Ye gods, what a week. I traveled to Pensacola this past week, to do some training for faculty at the University of West Florida. I trained them Monday through Wednesday, and by Wednesday my voice was starting to go. Nice folks, and I really liked working with them. The drive was a killer, though. I decided to drive, because Shel and I hadn't seen our new godson yet. That's Townes in my previous post below, in the diaper.

Pensacola has very little to recommend it, BTW. One thing it does have is a goofy Irish pub called McGuire's where they brew their own beer in various varieties and make some excellent steaks. I had the steak and mushroom pie, which came in a puff pastry shell. And, of course, I tried several of their beers: the Irish Red Ale (not worth drinking), the Porter (closer to fine), and their own barleywine, called "What the Gent on the Floor is Having." I'd go back for this beer. My UWF faculty tell me that they also have great bagpiping many evenings. I had to wonder how great any bagpiping could be in an enclosed space with hard floors, but maybe that's just me.

I did get to eat at Tenda Chick in Auburn, though, on my way back to Atlanta from Pensacola Wednesday night. I wanted to eat somewhere on College Street, but I tell you, that town just doesn't have much to recommend it. I expected to feel a sense of nostalgia, being back, but I didn't. Just kind of nonplussed.

That is, until I made my way to Tenda Chick. As King Arthur said, when Percival handed him the Grail and he drank, "I did not realize how empty was my soul, until it was filled." There's just no better chicken finger sold anywhere, folks. Zaxby's takes a distinct second to this one-of-a-kind place. And they still don't take credit cards.

Oh, here are some great pics of our visit with the young'uns.

The doorman welcomes us.
Ah, the great american game: Keep Away.
I know this picture's blurry, but I still love it!
Ty hanging on
Shel under assault!
Jack dominating on Triple Play 2001