Daleville, VA

After sneaking our dog into the hotel room and convincing the night manager that the dog "belongs to our friend" and "we are dropping her off right now", we head over to Rancho Viejo, Mexican Grill and Cantina.  We thought that it was a bit odd that the most recommended restaurant in the area was this, in the middle of the passer by town.  It is supposed to be authentic...so off we are to the fiesta.

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True to theme, we ordered margaritas of course with Patrone, as we tried to get more of an idea about this restaurant from the bartender.  He says that the food is really authentic and the the live band is friends with one of the servers.  Good to know!

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"Mexican food is all the same, just presented in different ways," my fellow foodie confides.  As I look through, what seems like a hundred different menu items, that statement is slowly turning into fact.  Me going with my instincts of baked beans, I know that I'm going to regret this later, but I love them, I decide to have a little bit of everything with the rice, and beef tacos.  My compadre opts for the nachos with real cheddar cheese.  That is his biggest peeve, canned cheese.  He says each time that he is allergic.  So we wait and sip and listen to the music.  Tonight will be the last night eating on the road for us.  The end is near, and reality will soon bite. 

Roanoke, VA

With the goal of making it to Virginia now seeming very attainable, we are now looking forward to winding down with a wine tasting this afternoon.

Along the way we are finally able to check out what a KFC Buffet actually looks like inside, thanks to me having to go to the washroom.  I know, the whole concept is still a bit bizarre to me.  We also saw the teenie tiniest cafe.  I don't think it really meets any building code to any degree.

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Another breath taking view.  I'm beginning to realize how important it is to get out of the city every now and then.  Making our way up this steep mountain side, my taste buds are prepping for being on their best behavior so that I do not look like too much of a fool next to my wine connoiseur.

We are at Valhalla Vineyards.  They do a progressive wine tasting, and for $10 a person, you are able to sample their reserve wines from their hillside vineyard and even take their logo wine glass home.  Suprisingly, they did still charge us even though my sommelier is a buyer for a large hotel company, the decision of the owner who was a bit rough around the edges or maybe it was the stress of the day that comes with the responsibility of owning your own hillside winery.

The 'reserve' tasting consisted of two whites and six reds, topping it off with a late harvest dessert wine.  Their 'Rheingold' Chardonnay spent some time in French Oak which showed well although a bit pricey for the $24 price tag.  Chardonnay is just one of those grapes you can grow just about anywhere outside of Antartica and do relatively well with it which makes it a great grape to grow if you are looking to enhance your backyard with some grape vines.

The selection of reds were showcased by their "Valkyrie", which is a typical Bordeaux blend using the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  Perhaps it was the Cabernet Franc which made this wine great as thise grape thrives well in the Virginia climate.  After running through the rest of the selections, we settled on a bottle of the "Valkyrie" and continued to enjoy the outdoor ambiance of being in a hillside vineyard overlooking the Roanoke proper.  The day was finished with a spectacular sunset dropping over the mountains with a deep orange glow changing shades every few minutes.

After feeling happy from our trip to Valhalla, we continued on to our roadside abode which consisted of a motel spread out on several acres, allowing us to bring the dog without attracting too much attention.  The extra land surrounding the property allowed her to roam and do her business.

Spruce Pine, NC

Last night we inched our way down Mount Mitchell onto the Blue Ridge Parkway once again, but this time behind a tow truck.  A van had broken down on it's way up the mountain that we had seen along the way, and only on our journey out of Mount Mitchell did that tow come for them, poor things.  Perhaps we could have picked them up, like 10 years ago, but fast forward and add all the creepy movies, no thanks.

This morning, we were waking up in the smallest town we've been in yet.  We drove up and down this main strip, all of about 2 miles looking for this motel in the dark.  Last night at around 9:30 pm, this place looked scary.  Referring back to the creepy movies, it looked like that verbatim, but now in the light of day, not so bad.  It really does have the small town feel and we are definately sticking out like a sore thumb. 

As we sit for lunch at Upper Street Cafe, a one of a kind, touch of chic cafe, the bubble machine in front is distracting me.  What a cute way to attract attention.  Looking around, you could see the personalized touch to everything and the food also held it's own.  We ordered and shared a cheese burger and tuna melt sandwich, and a sweet tea, of course.  They were both delicious.  I even snuck a couple of desserts to go, while taking care of the check.  Everything is made fresh on site and the home made eclair and lemon and cream cheese pound cake looked divine.  This was to make a really great driving snack, for sure. 

Mount Mitchell

The breath of air that I had just taken is the freshest that I recall since my trip to the Canadian Rockies. It’s like a high end bottle of water. As we carve our way up the Blue Ridge Mountains, the view is indescribable. What I am seeing in front of me right now is one that you usually find at Hallmark, with a Bible verse or inspirational passage over top.

Our goal is to arrive at Mount Mitchell by sunset, but with the traffic in front of us and a max speed of 35 mph, could this be done? Well, it just had to be. As we climb the mountain range, what resembles a design of the gods, due to its magnitude, the temperature drops, from 70°F to 54°F instantaneously, without warning, just like the 180° turns that we’ve been experiencing.

I find that my head is just as far out of the window as our dog’s, sniffing and keeping my eye out for animals. We haven’t seen any mountain cats, bears, or deer, we did see a ground hog, some baby raccoons, and a lot of birds.

We finally see the sign to Mount Mitchell, and with the sun beginning to set, and the park closing at 8pm, dinner was to be at the peak of the highest mountain east of the Mississippi, and so it was. After parking, bundling up, throwing on a couple of layers and a scarf, we were forced to foot it to the summit. A 360° view, and a whole bunch of posing and picturing, this was just unreal. The sky did that thing that I love most, the orange, purple and pink thing.

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This evening we are dining at the summit.  We watch as the sun dots the hills, providing the perfect spotlight to what mother nature wants us to pay attention to.  On our little camper stove we are doing a two potter meal; the leftover pasta and minnestrone soup, in the other.  With my breath dancing in front of me it the soup doesn't seem hot enough and neither does the pasta, but the pots that we cooked them in are keeping my fingers from falling off.  However, despite all this, and eatng on the floor, how many dinners have you had on the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi?

Pigeon Forge, Tn.

As soon as we enter into town the first thing that comes to mind is Rocky Mountain High, John Denver.  Though they are known as the Smokey Mountains, it was the closest theme song that I could come up with for sight.

We stop into a Cherokee trading post because of my love of Native art. The store sells anything and everything, but also carries a couple of collections from local artists.  Another item that seems to be quite popular are the moccassins, Minnetonkas, and they are absolutely adorable.  I'll be sure to get me a pair before we hit the road again tomorrow.

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The view from our hotel window is beautiful.  That pretty shade of pink, purple and orange is in the sky right now, with the sight of the mountains right underneath it.  Even with the cheesy country shindig spots around the area, they are no competition for this back drop.

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Dinner tonight is at the Old Mill Restaurant, at the historical Old Mill Square, a national landmark in operation since 1830, which included a Pottery, Creamery, Candy Kitchen and Farm Kitchen.  The restaurant was FULL, and with it being a large place, it was quite surprising for midweek.  With a 30 minute wait now behind us, we were craving a drink to prepare us for our hearty meal.  Behold, this establishment does not serve ANY alcohol.  According to our waitress, this city used to a dry city, now that beer and wine is permitted they didn't want to sacrifice space to put in a bar.  This was the first time I had ever been in such a position, so I went for the next best thing - sweet tea (my new thing).

We order the Southern Country Fried Steak and the Sugar Cured Ham - according to our waitress, "(You're) gonna be thirsty for two days!"  The ham is that salty.  Both dinners are served with corn chowder, homemade fritters, salad, mashed potatoes, green beens and dessert, at $16.99 each.

After our salads were taken away, we were served the all-you-can-eat mashed potatoes and green beans, family style, both our dishes, looked like a heart attack.  I think my arteries prepared themselves for this one.  With all my excitement, I was disappointed.  The service was fast, the restaurant was like a well oiled machine, and the waiters were aiming to turn their tables quickly.  The food itself, was not as great as I expected it to be, since Trip Advisor says that this place has "...great food and desserts..."  The green beans were so mushy, they were definately canned and then reheated too many times.  The mashed potatoes, whether or not they are house made, were good.  My steak tasted ok, I was a bit surprised that the only way to have my steak done was well done, but the white gravy that topped it, was like eating beef flavored paste - thick and lumpy.  With regards to the ham, our waitress was right, that thing was so salty, I think my contacts dried out.  The dessert did not taste homemade at all.  We ordered the peach cobler to stay and the chocolate cake to go.  Both looked like they were from the grocery aisle and lacked that rich homey flavor.

Maybe the restaurant became too touristy, and they were more concerned with accomodating everyone, because the property is in a great location and on it's own does have a lot of character, but they are missing the mark.  While the customers are getting a lot of bang for their buck, this is where it is clear that it must be quality over quantity.  Sure us customers may be a one time visiter, maybe not, but did they really want the taste left in our mouth to be a bad one?

The Drive to Tennesse

This evening we were to stop in Tifton, GA.  Not much to see in this town, as it seems to be all TT, trackter trailer that is.  However, the drive in provided some very interesting sights.  Billboard after billboard...it was all about the "Georgia Pecans", "Firecrackers", "Buffet", and even a variety of adult themed shops with "Truck Parking in Rear".  Georgia has it all...with just these, use your imagination.

A quick stop at roadside stand for some local honey.  I couldn't resist when I saw what I was getting for $17, I know, the most I've ever paid for the stuff. How could I say, "No"?  The man was a darling and the honey came in a glass jar still with comb.

Still needing to replenish the cooler, we decided to stop for a bag of salad greens, and perhaps some pasta for dinner.  We stopped at yes, another grocery store, and it was flat out G-H-E-T-T-O, it wreaked of it, and we just didn't trust the sign outside that said fresh ground beef.  Looking at it, I think there was a layer of dust on the packaging.  So, we have the pasta, got the sauce, now searching for the salad greens...the only greens they had were collard greens.  I'm not saying anything further about that, but we ended up getting a can of French cut green beans, for our veg this evening.

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The morning is crisp, and the sound of TT was all about, which I awoke to.  Our continental breakfast was an interesting spread of instant oatmeal, instant grits (we were in the South for sure), cold cereal, but the milk wasn't cold, mini muffins, toast, and yes, plastic flatware and styrofoam.  What timing, as we are dining, the health inspection agency shows up.  Two women with their clipboards are thoroughly examining the breakfast bar and the first thing they say to the lurking owner behind them, "Milk's gotta be on ice...kept cold."  We both thought that it was odd to be conducting such a thing with people still dining - I guess they were over confident...like hey, nothing to worry about.  Suggestion, chill the milk.

Again, we had the dog sitution.  Thinking that we were in the clear, this time we were the over confident ones, a housekeeper sees me walking our dog.  The maintenace guy comes out and says that a $10 charge must be added (but they didn't have our credit card since we booked through Expedia).  He explained that since we had a dog in the room it would be more work for them as, "(They) have to now change the sheets, wash the pillows, vaccuum the room..."  So, this wasn't standard?!  WHAT THE F#*%???

* * *

On the way to Pigeon Forge, Tennesse nothing really to see, but junk souvenir shops, billboards galore and even a few that say  KFC Buffet.  KFC Buffet???  REALLY???  Because one heart attack isn't enough, please endulge and have multiple, at a single payment of $7.95.

Now with KFC in mind, I was lickin' my lips for some fatty food tonight!

Esthero, Fl

Now en route, the GPS is telling us to keep left to Alligator Alley. I am convinced that somewhere along this route I will see alligators; I mean the highway is named it for a reason right. Continuing on, I am getting noxious from looking out my window at the never ending swamp. Looking hard, I don’t see any! Until finally…there it is, complete submerged with only its head above water. Since the swamp areas are completely fenced in, I am confident enough to walk from the shoulder of the interstate, down the incline, take off my sandals and get my feet wet to get a closer look at my reptilian find.

This evening we were to meet with another good friend, who runs his own fishing charter, not knowing this ahead of time, I inconsiderately chose a seafood restaurant, Blue Water Bistro…nice going! However, I could not think to go anywhere else when I saw the menu online.

The restaurant has an interesting configuration, outdoor seating with bar windows allowing for trio seating and an aqua themed dining room with vaulted ceilings. We, of course, chose to sit outside, to maximize the beautiful Florida weather. Sipping on a glass of Conundrum and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, we are salivating over the appetizer menu, and tonight, to our treat, there is a three for the price of one drink special. Oh la la, this could mean trouble.

Now, feeling better, I opt of the Half Dozen Oysters, we also order the “Morning After” Mussels, which is comparable to having a Bloody Mary in a tomato, citrus, vodka spiked broth, even served with a celery stalk, but made with artichokes, a nice additive I thought. We also order the King Crab Legs served hot, and the Grouper Kung Pao - Stir fried grouper, broccoli, bell peppers and zucchini in a spicy Szechuan peanut sauce. All was without a doubt, superb. Great flavor with every bite of my dish and our bartender, who was also our server was phenomenal, certainly a hot commodity for the restaurant.

Happy by now, we ask our server to send the restaurant manager our way. Maybe our motives were pure, we wanted to pay it forward by complimenting on food and service, or maybe we were hoping for a free round since it looked like we were closing down the house. She was older, and had clearly been in the business for many years, primarily in the Florida area. Obviously seeing that we are such foodies, she is more than happy to give us a tour of the kitchen, which is immaculate.

Now moving inside, we were being served by our waitress/bartender and another fine gentleman who is a huge Ty Domi fan. Imagine that, a Domi die hard here in the sunshine state. After talking about hockey, the Leafs, sky diving and fishing, a few more top offs on our wine, on the house, a shot of Grand Marnier and Red Death™ (an Alabama Slammer and a Kamikazi, mixed together), we were told to hit the road. I remember, while walking back to our hotel, only a few minutes away, THANK GOD, laying on the pavement for a little while. I was hurtin’ for sure, and we both will be come morning.

Special Thanks: Aron Blaisdell