Yesterday, you saw my ode to State highway signs. Today, I thought it would be even funner (like my word) to show you the trip down through landmarks of places, foods and things that are just plain Americana.
First pit stop- Erie, Pennsylvania. The Cracker Barrel, an ode to my Dad. Apparently this is his favourite store/restaurant to visit when he goes down to South Carolina. It literally is at every major exit on the way down... for fun, we should have counted them... there were probably over 25 of them. So there is little Miss Melanie and her Daddy heading in for brunch.
Melanie enjoying what I remember from my childhood roadtrips to America. That triangle jump the peg game... except I remember playing at Howard Johnson's and eating salt water taffee.
Warning... these food pictures are not a 'healthy alternative'. This trip was a bit of a cultural food experiment. We ate what was available...tried to have fruits when we could... but the amount of food- the portions are HUGE! Thank God we walked the parks for 5 days straight... I only gained about 2 lbs... which is incredible after the amount of food experimenting I did. Here you see Melanie's 'healthy breakfast' this really was called healthy.. the muffin was bigger than her head!!!! She loved it and the yogurt, berries and granola... that might have been the healthy part?
I tried to go 'healthy' too, they advertised whole wheat pancakes with berries and blackberry syrup. But they had run out of whole wheat, so they had to be 'white' and they came with 10 berries... and look at that giant chunk of butter- quickly scooped it off and only finished half the plate.
Next, was the great big green mountains of West Virginia.
Seriously driving though the mountains, look at the landscape- the road was 'chunked' out of the mountain. Thank God I was the driver, those windy roads would have given me some crazy motion sickness.
Here's an American landmark for sure... Biscuit World... I do love me some biscuits.
Then there was the tunnel through the mountains. Wow, that was cool for Mella, for me... not so much, you see I was wearing my sunglasses and going through the tunnel with those lights made me feel like I was in my own 3D movie... did I mention I get motion sickness?
Our stop for the night was a place called Mount Airy, South Carolina. Did you know it was the 'filming' place for the Andy Griffith show. The fake town of 'Mayberry'. So when we drove around for a place to eat, look what I saw... a car from the show. I wonder if Ron Howard was ever in that car? I wonder if it had Subway written on the back of the car?
Well, wanting to enjoy all the little pieces of Americana for Melanie, we decided to try Sonic- America's Drive-In. See, it says it right there on the sign. But seriously, there wasn't much of a choice of restaurants.
So the whole concept is that you drive up to a parking spot and then order from your car... so can I get a salad? NOT!!!!! Ya, not my most nutritious meal!
And the whole fun of it is that the waitress/waiter than roller skates to your car and delivers your order. This boy was assigned to the tables- out waitress was too fast, so I didn't catch her.
Holy childhood moment.... Melanie was enjoying the motel pook after dinner. I sooooo remember staying in the roadside motels along our travels when I was a young girl. In fact, I remember finally figuring out the art of diving at one of these motel pools.
Next morning, big American city, Charlotte, North Carolina- which Brent informed me is the banking capital of America- thanks hon, I did not know that.
Next morning's brunch was in South Carolina. This one is for my sister... she used to love stopping at the big American Buffets at Shoney's.
Guess what Julie? The big buffets are still there... and it sure is American... just look at them decorations and Brent and Melanie eyeing them biscuits.
Yup, I was addicted to biscuits... warm and flaky, buttery biscuits. This was my little piece of heaven along with 3 cups of coffee. That 5:00am wakeup call made my 10:30 coffee an afternoon boost!
Ok, so here was my plate, a biscuit (OK, I may have wrapped a few and put them in my purse for an afternoon snack for me and the family), a little bacon, a little egg and a pile of oranges. Those seriously were the best, sweetest, juiciest oranges I have ever had. You see, these oranges didn't have to spend a week on a truck... they were straight from down the road. It's like eating an apple from an orchard- nothing can replace that freshness.
Ya, here's a nice typical picture all over the south... fireworks and waffle houses!
In Florida now, look at those landmark trees, no mistaken, we are in the tropical Palm Tree climate!
We stopped at the visitor centre and my goofy family made me proud!
... and even more proud here... we were suffering a little bit from 'car fever' at this point. But thanks Florida for the free orange juice!
Noticing my nails matched Minnie Mouse's dress. Mission accomplished!
Hurricane Isaac- this was a lovely welcome to the state, drivin through the beginning of the rain storm!
But guess what folks- we made it safe and sound and never happier to see our little resort in a palm tree paradise. Pop Century Resort- Groovy baby!
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