Astral Nomads

One man, one woman, one rabbit......traveling with the stars.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The Astrals Love a Parade

This weekend in Raritan NJ was the the annual celebration of John Basilone, a local hero who was the first US Marine to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since Raritan has a pretty strong Italian heritage, it's sort of a a big deal. The highlight of the festivities is a parade, which was a lot longer than we had guessed.  Raritan also has some great Italian restaurants and bakeries. The Astrals have no complaints with that since they are all within walking distance. 

We spotted this guy on the floor of our elevator. I named it
"Aborigine with Silver Torch Running towards the Vent".

Autumn has begun although it was 77F and very humid.


Speaking of Italian restaurants, we walk over to Espo's three or four
times a month. It's a little hole-in-the-wall with a limited menu, but
it totally rocks. They have the best marinara sauce evar. Last night Astral
Wendy went with the Eggplant Parmigiana and I had the Manicotti.
Awesome!  She didn't have her camera so we only have shots of
the leftovers.

There are always leftovers from Espo's! 

When you have grandchildren, painted pumpkins are suddenly in vogue.

John Basilone

The parade was very Marine oriented.

One helluva model American.

It's a grand ole flag.


The USMC Band from Quantico. They were incredible.

Since we have two bulldogs in the family, we kinda dug this character.
Glad they didn't make him walk. Ten Hut!

I really wanted me a pimp hat.

Astral Wendy digs the kilt. 'Nuff said.



A bit of fife and drums.

Ya gotta love anything named the Devil Pups. Satan never
sounded cuter. I, therefore, cannot reject all of his works.

It's not everyday you see a top-fuel dragster idling down Somerset Street.

Speaking of pimp hats.

The littlest piper. Cute overload.

Which way is the beer?

5 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, a pimp hat would TOTALLY suit you -- GET ONE! And on another note, I do love a man in a kilt as well. It's the little gender-bending cross-dressing frisson it gives me.

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  2. Since moving down here to Toms River, one of the restaurants I miss the most is Espos! Nice to see a pic....now I just might have to make a trip up! Thanks Gerry!
    :o) Beth Wolven Tocci

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  3. @Debra: Ha!

    @Beth: Cmon up! We'll join ya!

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  4. Wonderful pictures today Wendilea. I lost your Blog for a while but now found it again! D'oh. Just wanted to say thanks for showing an interest in my book. I do love my rabbits, just like you!
    You have such wonderful parades out there and unlike over here, you can depend more on the weather being fine.
    Blessings, Star

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  5. Thank you Star! I was so excited by your book reading and rushed to get a copy only to realize that I don't yet own a kindle... holidays are coming so my fingers are crossed! Hope you are enjoying the Autumnal season as you prepare your lovely garden for the winter! Brightest blessings, Wendilea

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