Eating Local

When we first set out, I posted on Facebook a question about what criteria one would need to do for a visit to count as visiting 50 states in 5 Years. This is our goal for this nomadic life we have chosen for the next few years. Was just traveling through a state was enough to having said you were there or if you needed to visit an attraction or eat local or both.

I’d like to think the majority of ya’ll said I had to do more than travel through but, I don’t honestly remember the total of the poll I took. I just like that notion the best.

In New Mexico we visited The Ice Caves and ate local.

In Arizona we ate local and visited with a local relative ,

So far in Oregon we have visited several attractions and we have eaten at Beckies and Mac’s Diner.

Beckies is a historical business named after Ed Becklehymer, the original operator of the restaurant and has survived since 1922, While the original building burned in 1937, it has been was quickly rebuilt in 1938, in the beautiful lodge style. It has been a favorite of celebrities like Zane Grey, Jack London and Herbert Hoover over the years, Though it is best known for their homemade pies, the food was also quite excellent. I must say that the blackberry pie was almost as good as my Mom’s and Sister’s dewberry cobbler and that, my friends, is the highest compliment I can give a pie. They also make a huckleberry pie that all the locals ask about but the huckleberries haven’t ripened yet. I can’t wait to try that one. If I get the chance.

We also stopped by Mac’s diner. It is totally retro to the 1950’s with a fully equipped soda fountain. The atmosphere was really cool and right on the Rogue River. The food was excellent.  Mark had a hand mixed Vanilla Sulphur, (cream soda) that was quite unique and yummy.

And remember those bear boxes. I know you’re thinking “what on earth does bear boxes have to do with eating local?” “Bear” with me a minute ; ). It turned out as the season got busier, we have to check bear boxes to make sure the previous guests doesn’t leave nasty surprises for the next guest.

And we do find surprises in them most days. Mostly trash but we find treasures from time to time.  One of the treasures we found was Buzz BallZ.  I discovered I liked them… And we bought a few more. So we are now supporting back home local as well as local here.  These are made in Texas by a women owned company. You didn’t see that coming did ya?

Thanks for checking in on our adventure. Let us know what great things you have going on. We’ll respond as soon as we find Internet.