Major roadtrip

This Fall I'm planning an 8k mile loop of the USA. 1st stop Nashville to visit family. 2nd is Memphis to visit friends. 3rd Houston, more family. 4th El Paso, MAYBE a trip into Juarez, we'll see. 5th Roswell, NM, beam me up Scotty. 6th 4 corners USA, just because. 7th Las Vegas, NV for a week of training. 8th San Diego, because I really wish I could afford to live there. 9th Home. AKA Fresno for a few days. Visit family and old friends. Go to the Big Fresno Fair with a high school sweetheart. Trip to Yosemite and Sequoia. 9th San Francisco, another place I love. Ride a trolley car again and go to Alcatraz. In all my trips to Frisco I've never been there. 10th Mustang Ranch, NV :), 10th Ogden, UT visit with a close friend. 11th Idaho to visit cousins. 12th the little big horn, 13th Mt Rushmore. 14th Kentucky Bourbon trail and 14th home.
 
5 weeks 8K miles. Pics and reports to follow as I go.

Mustang Ranch?????  I am not sure that I know of any Roadfood goodies there??  Roz and I are doing something similar in a few more months as she will be getting her PhD from a university in Arizona.  We will be doing the northern route through Minneapolis, Montana, and then south to Arizona and back the southern route through Texas, LA and home.  About 8,000 miles.
Happy graduation Roz.
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I'm envious of both of you.  Hope your trips are enjoyable!

Sounds like fun for both of you...let me know if your travels take you through Chicago!

ChiTownDiner


Sounds like fun for both of you...let me know if your travels take you through Chicago!

 
ChiTownDiner:  If we drive through Chicago, which we obvioulsy will, we will stay at Roz's sister who has a very nice Condo.  It would be a honor to visit with you and anyone else in the Chicago area that would like to join us.  This will be the fourth degree that Roz has obtained.  She got a MBA about two years ago and is on the downswing of the PhD.
 
We are going to Vacay for this exciting time in her life with about a two week swing around the circumference of the USA which we have done before but it sounds like fun to do it again.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul - it would be so nice to spend time with Roz and you during your swing though Chicago!  As we get closer, or the dates develop, please keep me informed!  We'll do it up right!  CTD

Have great road/Roadfood trips to you all! 

MikeS, not sure why you are going to Little Big Horn but I found it very striking. First the total silence except for the wind on the prairie grass, the beauty of the place and then envisioning what played out that day. I'm Native American (well First People from Canada) so it was a mixed but strong emotion for me. Can't tell you where we ate, I wasn't in to food then but I do remember a butter soft grass fed local steak

Sundancer,
When you're in AZ we would like to meet you and Roz. What University is she getting her degree from?

Foodbme


Sundancer,
When you're in AZ we would like to meet you and Roz. What University is she getting her degree from?

 
I will advise as it is still a few months away.  Roz and I have done all four corners of AZ and all points in between including Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco).  Great state and we are looking forward to exploring it even more.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul,
Go over to New Mexico, the change in the terrain is truly amazing.  If you get the chance, be sure to go to Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe for a green chile cheeseburger.......you won't regret it!  When buffetbuster says it's one of his all time favorites, you just gotta go there.

MikeS, don't forget to try to make it to the Bobcat Bite outside Santa Fe. Best burger I'ever eaten. Try U.S. 285 from Roswell to Santa Fe.

Bobcat Bite is already on the agenda.
 
BTW Mustang Ranch is a joke. I'll be passing by it on my trip from SF to Ogden on I-80. I don't think I'd want to eat anything they serve there.

kland01s


MikeS, not sure why you are going to Little Big Horn but I found it very striking. First the total silence except for the wind on the prairie grass, the beauty of the place and then envisioning what played out that day. I'm Native American (well First People from Canada) so it was a mixed but strong emotion for me. Can't tell you where we ate, I wasn't in to food then but I do remember a butter soft grass fed local steak

It was a pivotal point in US history. I've always been intrigued by the battle there. I'll be close, sorta, so I figured this would be my best chance to see it.

Check out Sir Scott's, big steaks and good steaks in Manhattan, Montana just West of Bozeman, A must stop.
Also if your're stay in Dickinson, North Dakota and need a place to eat Georgia and the Owl is one of my best steak houses just South and West of there about 50 miles in a small town of Amidon. You will talk about this place the rest of your life after you eat there, go hungry.
Enjoy your trip.

MikeS.

kland01s


MikeS, not sure why you are going to Little Big Horn but I found it very striking. First the total silence except for the wind on the prairie grass, the beauty of the place and then envisioning what played out that day. I'm Native American (well First People from Canada) so it was a mixed but strong emotion for me. Can't tell you where we ate, I wasn't in to food then but I do remember a butter soft grass fed local steak

It was a pivotal point in US history. I've always been intrigued by the battle there. I'll be close, sorta, so I figured this would be my best chance to see it.

 
Even though it's all grasslands, the site is beautiful and as I said, the silence is striking. .......Unless they turned it into a mini Disney since I was there last   

It has been about ten years since I visited the site of the battle.  I tried the best I could to imagine the horror that Custer must have felt when he looked at the valley below and observed thousands of the American Indians that were camping there and preparing to defend what they thought was rightfully theirs.
 
I was there in Late october and it was cool and beautiful.  I probably will return again when Roz is awarded her PhD in Arizona.  I sorta guess sour trip will be somewhere around 8,000 miles.  We will be in no hurry and will try to travel roads that we have not traveled before.  A real road and roadfood adventure. 
We will go the northern route through Chicago, Twin Cities and west to Montana and south to Arizona and then east on the southern route.  Most of these routes we have traveled before but we will stay off the beatened path as much as possible.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul,
 On the way home from AZ, Deming NM is the home of annual duck races, and the best tasting water in the West. I am not sure if those two claims to fame are linked??
Just outside of El Paso is Cattleman's Steak House that has been recognized by many as right up there with Peter Lugers, and Doe's Eat Place (the original). If your timing permits it, a visit and report to that home of great Beef would be a great addition to your notes.
 

Take Highway 61 S from Memphis To New Orleans and then head W on I 10 to Houston.  Spend a night in Clarksdale home of the blues and head S to Vicksburg and Natchez.  Spend a couple of nights in NOLA in the FQ and have some good fun.  Enjoy your trip.
VISIT THE DELTA......
http://www.visitthedelta.com/
 
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/08/get-a-hefty-dose-of-the-blues-on-us-61/
 
 
MS BLUES TRAIL............
http://www.msbluestrail.org/

Just got a phone update from Mike S... He just crossed into New Mexico headed for Roswell to talk to some aliens about interstellar roadfood.  Friday, 2:30 PM
AL

Good for Mike!  I have been following him on Facebook.  Sure hope he gets to Santa Fe for a Bobcat Bite green chile cheeseburger.

If you want to stop in Memphis, TN for BBQ I suggest you go to Cozy Corner BBQ due to it's location close to I 40. Right before you cross the Mississippi River get off I 40 at Exit 1B and go N on N Danny Thomas Blvd. Go about 2 blocks and you will pass St. Jude Children's Hospital then take a right on N. Parkway. Go 2 blocks to Cozy Corner for outstanding BBQ.
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/
The best BBQ in Memphis, TN can be found at A & R. BBQ Shop, Central, Rendezvous, Cozy Corner, Interstate, Neely's, One and Only and Payne's.
A & R Bar B Que @ 1802 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN. 901 - 774 - 7444.
http://www.aandrbbq.com/
BBQ Shop @ 1782 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1277.
http://www.dancingpigs.com/
Central BBQ @ 2249 Central Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 9377.
Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous @ 52 S. Second St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 523 - 2746.
http://www.hogsfly.com/
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/
Interstate BBQ @ 2265 S. Third St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 775 - 2304.
http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Neely's BBQ @ 670 Jefferson St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 521 - 9798.
http://www.neelysbbq.com/
One and Only BBQ @ 1779 Kirby Pkwy., Memphis, TN 901 - 751 - 3615.
http://www.oneandonlybbq.com/
Paynes BBQ @ 1762 Lamar Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1523.
The BBQ Shop and One and Only are my favorites but Payne's is famous for their pulled pork sandwich.
Incidentally Interstate  BBQ in Southaven, MS just reopened after a huge renovation.
Interstate BBQ @ 150 Stateline Road W, Southaven, MS. 662 - 393 - 5699.
10 Bone's BBQ @ 5960 Getwell Rd # 126, Southaven, MS 662 - 890 - 4472.
http://www.10bonesbbq.com/
Germantown Commissary is outstanding if you get out E.
Germantown Commissary @ 2290 S. Germantown Rd., Germantown, TN. 901 - 754 - 5549.
http://www.commissarybbq.com/

Ok, I got home a few days ago. I'm working on a trip report. But work keeps getting in the way.
I did get to Bobcat Bite, a very good burger. I found some VERY good Mexican food in Pahrump, NV. A family ran place named El Jefe. One of the best chili relleno I've ever had.

Looking forward to your report!

What an epic trip you must have had!  Can't wait to see your report.

Mike:  Sure are glad you are back home.  I am sure that you traveled many thousands of miles.  I can't wait to read of your adventures.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Oh, boy, I'm so glad you got to the Bobcat Bite. I'm also very jealous.
 
I'm looking forward to your report. And I hope you'll report on your training experience at Pahrump.

Heck with the work, we want a report!!  And YAY you went to Bobcat Bite!

MikeS.

  Pahrump, NV. A family ran place named El Jefe. One of the best chili relleno I've ever had.

Otherwise best known (I think) for it's role in the science fiction/comedy Mars Attacks
 
AT-LACK!

Hope u had a good trip Mike.