Ole Rocky...

[DDT (12)]

Talk about a walking contradiction! Rocky is originally from New York City - Brooklyn, to be more precise. However, he also happens to be one of the very best BBQ impresarios I've ever encountered! Co-owner of the Woodyard Grill in Newberry, FL, and a nice guy to boot... I was starting to wonder if that amazing establishment, and Rocky himself, would survive this latest challenge to commercial dining places... Last Saturday I felt an overpowering urge to go find out...

Yes, there was a bit more than simple concern for that transplanted Yankee in-play here... Sure, I also wanted some reassurance that one of the best BBQ places around was still hanging on. Naturally, if they were surviving, I also wanted to throw a little business their way, as well, to help in their struggle to keep the smoldering smoker fire going and the doors open... and to maybe enjoy some of that very fine swine, too... you know... as long as I would be there anyway...

I also confess there was at least one other aspect to such a journey on my mind... I simply had to get my knees back in the breeze, if there was to be any hope at all of my maintaining even the most tenuous of a grip on sanity! Dang! This self-imposed stationary, secluded isolation was...

Not so much the seclusion itself or the isolation, as I've long ago discovered that I tolerate those quite well... No, it was the absence of riding that was undermining my enjoyment of life and standing squarely in the way of the pursuit of happiness... and that, my friends, is downright unconstitutional!

Our girl could tell my entry into the garage this time was more than a routine visit or pass-through... I could sense the lift she was feeling, as the anticipation built for both of us... Yep, she was ready for sure! I donned my jacket, helmet, and gloves, threw my leg over her ample saddle, and assumed my preferred position...

Not even a hint of protest from our girl! I switched the petcock to 'On', backed her out, switched the key on, set the choke lever, and... a for-real varoom this time! No more pretend, we were going forth in the face of much claimed danger for her rider, but she and he were both well beyond the point where they considered it worth the risk... Let's go see what ole Rocky is up to!

We'd just endured sixteen strait days of self-imposed quarantine. It's one thing when circumstances just work out that way, but when we feel we are required to deliberately impose such a 'sentence' upon ourselves for an unspecified period ahead... well, that's a whole nuther matter entirely! Individual tolerance varies considerably, of course, but... Perceptions and perspectives do directly impact our moods and state-of-mind!

Yessiree, all that pent-up frustration was being relieved, and... Well, if I hadn't been surgically 'modified' (anatomically altered) nearly fourteen months ago, my handle could now be justifiably changed to 'Gunner'... even as we approached the end of the driveway! Ahhhhh, it was so good, too... for both of us.

Many on here have pointed out the value of quality versus quantity when it comes to riding, and I wholeheartedly subscribe to that assessment, myself. I didn't record the miles we actually rode, but I can accurately report that every inch of it was sensational! A more or less direct ride over and back would have been around 90-100 miles... we did a bit more than that... quite a bit more, in fact!

Backroads over and back... with some different roads interspersed on the return to add some variety and interest... Yes, the return was longer than the route over! The Woodyard Grill was indeed open... for take-out only, of course; however... that surely beats a blank!

I'd considered calling in advance to place an order, but... you know... I really didn't want to box us in like that... to more or less commit to an arrival time, etc. Nope, we just rolled the dice and figured we'd make any necessary adjustments when or if the need arose... it didn't.

We made our arrival at Rocky's Grill, placed our order... and commenced the wait. They were by no means swamped with business, but there were half a dozen folks ahead of me, so... Not a problem! Heck, I was off on an adventure and loving every second of it! Even the wait proved interesting...

Folks were awkwardly doing 'the right thing' by maintaining proper spacing, a few of us made occasional trips outside... and everyone had a stilted, nervous smile, but more of a look of concern and hope the people closest to them were not carriers/spreaders of... the dreaded bug! The 'Q' there is fabulous, but no one apparently figured it was 'to die for'... I shared their view!

While standing around people-watching, Rocky came out... It felt really weird not shaking hands this time, but... we didn't. I seriously doubt a brotherly toe-tap will be catching on, and neither of us offered a friendly foot in greeting...

He did reassure me that both he and his business were holding up well, and that they would make it through this and survive. I was greatly relieved, and I told him so. It is important that he and they do hang on, as that has become my favorite BBQ destination, and... He seemed resolute but also happy to hear that...

Ole Rocky... Yep, he's still upright and cranking out superior 'Q'...


No place to sit down to dine! On the way over I'd anticipated that and cruised by a couple of parks I've stopped at over the years to read and/or take a break... None were open! I finally spotted a place where we could pause, at least, and I could dine in relative privacy...

I stopped in front of the locked gate to a ball field complex and proceeded to devour one of the two pork sandwiches I'd purchased and to sip some of the sweet tea... It was actually good grub, but the 'ambience' of the location was rather interesting, too! No place to wash my hands beforehand or afterward, naturally, but I was still able to discretely discharge some used tea over by the fence.

My appetite for several necessities having been sated, it was time to return to the primary mission... that would eventually end back at my landlady's hospitable home... Yep, you could now call me 'Gunner'... well, almost...

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yessiree, all that pent-up frustration was being relieved, and... Well, if I hadn't been surgically 'modified' (anatomically altered) nearly fourteen months ago, my handle could now be justifiably changed to 'Gunner'... even as we approached the end of the driveway! Ahhhhh, it was so good, too... for both of us.




Yep, you could now call me 'Gunner'... well, almost...

DDT

Man, that BBQ sure sounds good ! I wonder how long it would take me to get there ?

[Valkorado]

Yep, Rock looks authentic NY,  sure his  Q is real deal!   Q comes from the heart, not from the South.   Lip smackin' read,  Bruce!  

[John Schmidt]

Yeah, now I have another stop to make down yonder when/if I ever get to travel this summer. I've heard of that place, Rita's youngest son used to live in Newberry and we visited him there but never did stop at Rocky's place. Looking forward to correcting that.

[3fan4life]

I've been looking to buy a piece of dirt in that area.

If I find something that I'm serious enough to take a look at, I'll be sure to look Ole Rocky up.

I wonder if he'll give me a discount if I tell him that Bruce sent me?

[DDT (12)]

Man, that BBQ sure sounds good ! I wonder how long it would take me to get there ?


Rob,

Travel times vary, of course... For this tenderfoot the ride from Lake Havasu to Newberry usually takes from one to three weeks... or so... I'm confident that time could be shortened, though, by someone on more of a mission, but... I do recommend it enthusiastically! I guarantee it will impact your own gunnery...

DDT



Q comes from the heart, not from the South.


Seth,

As often happens, you've cut right to the heart of the matter! Not so long ago I would not have agreed with you, but Rocky and a couple of others have brought me over to your point of view! It truly is a labor of love for some, and when we stumble upon those... well, return visits are indeed a sincere form of positive affirmation! Come on down sometime... I'll show you where that place is... even introduce you to Rocky...

DDT





Yeah, now I have another stop to make down yonder when/if I ever get to travel this summer. I've heard of that place, Rita's youngest son used to live in Newberry and we visited him there but never did stop at Rocky's place. Looking forward to correcting that.


John,

You won't regret it! Lots of new subdivisions being built around there, too... You might want to consider a change of residence, as I'm sure by now the winters up yonder have sufficiently restored your memory to make such a possibility plausible... Just sayin'...

DDT



I've been looking to buy a piece of dirt in that area.

If I find something that I'm serious enough to take a look at, I'll be sure to look Ole Rocky up.

I wonder if he'll give me a discount if I tell him that Bruce sent me?


Mark,

You could do a lot worse... I like that area myself, but... like so much of our fair state, it has been discovered and... Oh well... Not sure Rocky would know me by name, but if you told him 'the old, white-bearded bike rider' sent you... he just might offer a discount at that! Moot point, though... Let me know if you and 'Ginger' are down there, and I'll spring for the chow tab...

DDT

[hubcapsc]

Our good BBQ place (not the one you and Smokin Joe and I went to, another one)
has been open until this past weekend... I hope next weekend they're open... Rocky's
hat is a yankee hat  ...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

Our good BBQ place (not the one you and Smokin Joe and I went to, another one)
has been open until this past weekend... I hope next weekend they're open... Rocky's
hat is a yankee hat  ...

-Mike

Mike,

If that other place is anything like the one you took Joe and me to... I share your hope it stays in business! I've been wanting to ride over that way and dine of some of that good stuff anyway, so... Heck, Punisher and I were just talking about such a ride & dine the other day! Yeah, Rocky ain't bashful one bit about his roots...    

DDT

[hubcapsc]

If that other place is anything like the one you took Joe and me to...

Totally different and just as good 

-Mike

[3fan4life]

I've been looking to buy a piece of dirt in that area.

If I find something that I'm serious enough to take a look at, I'll be sure to look Ole Rocky up.

I wonder if he'll give me a discount if I tell him that Bruce sent me?


Mark,

You could do a lot worse... I like that area myself, but... like so much of our fair state, it has been discovered and... Oh well... Not sure Rocky would know me by name, but if you told him 'the old, white-bearded bike rider' sent you... he just might offer a discount at that! Moot point, though... Let me know if you and 'Ginger' are down there, and I'll spring for the chow tab...

DDT

You've got a deal.

If and when we're down there again, I'll give you a call and see what part of the world that you're in.

[DDT (12)]

If and when we're down there again, I'll give you a call and see what part of the world that you're in.


Always a good idea! I was supposed to meet-up with Caronlinarider for a visit to Newberry a while back... only when the time came, our girl and I were out west! I do get these whims and urges, ya know, and... Anyway, that call idea is a sound one for sure! Hope we can make it happen...

DDT

[John Schmidt]

John,

You won't regret it! Lots of new subdivisions being built around there, too... You might want to consider a change of residence, as I'm sure by now the winters up yonder have sufficiently restored your memory to make such a possibility plausible... Just sayin'...

DDT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Believe me, if I can swing it.....
Or, if I can find a place to rent for 3-4 months each winter. Have to watch the $$ but if I can do it, I'm out of here, if only for winter. Woke up to snow yesterday morning and 26 deg. this morning. Sucks!

[DDT (12)]

If that other place is anything like the one you took Joe and me to...

Totally different and just as good 

-Mike

Mike,

Sounds like... Thanks for giving me something else to ponder on, while I sit-out the virus contagion... Is anybody else getting as tired of this 'pleasure pause' as I am? Looks like another relief ride is my near-term future... A body can only take so much, ya know...?

DDT



Have to watch the $$ but if I can do it, I'm out of here, if only for winter.


John,

When we were kids, we used to make fun of the snowbirds each winter... Nowadays, those folks seem borderline brilliant to this 'reformed recollector'! Yep, your new home is fine, as far as I'm concerned, but... only during the warmer months! Florida is too hot during summer, but almost impossible to beat during the winter... If weather matters to a person, and it surely does to this rose-sniffer, then those snowbirds have, as far as we're concerned, found a fabulous solution to the annual dilemma of seasonal adjustments! I'll join you for a visit to Rocky's place... if I happen to be in the hood...

DDT