My Epic Long Weekend Vacation In Pictures

This Epic Weekend In Pictures was definitely, well, Epic. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family and friends. My first few years in Jersey, I typically went up to New England seeing family and friends every four to six weeks on average. This past year and a half has changed those habits big time. Last year I think I was only back in New England four times total, testing negative each time before returning. It dawned on me last week that the only time this year in 2021 I have been back up in New England was mid March for my family's annual Saint Patrick's Day party. We typically have anywhere from 30-100 people (yes that wide ranging depending on the year,) at The Allan Tavern. This year we kept it to just our family.

Last week, Awesome Girlfriend Megan reminded me that not only did I need to take vacation days off from work, and I was also missing my family big time. I'm sure we can all agree how tough it's been the past year and a half not being able to see our loved ones in person as much as we're used to doing. By Tuesday I made the decision to put in a vacation time off request and try to spend a long weekend back home up in New England. Tuesday night I called up Padre and said "Dad, I'm going to try to come back home this weekend." Even though they would never publicly admit it, you could tell that my parents were excited for me to go back home and see them. For me four weeks used to be a long time without being up in New England, let alone four months.

Friday night I had a nice time with besties Jasen and Brendan at Moonshine Tiki Bar. It's always nice to have a Tiki Bar poolside on Campus, right? Then Saturday morning it was time to hit the road. I was on the road by 6:40am, and arrived in New Bedford right around 11:30. Almost 5 hours door to door due to traffic instead of the usual 4. It definitely wiped me out a bit, but so well worth it. I enjoyed my time and tea with Benvie, Kristine and Bella. I still can't believe that my niece Bella is 13 years old and going into 8th grade this year. I held her minutes after she was born. She's grown up into such an amazing person. She makes Uncle Steve proud every single day, that's for sure. I had a great time seeing my friends.

Next stop: time to see my parents in Mansfield. I made the usual drive up from New Bedford to Mansfield like I have so many times in the past. This time was unfortunately more exciting as on Route 24, two mattresses fell out of a pickup truck. Five cars in front and me all came from 60MPH to a screeching halt. It was very scary. You always remember those close calls as long as you live, the accidents you unfortunately can't avoid and even the ones you are lucky enough to dodge.

I called my Dad when I was 15 minutes away and said "please have an ice cold beer ready for me." I explained to him how terrifying it was, not just one, but two mattresses in the middle of the highway. He understood once I detailed how frightening the situation was at the time.

Saturday night time for dinner bunch! My family and I are absolutely guilty with being creatures of habit. Back when I lived up in New England every Saturday night was dinner bunch, and every Monday we did Lunch Bunch. We went to Mandarin in Norton, MA for my first time in probably ten years. The food was honestly terrific. For years we did their buffet. Over the past year and a half due to the pandemic, they haven't been able to offer their buffet. We did sit down dinners which felt a little different and odd there after so many years of doing their buffet dinner. The dinners were all terrific. I LOVED my beef teriyaki and boneless spare ribs. Yummy.

I was able to surprise my Uncle JDawg. He saw me and jokingly started walking back to his truck when he saw that I was surprising him. My family is so funny when they joke about not wanting me, right? LOL. We had a great time. Getting to see my Aunty Donna, Uncle Paul, cousin Matt, Aunty Sue (I've called her Soup since I was a kid because, well I'm special LOL,) and my parents. We shared many laughs, that's for sure.

Sunday morning I was able to see my besties Kayla and Chris at their new house in western Mass. Their new house is gorgeous, and I can't believe the twins are now four. I haven't seen them since they were babies due to timing of the pandemic etc. I was strategic and brought them Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts to help them warm up to me. We all know that Dunkin Munchkins are definitely the way to a kids heart, right? Especially in New England. It was great to see my friends for my first time in a couple of years. It's so amazing to be able to see friends and family again like the good old days.

Sunday morning, I continued my #SteveWorldTour by visiting Grammy, also known as Captain Chaos. It was so wonderful to spend time with her, even if she drives us nuts LOL. I tried calling her to let her know I was on my way (I warned her Saturday night, I try to not surprise 88 year old folks too often,) but she accidentally had her phone off the hook again. She's been challenged with this all year ever since we gave her a newer phone. Right after hugging her I helped hang up her phone so that we can call her.

Sunday afternoon Padre and I had some fun replacing the front door lights. My parents are getting our house painted, and they figured now was a great time to switch the front door lights. We were joking about how I might get electrocuted on my vacation back home. My Instagram followers (cheap self plug alert, @steveallanradio,) did get some amusement when I posted a selfie to the "It's Electric, boogie woogie woogie song to my Story.

Sunday afternoon Padre and Madre took me to my Dad's favorite brewery, Bog Iron Brewing in Norton, Massachusetts. I enjoyed a delicious Soul Cellar IPA. With Rob and Sully behind the awesome brand new bar, we were in great hands. I then saw a new Bog Iron glass that I didn't have, a stemless one. I now also have a stemless Bog Iron glass that found a home on top of my half bourbon barrel mini bar. Success!

Sunday night it was great to see my sister Suzanne and watch The Olympics with my family. Just a nice, wonderful quiet night in with family can be so therapeutic.

Monday I spent more time at Gillette Stadium. I enjoyed watching them get set up for Training Camp, and I even saw some Patriots players walking by on the practice field. From there I went to Geno's in Mansfield to get awesome New England White Clam Chowder to surprise Awesome Girlfriend Megan. Then I went grocery shopping to get Cape Cod Cafe frozen pizzas to bring back to New Jersey for Steve Andrews on 102.3 WSUS and Borasio on 103.7 NNJ. It's about time these guys have some phenomenal pizza. Even though frozen isn't as good as in the restaurant of course, it's still amazing!

Monday afternoon was the usual teary eyed goodbye to my parents and JDawg. I'm usually the first one to start tearing up. We had a good lunch at Jake N Joes in Foxborough, Ma. I was home by Monday night.

Tuesday was a terrific way to burn a vacation day, relaxing pool side at the Vista 180 Pool at Crystal Springs. It's one of my favorite places, ever. When I went in the lifeguard at the gate said "I hope you have a great day." I said to her "Jesus, here? You basically have to try to NOT have a good day it's so awesome here." Operation balance out my farmer's tan went rather well. I didn't get scorched and now I'm not as pasty under the shirt as I was before so we'll take that win!

Overall we had a wonderful weekend. Thank you for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. I know this was a novel, sorry! I just had such a great time back home visiting my family. Time to start planning next weekend!