Most of the Hotel Jacaranda looks like this. I put on my bathing suit and pretended like I was going to go in the pool outside but it was too cold. There was nothing to do in town and the only place with wifi was the lobby so I had to do things like read and run. On the weekends, the quasi abandoned building is filled with people who come out of nowhere for brunch. There's a piano player, crackers, and a dessert spread I wouldn't let myself touch.
We were in middle of nowhere Clewiston, Florida for so long. Meredith and I looked for the allusive Lake Okeechobee trail, and we eventually ended up at the Clewiston Museum watching videos about oranges and sugar. It was actually fascinating. There used to be a beauty contest down here. One of the winners was photographed on a mountain of sugar. Anyway we went to Hawaiian Ice.
The atmosphere in Poogan’s Smokehouse in Charleston, SC is like that of a home designed by Chip and Joanna. Mm. Here's my tomato and cucumber salad and potato salad.
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen gives out free pralines and fudge samples. In this world there is always free fudge and I always take too much sorry. Just outside of this candy/ice cream shop was a huge outdoor market which featured paintings of scenic Charleston, jewelry, woven palm baskets, cheese plates made of wine bottles, and oils.
In this town resides a giant Abraham Lincoln head, a swing tree branch, and houses I want to buy. I won't post pictures you just have to find them.
The Answer Brew Pub has games and these foods.
I'm really sorry for getting this unforgettable veggie burger at Farm Burger. I feel like I should have gotten meat as much as possible while in Asheville because everything is organic, but veggie burgers are so good.
The Jackson Underground Cafe is actually underground and kind of secret.
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| See nature in Asheville. The front desk person gave me a map and told me about a number of nearby trails I could visit. |
The Battery Park Book Exchange sells biscotti and booze and books. Of the three I got the latter. I found a book about World War II with period newspaper articles taped inside. My favorite author loves World War II, and the newspaper clippings were so cool, so I had to buy it.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge looks like it has a small library inside, but actually it's just shelves of chocolate wrapped in beautiful paper. I got this ice cream.
Almost immediately after getting ice cream, Sarah and I went to Tupelo Honey Cafe to eat more. Not pictured: our awesome server Darien and pecan pie.
The Taco Project in Tarrytown, NY was where I decided that tacos are too small.
Cash only warning. We waited outside the very small Daily Catch in Boston's North End for about twenty minutes. Once we were in the food came fast. My black noodles were made of squid ink, and I watched the meal preparation! The entire restaurant (kitchen in included) is about the size of my living room (my parents' living room.)
My Emerson friends recommended Trident Cafe for food and books. My avocado smoothie was like ice cream. Sometimes I'm suspicious that the smoothies I order are actually ice cream.
I got this Kale Mango smoothie between shows at Muddy Waters in Burlington, VT.The art, wood beams, and cookies will make you stay forever.
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| Visiting the dead |
The reason I only got a smoothie between shows was because we all went to Ben & Jerry’s for a tour of the ice cream factory and the biggest free sample of ice cream I've ever had. I was expecting just a spoonful of brownie batter ice cream but I got a full scoop in a cup. Meredith's birthday wish was for the six of us to share a Vermonster, but we didn't do that. We did get to try the exclusive Maple flavor only served in Vermont.
We made our way to Penn State's Ye Olde College Diner where I got a cup of chili. You must get their stickies. I didn't eat a lot for lunch because we planned to go to The Creamery for dessert. It was exciting to eat the ice cream that inspired Ben & Jerry. They don't mix flavors at Penn State.
This is The Tavern on the Square in New Wilmington. You must get their sticky buns.
The Holiday Inn Express New Castle is amazing. Nightly 25¢ cocktails with soup and Chexmix plus two enormous French chocolates on the pillows and a bag full of candy?? And fruit in the lobby?
Tío Juan’s Margaritas in Salem NH had a paint and drink wine class. I didn't do that but I did get food here two nights in a row.
Real quick, if you're in New London, CT go to the beach. It is filled with little domed pink seashells. There is also a little light house that looks like a square colonial building just off shore. While you're there, drive through the Eugene O'Neil Theatre Center. It's so quaint, and you feel the magic.
We had a three show day in Brooklyn. With a day off and the end of contract quickly approaching we went to Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria where I willingly ordered beer again (Purple Haze.)
There we were at Sweet Jane's Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt. I'm always going to get pistachio and sprinkles.
Five months and many nachos later I unpacked my suitcase and sat on my parents porch with a bowl of my dad's chili. I'd like to give a shout out to Tropical Smoothie Cafe for being my go-to smoothie place throughout tour, and my cast's love for adventure and melted cheese.
