Bob's Cafe - Ethridge, Tennessee

When out riding a good hamburger for lunch is hard to beat and I have been known to plan routes to coincide lunch with a good burger joint.  One of my all time favorite restaurant for a burger is Burger Land in Paris, Texas and is the benchmark for great burgers.  Recently, after a fun time at a local gun range, my son and I decided a hamburger and fries sounded good.  I had seen and heard about Bob's Cafe in Ethridge, TN.  We headed that direction and were hoping we would not be disappointed. 

Bob's Cafe sits on the west side of US 43 adjacent to the Amish Welcome Center & Wagon Tours.  Which if you have time riding around the large Amish community is very interesting and shopping at the Amish market is fun.  Note - the Amish market and Amish family businesses are closed on Sundays.

Signs at the end of Amish driveways states what is made and sold by that family

A traditional Amish home with a white farm house and a red barn.

 The Amish community in Ethridge is a thriving and productive community.  It is fun to ride or drive around and see the farms and the products made and sold by each family.  After lunch my son and I visited a couple of families that built cedar chests as I was searching for my wife's birthday gift.  The next week I ending up buying a four level bird house from one family and a cedar chest for my wife's birthday from a different family.  The protocol is to drive up the the house and someone will come and you ask to see the cedar chests (or whatever it is you are looking for that they sell).  The people were very friendly and helpful.  Take cash as they do not accept checks or credit cards.

Bob's Cafe is easy to spot from US-43

Bob's has plenty of parking and a simple country style front porch.  As we entered we received a friendly and warm welcome before being seated promptly.  Tables are spaced with plenty of room and the decor is country, welcoming and comfortable.

Country decor and comfortable seating

The menu had several great options so we considered some of the options but Richard and I were craving a good country hamburger.  Of course we were able to individually customize our burger.

There are plenty of good options at Bob's Cafe.

As we waited for lunch we enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere.  I noticed some motorcycle related signs on the walls and that piqued my interest.  I went to wash my hands before eating and notice even more motorcycle related items and a China cabinet turned trophy case that caught my eye.

In the cabinet/trophy case there was a motorcycle helmet and two simple trophies with a motorcycle  on each one.  As I read the trophies I was impressed.  Each one was from the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials! 

500CC and 2000CC land speed records

The trophies were engraved with the following:

Bonneville Speedweek            Bonneville Speedweek

2006                                         2006

Aug 12 - 18th                                Aug 12 - 18th  

Record                                         Record

#6211B                                         #609B

Goldwing Lyon Bobbi              Goldwing Lyon Bobbi

500cc / MPS-VBF                  2000cc / M - BG

69.427 MPH                           129.629 MPH

I asked if Bobbi was around, but she was not.  Bob's Cafe is named after Bobbi and she is there sometimes.  I hope to get to meet her and visit with her on one of my next visits.  

Back to lunch - The burgers and fries arrived in a timely manner and were made just as we ordered.  The meat was fresh and seasoned well, but not over seasoned.  The "fixin's" were also fresh and tasty.  Richard added bacon and he said it was good bacon (as though there is bad bacon :) ).  

 

The traditional hamburger and fries tasted great and satisfied our hankering.  We both enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.  I will be returning to Bob's Cafe.  If you find yourself near Ethridge, TN and its time for lunch or dinner give Bob's a try, I believe you will be happy with your meal.

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Independence Pass, Colorado

Beat The Heat Tour parked at Independence Pass overlook.

In July 2016 I led some friends on a motorcycle tour based out of Breckenridge, Colorado.  One of our days of riding included a trip to Aspen via Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass.  At 12,095 feet Independence Pass is the third highest pass in Colorado.

 

Eastern view from overlook

We turned onto CO 82 heading west from US 24 quickly passing Twin Lakes and gradually gaining elevation. Just past the lakes there is a small community with a little "surprise" as travelers enter town.

The sudden appearance of police car can make one grab some brakes

I am sure the old police car and mannequin gets the attention a lot of travelers on CO 82.  I know I grabbed some brake as I came out of the corner approaching the little community. 

From US 24 to the Independence Pass Overlook is 23.5 miles.  The road has nice curves and long sweepers until the last five miles where there are three very sharp switchbacks which require low gears.  The views a long the way are awesome!

 Video of riding down west side from Independence Pass

Sign at overlook warning riders and drivers

View from overlook - watch on YouTube

We left the overlook and continued about 19 miles to Aspen.  The portion from the overlook to Aspen did not have as many switchbacks, but still had curves, sweepers and elevation change.

We did not stay long in Aspen, it was crowded.  We stop in Leadville for lunch at High Mountain Pies.

We greatly enjoyed the ride, the lunch, the views and the fun.  I look forward to riding the area again.

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Heading to see Old Faithful?

Last summer I made my first trip to Yellowstone National Park (other post about YNP trip- Osprey Falls,  Mesa Falls).  If you have not visited the park you need to.  It has so much to see and do.  Of course when you are there you need to keep yourself well nourished and in doing so you may as well enjoy the food.  Let me recommend three worthy eateries.

If you enter YNP through the east entrance Cody, Wyoming is the last town prior to the park.  Cody has a lot to offer.  There are museums, shops, and a lot of restaurants.  Arguably the most historic and famous is The Irma Hotel, Buffalo Bill's historic hotel named for his daughter.

The Irma was built in 1902

The Irma offers buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Patrons may also order from the menu.  The dinner buffet includes Prime Rib, Salmon, Catfish, BBQ Ribs, salad bar, various vegetables and soup, as well as numerous desserts.  Everything was great!  The Prime Rib was tender and delicious.  I really enjoyd the Italian Wedding soup.  No one in our group had a complaint about the food.   The turn of the century atmosphere was enjoyable.  So while in Cody stop by 1192 Sheridan Ave. and enjoy the daily gunfight show prior to an enjoyable dinner.

A great bowl of soap at the Irma

Enjoy the daily gunfight show on the street outside The Irma

If entering YNP through the west gate you will travel through West Yellowstone, MT.   West Yellowstone is literally outside the west entrance and is a great location to stay when visiting the park if you don't want to stay inside the park.  At 115 Yellowstone Avenue we found the Outpost Restaurant.  We had just ridden in from a long day on the bikes.  We were hungry and it was a little on the cool side.

I ordered the Beef Stew with cornbread and salad bar.  The stew hit the spot!  Big hunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, etc.  The cornbread was standard cornbread but I found it a great combination with the stew.  My friends ordered various items and enjoyed their meals.  The cost of the meal was not excessive and actually a good value for a tourist town.  While you are visiting the area shops stop by the Outpost for some tasty grub and then visit Yellowstone Motorhed for any motorcycle needs including Hawg Wash to clean your bike.

Yellowstone Motorhed for your motorcycle needs while in the YNP area

It is not a complete trip to YNP until you see Old Faithful and the historic Old Faithful Inn.  Now that I have eaten (twice) at the Old Faithful Inn I can say you are missing out if you don't take time to enjoy at least one meal in the inn.

The required photo of Old Faithful.  It is very impressive.

 The historic inn lobby

Old Faithful Inn dining room

The Old Faithful Inn offers buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a full menu.  After view the famous geyser we ate lunch at the inn.  My son and I enjoyed the lunch buffet.  The grilled trout was the highlight of the meal for me.  Light, flaky, and well seasoned the trout was great.  I also enjoyed the bison chili.  Various vegetables, potato soup, and other dishes were available.  For once I don't remember what was served for dessert.  I think that was because the rest of the meal was so good.  We enjoyed lunch so much we decided we would ride back in from West Yellowstone for breakfast one morning.

Two days later four of us left the campground early and enjoyed a hike and a view of the Grand Prismatic from a higher vantage point before joining the rest of the group for breakfast back at the Old Faithful Inn.

Steam rising in the cool morning air from the Grand Prismatic

Breakfast at the inn did not disappoint.  Hot cakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, cereal, milk, juices, and more!  It was an awesome spread.  Sometimes buffets are just average food.  This buffet was anything but average.  The servers kept the food fresh and hot.  It seemed there was a continual flow from the kitchen to the buffet line.  Everything tasted great.  I loaded up at this breakfast deciding I would just skip lunch.  I am really glad we made the early morning ride.

Yellowstone National Park is an awesome place.  Make sure to enjoy some great food while you are there.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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Downtown Valdasta, Georgia - Old time diner

My recent trip to Orlando and back has given me several items to post about.  This post is about Kings Grill in Valdosta, Georgia.

On Tuesday March 16, around 11:00 a.m., Jeff & I came to the I75 & US 84 intersection on the west side of Valdosta, Georgia.  After filling up we decided to venture downtown and try to find a "local" place to eat lunch.  We did not see much and so we rode around the downtown area.  Jeff saw Kings Grill and so we parked and walked up the block and back to see if there was anything else.  A couple of other places did not seem like a good choice for leather clad bikers.

Downtown Valdosta

We decided to take a chance on Kings Grill.  As we were approaching Kings Grill a truck pulled up and one customer entered before we got there.  We were the 2nd & 3rd customers for lunch.  As we visited and ordered others began to come in.

Kings Grill on the NW corner of Patterson and Central

Our waitress was a friendly Southern lady with a beautiful accent and a great personality.  Come to find out she was the daughter of the owner.  Her mother had owned the store for MANY years and makes all the desserts.  The cook had been working for her mom since the early 80's and after eating lunch we understood why she has been the cook for all that time.  (The building was built in 1976)

Old fashion diner counter

It was a cool day and we were in the mood for something warm.  On tap was homemade vegetable beef soup with cornbread.  Both Jeff and I ordered a bowl (we were leaving room for dessert).  The large bowl arrived hot and with a appetizing aroma.  The soup included beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, other veggies, and lean ground beef.

I enjoy a good bowl of soup and order soup frequently.  This bowl was awesome!  The flavors blended together for a great flavor.  There was plenty of spice, but not so much to overpower the natural flavors of the individual ingredients.  The freshly baked cornbread complimented the soup.  It would have been very easy to order a second bowl, but I wanted dessert.  (I forgot to get a picture of the soup, but it looked great!)

Apple pie with or without ice cream, Sour Cream Pound Cake with fresh strawberries, Strawberry Pie, and something else I can't remember where the desserts offered to us.  Jeff choose the Strawberry Pie and I selected the Pound Cake with strawberries.

The Strawberry pie had a homemade crust with a cream cheese based filling with fresh sliced strawberries mixed in and topped with strawberries and whipped cream.  Jeff let me have a bite and it was great!   The filling was so smooth and flavorful.  I had never had or seen a pie like that.

Strawberry Pie

The Sour Cream Pound Cake was topped with fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream.  The cake was very good, better than just plain pound cake.  The strawberries and whipped cream complimented the cake and make for a very good dessert; however, the Strawberry pie was the best and is what I will order the next time I eat there.

Sour Cream Pound Cake with fresh strawberries

If you are in Valdosta, Georgia around lunch time stop by Kings Grill and enjoy some great southern cooking.

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