Visceraman1 - Joshua Lopez

The room was warm, and very quaint. Homemade quilts and an abundance of books were in the room. The only thing lacking was soap. We decided that after dinner, we'd hit a local market and get some soap of our own.

And to the Sportsman Chalet we went! THE local Strawberry hangout, a sportsbar of sorts. (For AZ readers, think The Buffet + Famous Sams + a Nogales Jail). On the menu for Jeri and I: Onion Rings, wings, and mozzerella sticks! Jeri, dined mostly on cabernet, while I greedly shoveled deep fried goodnes into my mouth! Yea for deep fryers! The bartender/cook/waitress/auto mechanic did relay the unfortunate news that not only were the markets closed, but Rim Country had outlawed the use of soap in protest of vivisection in the mid-1980's. Crikey! No soap, no clean underwear, no nothin!

Early the next morning, I made the drive back into Pine to see if this soap thing was fo reals. I pulled into Uncle Toms Kwik Stop (on our way in the night before, I had commented that I hoped Tom was really an uncle, and that we weren't headed for Aryan Militia country). I suppose it was Tom himself who helped me that morning, sure enough the information from the tavern was incorrect, and I did get a bar of soap. And coffee, and at the persistence of the staff, a couple of cinnamon rolls, fresh from the oven....and I mean right out of the oven. Uncle Tom is a good man!

Later, we headed into Tonto National Monument for the wedding. I'll post photos if and when Jeri gets around to getting them developed (yes, a real camera!) (a nice one too, one that I am *not* allowed to touch...EVER!).

As soon as we parked, Jeri abandoned me in favour of the bride, and bridal party. In my madness, I loped about the park, taking in the sights, smells, sounds, and began the continuing process of swatting flies from my head.

Of all weddings I've attended (except for the Ruesegger-Lopez event), this is the only one I've enjoyed, or really took seriously. None of the pretentious pomp and circumstance, rows of bridesmaids/groomsmen nonsense. It was a casual event, as hiking was encouraged, and the ceremony was a touching, personal one. Memorials were made to honor those who had died and therefore couldn't attend, very respectful.

Granted there were a lot of flies, and 1 child who felt it necessary to carry on. Once again, I'd like to thank my urologist, kudos my man!

Later that night, Jeri and I hit up this Giuseppe's joint across the street from the inn. When the cunt of a hostess *greeted* us, I nearly turned and walked out. (She and other waitstaff were, and forever shall be referenced as cunts,). We were grudingly seated. During the 20 minutes that we waited for our orders to be taken, we listened to a codgy old bastard carry on about how the restaurant and stolen his goddamn credit card, and so forth. I didn't really feel sorry for the cunts dealing with him, and kept insisting we leave. Jeri however had her eyes on the prize that certainly lay ahead of us. Finally, a waitress was ordered to "deal with us", and she did so, with great pleasantry.

Ever since having Italian food in Italy, it's hard to eat in Italian restaurants here in the US. Especially here in Arizona. Nothing, absolutely nothing comes even close. In Tucson, there's Caruso's and Mamma Louise's which are highly touted and raved about, but as a rule, they omit any seasoning from their food. The clumsy Olive Garden serves it up much better. So, Jeri and I were expecting less than spectacular food from Giuseppe's.

We were wrong wrong wrong!

The meal began with fresh greens, with homemade bleu cheese dressing. Sinfully delicious, huge gobs of mold everywhere! Antipasto instead of bread or rolls, and perfectly cooked calamari began the meal. Then the entrees arrived. I should have been clued in by the normal, practical size portions of food rather than the plates that could feed 5. Looking at the sausage on my plate I knew, and the taste of course was magnificent. It was homemade. It seemingly melted in my mouth. Who knew, that in Strawberry AZ of all places, one could find bonafide Italian fare. I wouldn't hesitate to hit up Strawberry, just for dinner at Giuseppe's. Amazing, tear invoking dinner.

Outside of the wedding, the inn and Giuseppe's that just about sums up Strawberry. There ain't shit to do there. Ok, there is one sight, the "Oldest Schoolhouse in Arizona" is there. We did spend some time there of course, when in Rome....

Highlights of Pine was the fudge an Uncle Tom's.

Highlights of Payson, leaving Payson.

Returning home, we drove took the Phoenician route (as planned of course), and made an impromptu stop off at Ikea.

JAH SHOE FUCKIN WAH!!

Oh and one other highlight: The most inexpensive petrol I've seen in years. Years!