Sunday's Road Trip to Pinedale

Back on Sunday, 12/28, Brad drove this whole leg because I was picture crazy and the wind pushed the van around pretty good, too. We drove by train cars filled with coal; later passing the coal mine. We passed many gas fields – Dick Cheney country. Gas prices are the lowest we have seen; $1.29 cash ($1.37 credit).

We saw seven bald eagles, lots of hawks, antelope and cattle. Powder River Pass was the highest point at 9666 ft through the Big Horn mountain range. The gates were up and cleared for driving. The weather was clear and in the 30s. I was in awe with the mountainous landscape. Some of the age of the geology dates back millions of years.





Our next pass 77 miles from Pinedale, WY was through the Wind River Range (Rocky Mountains). The electric road sign warned of “slick roads, strong winds”.




When we came out the other end, it was more of prairie land and small cowboy towns. Through Boulder, WY, I saw my first moose. I jumped out of my seat and tapped on the window with a silent squeal. Finally I could breath and Brad caught a glimpse of the moose. Again, it was like an amusement park car that I could not control. Bouncing up and down from excitement, I wanted him to turn around. Nope. So luckily I had more animals to amuse me; a cattle drive with snowmobiles.

Running with Moose

When I woke this morning, I looked out Blake (Brad's brother) back window to see the view of the town and I saw three moose in someone's yard. Of course I say a Michelee quote; "Does someone own moose?" One was a bull and the two others were cows.

I grabbed my clothes and found my boots and Blake took me down to where they might be as they were a little skittish in the neighborhood.

This first picture is bad as I took it from inside and I thought I turned off the flash but it went off. The others of the moose are automatic so the snow threw off the lighting. Then there is the shot of Pinedale, WY.

Wow, my ass is cold sitting outside Sublette County Public Library. The visitor's center was closed so I walked a block to the library and plugged in outside on a bench. Hopefully the guys find me as my freakin' cell phone does not get a connection (Nextel sucks). I haven't had a connection since Spearfish, SD.

We will be making a crockpot dinner then go xc skiing and hopefully we will see more moose!! Yeah! They guys just found me. Till next time.

Pinedale, Wyoming

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! We made it. 2300 miles! We are surrounded by four, flat screen tvs with the 4 pm football games, wireless Internet and electricity for my dead camera as I took over 250+ pictures on today's drive.

Where are we? Wind River Brewing Company drinking a Strom Bomb Stoudt (whoa-the beer and the drive just kicked in-humming...) and Our of Order Porter.

Strom Bomb Stoudt - 2006 NABA Gold Medal. Robust oatmeal stoudt, dark, smoth and sweet 7.2% ABV yeeehaaa!

Out of Order Porter - 2007 NABA Gold Medal. Brown porter by style filled with nutty, chocolate and malt flavors finished with a pleasant dryness. 6,7% ABV (Brad's drink, yum-it is good.)

Antelopes and Dinosaurs

Another nine hour day on the road; 1,822 miles to date. Here are more drive by photos. Try clicking on the pictures to see a better view of the Antelope or flatland views.


Sasquatch of the Mid-West?!
Two Missouri River shots.

An interesting structure with tombstones?

We got gas at this exit. Within three minutes I am in cruise control at 80 mph and Brad's eyes were closed. Brad's eyes were instantly opened as I shimmied the steering wheel and the van shook at 80 mph as a beautiful pheasant dashed across the highway. Since I was in cruise control and I didn't want to accidentally slam on the brakes, I thought "take your foot of the gas" - but it already was because I was in cruise control. Duh! Luck would prevail for all of us. Also right before we switched, we had a moment of feeling like we were on auto pilot driving through South Dakota. As the passenger, I glanced at Brad and we were both leaning forward just looking around the landscape as if we were in one of those "Jurassic Park" control cars (but traveling at 80 mph). Thank goodness our dinosaur did not eat us.


Flatland
The antelopes and dinosaur (notice we had a wicked headwind).




We ate cheese & crackers, nuts, chips, and cookies all day. Our meals were simple; NY strip & filet and potatoes. Quick and easy, in and out - (kum and go) in Spearfish, SD.

Audio History

We met Aaron and Annie Rodriguez for an evening of reminiscing. Aaron and Stanford (Brad as I know him) participated in Up with People in the 1985 cast C. Aaron attempted to write a book about his experiences in UWP but placed that project on the back burner and decided to try the story corps/audio history path. One major production for the 1985 casts was performing in the Superbowl XX halftime show from the New Orleans Superdome. This is the starting point for Aaron's interviews.

We listened to some of his recordings of other castmates and watched performances. Initially, we were going to go out to eat and catch a comedy show. Listening to their stories and watching the old videos from 1985-86 ended up being a better alternative. I did not know Brad during this time of his life and it had been about 18 years since Aaron and Stanford had last seen each other. We had a great time reconnecting and getting to know one another. As I worked on the blog later in the evening, Aaron took the opportunity to interview Stanford. Here is a video of the beginning of their late night. I cannot wait to hear the recording.

Icy Chicago

Luckily we did not stay in downtown Chicago. The city was an icy nightmare. I took opportunity of the situation and worked out at the hotel burning 200 calories. Then I threw that out the window by eating the leftover pizza. I am not a cold pizza eater but damn this pizza was amazing when cold, too.

So far we have traveled 750+ miles with 11 hours on the road.


View Larger Map

We hit the road around 8 a.m. and arrived in Plymouth, MN about another 415 miles and 5+ hours later to visit a great friend from Brad's Up With People days.

Burt's Place

I was just blogging in my head today about how I would love to be like Anthony Bourdain but I am afraid I am more like Rachel Ray. Or maybe I might be a cross between the two. I seek out those back alley, non-tourist places to wine and dine. I am just not sure that I would venture to eat some of the foods that Anthony has - not even in the States.

So anyways, I was sad about not getting to visit or taste Chicago. We were driving by Gary, IN, when I had to reference my Saveur magazine because some things did not get packed (possible hotels list, restaurants open on Christmas in Chicago, etc...). I re-read and mentioned to Brad that if we don't stay in Chicago, we have to at least eat some Chicago deep dish pizza. I mentioned a Mexican place listed in the 'zine as a back-up plan but I was hoping for pizza. Burt's Place happened to be on the cover of the magazine. I forgot about the article as I was only looking at the listings. I make the first call to Burt's Place and Burt Katz, owner and pizza maker answered. Yeah! They were open on Christmas. I had an inkling that Burt’s Place would be open on Christmas. He gave me excellent directions. This five mile detour on our vacation was the best detour ever.

And, I get to brag about Burt's Place before Anthony Bourdain. (It's not like Burt's Place is a secret as I mentioned he got feature in Saveur last year). Brad was really glad I brought my magazine. He liked that I surprised him with the restaurant on the front cover because I did not tell him who I was calling and he thought were we going to eat Mexican. We thoroughly enjoyed Burt sharing with us that Anthony Bourdain filmed his place in October. We love A.B. and were honored to be taking part in our own “no reservations”. Now we know and experienced one of A.B.’s new 2009 “No Reservations” episode before airing.

I said to Brad; "when we walk in, do you think Burt will know I was the one that called from the road in Gary, IN?" Even without the magazine in tow, Burt will know. We didn't have to walk in. I whipped out the camera again and took an outside shot of the restaurant from the van. It is 4:30 Chicago time and Burt's Place just opened. My flash was a dead giveaway that we arrived. Brad laughs and says Burt's in the window. And later so is his wife.

We were the first customers of the evening. Burt and his wife, Sharon, greeted us as if we just came in for a family dinner. Brad told him we drove all the way from PA for some of his pie and that began a fabulous evening of conversation, food and drink. It was a personable environment.

There is much going on with the decor. The building use to be an old blacksmith shop dating back to the 1900s. Burt has a lot of memorabilia and over-sized gadgets hanging on the walls and set in the window sills. The lighting is dark as you may see in the pictures. My flash washed everything out but I could not resist taking pictures of the pizzas and Burt. (groupie, through and through) I loved the dishes as they are from the International House of Pancakes (which I did not realize is IHOP - duh! I have not eaten at one. I almost think these plates are from really old IHOPS. They just had that feel.). Burt and Sharon actually vacationed in Lancaster County last year and loved it. Good and Plenty was a favorite dining spot of theirs. We had a great time in this local neighborhood eatery.

The rotary phone rings loudly. Everyone calls in their order whether they eat in or take out. Sharon answered a “do you deliver” call. When Sharon said no deliveries, she hangs up. Unless it is 35 feet to a table – Burt cackled. We joked we would deliver it if it was on our way but it probably would not make it to the customer. The phone rings again and Burt says it’s the same people. I holler the wife yelled at her husband, you know they don’t delivery. Just order the pizza and pick it up. We all laugh about the calls. (two other tables seated now) .

The pizza - Awesome. That is what we came for - awesome food. Fresh, homemade ingredients. One picture is of a call in before the pie was baked. Ours (onion, sausage, mushrooms) was after it was baked.



This last shot is of me almost stopping myself wishing Burt a "Merry Christmas". I did not want to assume but the Katz's are Jewish. Silly me. So Burt pulled out his "Merry Christmas to all my Gentile Friends" sign and we have a good laugh at my expense.