Quoted message said:From: Scott
Quoted message said:I have it in mind to take a cross-country drive this summer--
taking about two months or so to do it. I plan to camp most
nights, if possible, motels other nights (especially when
in/near a city).
I was wondering if anyone could suggest places to stop
(towns, routes, or specific eateries) to keep in mind--
i.e., particularly special places for food.
My itinerary is up in the air to some extent, but I have a
vague plan to, starting in New York, go west through PA, to
Ohio, up through Michigan and across the Mackinaw Bridge,
through Wisconsin, Minnesota,
S. Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, that bit of Idaho, to
Washington, then south through Oregon and into
California. Stopping in San Francisco for a few days,
then east through Nevada, Utah, Colorado (Colorado
Springs and environs is a couple-days stop for me). I'm
even less certain of where to go then... I suppose New
Orleans would be interesting, then east/north from
there.
Quoted message said:Any suggestions? I'm still figuring out what to see, so my
path is subject to much change.
Sounds like an incredible journey. I'm envious. Before I get
into the Oregon/California leg of your trip I'll jump ahead
as to where I'd go after Colorado. I'd dip south to Taos and
on to Santa Fe, NM. New Mexico is gorgeous, though hot hot
hot in the Summer. But locally made SW cuisine is worth it.
I'd trek quickly through Amarillo/OK City/Arkansas as fast
as possible to get to Memphis, possibly moving through
Tennesse with a planned stop in Nashville. But the ultimate
end for me would be Asheville, NC. Check out those Smokies,
man! Chase a few waterfalls, check out Chimney Rock, Lake
Lure, Cherokee...it's all gorgeous. After that, hit the Blue
Ridge Parkway and go north to Virginia.
Back to Oregon. The coast is great, but Eugene is amazing.
If you find yourself there around mid-July you have to go to
the Country Faire. oregoncountryfair.orgIt'sOpen ↗ an
awesome blast to the past. Nothing like it in the world.
Oregon micro beer is amazing. Check out McMennimins.
Quoted message said:I'm not interested in fancy places, and my focus isn't on a
place that simply makes a very good hamburger (unless
there's something to set it apart). I'd like places that,
for example (1) have food you can't get elsewhere (either
at all, or with nearly the same quality), and (2) serve
well as a story to tell people--"I went to this interesting
place outside of this town ...."
I'll probably do a lot of cooking on my camp stove, so even
places that sell things to later cook in a pot or cast-iron
pan over a Coleman Dual-Fuel stove would be welcome (I'm
bringing minimal food preparation gear, so I plan to keep
such cooking simple). I haven't worked out the issue of
refrigeration, yet.
Any suggestions?
Do some research once you have planned out your prospective
route. Many towns have great farmers markets during the
summer where you can hook up some great fresh produce, eat
some great food and connect with the locals. Eat as you go!
Another tip, check out your local health food stores. A good
smoothie or freshly made vegie juice will keep you going
healthfully during your trip. Good quality protein bars are
a great snack, as are trail mixes.
I'd invest in a supplement like Cell Food to add to your
drinking water. Bottled water is the one thing you
definitely want to have plenty of.
While you are camping/cooking - have on hand some dried cups
of "fill in the blank" mixes that only require hot water to
reconstitute. Some of them are quite good. This is one of my
favorite brands. rightfoods.comrightfoods.comOpen ↗.
Packets of instant oatmeal, aeseptic containers of rice milk
and dried fruits will start off your morning. Shelf stable
tuna is a high protein snack. If you are into tofu, Mori-Lu
aeseptic is shelf stable, as are There are some pretty
decent spice/dehydrated vegie mixes that can be combined
with it for a good stirfry for dinner. Keep a bottle of
olive oil on hand.
As for dining out: Foodie musts in Oregon: Fresh Oregon
Produce wherever you can. Spotted prawns right off the boats
in Arcadia. Wild Salmon. Mushrooms. Handcrafted Beer!
Foodie musts in San Francisco Dim Sum in Chinatown - don't
do sit down, hit the bakeries for to-go. Mexican in the
Mission for amazing burritoes and for sentimental reasons,
Tommy's Joynt. tommysjoynt.comtommysjoynt.comOpen ↗
One more thing. Keep us posted about your trip. You never
know who might lend you a place to crash and a hot shower
amongst this wild and crazy rfc's.
Ellen