Oh East Coast, How I Miss You..

On my way to Seabrook, I sent out a text to bdidde of Biggestron, since I knew that he was in New England and not too far from where I was going. I knew it was a long shot, since it’s really hard to drop everything you are doing to go to a local card room in a little amount of time. You see, I wasn’t planning on going to a poker room during my stay in New England, it just worked out that way. So I fired of a SMS before I left, plugged in the address in the GPS and took off.

About 40 minutes later, I got a reply from bdidde, saying that while the poker room was close, he was unable to make it. But he was very kind to offer the wife and I dinner at his house the next night with his family. Awesome. Of course, I had to check with the wife first, so a few SMS’s later, plans were made.

The next day, the wife and I made out way to Portsmouth, nh and had brunch at Friendly Toast. Friendly Toast has a very interesting decoration style, strange paintings, lamps made out of old KFC buckets, MGD cases and old school memorabilia. Best of all, the food was awesome. They make their own bread daily so they have a different assortment of breads to have with your meal. We took a loaf of Cayenne Pepper and Cheese home with us. The kick of the Cayenne comes after you swallow and has a slow build. It’s great! I had a very tasty omelet which was stuffed with different kinds of meats and veggies and the wife had a huge waffle and a side of eggs. IF you are ever in the area, check out Friendly Toast.

Friendly Toast
121 Congress St
Portsmouth, nh 03801

After the good eats we wondered around Portsmouth and visited a few of the shops, enjoying the weather and the views. A few years back, while we were on the East Coast, I had my right ear pierced after having my left ear pierced many, many years earlier. I thought it would be cool to have each ear pierced on either coast of the USA. So last time we were in Salem, MA I got my right ear pierced. Two and a half months later, it was still red and angry, when it should have been healed and ready to rock. So I took out the earring and let the beast heal. Flash forward a few years, we are in Portsmouth nh and we walk past a tattoo/piercing shop. 20 minutes later, I have both ears pierced again and so far so good.

After we spent most of the day in Portsmouth, we headed out to bdidde’s place. When we arrived it had started to sprinkle. After we all said ‘Hello’ to each other, b’s son started to give us a tour of the house. After the tour was over, we talked for a while and then the Wii was turned on. The game of choice? Wii Sports. There’s nothing like getting your ass handed to you by a kid. I got smoked at Tennis, Baseball, Boxing (we tied, one match a piece) and golf. I also learned about the practice modes and Super Bowling. The final level of Super Bowling is 91 pins. Yeah… 91 pins. You start off with the normal 10 pins and a row is added to the back of the pins each time. Awesome stuff.

After the Wii was turned off in favor of smooth jazz, the BBQ was started and a wonderful dinner of chicken, rice, vegetable skewers and homemade beers. bdidde is a great brewmaster. After dinner, we chatted for a little bit longer and unfortunately there was still a hour or so drive back to Portsmouth. Thank you so much bdidde and family for a great time!

As I’m sitting at home now, with 100+ degree weather outside, I’m day dreaming about the East Coast and more Lobster Rolls.. (see the moblog for my Lobster Roll-a-Day quest). I know that I will be back on the East Coast again.

tags: east coast, friends, lobster rolls, travel