Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[rentayenta]

Hmmm, I guess I've done pretty well. I've been to: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17. Jill in CO

Wow!

 

[Leshaface]

Very awesome pics! Thanks for sharing and so you give so many details. Hmm, maybe I don't need to go after all since you've been my own 'personal' tour guide

WOW!!!

I've formally ticked off 1, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16.

I've been to see/visit but not got the bucket list objective evidence for 2 (dang!! so close!), 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 17.

Not been at all to visit includes 5, 7, 13.



What about anyone else?

Great job!

Hmmm, I guess I've done pretty well.

I've been to: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Jill in CO

Jill amazing job!!!


....have only done number 12.....


I need to get out into the world more I guess!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I've only done # 12 also so I guess we are going to either have to get out more like you said OR we will live forever

 

[zanzibar138]

WOW!!!

I've formally ticked off 1, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16.

I've been to see/visit but not got the bucket list objective evidence for 2 (dang!! so close!), 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 17.

Not been at all to visit includes 5, 7, 13.



What about anyone else?

I've been to see 3 and 8. Yep, that's it! I thought I was more well travelled than that To make myself feel better, I'll give myself a half point for Vegas and San Francisco - we've been there, just haven't done those specific activities.

I do prefer to go off the beaten path though - most of those places aren't even among the 500 or so currently on my wishlist

 

[jedijill]

I still have 4 continents to go! Thanks to the military, I got to check off a lot of places in Europe. I'm thinking my next big adventure will be in 2015 but not sure where yet! Australia is high on my list!

Jill in CO

 

[PrincessInOz]

I only have a few of them...



Must work harder on my travels.... Haha..

O! I would totally give you props on #2!



Jud

Hmmm, I guess I've done pretty well.

I've been to: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Jill in CO

Wow!

Very awesome pics! Thanks for sharing and so you give so many details. Hmm, maybe I don't need to go after all since you've been my own 'personal' tour guide



Great job!




Jill amazing job!!!


....have only done number 12.....


I need to get out into the world more I guess!

I've been to see 3 and 8. Yep, that's it! I thought I was more well travelled than that To make myself feel better, I'll give myself a half point for Vegas and San Francisco - we've been there, just haven't done those specific activities.

I do prefer to go off the beaten path though - most of those places aren't even among the 500 or so currently on my wishlist

I've only done # 12 also so I guess we are going to either have to get out more like you said OR we will live forever

Looks like we all had a bit of fun with checking off where we'd been or not been.


Thanks Jud.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I still have 4 continents to go! Thanks to the military, I got to check off a lot of places in Europe. I'm thinking my next big adventure will be in 2015 but not sure where yet! Australia is high on my list!

Jill in CO

I can vouch for very nice people in Melbourne.

You'll just have to come visit MEL-BOURNE to see for yourself.

 

[dgbg100106]

I can vouch for very nice people in Melbourne.

You'll just have to come visit MEL-BOURNE to see for yourself.

Be right there!

 

[jedijill]

I can vouch for very nice people in Melbourne.

You'll just have to come visit MEL-BOURNE to see for yourself.

I'm currently looking to sell a kidney to afford the airfare now.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

I'm currently looking to sell a kidney to afford the airfare now. Jill in CO

Me too! I'm hoping to house swap one day.

Airfare is crazy spendy. Afraid I can't pack my laundry basket full of food and shuttle over.

 

[jedijill]

Me too! I'm hoping to house swap one day.

Airfare is crazy spendy. Afraid I can't pack my laundry basket full of food and shuttle over.

You think Cynthia's husband can fly us there in the seaplane he is building?

Jill in CO

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow, that cabin is really nice! Nothing like roughing it a bit.

Chimney Rock looks like a really interesting place to visit.

Thanks Ariana. Yup. Life was rough here.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Be right there!

I'm waiting.

I'm currently looking to sell a kidney to afford the airfare now.

Jill in CO

Go on. You can live without a kidney.

Me too! I'm hoping to house swap one day.

Airfare is crazy spendy. Afraid I can't pack my laundry basket full of food and shuttle over.

Airfares are crazy spendy. Spare a thought for us poor Aussies that live on an island continent and have to spendy crazy airfares to get anywhere.

You think Cynthia's husband can fly us there in the seaplane he is building?

Jill in CO

I don't know Cynthia. If I did, I'd have a chance of getting to know Cynthia's husband.....and jumping in that seaplane he's building.


But I'll keep an eye out for that seaplane. The closest landing beach from my place is about 4-6 miles away.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Prunus Virginiana (aka The Chokecherry Tree)



The Common Chokecherry, Prunus Virginiana, is a small tree, sometimes a shrub; and it often forms dense thickets of woody growth. The bark of the tree is brown or gray, sometimes smooth, sometimes scaly. The Common Chokecherry grows commonly in rich moist soils, but often is found in poorer, drier soils. It grows in forest edges and openings, and often is found in uncultivated edges and corners of farmland. The natural range of this tree includes much of southern Canada and northern United States. The wood of this tree is similar to that of the Black Cherry, but it has no commercial value because of the tree's small size.






Chokecherries are very high in antioxidant pigment compounds, such as anthocyanins. For many Native American tribes of the Northern Rockies, Northern Plains, and boreal forest region of Canada and the United States, chokecherries were the most important fruit in their diets. It's use is varied:

• The bark of chokecherry root was once made into an asperous-textured concoction used to ward off or treat colds, fever and stomach maladies by native Americans.
• The inner bark of the chokecherry, as well as red osier dogwood, or alder, was also used by Native Americans in their smoking mixtures, known as kinnikinnick, to improve the taste of the bearberry leaf.
• The chokecherry fruit can be used to make a tasty jam, jelly, or syrup, but the bitter nature of the fruit requires sugar to sweeten the preserves.

I had NEVER heard or seen the Chokecherry!



The Choke Cherry Tree is a little establishment in Pagosa Springs which first opened in 1999. As we managed to get on the early tour, X and Y suggested we meet them here after we finished our Chimney Rock tour. The premises are located along the 163 and I had recalled seeing it on our drive in the day before.






As we drove in, I immediately knew that this was going to be a place that was right up my alley. Call it poopy instinct.






X and Y were waiting for us outside and pushed us in. It's not a large shop and we were astonished to find ourselves marched all the way in to the very back, in full view of this. Ah yes. Home made preserves; jams, jellies, butters, syrups, vinaigrettes, chutneys, salsas, seasonings....it was a veritable poopy heaven for me! And all made right here in Pagosa Springs.






And my initiation to Chokecherry! You always remember your first time. (It's the dried woody, brown thing on the wall.)






But wait! There’s more.


I'm not kidding. The sales pitch in here completely rivalled QVC!






We were told to choose between two types of edible pastry shells and up to three toppings. I remember choosing the Chokecherry, Lemon and Key Lime to go on my sweet pie crust. Amazing!






But wait! There’s more.



We were then asked what vinaigrette we wanted to taste. They served it in a little container filled with rabbit food. The Chokecherry vinaigrette was just fantastic!







But wait! There’s more.


Yeah. Right. Like anyone takes note of the sign.








Yum....






Yummer....






Yummest! Yim Carrey.....dip your heart out!







But wait! There’s more.



We were told that if we wanted to try anything that was in a jar or bottle, to let a server know and they would arrange a tasting for us. And they were serious about it. Practically almost everything was in a jar or bottle in here!






But wait! There’s more.


It wasn't just only food items in here. There was a small selection of kitchen gadgets, cookbooks and the like.






I did like “the like” items; like this one.







I do wish I had bought this one. But we were being rushed through the place at the time and I didn't have time to think.







We were being rushed to make food purchase selections by X and Y; and after the sale pitch and food tastings, I was too far gone in the set of steak knives to even consider anything else but to buy, buy, buy!



Grandpa Bill? He’s the founder of this culinary wonder.






Apparently, he’s gone a-hunting any pioneer jam, pickling, saucing recipe he could find and then adapted them to every known edible fruit and veg possible.






Like they say....Money for Jam!







That missing jar on this shelf? Well....it came home with this Mama Pooh Bear. None. Left. Now. but it was truly amazing. Tart, sweet, smooth and pear granulary all at the same time.







In a small town like this, it was invariable that X and Y knew the people behind the counter. They did ask if we would be shown into the kitchen space; but the kitchen was in full operation at the time and they didn't want non-staff in there for safety and health regulations. Next time.



But wait! There’s more.


Believe it or not. The item that started the following is something sweet.






The caramels were thrown in for free; AFTER we made purchases above a certain amount. They came home with us as well. None. Left. Now. Either.

There was also a refrigerated section of sweet chocolates and candies. But by this stage, my tastebuds were already in overdrive.



And the poopy droppings? None came home with us. Afterall, I DO like my MiL and it was that side of the family that was hosting us here. And I like to stay Yummest. I DO know which side of my poopy droppings the pear honey is buttered.




But wait! There’s more.


And for anyone interested. They have a website right here in Pagosa Springs and they ship all over the world.


What a fantastic way to find out about local flora!





(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Pagosa Brewery



X and Y were giving us the micro cook’s tour today on Pagosa Springs and doing the town proud!







For a little town with a Census population count of about 1700, Pagosa Springs sure knows what the important things in life are.






The brewery staff were setting up for the start of Oktoberfest.






This place was going to be packed at the weekend!







Heading inside....






....past the bar area.






There really is a microbrewery in here. It is a serious 7-year young business; and going strong.






Their philosophy and passion is to "produce the best, freshest, and exceptionally smooth-drinking microbrews, Homemade Root Beer Soda, along with tasty Local, Regional and Wild-Caught Pub Food."






The beers are hand-crafted in small batches and then allowed to settle for 2 weeks to assure the highest quality. Most other microbreweries would filter out the sediment rather than allow natural gravity to do its job.






I was just happy for eye-candy.






The tasty pub food? This is the kitchen.






I’m not even sure why I opened the menu. We were with locals who told us what to order.






DH and X checked out the real menu.






I’m not sure which one they got. But I know that after the first beer, they shared a stout and I wasn't quick enough to snap the stout.





I'm going to assume that this is the root beer. DS and I got one each. I love A&W root beer; but this one just left A&W in it’s wake. And as it was considered a craft brew, we were apologetically advised that there would be no refills. Superb. It was so good that I was happy to order a second one.






X and Y told us to order one serve of the Salmon Taco's and share the meal. It was great advice; given how much we had already nibbled at the Choke Cherry Tree. I don't know if the salmon was wild caught or not; but this was delicious. That peach salsa complemented the salmon perfectly.






DS decided on the Hawaiian pizza. He didn't share so I’ll just take his empty plate as a sign that this was also a good dish. Although...he's a teen and they just suck food in anyway.






We sat there in the dappled shade under a hot sun enjoying good food, great drinks and even better company. What more could you ask for?

 

[tiggrbaby]

Insert drooling smilie here! Yum!!!

 

[franandaj]

WOW!!!

I've formally ticked off 1, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16.

I've been to see/visit but not got the bucket list objective evidence for 2 (dang!! so close!), 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 17.

Not been at all to visit includes 5, 7, 13.



What about anyone else?

These are the only ones I have even experienced, but no photographic evidence. Cheesy or not.

3. 6. 8. 10. 12. 15. 17. I don't even think the I Amsterdam sign was there when I visited that museum.

 

[ejud]

Prunus Virginiana (aka The Chokecherry Tree)

Hey.

I thought we were looking at rocks???



Jud

 

[franandaj]

Well both of those stops sound like wonderful places to spend the rest of your morning! I tend to buy that stuff like jams and jellies and keep saving it for a special occasion and then it never comes!

I would have liked to try the unoaked Chardonnay, that sounded right up my alley!

I don't know Cynthia. If I did, I'd have a chance of getting to know Cynthia's husband.....and jumping in that seaplane he's building.

But I'll keep an eye out for that seaplane. The closest landing beach from my place is about 4-6 miles away.

Cynthia is eandesmom, she just got back from her NYE trip to the World, she has a HUGE following. I think she's on page 4 of her TR and she has only posted the first installment! I couldn't keep up with the replies if it were me!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

WOW!!! I've formally ticked off 1, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16. I've been to see/visit but not got the bucket list objective evidence for 2 (dang!! so close!), 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 17. Not been at all to visit includes 5, 7, 13. What about anyone else?

That's a cool list, but it's made me feel quite inadequate

I have none of those photos and have only been to a few of those exact locations (despite visiting most of the countries).
I feel particularly inadequate that I lived in London and never once visited that Abbey Rd crossing.

By the way, I think you get bonus points for number 2.