spock Fingers Chocolate 🍫 Raspberry tonight.

Shawn and his crew earned a third place finish at Belterra’s pizza competition with this Spicoli pizza.

Every visit to this establishment is an adventure and a treat!

Richard wasn’t feeling up to attending the North Alabama game and with no school today or tomorrow, I was available to fill in.

I met brother-in-law Doug Hackman and wife Debbie before the game and they took me to the Hoosier Bar and Grill, which is a regular spot for them. Although they are known for an outstanding tenderloin, I went for the mushroom and Swiss which was excellent! They not had the grilled chicken salad which appears to be pretty darn good.

With the Hoosiers raining ☔️ down threes, it was a fun night!

Brooklyn 🍕 Pizza is located at 753 West 2nd Street in Seymour. Shawn Malone posted this pizza on his fb page and I just happened to see it Wednesday afternoon. I don’t think it is even on the menu yet.

To wash it down, I had the Hometown Pecan Brown Ale which was delicious! (I am a proud Mug Club member that just got moved up to the wall)

Brooklyn Pizza and Seymour Brewing is always a homerun! ⚾️