Omaha, Somewhere in Middle-America

A question from She this weekend:

You drove cross-country seven times.  In your travels back and forth from Jersey to California, what were your favorite adventures along the way?  What surprised you about the United States?  Any tips for those road-tripping cross-country and are there any must-see places?

That's right, kids--I've been back and forth seven (count 'em--seven) times when I was working on the East Coast and going to wine school on the West Coast.  But before I go making a hero out of myself, I've gotta say that my father came along and split the driving.  So in honor of Father's Day being today, I present to you "America:  With My Dad."

Trips weren't so much vacations as they were relocations--either I was finishing the semester and going to work an internship or the job was done and I was leaving the winery (just in time for harvest) and coming back to school (again, just in time for harvest).  I can't exactly tell you where the nation's largest ball of yarn is, nor do I have a picture of myself next to Old Faithful (which would have been cool--we just didn't go that way), but my dad and I have some tales from the road that are special to us and that we'll be telling for quite some time.  

The standard route looked a little something like this:

Started in Jersey, taking 78W to the PA Turnpike where we picked up 70W to Utah.  After cutting across the desert, we hit 15N and took that to Salt Lake City, where we go on 80W.  Easy enough--lots of long stretches and a helluva lot of corn.  I realize that we live in an age where everyone likes to think globally and that when we plan to travel, we think of going abroad.  I'm all for that, but keep in mind that America is BIG...I mean huge, man.  Do you realize that it's almost as far from New York to San Francisco as it is from New York to London?  When I was growing up, I had the perception that our country looked kinda like this:

Everything immediately over the Hudson is Jersey, but then the rest of the country is really a void--DC might as well be in Mexico (far left) and all other places of significance are out there in the flyover space somewhere.  And of all the major cities, why is Kansas City featured? You might have to watch this movie to figure that one out.  So a beautiful vision, yes, but not terribly accurate.  Most of this country is gorgeous, and if you get an opportunity to see it, take it.

Dad and I would usually leave on a Sunday and try to average somewhere around 700 miles a day--you go a little longer in the plains to make up for the time that you lose going through the mountains.  At the end of the first day, we were in Indianapolis.  I'm sure it's a great town, but it was never one that we actually explored.  Dad and I would look for the Big 3 when stopping for the night:  (1) Comfort Inn, (2) decent affordable gas, and (3) an establishment that served both steak and beer (not as much of a given as you may think--especially in certain western states).  With our criteria satisfied, we'd leave Indy with little fanfare.  It wasn't until the second day that we'd start hitting landmarks:

And, of course,

We're going to call this one "Before."

Some time right around lunch on day 3, 6 hours from Kansas City and still another 4 from Denver, my dad spotted an oasis in the nothing-ness.  Call it a knack, call it the Force, call it hunger--whichever--he found his favorite Chinese joint EVER in the middle of Colby, Kansas.  What made it his favorite?  Selection, price ($5), location, and desire.  Going to and from, we stopped there always, and we actually planned our day around it (ex. "If we leave at 7, we'll be in Colby by 12:30 for lunch").  So to the owners of the China Buffet in Colby, Kansas:  I don't know if you'll ever read this tribute to you, floating somewhere in the Outer Rim of the blog-universe, but you've made us very happy. 

The road is not without its share of perils, however.  On our first trek, dad got stopped by a Kansas State Trooper (who could not have been a day older than I) for 78 in a 75 (I kid you not).  Though we were let off with a warning, I got a few laughs in at his expense and our respect for Kansas troopers hit new lows.

Bro had never seen a last name end in a vowel before.

I'm often asked what my favorite part of the country was, and the answer is simple.  Colorado.  Every inch of it.  Hell, even their grasslands and deserts are classy and well-kept--like they pay golf course grounds crews weekend-overtime just to take care of them.  Going 70W through Denver led us here:

The Eisenhower Tunnel sends you to hyperspace.

And on the other side, we came out here:

Another favorite stop of ours was this little establishment in Silverthorne--great people and killer sandwiches...

Murphy's Irish Pub.  Hit 'em up.

Came down out of the Rockies, and now we followed the Colorado River into southern Utah...

I've been through the desert in a town with no name....

Most of Utah looks like this..

Right now is where I give my one piece of advice:  if you ever decide to road-trip it for a few days, make sure that you go with a buddy.  There are stretches with not much to see or do and it's real easy to fall into a tunnel-vision trap and possibly go insane.  No radio, either, so unless your iPod is stocked (Dad preferred audio stand-up comedy, referring to my Jeff Buckley as "noise") you'll be listening to the sound of wind for 9 hours.  Did I mention conversation?  Nice to have someone to talk to....especially if it's your dad.  We didn't always have to talk to each other...in fact, we'd go for hour-stretches when we'd say nothing at all.  But when we did, it was prime-time to talk about life or sports or family.

Dad's favorite gas station...because of its isolation.  The only
game in town for hundreds of miles, and baby, do they gouge!

You like outlaws?  Some cool stuff--

Robert Redford did him proud.

No wonder he hid here....it's a long way down.

Once we picked up 80 in Salt Lake City, we hit the most desolate terrain in America.  That Salt Desert is no joke.  Crystalline and white, it looks like snow but isn't.  The reflection of the sun off the surface gives the land a weird bluish-white glow, and we got the impression that we were on another planet.  No photo can do that justice--something that needs to be experienced to be fully understood.  

Westbound 80 from Utah to Nevada is a missile test range and (trivia time!) the first atomic bomb was actually detonated outside Wendover, NV.  I say they didn't finish the job.  

Remember how I said that most of America is beautiful?  Well, there are also parts of it that were never meant to be seen.  Wendover is one of them.  The best way that I can describe it would be something like this:  have you ever seen "Back to the Future"?  Marty goes back to the 50s and gets his parents to meet and go to the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance.  Eventually, he comes home to the present.  Wendover, however, does not.  The town is an eclectic blend of EconoLodges and chromed-out D-list casinos.  We couldn't leave quick enough.  

Nevada on 80 is lonely (but at least it isn't 50), but we soon came close to the end of our Odyssey...

Four days, 3100 miles, a few steaks, a few beers, 8 tanks of gas....and here we are.  Try it sometime.  

Wine of the Week:  2009 Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru.  Great, affordable top-flight Chablis for the masses.  Awesome high-acid white for a 100+ degree weekend.

What I learned today:  filters on your vacuum should be replaced every year.

What did you learn today?

School’s Out For Summer

Before summer vacation officially began G and I got a little antsy and needed to get away.  I was in the midst of packing up my classroom, winding down the year, and we were both overwhelmed with work.   A mini vacation over Memorial Day Weekend to Occidental, CA was just the ticket to get us in the summer frame of mind.  Occidental is the perfect sleepy town treasure!  In between the coast and wine country you can’t go wrong with the nice people and great views not to mention I have become quite a Pinot lover and apparently the Sonoma Coast is a Pinot lover’s paradise.  We drove through Napa to get to Occidental.  We were in no hurry and wanted to take the roadtrip nice and easy.  As a pit stop along the route we stopped by Round Pond Winery (beautiful view so-so wine) and then we lucked out and snagged an appointment at Failla Winery (one of our personal favorites).  Sun roof open and a Fleetwood Mac Pandora station blaring through the car speakers, we continued on our way. 

     

                              

                  

Once in Occidental, our favorite winery of the weekend was Lynmar Estates.  The Pinot here was beyond!  

          

 

            

                                                                                                                       I can’t wait to try my own strawberry and mint infused water a la Lynmar. 

                                                                              

                  

                     The fastest wine spinner around! 

 

Here are some other hi-lights from our Occidental weekend. 

                     

                    

On the last day of school, G’s family came in to town from New Jersey!  This was the first time G’s family met my mom.  In no time our families were laughing, sharing stories, enjoying routines like breakfast every morning on the patio, piling into the Honda Odyssey, mom’s sitting together in the third row of seats.  G drove and drove with his dad enjoying the father-son chats.  California Dreamin’ the theme of the week.  First we landed in Monterey on the 17 mile drive.  The cold and the wind did not deter us and the golfer’s on the greens were blown around as well.  Even a bride straddling the rugged coast rocks, buffeted by 50 mile an hour wind and cold, smiled for the camera man.  Some of G’s wine rounded out a picnic lunch located on picnic tables by the market.  Next stop the lodge where we shared chocolate fondue and watched the golfers on the 18th hole, sipping French wine!   Devine!   Barbequed steaks and corn rounded out our first day of vacation fun!  G’s mom sent pictures to New Jersey to share with her colleagues.   We all became bird watchers as the day progressed.  G’s mom had her California Bay area bird card and we helped her spot the song birds.  Next day, a 7:00 a.m. departure, put us in Napa for our first wine tasting appointment at our favorite winery, Lancaster Estate.  We love their wine.  G presented the very gracious hostess with a bottle of 1997 Lancaster Cabernet that he found on a shelf in San Jose.  The cork was a challenge, but every sip gave us pause, realizing just how well the Lancaster Wines age.  When we left, our wonderful hostess presented G with a complimentary bottle.  We were in high spirits as we headed down the road to Healdsburg to have lunch at the Oakville Grocery, where the best sandwiches are sold.  Next stop was a feast for our eyes, no wine tour, just a table on the terrace over looking the far reaching view at Domaine Carnaros.  Our 2:00 appointment at Reverie was fast approaching.  The Redwood Grove and Messy, the wine maker’s terrier are just some of the finer delights at Reverie.  Our tour guide was a former school principal, so my mom and I felt an immediate bond with her.  Strangely enough she was flying to New Jersey that night with her 90 year old mom.  Small world.  Time for a fine dining experience!  Brix restaurant on the highway 29 in Napa did not disappoint!  Before heading home, we enjoyed the gardens in the rear of the restaurant where the lettuce, herbs and grape vines greet the guests.  Sunday was a coasting day!  The mom’s walked the Los Gatos Creek trail and looked for birds and shared stories.  A text alert was sent at 11:00 with the news that Ridge Winery in Cupertino would be the adventure for the day!  The mini van trucked up the mountain.  G managed the hairpin curves, but G’s sister and Mom were not happy that the road had no guard rails.  They were ready for a drink when we reached the top and the car was ready for a cool down.  Only amazing wines to be had at Ridge!!!  And to add to the enjoyment, there is a view of the Santa Clara Valley; off to the right, San Francisco is in the panoramma!  Cheese, crackers, salad that I packed and wine was enjoyed by all at the picnic tables on the property.  New Jersey request was seafood for dinner so salmon on the barby was served up by the pool.  Yum.  By now we have our inside jokes, we are asking G’s sister to do another hand stand each day for a photo shoot, mom’s are sharing wine out of the same glass and things are so easy and fun!!!  Watching pro golfers in San Francisco was the next adventure at the Olympic Club, watching pre-US Open golfers practice for the big event.  G’s aunt joined us for dinner at Sinbad’s Pier 2 Seafood restaurant on the wharf. The view of the Bay Bridge and the ferry action made the dining experience memorable!    Next day was mellow, we shopped at Santana Row, where G’s sister enjoyed the upscale shops, and Blowfish Sushi restaurant.  Our final meal together included sushi grade tuna along with sushi rice topped with cucumber, crab, shrimp, avacado and seaweed wrap cut in small squares (I like to call it cheap and easy She’s deconstructed sushi).  California sunshine, wine and fine dining, will be calling to our New Jersey family!

                                                      Cheers from Oakville Grocery!  Turkey and brie heaven!