Daily Archives: September 9, 2007

Destinations, whether they be the grocery store, the moon, or Philadelphia, PA, once reached the traveler is able to relax. Worries as to whether the traffic will be good, the Eagle will land or the plane will get off the ground are put away for a while.

When I landed in Philadelphia, I took my time getting off the plane. I patiently waited for my bag to be unloaded to the gangway and I strolled out of the terminal to where I was to wait for the shuttle to take me to Hertz.

Comfortably seated on a bench, I once again took stock of my injuries. My elbows were stinging a bit now. I had range of motion in my thumb, but it was still a bit swollen and a lovely shade of purple. I was sure it wasn’t broken and was relieved I wouldn’t have to be searching for a doctor and x-rays on Labor Day weekend.

After getting my rental car, I phoned BG to get directions to his abode. I plugged his address into Google Maps on my iPhone (and, yes, I damn well better get my $100 back – it should be $200!!) and set on my way. It was to be about a forty-five minute drive to Allentown.

Speaking of Allens… it was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to hook up with my favorite neo-hippy SoCo slugging reprobate over the weekend. There had been talk of meeting at the Boat or in AC but plans just didn’t gel. Next time, pal, next time!

By the time I set out for BG’s, I’d been awake for nearly thirty hours. It was only until the last few miles of the drive that I began to feel it. I managed to miss a turnoff, but after a brief pause in the parking lot of (ironically) a racetrack to consult Google, I got back on track and was at BG’s in about ten minutes.

I pulled into the parking lot of what once was, of all things, a silk mill. It had been converted to a complex of loft apartments as one of the first efforts to bring a revitalization to a depressed area of the town. BG escorted me up a wide set of wooden stairs and down what looked like an endless hallway to his digs. Upon entering, I was greeted by he of the softest furry ears, Mr. Frye.

BG is a gracious host. He wasted no time in putting together a tasty array of hors-d’oeuvres – roasted red peppers on bruschettas, cheese, ham, salami, water crackers and other goodies. I sat at his stainless steel table cum island cum utility shelf and munched away, blithely tossing aside my summer diet. This stuff was good.

Miss Heather, who lives in the area, phoned and was on her way. BG went to work at what many have witnessed via his kitchen videos. I felt privileged that I was going to be able to savor one of his braised concoctions.

I have to say, the man is an efficient whiz in the kitchen. In no time he was milling tomatoes, braising chicken, cooking pasta with fresh ingredients. The kitchen was rife with the aroma of fresh basil, garlic and other seasonings. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. He made it look easy.

Heather arrived and it wasn’t too long before we were sitting down to one of the finest home cooked meals I’ve had the pleasure to consume. There is absolutely no restaurant in the world that can beat the atmosphere and comfort of sharing a home-cooked meal with friends or family. BG had whipped up a feast of Chicken Parmesan with pasta and steamed broccoli seasoned with fresh garlic. I tried to take a picture of the “platings” but my camera wasn’t set right and I was too hungry to take the time to fix it. The best I could do was the shot of the remnants above.

With dinner done, we settled down for some tennis on the tube – the US Open was in full swing some One might wonder, with all of Philadelphia just out the door, why the heck we weren’t out there painting the town. I don’t know about my companions, but I was in my comfort zone. It was a great close to a not-so-great day. I was feeling good and slipping off to snooze-ville.

After some wine for the kids and a shot of smoooooth whiskey for the ol’ lady when Iggy called for a dial-s-shot, it wasn’t long before we all put ‘er to bed. BG allowed me the comfort of his bed (and comfy it is – he has a down-filled mattress pad), Heather took the futon and BG curled up on the couch downstairs. I was out like a light in no time and got nearly ten hours of sleep – just what I needed for the trek and adventure to Atlantic City the next day.

Many, many thanks to BG for the wonderful hospitality!! Continue reading →