Looking for waffles? Looking for love? Do we have the place for you!
First starting in Salt Lake City, Utah, and now spreading across the country in five states as of the time this is written, is Waffle Love. The business began as a local food truck until they received a national advertising influx by appearing on Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" in 2015. Today, they have opened several restaurant locations along with operating their food trucks, and continue to offer their signature mix of sweet and savory Belgian Liege waffles, coupled with other entrée options from their basic waffle ingredients.
Our visit took place during weekday breakfast hours inside of a shopping plaza restaurant location. The inside of the restaurant tells the story of the founder of Waffle Love, along with a wall where people can show "love" with sticky notes. Clearly the weekday breakfast isn't a very popular time to get this sort of thing, as only one person was working, but was able to hold her own. Not really wanting the savory options, the worker had recommended Red Wonder and Nutella Love, with the only difference between the two being biscoff over Nutella for the glaze. Each came with a very generous amount of fluffy cream, and the waffle was moist to where syrup was not necessary, and it's a good thing because they don't even offer it.
This was more of a novelty visit because of the Food Network appearance, and we can see why they were fairly successful during both appearances. Although the restaurant vibe seemed fun and the offerings were quite tasty, the price for the portion left a bit to be desired. Those who are concerned about blood sugar will want to be careful with this establishment, as it will cause a spike. And in case anyone who watched their appearances on Food Network were wondering: They did start opening on Sundays, albeit for limited hours at the location we visited.
So if your Internal Compass takes you to Utah and you're in the mood for celebrity cooking, give Waffle Love a try, if just for the experience.
When people think of Utah, although many RVers will think of the several national parks and monuments, the rest of the population will think of one place. Welcome to Salt Lake City, the capital and largest city of the state of Utah. Salt Lake City has spent many years servicing a number of bedroom communities that continue to surround it, but it has quickly become a destination for many to visit.
Some may have read our philosophy where, when driving in the midwest, you can Trust the Grid. Salt Lake City is most definitely a place that falls within this category. In fact, when the city was first founded along with the erection of the LDS temple, all of the roads were laid out in a grid based on distance (1000 per mile) and cardinal direction from this landmark. Whether driving or using another form of self-guided transportation, it will be easy to navigate around the city. Speaking of the prominent temple landmark among the downtown's skyline, it is said that Walt Disney used it as inspiration to draw the famous "Disney castle" seen both in many Disney works, as well as its theme parks around the world. When driving by the temple in Salt Lake City, or one of its counterparts such as in Brigham City, you are able to see the resemblance to the Disney castle.
Salt Lake City is serviced by the Jordan River, and sits to the southeast of the Great Salt Lake, which has a salinity level that is higher than the world's oceans. Ironically enough, just to the south of the city is the fresh water source of Utah Lake, which feeds the Jordan River in a controlled manner to prevent flooding of the area. Scenery wise, Salt Lake City is surrounded by many mountain peaks and canyons which provide a breathtaking background, as well as wonderful opportunities for exploring nature.
Sports enthusiasts will remember that Salt Lake City played host to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. There still remain several arenas within Salt Lake City that have hosted, or would be able to host, skating and curling events. Travel a bit east along interstate 80 towards Park City, and you will find a quaint ski-style village, along with much of the non-arena infrastructure, such as ski jumps, alpine trails, and sled tracks. Even without any snow on the ground, the city remains a popular attraction with main street shops and several parks adorning the city. With these locations able to continue to attract many visitors throughout the entire year, and especially the winter season, along with the expansion of the National Hockey League in the Utah Mammoth, this area is preparing itself to once again host the Winter Olympic Games in 2034.
South of Salt Lake City is much more than simple bedroom communities and Brigham Young University. Be sure to head east from Orem and drive through Provo Canyon. Stop to take a walk along the way towards Bridal Veil Falls, a spectacular collection of waterfalls running from Cascade Mountain down to the Provo River below. Perhaps drive up towards the caves of Mount Timpanogos, while maybe stopping at the resort destination of Sundance. Although the famous film festival of the same name was hosted at nearby Park City before its eventual move to Boulder Colorado, the institute's labs still remain there, along with one of several popular ski resorts in the area.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you through Utah, consider making a stop in Salt Lake City. Even if it's for just a day or two, you'll find plenty of wonderful things to do in this city.
If you've ever been both educated and entertained by a Minnesota computer company (MECC) when you were young, you likely will remember learning about the Oregon Trail. It's more than just a game; it's a real life adventure.
Found just outside Casper, Wyoming, there are historical markers that memorialize the Oregon Trail, along with its counterpart trails to Bozeman Montana, California, and Salt Lake City (otherwise known as the Mormon Trail). This is approximately the point where travelers on their long journey would come across the North Platte River that needed to be crossed. If you've ever played the old game, and you hadn't been delayed by taking the "wrong" Bozeman Trail beforehand, you may remember the option to pay five dollars for a ferry here. That truly did exist, along with the option to ford the river, which as the memorial explains, become a deadly choice for some during the blizzard of 1856. Today, drivers will have a much easier time crossing along modern day bridges, but it still remains a spot for water related entertainment for the locals.
This area just outside Casper wasn't just about sojourners seeking a better life in the west. While easterners were busy pillaging the southern former states in the mid-1860's, the Battle of Red Buttes was brewing, as the natives would stir up a fight against Lieutenant Caspar Collins (after which the fort and later city were named) and Sergeant Amos Custard (after which an alternate title of this battle was named, the Custard Fight) in alleged revenge over recent federal military action in Colorado. Attempts to find the exact location of the battle have been made, but without Army markers of the site or the mass graves, debate has ensued about where it actually took place, citing various artifacts left behind in the fields.
There isn't a highway today that will necessarily take you along the exact right of way of each of these old trails. However, you will be able to take something similar, especially in the high plains and the Rockies, as there are only so many ways to traverse this stretch of land. The state of Wyoming has done quite the job of preserving the history of this notable migration, including the now inactive forts that still exist outside the modern cities of the same names, along with other landmarks including Independence Rock, where another such rest area and interpretive site are available to travelers.
So if your Internal Compass takes you west, perhaps consider the ways of their forefathers and head along the trails of the old west.
I got a travel bug retching in my soul; The tourist season's over and it's beautiful; And with a little weather left, we have been restored; Ain't no fuel prices gonna steal our trips!
For the first time, Freedom Rolling is crossing the Continental Divide and heading further west! Not all the way to the ocean, mind you, but some time in Utah and other parts of the mountain west will be good. However because of the exorbitant cost of fuel, this is once again going to be a truck-only adventure, or as we like to call it, a "light" trip. There isn't really too much of a time crunch in this case, but with fuel prices at around six dollars per gallon as of the time of writing this, it's understandable why we wouldn't bring the heart if we don't have to do so.
Unfortunately, this trip is not going all the way down to the southern part of the state where you'd find all of the national parks. Perhaps another time this will be something to do, but just not now. This is being timed as part of a gap between when the local tourist season ends and when the snow really starts to fly, so there really isn't enough time for it. We do hope, however, that we are able to show off a few other places in the mountain west to our social media viewers, as well as a few more articles about what we visit out there. Be on the lookout for these.
So as we get ready to head onto the open road once again, be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass to wherever it may lead you.
Freedom Rolling is back, once again with a brew review trifecta! Today, we will be taking you to three places across the country to sample some craft beers. As with this and all other brew reviews, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin is certainly known for being a city for beer, and with autumn approaching, why not take a look at the Lakefront Brewery for their Pumpkin Lager. The orange color and heavy scent of cinnamon and nutmeg give the first impression that this will be similar to a pumpkin pie. Upon first sip, although the spices can certainly prepare the drinker, hardly any familiar beer taste comes to the palette, bringing the thought one is drinking mere flavored water. With the spices sticking to the mouth after the taste, it's almost as if they're trying to hide a complete lack of excitement across the entire beer. Most breweries attempt an October-seasoned choice, and this clearly needs to go back to the drawing board.
Time for a trip south of the border? Well not quite in this case, it's only to Fort Collins Colorado and the Odell Brewing Company, this time with their Kernel Mexican style Lager. With a light golden color, this cerveza is presented with a corn scent. With the first sip, there is a bit of the corn taste, but otherwise not much about which to write. Odell is one of the larger brewers of the craft style in the country with many varieties, and although they proudly ship their beers across the nation, there are plenty of other brews that provide some excitement to the palette.
Heading northwest, a stop is made in Sheridan, Wyoming at the Black Tooth Brewing Company for their Hot Streak India Pale Ale. After so many different inspirations, a golden color and scent of hops brings the drinker back to the simplicity of the type. Upon first sip, a simple plain taste and the after-effects of the hops is a refreshing familiarity. If you're looking for something rather exciting, this may not be the choice you want to make. However, the few ingredients just brings a sort of "comfort" to the palette. If you've run into some bad luck in brews and just want to get back to the basics, this may be the one for you.
So as you Follow Your Internal Compass across this country, you never know what you will find, but sometimes even the simple things will be good.
We did survive a northern winter as of writing this, however you may have noticed a lack of activity around here. A good chunk of this has stemmed from how we've been looking at full-time RVing, and we'll give you an idea of how we have tackled this lifestyle for the last five years.
When you're a "young full-timer" (pre-retirement age), you do have to be somewhat concerned about income generation, because any amount of savings you had will dry up quickly. So our initial strategy, when first starting out, is that we would pick a part of the country where we want to go, try to line up a workamping job, and do that for a few months. Although many workamping jobs are lined up at least a year in advance, there are some that fall through, and you'll be able to pick them up at the last second. There's certainly temptation with wanting to be on the road in this lifestyle, but with fuel as one of your largest costs, it's best to minimize how much you do that with the trailer. Plus, if what you lined up doesn't come with a site included, campground fees are much cheaper when you go by the month.
Which leads to another thing that has been noticed: Because of the rising costs of apartments, coupled with reactions to the lockdowns of 2020, many have turned to living in RVs. Year-round campgrounds across the country are catering to long-term stays because it gives them guaranteed income for a certain number of months, with the possibility to extend. Sure there may be some additional challenges when being in the north for a winter as we discussed previously, but it's one of those things you get used to doing in the lifestyle. Sometimes in travels as well, you may have picked up a side job in a site-only spot that you really enjoyed, or you even get recruited for a job in an area. If you're able to work with the employer, you may be able to head back there after spending a season in a different climate, as what happened to us with this trip.
In speaking of being recruited for a job, another trend that has shown itself in recent years is the travelling professional. Usually this is found in the medical industry, but it could also apply to other manual labor, such as construction or farming. If you've ever heard of a "travelling nurse", this is usually a full-time RVer that will spend a six month term at a hospital before moving on, and they'll be taking their house with them. Even if you don't have the advanced degree, these industries are still always looking for people at the lower levels, and would be able to cater to you in a similar fashion. Banking on some of the other experiences you may have had while workamping, you'd be surprised as to what they will accept on the CV.
When you're on the road, you never know where your Internal Compass will take you. Sometimes, you just go with the flow and certain things will come forward.
Believe it or not, we're still surviving. However, we're going to take this opportunity for a little self-promotion.
Our pup, Miles McNugget, is presently in the running for the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards! He is looking to become the Best Pet in South Dakota, and perhaps the country! He has been a pure bred good boy for our entire trip, and is beloved by many people across many states.
So assuming you're reading this within a week of us posting, we ask you to click here to cast your vote for Miles McNugget in his quest! There is a free vote every 12 hours, and additional votes purchased benefit the Best Friends Animal Society. As you Follow Your Internal Compass, let's get Miles to the top!
First thing's first, we still haven't frozen to death. Yet. However, the time spent this winter in a cold-ish climate has given some lessons learned and insights on things that you can do if you want to try RVing in the north during the winter.
First thing's first, consider a skirting. In some parts of the country, this is a necessary step. The polar package isn't necessarily going to be enough to protect pipes and tanks. With most RVs, it will go around the bottom edge, and in the case of fifth wheels, enclose the "garage" area. A good skirting company will work with you to custom fit what you need for your rig, and knowing the exact year, make, and model of your RV, including floor plan, will help with some of the initial leg work. You might have some difficulty with the front stabilizing tripod if you use that on a fifth wheel, but otherwise shouldn't be too bad. It'll cost a decent amount, but may just be worth it for the life of your RV.
Second thing is one of the more obvious ones, and that's propane. In the winter months, you will be using a lot. With the RV we have, we go through a 30 pound tank in about three days, although when we had a cold spurt of near zero degrees Fahrenheit, it ended up lasting about a day and a half. Probably the best thing you can do is to have an extra tank of the same size as your others, and keep it in rotation. You don't necessarily want to get stuck around a holiday weekend, such as Thanksgiving, where everything is closed not only for Thursday, but the rest of the week afterwards. There are fuel stations that will dispense it, but they don't have the staff to do it overnight. Make sure it's also a fill and not an exchange, as we've mentioned previously.
The third, but most important, is going to be your hookups. Get used to using your on-board fresh water tank, because you're not going to be able to keep a water hose attached. Heated hoses do nothing for your filters and other connectors, as we've unfortunately busted a spigot during one of our adventures. Don't even try dripping, because it will still bust, not to mention deplete a park's water supply if they're on wells or cisterns. Leave that hookup completely unattached for the majority of the time. Try to find windows of opportunity where the temperature goes above freezing, and fill/dump when you can. In a pinch, if you're storing the hose in a warm place, you might be able to fill when it's close to freezing temperature. However if you're using refillable water jugs like we have been doing, keep your oldest one empty with a funnel so that you can fill your fresh tank in a pinch. Sewer pipes you should be able to get away with keeping hooked if you make sure it's as empty as possible, but you're not going to want to keep the grey open, lest the contents freeze on the way out.
So if your Internal Compass takes you to the north for winter, it doesn't hurt to be prepared, and these tips should help.
All I want for Christmas is a thawed RV,
A thawed RV, please a thawed RV.
Gee if I could only have a thawed RV,
then we could wish you Merry Christmas!
We have to test our polar pack,
And put on new skirting on the bottom.
Since we chose to stay in the north,
Just can't say we forgot 'em!
All I want for Christmas is a thawed RV,
A thawed RV, please a thawed RV.
Gee if I could only have a thawed RV,
then we could wish you Merry Christmas!
Freedom Rolling is back with another Brew Review, as we take you to three different spots across the country to sample some craft beers. As with this and all other brew reviews, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
We start with a trip east to the city of Hickory, North Carolina, home of Olde Hickory Brewery and their Hefeweizen. A popular unfiltered German style, the pale color and noticeable scent of banana brings an interesting twist to a classic. With the first sip, that smooth yet what and yeast-rich taste will bring a comforting feeling from a very simple yet time-honored brew. If you're not used to the taste or scent of yeast, you may find it to be strong in an unexpected way, so it might throw you a bit. However if you are experiencing a hot summer day in the Carolinas and need a quick cool-down, this just may be the one for you.
Taking a trip out to Kansas City on the Missouri side of the river, we make a stop at Boulevard Brewing Company to try their Space Camper Cosmic India Pale Ale. Mission Control describes a hazy golden color with the typical hop scent one would find with a typical IPA. As the brew comes in for a landing on the palette, the hop taste is strong at the outset but doesn't permeate much further than that, leaving little bitterness in the mouth. Hop lovers may want to ground this particular choice in favor of something a bit stronger, but the average drinker may find this choice takes them to infinity and beyond.
Time to take a trip north to the grand-daddy of craft brewers in Nebraska, Empyrean Brewing Company in Lincoln for what seems to be one of their more interesting offerings, the Long Route Peanut Butter Porter. Coming into the glass in a dark brown color, the scent is reminded of a peanut butter cup one would find on the candy rack at the grocery store checkout. Upon first sip, even behind the typical beer ingredients, you'd think that Reese's came to town to have a hand in this, as lingering for a moment is that calming taste of peanut butter. It's a good reminder of the old days when having a peanut butter cup, and on a colder evening when darker brews are more commonly enjoyed, anyone who has this will feel completely at home.
So the next time you Follow Your Internal Compass to another location, try out some of the brews available. You never know what you're going to find.
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