The Nickel, the rain, and The Beef

We woke up Saturday morning with a few cobwebs on the brain, but not so bad considering the drink we’d consumed the night before. First order of business was to check out the Big Nickel, which beats the Big Apple, the Snow Countess, and the Giant Tire for Best Big Thing I Have Seen. In the process, we got the chance to drive by giant piles of slag (not that kind of slag, this kind of slag) which apparently glows like an alien landing when they pour it out late at night.

After this, we went shopping for clothes, exploiting Leanne’s staff discount all over Sudbury (okay, just at the one store). It was cold and a little misty, so we headed back for jackets, and then Leanne directed us to Onaping Falls. On our way there, the gentle mist turned into a mighty downpour, so we hung out in the car until the weather improved. Then we had a short hike, checked out the falls, climbed over rain-slicked rocks, and someone who was not me fell on her butt.

Next, we bunkered down at Leanne’s for a few hours and began a long stretch of drinking. Some of us showed off our mad skillz with the internets, some of us played caps, some of us showed off our complete lack of reflexes, and some of us had our hair styled. Derek came home around seven and we ordered in sweet, sweet Chinese food, then drank some more, then it was off to The Beef.

The Beef ‘N Bird might just be the towniest of all townie bars I’ve ever been to. It was awesome. About ten minutes into our stay, a scary old he-cougar helped Sarah find the bathroom, and probably would have shown her how to use it if he’d been allowed. There was also a band, one that we mocked at the time, but the more I think about it the more I realize they weren’t half bad. Compared to the song stylings of twenty different Guess Who wannabes I’ve seen in Georgetown, these guys at least played some contemporary stuff. At top volume. On their amps that went to eleven. To a crowd of about fourteen people. But they didn’t give a shit; they were totally into it. You’d think we were a stadium packed to the rafters from the way they played. The last thing I’d like to say about the Beef ‘N Bird is that I saw neither beef nor bird, although the old man offered to show us "two handfuls" of the former.

All in all, we had a great time in Sudbury. Thanks Leanne and Derek for a great weekend! Come see us soon!