Hamburgers

One Night in Tapoco
Tapoco

These are photographs from the brochure. I will add my photographs shortly.

Have you ever tried something out of the blue and it turned out to be magical?  One night in Tapoco proved to be that for me.  Let me explain.

I had one night to myself between home stays and I thought I would treat myself to a night in a hotel. The night before the stay I made my reservation at the Historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, North Carolina.  I had been there once for a few moments when I was lost, and I thought then that I wanted to return there one day.

The Tapoco Lodge was built in 1930 by ALCOA.  It was used for company functions and corporate getaways during the hydroelectric efforts going on at the time.  It changed hands over the years and reopened to the public in 1955. Now the lodge has a rightful place on the National Register of Historic Places.

I am going to save the details of actually getting to The Tapoco for another post.  You get there by “riding the dragon”.  My friends, that is a story in and of itself!

At The Tapoco you have several choices for lodging.  You can stay in the hotel or one of several cabins sprinkled throughout the woods. I opted to stay in one of the cabins. I was thinking it would be rustic but I was wrong.  The cabin was so absolutely cozy and inviting.  It was small (which is right up my alley) but it felt like home as soon as I walked in the door.  I never wanted to leave.  I am sure the hotel rooms are lovely, but I cannot imagine that they can even compare to the comfort of the cabins.

The timing of this visit was just after Thanksgiving and the lobby was decorated so beautifully with Christmas trees, sparkling lights, giant bulbs and wreaths galore.  A fire was blazing and I set there for a while enjoying the exquisite view of the river nearby.  Never have I felt so relaxed sitting in a hotel lobby.

Since the hotel is not an easy place to get to, their hours are curtailed during the winter months.  I believe they even close completely for the brunt of winter.  Luckily, I wanted to stay over a weekend night and they were still open.  As I walked the grounds on a cool, yet sunny, November afternoon, I noticed a rather large quonset hut which turned out to be an actual working movie theater.  At 7:30, the movies start.  I thought that was wonderful.  At 8:00, you can go to the communal fire pit and enjoy smore’s and popcorn.  Those are amenities you just do not get everywhere.

I was starting to get hungry and wondered what my choices were going to be out here in the middle of, basically, nowhere.  There are two restaurants on the premises.  You can enjoy a very fine and proper Appalachian meal at Jasper’s or you can sink your teeth into some good old-fashioned cooking at the Slickrock Riverside Grill.  Since I am more of a hamburger-kinda gal, I went to the grill.  The salad, burger and fries were some of the best I had eaten and very fresh.   You can sit outside enjoying the river or watch a game on the inside.   Could this place get any better?

Yes, it can.  The grounds of The Tapoco are breathtaking.  There are 120 acres of the most stunning landscapes you can find.  There are mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and forest all around.  You can choose from several hiking trails or go biking…it is your choice.  Beauty is all around.

Everyone I met there was truly friendly, even the maintenance man waved as he drove by in his golf cart.  The staff are trained in the art of customer service and it shows everywhere.

I know this sounds like a long-winded commercial for the hotel, but I was just really impressed.   It was one of those respites that comes along when you are so tired and overwhelmed.  My few hours there proved to be so healing.  Everything from seeing the Christmas lights to enjoying a small hike around the grounds helped to calm me and restored my focus.  A place can do that and I am so glad I got to visit this place.

I am sure summers are a little more chaotic due but the time I spent was time well spent and I would do it again!

Here’s to a respite for a weary traveler and for enjoying the little luxuries that make life truly amazing.

P.S.  I have pictures, but I cannot find them now. Once I locate them I will post them.

 

 

 

 

Great Food Adventure – Recap

I did not create this hamburger image but I am respectfully using it for my post. Looks really good by the way!Part of my Epic Journey involved trying to find the best hamburger and/or diner.  I grew up on hamburgers and I love them to this day.  Unfortunately, just before the trip started I got very anemic.  I was very sick and did not have a lot of time to get better.  After some research on the Internet, I decided to try to go gluten free.  My health turned around dramatically.  So that changed my quest slightly.  Now I was looking for the best burger without a bun.

I have to admit, this was NOT the hardest part of the trip.  I enjoyed this very much.  Since I only ate one meal out, I tried to make it count.  Here are my findings, I hope you find them delicious 🙂

Dundee, IL – Bootleggers Restaurant.  I had just driven through Chicago, gotten lost twice and almost ran out of gas in bumper to bumper traffic.  I was STRESSED.  I pulled off the freeway and went to the first place I saw.  Very cool restaurant decorated from the Rat Pack Era with music to go with it.  Great service from Kassie and a really great burger!!

O’Neil, NE – Westside Restaurant.  Walking into this restaurant was like being home.  Good down home cooking, utilitarian decor, big salad bar and a very good hamburger with onions and brown gravy.

Downtown Buffalo, Wyoming. It is an adorable town!!

Downtown Buffalo, Wyoming. It is an adorable town!!

Buffalo, WY – The Busy Bee Soda Fountain and Bakery.  As I stated in a previous post, I had to eat here because one of my favorite book and television characters, Walt Longmire, always eats at this restaurant.  I had breakfast there and it was delicious.  My server, Kia, was awesome and very lively at 7 am in the morning (I was still on Cleveland time).  It was definitely a highlight of my trip!!

Buffalo, WY — Winchester Steak House.  Okay, I did not have a burger here but it was the day before my birthday and felt I deserved something special.  That is what I got.  I ordered the Filet Mignon and it was the ABSOLUTE best steak I have ever had in my life.  Everything here was amazing including the service.  I had called about 10 minutes before I got there to see if I needed reservations, the young lady I talked to said no, to just come in.  I was there in 10 minutes and my table was set and ready, my server was impeccable and the food was completely top notch.  If you are ever in Buffalo, Wyoming, you have to have dinner (they only serve dinner) at the Winchester Steak House.

Sutherlin, OR – Smitty’s Deli.  They specialized in all kinds of subs and you could even get them on gluten free bread!!  I was shocked and amazed!!  It was the best tuna sub I have ever had.  Oh, how I wish my memory was a little better!!

Newport, OR – Pig N’ Pancake.  Their specialty is pancakes, but I had a burger and was not disappointed.  The menu is actually extremely varied and the food was made fresh and was very good.  There were a lot of options for different types of hamburgers and toppings.  I really enjoyed sitting and watching the never-ending line of traffic in Newport go by the window.  It was relaxing after another harrowing day of driving.

Seal Rock, OR – Seal Rock Espresso & Bakery.  Granted this was just a stop for coffee, but it was really good coffee and the owners (Edward and Jeni) were awesome. All over the west, there are these small stand alone, drive up coffee shops and I just had to try one.  I am so glad I stopped as I got the morning jolt I needed for a long day of driving and I had some fun talking with the owners.  Good times!

Too much fun on Rt. 66!

Too much fun on Rt. 66!

Seligman, AZ – Westside Lilo’s.  I actually had breakfast there.  Breakfast is my least favorite meal, so I never really expect too much but I was wrong.  Situated on Route 66, Lilo’s is a tribute to the route and a really fun place to stop.  The breakfast was one of the best I have ever had and the atmosphere was truly enjoyable.

Clinton, OK – Picante Grill.  The restaurant itself did not look like much. The inside was like so many Mexican restaurant, very colorful and the menu was varied.  I was not overly impressed until the food came. This was the best Mexican food I have had in a very long time.  You could tell it was homemade and cooked with love.  Lesson learned:  Never judge a book by its cover (or you may miss a great meal).

Love me a retro diner!!

Love me a retro diner!!

Checotah, OK – Boom-a-rang Diner.  Absolutely one of the best burgers I have ever had (and I have hardly ever had a bad one).  There were a lot of different topping choices to choose from, the burger was high quality, the fries were awesome and the iced tea was really good. The diner was decorated in diner style which added to the ambiance.  It was a very fun stop!!

Whittier, NC – Waffle House.  What can I say about Waffle House, you always know what you are getting.  This time was different as it was the company that made this meal so good.  Visiting with a friend from my Kinetico days, Jan, was the highlight of the day and the great conversation made the food taste even better!

Beckley, WV – Texas Steakhouse.  After a few days of regular (not bad) dining experiences (Denny’s, Bob Evans, etc.) and since it would be the last day of this trip, I opted for another steak.  The Filet Mignon was very good here and Jamie, my server, was top of the line.  I really enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere as I contemplated the ending of Phase 1 of my trip.

Overall, I have to say that my one meal a day was always well worth the stop.  I enjoyed every meal (probably because I was so hungry-lol).  I enjoyed great servers and was able to share my story and hear theirs many times.  Great connections were made and I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to have great food and great company.

Surprise Date Night: Red Robin and The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Rockside Train Station

Rockside Train Station

Our 25th wedding anniversary just sort of came and went as we were still on the road and having to make some decisions about returning or going on.  Last night, Mike decided it was time to celebrate our first 25 years together and planned a sweet outing.  It started with my favorite hamburger place, Red Robin, in Independence.  Lexi was our server and she worked very hard to make sure everything was just right (and it was!).  Not much pleases me more than a great tasting hamburger served with a sweet smile.

The next part was a tightly held secret and I was not allowed to look at the maps, documentation or any other items Mike had brought with him.  He likes to surprise me, so I have learned to just go with the flow.  His surprises are always very cool.  This surprise took us to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.  I have ALWAYS wanted to ride the train, but never got around to doing it.  The night was lovely and clear.  It was a little overcast but not too much so.  It was perfect weather for a train ride.

Here comes the train into the station.

Here comes the train into the station.

We got to the depot around 6:30 and were able to board for our 7 PM departure.  As I walked into the 1950s train car, I was taken back to a simpler time when travel was a big deal and it was about the journey not just the destination.  Things I am trying to learn on my own Epic Journey, so really it was the perfect thing to do on a warm Friday night.

I noticed that there were not many other people in our car, as most of the nights travelers were enjoying dinner in the dining car.  But everyone traveling in our car was smiling and excited about the night’s journey.  The mood was very upbeat and positive.

Our Trainman was Roy and he was great!  As the train started to move, Roy told us about the history of the train, the park and quite a bit of history about Ohio itself.  He kept asking if we were bored, but everyone seemed to love hearing all the information that Roy had to share.  He made the trip very fun and informative.  He volunteers to do this, as well as watch the bike paths, we were very impressed with his dedication to the entire park system.

Beautiful Ohio Sky

Beautiful Ohio Sky

As we traveled at about 30 miles per hour (the diesel-powered engine could go much faster, but this was a leisurely trip), we experienced beautiful scenery.  Lush wetlands and meadows, flowing rivers, beautiful flowers, green trees, a few deer and an Eagle couple, just to name a few things we witnessed.  The trip went one hour out Peninsula and an hour back to our starting point at the Rockside Station.

The railroad runs scenic tours almost everyday as well as specialty tours throughout the year.  If you search for “CVSR”, their website comes right up and details all their upcoming events.

Things have been fairly hectic lately and seem like it will only get worse, so this respite to celebrate our anniversary was much-needed.  It was relaxing knowing we did not have anywhere to be or have anything to do but watch the amazing scenery pass by slowly.  Peaceful time with the one you love is the best gift available.  As we rocked gently to the rhythm of the train’s movement, I realized that I have had enough drama in my life.  It has become time to start enjoying a simpler life.  That was part of what I was looking for on the road, but I actually had to be on the rails to reach that conclusion.  Travel, even short travel, does change you.

View from a train.

View from a train.

I certainly enjoyed our belated anniversary celebration.  It was so much fun and relaxing at the same time.  Now I want to start planning other train trips in other locations.  It is truly a breathtaking way to see the country.  Hopefully, there will be more train stories in this blog.  I cannot wait to see how that unfolds.  Thank you for listening!

An artistic view from the train.

An artistic view from the train.

Day 13 – Clinton, Oklahoma to North Little Rock, Arkansas

360degreechange's avatarAn Epic Journey

We started the day off by stopping at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma.  I figured it would be a tourist trap that was designed to only suck your money away.  I was wrong.  It was an adorable, yet small, museum dedicated to preserving the history of Route 66.  The displays included quite a few authentic photographs, props and even cars of the time.  I am really glad we stopped as it was informative and fun.

I love the history of Route 66!! It is true Americana! I love the history of Route 66!! It is true Americana!

While driving in the west, one cannot help but notice all the casinos along the way.  I totally understand that those casinos bring tourist dollars into the community, provide decent wages to local people and they allow people to better themselves.  I get it, I really do.  But when you look around and you see big, bright and shiny casinos surrounded by…

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Doing Laundry Now – Thought I Would Post Some Pictures
At the Clinton, OK Route 66 Museum (in my Rock Hall T-shirt)

At the Clinton, OK Route 66 Museum (in my Rock Hall T-shirt)

At the museum. Really worth seeing the next time you are in Clinton, Oklahoma.

At the museum. Really worth seeing the next time you are in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Picture of the road being built. It had to be a brutal job. I am not sure how they did it.

Picture of the road being built. It had to be a brutal job. I am not sure how they did it.

Mike by an old gas pump. The artifacts are in pristine condition.

Mike by an old gas pump. The artifacts are in pristine condition.

One of my favorite parts of Route 66 -- The FOOD served in Diners!! Yummy!

One of my favorite parts of Route 66 — The FOOD served in Diners!! Yummy!

A far away shot of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A far away shot of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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At Tinker Air Force Base outside of Oklahoma City.

Great town for great hamburgers...more on that later!

Great town for great hamburgers…more on that later!

Welcome to Arkansas!

Welcome to Arkansas!

This sight is native to this area--we are in Walmart Country. Not near Bentonville, but close enough.

This sight is native to this area–we are in Walmart Country. Not near Bentonville, but close enough.

Day 9 – Mount Shasta, California to Lemon Cove, California

The adventure is continuing.  More mountain driving, and some very busy California road driving.  I realize that maybe California is not for me.  It is a lovely state with lovely people, but they drive way too fast and way too wild for this country girl.

So with all the drive time today, I thought of a Top Ten List of things I have learned so far.  Maybe this list will help others who are interested in doing a trip such as this:

10.  Never leave gummy vitamins in the glove box of your car in 90 to 100 degree weather.  My vitamins all melted into one big glob that I cannot even spoon out unless I reheat them.  Lesson Learned.

9.  O’Reilly’s, Walmart and any Dollar Store are your friends.  Yesterday, the check engine light went on in Devi.  Had Mike not been with me, it might have been the straw that broke my back.  He was able to diagnose the problem and saved the day.  But you never know when you are going to need an auto part, a first aid item or any number of things that you might have forgotten.  Forget the politics of the stores, they can be lifesavers in an emergency.

8.  Car camping in a Walmart parking lot is not quite the delight you might think it is.  I could barely sleep for all the random people just walking in the parking lot after midnight (mind you the store we slept at was not 24 hours, so they were closed).  There were skateboarders up until about 2 am and a car circled us for a while around 3 am.  They kept lighting something…a bowl maybe.  But it was downright scary and I do not think I am going to do that again.

7.  KOA (Kampgrounds of America) are a great resource for either tent camping or for sleeping in one of the adorable cabins.  We have been doing the cabins lately because I am just too old to sleep on the ground.  The price is better than a hotel; you have to walk to a bathroom and shower and it is not as luxurious as a hotel but for the cost difference it can mean an extra nice meal once in a while.

6.  Laundromats are a haven.  I never knew clean clothes were such a pleasure until you go a few days.  The task I felt was drudgery at home is now a gift.  Plus the time alone doing laundry is true “Me” time.

5.  Trust your gut.  Everyone says it, but it is so true.  Your instincts know when something is not right.  If you feel it, get the heck out.  If you feel really good, stay.  Today on the road I had a bad feeling and I did not stop until I was out of the place that made me uneasy.  Nothing probably would have happened, but it is not worth the risk.

4.  Simple food is the very best!!  I always wanted to try an In ‘N Out Burger (saw them on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives).  When I pulled up to the drive through, there are four main menu items; nothing fancy.  It was a great burger (gluten and all).  I appreciated the simplicity and the fact that every order is cooked to order.  Simple is the BEST!!

3.  Generally, people are animal lovers.  Today on a crowded California highway, a cat ran across the road and almost all traffic stopped including an 18-wheeler. Glad to report that the cat is okay and there were no car accidents either.

2.  When figuring travel budget, figure out all your costs and times them by three.  It is amazing how much everything costs.  I was truly unprepared (and I ain’t living large).  Money shortages can ruin a trip.

  1.  Mountain driving is not for the weak of heart.  There are sheer drops, insane grades up and down the mountain roads and your car may not like it either.  I found out, on this trip, that some states have mandated the use of ethanol in their gas which lowers the gases octane.  This can be very detrimental to a car’s engine.  I was lucky with Devi, but there was a 10% grade (doesn’t sound like much right — wrong!!) that almost blew her engine in the middle of absolutely nowhere.  Find out what your car can do before attempting mountain driving.

I hope this lists helps you as you think of your own Epic Journey.  These are things I will definitely consider on my next one.  It is rough out there, be prepared!!!

Great Hamburger Alert!! Tallmadge, Ohio

Part of my Epic Journey is to find great hamburgers at great local places.  Found one today, right here at home!!

I did not create this hamburger image but I am respectfully using it for my post. Looks really good by the way!

I did not create this hamburger image but I am respectfully using it for my post. Looks really good by the way!

Just traveling through Tallmadge, Ohio today and Stopped at Sammie’s Bar and Grill (see link below to their website).  Great place!!  The setting is lovely, quiet and inviting.  The burger was cooked to perfection and way more than I could eat (and I got the smaller sized one).  Great french fries too!!  Mike had the Cod and he said it was awesome!!  Mike, our server, was the best and gave us good advice about the menu!!  Overall, I would recommend Sammie’s to anyone looking for a really good meal!!

Sammies Bar and Grill