As one who has done the multi-week Summer trips while ‘out of school’, I have to agree that the work schedule for educators was one of the real benefits of the job. It is amazing to me how a little quirk in techology made it all the better…I speak of the magic invention–Electronic Banking— Before electronic deposit and bill pay etc etc I would have had the complexity of being sure that July and/or August check was deposited and arrangements were made to pay the monthly bills. With the coming of the computer, it is now beyond easy to cover all costs while on the road !!
Our calendar was even better..We worked a year-round schedule, with my ‘track’ having a summer break for May-June and then a Fall break from Mid-October to New Years. It was the best of all possible combinations. Fall was cool and less crowded at most destinations, and MAY-JUNE was ideal for travel too.
We used Louisville as the end of the road eastbound, but would go anywhere we wanted for weeks on the way or returning to SoCal. The longest was 18,000 miles–8 weeks, and included the Rio-Grande Valley, Gulf Coast,then up the Mississippi River to Louisville and a family visit… East then to Chesapeake Bay, Lancaster PA, NJ and NYC, Rt 1 into Maine, Montreal, The Adirondacks,Niagara, Michigan, The Czech towns in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, MT Rushmore, Then a zigzag across the Canadian US border thru Glacier NP to Victoria B C . Down to the Columbia River and family in Portland, then Lewis and Clark trail back to Montana. Then South thru the Tetons/Jackson Hole, Flaming Gorge WY, Grand Junc. CO, Ouray and Durango before heading West thru the Navajo country and the Dixie Utah Nat’l Parks
Stern’s Books were always checked when we entered a state..to see if a recommended stop was within a reasonable distance from whereever we thought we were headed.
We’ve done Craigs BBQ several times, but wouldn’t rate it at the top of the list. We tended to like it better ‘Eastbound’ than when we headed west out of Memphis the day before the stop in DeVall’s Bluff.
I have noticed that , BTW, if we have enjoyed BBQ or Seafood etc etc at a couple of places, by the time we get to the third day’s stop, we are a bit burned out on the menu, and get rather ‘picky’ about the taste/quality. I don’t know how Jane and Michael do it day after day. If I have been without BBQ for a couple of weeks, the first taste I get tends to be rated higher than what the product probably deserves….and the same is true at the other end of the spectrum..If I have BBQ daily for a week then stop at Arthur Bryants on the 8th day…I won’t enjoy it as much as if it had been the first stop. (Hence my eastbound/westbound comment about Craigs.)
These days we tend to take shorter trips most of the time. The 4 days around Northern Missouri last week is a good example. We are planning to visit Paul and then head down to Savannah early this Fall. If the group decides to do a meeting/trip in the Mississippi Valley as was mentioned a while back, We will be planning to join the fun next Spring.
Keep those travel digests coming. I enjoy reading of the interests that you guys have in this sort of thing. It always suprises me that many of us think a lot alike on many of the topics on this board…(I thought I was the only crazy one !!!)

Bushie, about a month ago when last stopped at The Pie Shop in DeVall’s Bluff (across highway from Craig’s) it was closed for retail sales (still made them there) but you bought the pies (either slices or whole) at Craig’s. Not sure but think this is a permanent thing. I got a chocolate pie and a coconut pie to take with me to an event. To me The Pie Shop pies are good, but I have had better in central Ark. (Ma Jones in Pine Bluff, Ed & Kay’s, with which you are familiar, The Bakery in The Village at Star City). Am surprised you have never eaten at Craig’s in DeVall’s Bluff. As I’ve said elsewhere, I think it is very good good but not the best barbecue in the state. It is certainly worth a visit, though, for what it is; an absolute shack. Everyone should go there at least once just for its unique environment. I find its barbecued pork unusual. too. To me. its more like a slice of barbecued ham than traditional pork barbecue. Though I probably eat there every few months, I didn’t stop there on way home from Little Rock yesterday as had only a bit earlier pigged out in NLR, but thought how popular it was when passed – as evidenced by there being 10 cars in the parking lot at 3:15 PM. Hope you get to try it.

I like McClard’s in Hot Springs, too, goldsborcht, despite its crowds (and some’s complaints of its being too touristy, but most things in Hot Springs are touristy or they wouldn’t survive), and I go mainly for the food. Guess my favorite barbecue in the state now, tho, is Whole Hog Cafe on Cantrell in Little Rock (my favorites are its barbecued pork and smoked pork loin). I’m not familiar with Pig PIt in Arkadelphia. Will have to remember that for next time I get down that way, which is infrequently. Surely sorry you found St. Louis to be such a dismal food wasteland, for I’ve had some of my most enjoyable eating experiences ever in St. Louis and environs (with Cunetto’s there being about my world’s favorite restaurant). Hope if you are ever back you come out better. Surely enjoyed your entire travelogue/eatalogue. Sounds as though you had a wonderful trip/experience.

Gb: Like Willie sings, "on the road again"…that’s what’s great about this country and the freedom to travel if you have the time. Great review of your trip. I loved it.

Signman, My reason for going on this journey was to eat, watch some baseball, check out some rodeo, shop at thrift stores, read local newspapers, take pictures with my ancient point-and-shoot, and that’s pretty much it. I’d rather drive around in the middle of nowhere than take a planned vacation. North Platte sounds better to me than the South of France. I did go to some museums, but only if they were Western in theme, and/or served Dr. Pepper. I went to Cheyenne Frontier Days. But that was random. Rodeo and Willie, who could ask for more? I went to a couple parks– Arches, Monument Valley, Bryce. But there was no set destination. The pilgrimmage was going to end at the Mall of America, but Willie made me strapped for time, so I had to take a straight line home, with a dip into KC.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie
Especially thanks for the tip about Craig’s in De Valls. I’ve driven through there, but didn’t know about Craig’s. I’ll go there next time I’m in Little Rock.

Craig’s is good, but go easy with that sauce (I actually liked it better without the sauce). And don’t forget to see if the Family Pie Shop is open (just across the street)…

Wow! Did you check your cholesterol when you returned to Brooklyn?[;)]

GB,

Great travelouge, I mean eatalouge. I guess I missed the thread leading up to this trip. Was there a purpose other than to eat?? If not, more power to you.

Wow, Gb, I’m out of breath just from reading about your trip. Sounded great. I love that you had to start and end your trip with stops at Pat’s in South Philly. Just wait ’til I get Bushie to Philly-he’ll understand why you went there on your trip.

I’m still in shock. Let me backpedal. Forgot 2 important places in Arkansas. Craig’s in Devalls Bluff. Appealing because it’s in the middle of nowhere, a trucker went out of his way for it, unique bbq sauce (cinnamony), black owned, easily eaten while driving. a shack. The Pig Pit in Arkapelphia. Very meaty and tasty chopped pork sandwich served dry. Nice way to hold me over until Texas. O.K. Leaving Texas (unfortunately). New Mexico– Las Cruces/Mesilla (Old Mesilla Bakery and Cafe. Delicious migas and strong coffee get me going on my way to White Sands. Incredibly nice staff and customer. One customer gave me directions and proceeded to tell me all the wonderful things New Mexico had in store foe me. Would re-locate to Las Cruces in a heartbeat.). Taos: Didn’t eat there but McDonald’s sign had Taos written under the golden arches (McWeird). Albuqurque: M&J (Great sopapillas. Had 2 orders. Mon. morning so service was terrible. Adovado was good but shout not be eaten that early. Learned my l;easson about eating Mexican food while going on extended drives.). Farmington: Furr’s Cafeteria (I know it’s a chain but they had very good CFS. Also had pretty good frybread. A nice stop after not eating all day. The staff got pissed I was taking pictures: "You can’t take pictures of the desserts." OK.). Arizona– Tucson: Jack’s BBQ (this is no Lockhart, but a fun place. Good sloppy joe’s, cardboard brisket, jokey fried Twinkies fancied up with a slice of vanilla ice scream and chocolate swirls). Cali.– San Diego: El Indio (what San Diego should taste like. A fantastic regional find. The fish tacos are absolutely amazing. Big pieces of fish perfectly fried, chewy corn tortillas, fresh tasting salsa. One thing I wish I could bring back with me. A very special place.). Nevada– Las Vegas: In ‘n Out (good double double, as usual. But John 3:16 on the wrapper is very off-putting.). Utah– Salina: Mom’s Cafe (breakfast of CFS and eggs. Absolutely delicious. The real standout were the scones. These aren’t the hard English bricks. These are more like a sweet frybread or sopapilla. Had one order there and one for the road. Any Roadfooder would love this place. Waitresses like Flo and Alice. Uniforms clean and colorful. Coffee aplenty. Old brick building left unchanged yet immaculate. Worth going out of the way for.). Colorado– Denver: La Fogata (a place way past its prime. I’d estimate they haven’t served a great plate since ’83. Terribly disappointing considering I held out since Grand Juction. A LA chain does a better job woth combo plates. Why would anyone make wheat sopapilla? Sad. La Fogettaboutit.). Wyoming– Cheyenne, the worst food city there is. So Disappointing. You’d think Cheyenne would have some bbq or country cooking. Nothing but chains. The place in Roadfood, Hickory House, has been closed down for 5 years and is now a frame shop. Someone needs to update that book. I searched for this non-existant place for 2 hours. Missed an hour of the rodeo because of it. Had to settle for Arby’s. But that night I got to see Willie Freakin’ Nelson. More than made up for Cheyenne’s lack of culinary delights. Nebraska– Sidney: Country Kettle (where the locals eat. Had CFS and eggs. Best CFS I ever had. Probably the proximity to the farms. Ran out of biscuits so waitress replaced it with pancakes. Never had pancakes like this. Spongy, fluffy, and huge. Wanted to taske a nap in them. No denying this place’s authenticity.). Omaha: Johnny’s Cafe (great experience. Old steakhouse. Still lively. Wierd murals. Friendly staff. OK steaks. Abilene was better.). Missouri– KC: Arthur Bryant’s (the best ribs I ever had. Would eat them every night if I could. Also best bbq sauce. My shirt smelled like smoke afterwards. Didn’t mind one bit. The place was packed without any let up. Brisket was a disappointment. Carved by machine. Tasted like shoe sole. No comparison to Lockhart. But oh those ribs. RFers out there, make the pilgrimmage.). St. Louis:,21,29367.008,1,13117,206.217.148.246
29374,29367,29367,2003-08-06 10:41:43,RE: Goldsborscht’s Trip”

Glad to see you found some good grub in Texas!