Category: Try it and like it food

Together forever

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Gum ball machines have been around since the early 1900’s.  With a penny from your pocket, and a steady hand to avoid a machine jam the prize is a sweet treat.

The first bite releases the flavor, then a slow moment of chewing, inhaling and exhaling is necessary to blow the biggest bubble possible.

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As you fixate on the big pink ball between your eyes you try so hard to keep it inflated…..then your next breath takes it down…Pop!!!!

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Stay focused……deep breaths

Keep chewing and try again because if you swallow that gum it will stick to your ribs……

 

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Columbia River Gorge, Oregon USA

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Breaking my travel habit of staying off the Interstate this day I gave in to the straight and narrow of I84 east of Portland because of the magnificent mountain and river view.
Thank goodness for the rain, traffic moved slow enough to take in the incredible sights of the river gorge. My destination was set to have lunch at the  https://fullsailbrewing.com in Hood River.

My first  unplanned stop was at Multnomah Falls a national scenic area, and a good rest stop for travelers. The elegant cascade of flowing water from over 600 feet above the ground is relaxing and has a refreshing mist. Parking area, restrooms, a full service restaurant, and a gift shop are at the site and the exit is an easy “on” and “off”, offering all around convenience.

With my unexpected tour of the Falls I cut my time short at Hood River. It is a small port city on the Columbia River, with robust waterfront.  I did not get a chance to venture out of the area close to the restaurant but with just a glimpse I could sense a community of small businesses welcoming locals and visitors.

On the way back to Portland, another unexpected stop at the Viento State Park. A word of advise “hold on to your hats” Windsurfers know this spot, so I’m giving you the “heads up”.  I didn’t think I would have a  photo clear enough to post because I was shaking just trying to hold on to my camera.  It is a wind tunnel, and no surprise all that the pet sign said  “leashes required”

So that was my day out in the beautiful Pacific Northwest…..Oregon is never disappointing, and the beer float with wild Alaskan salmon, well…that was just  yum, yum , yum

Happy travels 🙂

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Merry Christmas from Coastal Georgia/South Carolina

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Travel tip….Huddle House is open for good eats on Christmas Day…..To find a location https://locations.huddlehouse.com/search.html

Happy Travels 🙂

 

My un-sightseeing week in Buffalo New York USA

When most travelers think of New York the first thing that comes to mind is New York City, and the same  for those that have never visited the state they have a vision of yellow taxis and skyscrapers.  But there is so much more and on the Canadian border in western New York is the Queen City of the great lakes, Buffalo.  The downtown water front overlooks lake Erie and as you travel north you get to view the rapid current of the mighty Niagara and then you will “fall” in love with the breathtaking view of Niagara Falls.

I will give you fair warning, choose the month of your visit carefully.  If you’re a lover of snow most likely will not be disappointed between November and March.  Also, remember the lake effect will cause the  wind chill temperature to feel much colder than it is.

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Early in the 20th century Buffalo was a robust city of millionaires, a port city of the great lakes and the Erie Canal, with grain elevators and steel mills overlooking the great lake Erie.  If you are savvy in your knowledge of architecture you will recognize the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and H.H. Richardson. Buffalo’s park system was inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted.

There’s a lot happening in Buffalo today as the canal side development downtown and the addition of the Naval park has the city back in the spotlight.  At some parts of the waterside you an literally see another country. our neighbor to the north Canada.

Now for the best of Buffalo….the food….Oh my gosh..I have so many favorite restaurants so I’ll just list a few:

Anchor Bar…the home of the Buffalo wings (Main St. downtown)

Sanatora’s pizza (several locations)

Fazio’s Italian restaurant (Niagara Street-Riverside)

Niagara Cafe ,Niagara Street downtown-Puerto Rican food, the best chicken dish ever

And don’t leave without a peanut donut from Paula’s…..Happy travels…

You’ll like them…Snack on boiled peanuts

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I didn’t stop just to take this photo but I stopped to buy the bag of peanuts. Oh my gosh they are really delicious and you can’t stop eating them!  It is not uncommon in Georgia and South Carolina USA  to see road side stands with peanuts boiling away in backyard cookers.

The peanuts are green meaning “just harvested” and not the color.  They are boiled in very salty water for 3-5  hours. The shell gets soft and the peanuts taste totally different than canned or  ball park peanuts.  If I had describe them I would say more like a garbanzo bean, at least to me.  Keep a bowl or napkin close by  to dispose the of the shells, and definitely have a cold drink at hand.  On the advise of the locals a  “coke”or “sweet tea” is the preferred drink.

If you’re thinking about an appetizer to impress your friends give them a try….

For more information about how to cook them here’s a recipe from Savannah’s own Paula Deen : http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/boiled-peanuts-recipe2-1913519