Road Trip Family

PEI Potatoes!

If you drive around Prince Edward Island’s countryside you’ll see a familiar site – acres and acres of farmland. We couldn't get over how much of the island was devoted to farms and farming. In fact, with all of the farms and with all of the coastline ripe for fishing, it's wasn't really a surprise to read that the food industry is one of the biggest contributors to Prince Edward Island's economy.

And for the week that we were there, we helped contribute to their economy through food!

One of the foods that the island is perhaps most famous for is the seafood that is caught around the island, especially the mussels. I can't get over the number of people who told us to try the mussels when we got to the island!

What's really neat is that because you are on an island with tons of coastline, you can probably be sure that the fresh-cooked seafood meal that you get at a restaurant was probably caught not far from where you are dining!

The food we enjoyed the most while in PEI, though, was the PEI potato! The first time we tried them was when we picked up a bag at a local farm stand. These delicious potatoes practically melted in our mouths! And it didn’t matter how we fixed them – mashed, baked, made into French fries. They always tasted heavenly.

I’m not sure why these were any different than other potatoes.

Perhaps it’s because they were freshly picked on the farm when we bought them. Perhaps it has something to do with the rich, sandy red soil that they are grown in. Perhaps it has something to do with the temperatures on the island or even the fact that they are grown on an island.

Whatever the case may be, these potatoes made for delicious meals every day!

Even when we had to eat a few cold fries in the car because I panicked at the last minute thinking we wouldn’t be able to take them back over the border!

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Cooking at the Beach

We had access to a beautiful semi-private beach where we stayed. It was on the northern side of the island in Darnley. The beach stretched for miles and miles in both directions and only the homes in the immediate vicinity had access to this beach.

Because you had to walk down the steep red dirt dunes, too, when you were on the beach you saw very few homes and very few people.

In fact, it wasn’t unusual to have only a handful of families in our immediate area of the beach. And sometimes it was even less.There were times where we’d be the only family on our stretch of the beach. It was like our own little slice of heaven.

We’d often come down and spend a couple of hours on the beach, whether it was swimming or walking along the beach or searching for the biggest sea shell or flying kites or playing bocce ball. It was a truly relaxing time for all of us and we heard very little bickering!

One night, we decided to pack the cooler and some beach blankets and have ourselves a beach cookout. We carted everything down to the beach and set up a little fire ring in the sand (which actually wasn’t that hard as there was the remains of one that we found).

Our little fire ring was in a nice shady spot near the dunes, which helped protect the fire from being blown out by any winds. My Chandler also enjoyed the fact that he could use some flatter spots on the cliff side of the dunes as work space.

We did discover a disadvantage to this little set up, though, as the sun started to go down. It grew a lot colder!

For My Chandler, the cook of the family, cooking over an open fire on the beach was an activity he was more than happy to take on. All of his camping and boy scout experiences and knowledge was put to good use. There were a few challenges along the way -  like the hamburgers that he cooked in the camp broiler that were awkward to handle until he found a way to prop it up. But, the end result was that we were treated to a wonderful beachside meal of hotdogs and hamburgers and cooked potatoes and carrots.

My Chandler was particularly pleased with the way the potatoes came out. He ended up using two sandstone rocks from the fire ring and placing them on either side of a section of coals. He then laid the grate from the gas grill on those and placed a foil-wrapped package of potatoes and carrots on that. The result – perfectly cooked side dish! Although, part of that may be the fact that we were having more yummy PEI potatoes, a delicacy that I’ll talk more about tomorrow!

We wrapped up our beach meal with the must-have dessert for all campfires – s’mores! And as we enjoyed those, we also enjoyed the wonderful sunset. A perfect way to end another perfect day at PEI!

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My New Favorite Drink

One of the most memorable scenes in the Anne books is when Anne Shirley is allowed to play hostess to her best friend Diana Barry while her guardian, Marilla, is at a meeting. Anne is thrilled to play hostess and be trusted to do this by herself. And best of all, Marilla has given Anne permission to serve raspberry cordial during this tea. Unfortunately, as often happens to Anne, the best of intentions goes wrong, and Anne accidentally serves her best friend red currant wine, causing Diana to become extremely drunk and Diana’s mother to announce that the two girls must not be friends anymore.

No worries, though. Things do have a way of working out in the story.

To my pure delight, we discovered that this famous cordial is now available for purchase at a smattering of stores around PEI. Sure, it’s a great marketing ploy and another way to make some money off the many tourists who visit the island purely because of the Anne stories.

But, hey, I’m proof that their marketing works!

We discovered this delectable drink one night early on in our vacation and purchased a couple of bottles for our family to try.

We were thirsty, really!

For me, I was hooked from that first sip.It was yummy deliciousness wrapped up in a cute little soda bottle with a drawing of Anne Shirley on the label.

It is a bit fizzy like a seltzer or a soda, but with a raspberry juice flavor. I described the taste to friends as being like a raspberry spritzer. I’ve tried other raspberry spritzers since then, though, and it just wasn’t the same.

Maybe you have to add a bit of PEI sunshine?

The fresh sea air floating in off the water?

A little bit of red dirt?

Whatever it was, it was so yummy that I was purchasing a bottle whenever we passed a cooler in a store. And before we left, both My Chandler and I purchased a case each to take home!

Milkshake!

While on the phone with a Disney World restaurant reservation guide one day, I was let in on a little secret. Midday meals can be kind of quiet at the resorts. It’s true. Everyone is usually at the parks during this time where it’s just as easy to grab a quick bite and keep going. But, the guide over the phone said that some of the best restaurants are located at the resorts. And while it might take a little time to take the transportation to a resort, it is usually worth the effort. Besides, he said, it can be fun to check out a different resort than the one where you are staying.

So, with that in mind, we decided to check out a restaurant at a resort that we were curious about – The Wilderness Lodge. When it was time, we grabbed a shuttle bus and headed over to this resort. I remember being in awe from the moment we walked into the lobby. Done up in an extravagant wooden log cabin feel, this resort featured floors and floors of balconies that looked down on the floor level of the main lobby.

While it had it’s own unique look, there was still a bit of Disney featured in the form of a totem pole of Disney characters. After walking around and exploring, we checked in at the Whispering Canyon Café and amused ourselves with the Lincoln Logs play table until they called our party.

My Chandler tells me that the meal was delicious. I wouldn’t know. That’s because I had discovered the “All-You-Care-to-Enjoy” milkshakes on the menu! Made with real ice cream and milk and chocolate sauce and served in a mason jar, I took a sip and immediately melted! That sip was followed by another sip and another sip and another until my glass was empty. But no worries. The waitress came around with a refill. Before I knew it, I was full, and I hadn’t touched my lunch!

Overall, it was a great experience, we saw a bit of Disney we probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise, this lunch reservation offered a good break in our day, and - most importantly - there were yummy milkshakes!

A Rooster and Ice Cream

Martha’s Dandee Cream ice cream stand was on my ice cream favorites list that I posted yesterday, but I thought I’d share a bit more about this delectable little spot just south of Lake George, NY. Situated across the street from the Great Escape, a Six Flags amusement park, on Route 9, this little stand can be easily found by the large rooster standing on top the sign.

Why a rooster, you ask? That's a good question. Even though I used to live in the area, I actually never knew why there was a rooster on the sign. Thank goodness for internet! I learned that the property used to be a chicken farm before it became an ice cream stand. A leftover from the farm, Charlie the rooster, would entertain customers by walking back and forth on the outside ledge of the stand. Hmmm....dinner and a show?

This place started as a small restaurant, but over the years grew and added an ice cream stand, a grill and a motel. Today, the only bit that has survived is the ice cream.

What makes this ice cream stand unique is that the flavors are available on a daily basis rotate. But, don’t worry! There’s always a monthly schedule available so you can figure out when your favorite flavor will make an appearance.

What's my favorite flavor, you ask? My favorite, hands down, is the raspberry crème twist. I have been known to stop there with a cooler to bring it back safely to our home 2 hours away.

I have found a good alternate, though, if we pass by on a day when Raspberry Creme Twist is not available. I would also highly recommend their chocolate ice cream rolled in a delicious chopped peanuts sprinkle. It’s like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup! Yummy!

Cool Treats on a Hot Day

Awww – summertime! The hot summer days, the colors of the trees and flowers, the family road trips. I’ve been thinking a lot these past few weeks about my childhood summertime memories. The long days spent playing with friends down the street, riding our bikes (pretending they were horses or motorcycles), swimming in pools and lakes, going to camp, spending time with family on vacations.

It’s funny how many of those memories also involve one of my favorite summertime activities– partaking in cool summertime treats! Don’t get me wrong – I love a great ice cream cone any time of year, but there’s something about having an ice cream cone on a hot summer day as you race the heat to finish it before the melted ice cream dribbles all over everything.

Some of my favorite summertime memories involve ice cream! The trips where we all piled into the back of my uncle’s pick up truck to go to the local ice cream stop (remember those days when seat belts weren’t necessary?).

Or seeing the Schwan’s truck coming down the street and wondering what goodies were going to be dropped off at our house. (Are those yellow trucks still around?)

Or then there were the trips to the store with 51 different flavors of ice cream and having to choose between all of those yummy treats! And if you couldn’t decide between two, the employee would let you have a sample spoonful of each.

And even as I got older, ice cream was still a part of my summer plans. There were the walks in high school from the local library to the best soft serve ice cream in town where the small sizes were at least 6 inches tall . There were the summer treks to the local ice cream store while working at a summer camp and feeling the thrill of being back in civilization for a little bit.

Maybe that’s why I even get a little excited inside when I hear the tinkling music from the ice cream truck as it gets near our street.

So, in honor of this cool treat, here are 5 of my favorite places (in no particular order) to get a yummy ice cream cone:

1. Cows – Prince Edward Island: This is a new addition to my favorites. We discovered this ice cream  while on a recent trip to Prince Edward Island. What a delectable treat this was! I loved the fact that the size of the ice cream cone was not based on the number of scoops, but rather by weight. It’s true! They actually weigh the ice cream cones! Speaking of the cones, every cone is a heavenly waffle style cone and so delicious. And then there’s the yummy flavors with fun names. My personal favorite – Cowrispy Crunch. Even the merchandise is great. We had a blast checking out all the t-shirts with the play on words. “Angry Herds,” “MooTube,” “Super Moorio Brothers” were just a few of the shirts. There were even some for the kids like  “Elmoo,” “Justin Beefer” and “Hannah Moontana.” 
2. Ben & Jerry’s Factory Store – Waterbury, Vermont: I can’t live in Vermont and not put this on my list. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is always yummy, but there’s something about watching it being made and walking through the “cemetery” of retired flavors and getting a free sample and getting your picture taken inside a huge pint canister. And Phish food is heavenly!
3. Martha’s Dandee Cream – Queensbury, NY: Three words – Raspberry Crème Twist! I’ve been known to stop on occasion with a cooler and buy a pint of it on my way through Queensbury. But, we’ll talk more about Martha’s tomorrow.
4. Plaza Ice Cream Parlor – Walt Disney World, FL: You feel as if you have stepped back in time when you enter this little ice cream store on Main Street in Walt Disney World. Choose a scoop or two in a cone or choose a sundae from this old-fashioned ice cream parlor and then sit outside and enjoy the scenery. I do recommend checking this spot out mid-day as it can be pretty busy before, during and after the parades and fireworks.
5. Brown’s Ice Cream – York, ME: This is a must have any time we are in the area and make the trek to see Nubble Lighthouse. Located downhill from a big rock, this store has tons of flavors to choose from and the portion sizes are huge!

Of course, there are many other ice cream stores that I have stopped at and had a delicious cone. And I'm always open to trying new places (a friend just mentioned a place a short drive away that I'm anxious to try out).  But, these spots are my current favorites, partly for the good ice cream and partly for the good memories that they provide. Do you have any spots like that where you just can’t pass up a good ice cream cone?

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

When I was in the 6^th grade, a restaurant opened up in the city next to our sleepy little village. It had a mouse for a mascot and boasted games and pizza and birthday parties and that this was a place where “a kid can be a kid.” I remember being curious about this place and wondering if it’d be a place I’d like to go. And then, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a party here.

My first memory of it?

Dark.

Dark and gloomy and loud.

At the ripe old age of 11, I was not impressed.

Years later, we were preparing to travel to Minnesota to visit My Chandler’s parents. My Chandler’s mom suggested that the girls might enjoy a trip to Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. I wasn’t entirely sure because of my one and only experience, but thought I’d give it a chance.

Yes, the restaurant we went to in Minnesota was loud. But that’s about where the comparisons ended between the two restaurants.

The games and play area were all tucked off in a front corner of the restaurant. Yes, there were tables and chairs near this area, but we opted for the quieter dining area near the back. You could still see the action up front, but it was much less noisy, even with the 2 birthday parties happening near us.  I was amazed at how quiet the back dining area was. That there was plenty of empty space for us to sit and enjoy our meal and watch when Chuck E. Cheese made an appearance.

The girls enjoyed the TV recording studio where you could see yourself dancing on the television screen.

They enjoyed the play structure and the kiddie rides. They (and My Chandler) enjoyed the games. The adults enjoyed the salad bar and pizza. And I enjoyed that I could sit in the semi-quiet area and watch my kids as they played around the games. I also enjoyed the fact that everyone coming into the restaurant must have their hands stamped, so you can only leave with the children who arrived with you. It's a nice feeling of security for a mom! It's also a feeling of security for the restaurant that you will take the children home with you!

We went back to visit during the next trip and we’ve visited another Chuck E. Cheese restaurant closer to where we live and have had pretty good experiences each time.

Now, don't get me wrong. There are still times when we have been in one of these restaurants and it has been a little too chaotic and a little too loud and a little too crowded. But, we have learned that there are times (like weekday evenings) that are a lot quieter than other nights (like Friday nights and Saturdays)!

And one thing is for sure. It’s definitely a place where adults and kids “can be a kid.”

Birthday Memories

It’s my birthday week, so I thought I’d focus this week on birthday celebrations. Which has had me thinking about all of my birthdays over the years.

Because I have a summer birthday, my birthday never seemed to be quite the same two years in a row. Sometimes, we’d be camping and I’d be sung to around a campfire.

Sometimes one of us would be at overnight camp or Dad would be directing a bike camp during my birthday, so we’d wait and celebrate it when we were all together.

One time, we were at my grandparents in Delaware and we celebrated there.

If we had visitors staying with us, they’d be included in the celebrations. Which was really fun the year my aunt – who was just getting into cake baking – was visiting. I got a Barbie cake that year! You know, the kind where the doll is put in the top of the cake and the cake is her dress? Oh, yeah, that was a fun year!

Because it was summer, sometimes I would have an ice cream cake. Sometimes, it was one of those cake mixes where you’d bake it right in this little cardboard box that came with it. Remember those? One time, My Chandler surprised me with a Mickey Mouse ice cream cake!

And then there was my 5^th birthday, when I got to have a Sesame Street birthday cake! Oh, I was in heaven that year!

It’s funny when I think back to all of my birthdays. I vaguely remember the gifts. Oh, I remember some, like the first curling iron I ever got or the birthstone ring from Grandma or the handmade pillow with my three girls handprints on it. But, what seems to stick out most in my mind are the interactions, the gatherings, the celebrations themselves.

Having Dad put on the Beatles “Birthday” song, teasing each other that the wrapped presents that were clearly a record were really flat pinapples, the laughs and jokes as we sat longer around a dinner table to eat the cake, the hugs from my girls. Being able to come home from the hospital with Pumpkin on my birthday and have my favorite meal with my family.

Ahhhh, birthdays!

Dessert!

We took a road trip on Sunday after dinner to one of my favorite destinations. It was the first creamee of the season at our favorite little creamee stand!

With sunny, warm weather all weekend, Road Trip Family was kept busy outside. For some of us it was to ride bikes, run through sprinklers, swing on the swings. For others, it was to weed the strawberry patch and the flower beds, mow the lawn, build a new garden bed frame. Can you guess who in our family did what this weekend?

After all that fresh air and hard work, My Chandler and I decided that it was a perfect opportunity to sit outside and enjoy a soft serve ice cream cone. So, we climbed into the roadtripfamily van, drove along the lake until we came to our favorite stand. Some chose the chocolate, some the chocolate/vanilla twist, some the maple and some the black raspberry.

And while our choices were varied, we all had the same reaction. Yummy!

Science Fiction Dining

I’ve written before about the Prime-Time Café in Hollywood Studios and how it’s a wonderful themed restaurant and a great change of pace from the rest of the park.

But, there’s another place in Hollywood Studios that has a great theme and is as much of an attraction as the rides and shows.

The Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater provides a nostalgic trip for anyone who has ever gone to a drive-in theater. It takes a walk down memory lane – or maybe it’s a drive down memory lane.

 

When you arrive, you are escorted to your car. I mean table. No, I mean car.

The dining room of the restaurant is shaped like a drive-in theater. All of the tables, I mean cars, are parked around the room and are facing a big movie screen which is playing clips from old, cheesy B-rated science-fiction and monster movies in a continuous loop.

Each car is reminiscent of a 1950s convertible car. Most cars feature three tables. Two people can sit in the front seat, two people can sit in the middle seat and two people can sit in the back seat.

A little tip: it’s a bit of a squeeze, but you can fit a small person in-between two adults at one of these tables. This is good to know because the restaurant is dark and some small people may not like the “night” feeling.

 

Everyone sits in their cars facing the movie screen under a sea of stars. You have the drivers in the front seat, the passengers in the middle and the hitchhikers in the back. A “car hop” comes to your window to take your order. With the exception of a few menu items, the majority of the menu features foods that you would probably see at a food stand at a drive-in theater. Foods like nachos, burgers, hot dogs, onion rings, sandwiches.

One of the best items on the menu is their milkshakes. If you try one, I recommend the Oreo ice cream milkshake! 

Once you’ve had your fill and watched numerous movie clips, the “car hop” will issue you a parking ticket, aka the bill. That’s what I love about Disney is that they carry a theme through from beginning to end and that they are so meticulous with details.

From the stars to the car hops to the bill, everything adds to the feeling that you're at the drive in movies!