Space shuttle Endeavour

This was SO awesome! Got this pic right before Endeavour flew over the Capitol. 

I wish I snapped a better picture, but this is the best my iPhone could do. 

Space shuttle Endeavour

 

world Famous Santa Cruz Cooler

Last year for MBB’s big 2-7 I took her to Santa Cruz for the weekend.  It was legit. And fun. And there was no better way to spend a weekend. 

While there, we developed this magical drink that Megan so rightfully dubbed “Santa Cruz Coolers”.  It's cold. It's re-freshing. It's summery. It's perfect!

view from the top:
world famous Santa Cruz Cooler

The Goods:

• Ocean Spray White Cran-Peach juice (also, this is so good on its own, or with booze)

• Ginger Ale (we used generic brand most recently)

• …last but certainly not least… the big bottle of Cook’s Sparkling Wine (you can but nicer wine ,maybe even Champaign, but cook’s always works pretty well with our tastes.  We’re just down home kind of folk. 

 

If I’m making these coolers, usually I’ll go a 2:1:1 ratio.  That is: two parts Cook’s to every one part White Cran-Peach juice and one part Ginger Ale. 

 

 

We used a cool pitcher to mix the refreshing cooler.  In order to maximize booze space, we don’t add ice until we pour it into glasses.  

 

  

Megan has some cool little rubber ice cube trays, they produce trendy square ice.  When making ice (which she does so well), she’ll usually add a raspberry or strawberry to the water.  It adds some fun color to the drink and once it melts a little, some great taste!

Ladies and gentlemen readers of EricDanger: I give you the world famous Santa Cruz Cooler.

I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love

This is probably the biggest favor I've done for you...

Burning Love!

use your outside voice

Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde

"boner alert"

tacos y burritos

The best Mexican spots in Sactown

Honorable Mention for our departed:  

Tex Mex Bar & Grill  

Tex Mex wass literally the best place on Earth.  $1 Miller High Life, check.  $1 street tacos, check. Well, that's basically all I need for a place to be perfect, but Tex Mex had so much more! The bartenders were awesome. The music was awesome. They gave free shots out to everyone at the bar anytime Mas Tequilla, by Sammy Hagar played.  That's right, the everyone gots a free shot! Free!

You couldn’t beat the location. (Where River Rock currently sits) 24th and J is so central it hurts. There is always parking. It's close to everything. They have a patio with lots of seating so you can sit, watch,  and judge everyone in the real world who was not enjoying a delicious $1 High Life.  They also give you free chips and salsa. Nom nom.  The food menu is pretty decent. I usually stuck to the small plates.

It was in the same location as Taco Loco...aka: upgrade! Sadly, TexMex suffered the same fate.  RIP.  

1. Los Jarritos Mexican Food

2509 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818

Cheap, delicious and fun! This Mexican restaurant has a lot to offer.  Their menu is pretty big (and inexpensive) and the workers are always friendly.  It's not always as fast as other Mexican restaurants, but well worth any sort of wait you'll encounter.  They have a large salsa bar selection, and a lot of different kind of drinks to choose from too; and if there is room left over, they have an ice cream bar! Go today!

2. Alejandro's Taqueria


911 K St Sacramento, CA 95814

a homemade sign is how you
know this place rules

Close to work, never have to wait, inexpensive, free chips, several types of salsaaa.  This place seriously has it all.  Sadly, I resisted this taqueria for a long time.  The exterior really does this place no justice.  The outside looks a little grimy, which has no bearing on what the inside looks like.  It's clean and has plenty of seating. 
Most importantly, all you need to know is 2 words: carnitas burrito.  Repeat those words to the lady who takes your order.  You'll thank me later.  

 



3. La Altena Mexican Grill

2400 Florin Rd Sacramento, CA 95822

This place is pretty legit. I moved to this neighborhood a few months ago; the first thing I did, after unpacking, is begin the search for the best local Mexican food.  I first started going to Aldaberto's, but quickly found La Altena.

I usually get the carnitas super burrito, sometimes I get the carne asada; it doesn't really matter what I get because they are both really good. Even though I normally stick to the burritos, I've tried other items, and they are all pretty http://bomb.com

The one thing that I'm not a huge fan of is that their fish tacos are grilled, not fried. I still like grilled fish, so it's okay, but I much prefer the fried stuff.

But all and all, this place is a really good bang for you buck... and they are quick, even when they are busy during their lunch rush, they act quick to serve the masses.

Do yourself a favor and go there today.

Oh, and they have a pretty awesome salsa bar, and they give you delicious free chips. nom nom

4. El Novillero

4216 Franklin Blvd Sacramento, CA 95820

El Nov is El Numero Uno! This place is a Sacramento legend. I used to go there more often, but not so much anymore, but that's because I'm lazy, it is no reflection on El Novillero.  It's a great restaurant for family dinners, dates, business meetings.  This place can host it all.  The food is fantastic and always fresh.

5. Vientos Mexican Cocina

7600 Greenhaven Dr Sacramento, CA 95831

chips!
&
2 salsas!

Viento's Grill is a great little Pocket treasure. Good atmosphere, good servers, good Mexican beer selection and great food.  This place certainly never disappoints! The carne asada is my favorite and it's always cooked perfectly!  Your meal comes with chips and salsa which are pretty good too! Parking can be an issue sometimes.  Viento's is in the same shopping center as 24 hour fitness, so it's always full.  Sometimes you strike gold and can catch a spot up front though.  Go and check this spot out.  The flan is good too.

6. Oscar's Very Mexican Food

3061 Freeport Blvd Sacramento, CA 95818

I have Oscar's number saved in my phone.  The wait can be kind of long sometimes (worth it though), but I always prefer to call in first. I like a veggie burrito with carne asada.  It is big and it is good! Quality ingredients make for a pretty quality burrito! It can get pretty busy when all the McClatchy students roll through this place, so try to call ahead.  They have a good selection of drinks (los jarritos, Arizona iced teas, ect).  Oscar's is fairly priced too.

7. Tres Hermanas

Tres!

2416 K St Sacramento, CA 95816

Tres Hermanas is tres-a-rific! The food is really satisfying; they have a bar, a patio and a large back room.  What's not to love... I'll tell you... nothing, except the (sometimes) wait you encounter on a busy night.  But that's to be expected at a quality restaurant, especially one right on K Street.  Once you're seated though, the service is great. I've been a bunch of times and will be back a bunch of times. My latest order was a carnitas burrito plate and it was good! So were the beans and rice.  Muy bueno. 4 stars.

8. Flores Bar & Grill

5900 S Land Park Dr Sacramento, CA 95822

check out that full bar!

Flores Bar and Grill is the poor mans Vientos...haha, just kidding! I love this place. They have a good breakfast menu and make a mean bloody mary; they also have a good lunch/dinner menu.  GOOD carnitas and carne asada... yummm, I love carnitas and carne asada. It's a cool local Mexican restaurant that always has a seat open for you. It is a good casual sitdown place, and also has outdoor seating, which is nice on those cool South Land Park summer nights. Their dinner entrees also comes with dessert... chocolate cake or flan... yumm, flan.

 

Beary True...

It couldn't be more true!

Lake Tahoe

Our weekend trip to Lake Tahoe!

very thoughtful of them!
Johan and Linda were the best hosts

big tree house!

Meggy with the P226 .40cal

Meggy with the .357 Magnum.
#badass girl

thirst parlor!

perfect setting for pizza and beer

pizza from vinney's... so good
Sam Adams cherry Wheat, #nom

i saw the sign

cigars and fire!

la vida loca

lago tahoe

we rode our bikes straight down
Ski Run Blvd

Pioneer Trail and Ski Run Blvd,
right near the lodge

Prince Eric and the Lake

it's colder than it looks

finally got my picture with these guys!
also, I totally cut in line to get this pic.

#standard

pitcher of margs at Cabo Wabo
on cinco de mayo
#standard

the bear!

 

the bears!

the bears(s)!

view of the hill

view from the top of the hill.
it was pretty awesome up there

Did you know?

• Did you know that Lake Tahoe is the 2nd deepest lake in the United States?
• Did you know that Lake Tahoe has about 72 miles of shoreline?
• Did you know that I've only swam in Lake Tahoe one time?

Moldy Oldie

a public apology to my parents 

A few years ago my parent’s pool started growing this strange black algae.  At first, we could use a brush to scrub the sides and it was clean up pretty well.  But over time the algae got stronger and less resistant to cleaning, that or we [I] got too lazy to scrub.

Apparently, the algae is hard to clean because it grows under the hard shell that lines the pool ... so chemicals are almost worthless.  It’s all about harsh scrubbing.  Eventually they had a pool crew come check it out

middle of the re-model

The crew told my parents that this particular algae is usually found in the river and that something must have transferred and exposed it into our backyard.  The pool guy did what pool guys do and recommended the “splash factory” be refinished. My parents immediately focused their attention to me and my raft… my sweet, innocent beloved raft. 

das boot

“Das Boot”, my 12 foot inflatable and I had been spending summers in the river for a few years at this point.  They blamed me for putting my raft into the pool.  I denied any such accusation.

Over time the algae got worse.  The pool got dirtier.  They had no choice.  It was time to re-finish the pool.

The backyard became a construction zone.  They decided to demolish all of the surrounding concrete and do a full backyard makeover. 

the finished product

The.[now] finished backyard looks amazing and the pool is better than ever.  In a way, I think that floating in my raft in the pool was helpful and should possibly be rewarded?

Up until this point I have denied docking my raft in the pool and taking naps in it.  Well mom and dad, you were right.  It was me. I wasn’t as innocent and I claimed to be.  At 30 years old I have learned my lesson.  I won’t do it again.

Pedra the most badass police K9 ever

Pedra and her handler stopped by my office.  It's probably the best day at work since I met Robert Downey Jr. 

Pedra broke one of her front teeth so they replaced them with titanium ones.  This, my friends, is one badass hound. 

Also, all her commands are done in German.  As you should all be aware, I took Der Deutsche in high school und university. I was tempted to commanded her to finish the rest of my work and go attack that annoying dog that moved in next door to me. 

Please allow me to introduce Pedra:

they give out cards.
yes, #I'm5

tell me (unless you're a criminal she's chasing)
that you don't love her

her badass titanium teeth implants

woof

***(dont judge me for this post, you know I love dogs)***