A Cold and Rainy Day Off the Farm

Today I was up around 8:30 a.m.

There is a nor'easter passing through, so it was cold, wet, and rainy outside pretty much all day.

We had originally planned to meet a friend for breakfast, but we weren't able to coordinate everything in time, so breakfast turned into lunch instead.

Before we left, I headed over to the workshop to pick up the fresh propane tank.

I wanted to swap the tank on the camper. I don't think the one connected was completely empty yet, but it was getting close, and I'd rather change it now than discover it's empty when I actually need it.

I also grabbed another old propane tank from the Quonset hut to exchange.

My plan is to slowly work my way through all of the old tanks we've collected around the property. As I exchange them, we'll end up with a supply of fresh, full tanks ready whenever we need them.

With that taken care of, we headed to 20 North Broadway Tavern in Schenectady to meet our friend for lunch.

There were three of us, and we started with 12 wings to share.

We ordered half Squatch and half Garlic Parmesan, along with a side of Badabing sauce.

The Squatch was kind of a tangy barbecue flavor, while the Badabing had a medium-spice, and an alla vodka base.

I thought the wings were excellent, and I think the other two agreed. They had crispy skin and softy tender meat.

For lunch, my cousin and I each ordered the patty melt, while our friend ordered the Black and Blue Burger.

When the food came out, mine wasn't a patty melt.

They had accidentally brought me a pastrami melt.

Before I even had a chance to say anything, they realized the mistake and brought me the correct sandwich.

So I ended up with two sandwiches.

Obviously, I had to try both.

And as it turns out, the mistake may have worked in my favor because the pastrami melt was actually better.

The patty melt was very good too, but if I went back, I think I'd order the pastrami melt.

Our friend seemed to enjoy his Black and Blue Burger, and my cousin also seemed happy with his patty melt.

Between the three of us, we had onion rings, waffle fries, and coleslaw for sides.

The onion rings and waffle fries were excellent.

My cousin and our friend weren't fans of the coleslaw.

I didn't try it, so I'll stay out of that argument.

My cousin also ordered the minestrone soup and said it was excellent.

Overall, it was a really good lunch.

Afterward, we walked around downtown Schenectady in the rain.

The farmers market was still going despite the weather, and everything looked so good.

We walked up toward the theater, wandered around the block for a while, and eventually decided we'd had enough of walking around in the cold rain and headed back to the car.

Before returning to the farm, I stopped and exchanged the propane tanks.

Another couple of old tanks out.

Another couple of fresh ones ready to go.

By the time we got back to Memory Lane, there wasn't much reason to head back outside.

It was cold.

It was wet.

And it wasn't getting any better.

So we stayed inside for the rest of the day.

Every day here doesn't have to involve tractors, burn piles, garbage, mowing, digging, fixing something, or uncovering another surprise.

Sometimes the weather decides what kind of day you're going to have.

Today, the nor'easter gave me a pretty good excuse to take a day off from working around the property, spend some time with family and a friend, eat some really good food, walk around town in the rain, and then come back to a warm camper.

Tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same.

Cold and wet.

I'm sure Memory Lane will still have plenty waiting for me when the rain finally stops.

~ Making Memories