Road Trip Food at Its Best
by Kathy on July 1, 2010
One of my favorite parts of going on a road trip is the food. I’m a firm believer that food is one of the most accurate representations of a region’s local culture. Fortunately for me, I live in the Midwest, where road trips are common and the off-road restaurants usually have delicious food that fills you up without costing a fortune. However, many of my friends, who are less adventurous than I am, often fall into the typical trap of sustaining themselves on greasy fast food and vending machine foods because they don’t want to eat somewhere that they’ve never read a Yelp review about.
Yes, finding a good diner can be hit-or-miss and you may very well end up at a less than stellar restaurant, but eventually you’ll find one gem that will make you forget about all those duds. Whether you are on a budget or just hesitant to try a restaurant you’ve never heard of, traveling on the road doesn’t mean you have to live off of fast-food and chips. With a little exploration, creativity and spontaneity, you too can eat well on the road.
Fortunately, my culinary hero, Alton Brown, has recently written a book, Feasting on Asphalt, about the adventures of road food. He recently gave an interview to National Geographic Adventure Magazine about how to eat well on the road, here are a few of his tips:
1. Eat BBQ – According to Brown, barbeque can’t be frozen, canned or vacuum stretched so it’s more likely to be fresh and cooked by someone with experience.
2. Stay off the expressway – Generally pit stops right off the expressway are usually filled with fast food chains and gas stations. According to Brown, authentic diners are usually in the northeast because way back when, these establishments were easier to ship supplies to than those in the Midwest.
3. Befriend a stranger – Recently there has been a big push in the culinary scene for communal tables and communal eating. So next time you are on a road trip, Brown recommends eating with strangers. While this idea may sound strange to you, consider the advantages, you may hear some interesting stories and even make a few new friends on your trip.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask – Instead of sticking to your usually routine of chocolate chip pancakes and bacon; ask your server and the diners around you what they would recommend. Be adventurous and you’ll never know what you will discover!
5. BYOC (Bring Your Own Condiments) – If you are a foodie like me, Brown suggests bringing your own condiments like kosher salt, peppercorn and your favorite kind of hot sauce. This way, you can spice up your meal, just in case it comes out bland.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Four Road Trip Ideas for Northern America
by Kathy on June 28, 2010
Road tripping through the Northern part of the United States is the perfect vacation if you and your family love the great outdoors. In addition to the beautiful hills and vast bodies of water throughout the region, Northern America has some of the most breathtaking views and if you are a nature buff, many Northern states have Native American reservations and museums you can visit.
So get ready to embrace your inner nature junky with these four scenic road trips in Northern America:
1. Edge of Wilderness (Minnesota) – Minnesota’s Edge of Wilderness runs through the Chippewa National Forest with more than 1,000 lakes and the Mississippi River. Throughout your drive, you’ll have breathtaking views of Minnesota’s lakes, meadows and forests. If your family or friends are into the great outdoors and nature, this is the perfect scenic route to drive. The Edge of Wilderness offers hiking, camping and fishing opportunities.
2. Salmon Bitteroot Valley (Idaho/Montana) – The Salmon Bitteroot Valley in the Idaho and Montana area is the ancestral home of two Indian tribes; the Shoshones and the Flatheads. While it’s been several centuries since these native tribes have lived on the land, the beauty of the Valley’s rivers, mountains and backcountry still remains. If you take Rte. 75, you can drive along the Salmon River, the longest free-flowing waterway in the lower-48 states. This 250 mile valley is also home to Painted Rocks State Park which has camp grounds and the National Bison Range (Rte. 93) where you can take a 19-mile auto tour of Montana’s bison and other wild animals.
3. Lake Michigan Tour (Michigan) – Although Michigan has been hurting after the collapse of the American auto industry, the Wolverine state has more to offer than just great American cars. In addition to great wineries and fruit pastures, the shores of Lake Michigan offer a variety of fun opportunities for your entire family. Along the coast of Lake Michigan, Ludington is a quaint fishing port where you can go fishing, boating, waterskiing and canoeing. Further north along Rte. 31 is a town called Manistee, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town has a commercial building from 1883 filled with historical exhibits and churches reflecting the Irish, German and Scandinavian heritage of the town’s early settlers.
4. Route 89 (Wyoming) – While Wyoming is best known of Yellowstone National Park, Route 89 offers just as many outdoor adventures as Yellowstone and the charm of a less-traveled road. Route 89 can reach altitudes up to 3,000 feet which means when you reach the top, you will have spectacular view of Bear Lake and the peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. If you take a detour to Bear Lake, be sure to check out the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 18,060 acres of wetlands for many of America’s most beautiful wild animals. At the end of Rte 89 is the Grand Teton National Park, a beautiful park known for its wildlife, including moose, bears, elk, bald eagles and wolves.
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
The Great Southern Road Trip: More Than Just Soul Food and Barbeque
June 25, 2010Whether you are looking for a relaxing summer vacation along the beach or a more rugged vacation outdoors, the South offers more than enough options to keep your entire happy. From its heart warming soul food to Southern hospitality, the South has so much to offer! It is definitely a region you’ll want to road [...]
West Coast Road Trips
June 23, 2010When you live on the West Coast, it’s easy to settle for a simple family vacation to one of California’s many beaches. But if you’re looking for more than a standard family vacation, consider taking a trip to some of the mountains and forests and discover some of the West Coast’s best kept secrets. Here [...]
East Coast Road Trip Ideas
June 21, 2010Growing up, many people told me that road tripping was strictly a Midwest fad. But after moving to Delaware, I discovered that the East Coast had more to offer than clam chowder and fresh blue crabs. While historic routes on the highway often offer kitschy towns with interesting trinkets and eclectic people, the scenic routes [...]
Explore America’s Historic Scenic Routes
June 18, 2010For decades, road trips have offered families an affordable way to explore some of America’s most eclectic and kitschy towns. With the rising cost of hotels and the hassle of flying and dealing with airport security, now may be the perfect time to hit the road with the family. One of America’s most iconic roads, [...]
Saving Money on a Road Trip
June 15, 2010It’s that time of year again—the time when your children celebrate the end of school and start planning their summer fun. From summer school, camps and of course, family vacations, summer can be an exciting time of the year for the entire family. However, if your family is like mine, you are probably trying to [...]
Road Trip Essentials
June 10, 2010When packing for a family vacation, it can be hard to predict what you’re going to need. Aside from vacation essentials like clothes, sunscreen and a camera, taking a road trip requires extra items in order to make your time in the car as enjoyable as possible. But if you’re like most people, your life [...]
Road Trip Destinations
June 7, 2010As a child, one of my fondest memories was a road trip I took with my family to Silver Dollar City, Missouri. Although my parent’s Toyota Camry was crammed packed with suitcases and snacks, I will always remember sights and sounds of the road. And since then, I’ve always had a special spot in my [...]
Safe Driving During Graduation Season
June 2, 2010Graduation time is here! June can be an exciting time of the year for many teens and their families. While graduation is an important benchmark and a stepping stone for the future, it is also the perfect time to remind your teen drivers about the importance of safe, distraction-free driving. Motor vehicle crashes are the [...]
← Previous Entries