Food fotos whet appetite for travel

Travel offers wide variety of delicious enticements

Lately when I sit down to take it easy, my mind almost goes blank. 

But then there are two (maybe three) things I know I will think about.

That’s traveling and food.

Lately my appetite's has been whetted for both.

After last year’s robust adventures of taking five trips of more than 600 miles, I’m getting back into the mood.

Once last Christmas arrived, we seemed to be traveled out.

The winter months are a good time to relax, rest and make more plans.

Originally, plans over the winter included heading back up to the Smokey Mountains for a snowfall, but that didn’t materialize.

We just took it easy. Our only day-trip was to New Orleans for some beignets. We haven’t taken an overnight trip in more than three months. That’s not like us.

But then again, during that time, we decided on a European cruise, so that’s what our time and money are budgeted toward.

Upon return, the mountain trips will resume (already booked time this summer) and may look forward to additional trip to places unknown.  I don’t know.

With the cold days of winter behind, the temperatures edging up, it seems like it is time to head out once again.

Next post: March 24, 2015

"Old Mill's" corn chowder really special

My wife wants to return to The Old Mill Restaurant the next time we are in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Why?

Mainly because of the corn chowder.

On our last excursion to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park back in December, wherein we stayed in a motel in Gatlinburg (Elkmont Campground was closed for the season), we managed to visit the well-known eatery just to the north.

It was our first time. We had thought about it a number of times over the course of our many trips, but it just didn’t quite work out.

But this time was different. We made it in. And we’ll return.

I don’t exactly remember what our main entrees were, but we do remember the corn chowder. It was great.

The problem with finding something good, one wants to go back home and recreate it.

But there’s always a hitch with that process.

What about those secret herbs and spices used to cook that delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken?

What about that “secret” ingredient we are told is put in the flour mix that leads to those delicious beignets that we order at Cafe DuMond  in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Well, we got back home and wifey wanted me to look up the recipe for that corn chowder. And I did find it on one of their web sites.

There is a little bit of this, a little bit of that and after one goes down the list that includes chicken broth, onions, potatoes, clam juice, flour, corn, margarine, oyster crackers, half and half, green and red bell peppers and water, there is a surprise. Isn't there always?

At the bottom of the recipe were these words: “We use special chowder seasoning which is not available at grocery stores. To compensate for this ingredient, season to taste with garlic powder and onion powder.”

Well, that’s just great. I want to know what that “special chowder seasoning" is and where can I get it — ordering online if necessary.

But isn’t that just the way it is with establishments that offer up “out of this world” food.

I really don’t blame them. I’ve tried the recipe three times, having left out the clam juice on the last try. I just couldn’t get use to the smell when opening the jar and the thought of eating it in the chowder.

Although my offerings weren’t  quite at good at the Old Mill Restaurant, wifey couldn’t help eating it up as quickly as possible, and wondering when the next batch was going to be presented.

Next post: March 17, 2015

Cahoots, Cognito: Have you ever been there?

We digress just a little bit this week.

Nothing like adding humor to our travel plans.

The following was printed in STASH, the publication of the Pine Belt Quilters in Hattiesburg, MS.

Member Barb Wilson treated members at the meeting of the club to her “Travel Plans for 2015.”

“I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can’t go alone. You have to be in Kahoots with someone.

“I’ve never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you here.

I have however been in Sane. They don’t have an airport, you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.

“I would like to go to Conclusions,  but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity.

“I have been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

“I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

“Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

“One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age, I need at the stimuli I can get!

“I may have been in Continent, and I don’t remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.”

As traveler and TV host Rick Steeves, says, “Keep on Traveling!”  

But maybe you’ll find better places to be in.

Next post: March 10, 2015