One of the true pleasures of retirement. Getting up on Monday morning and deciding “Road Trip!”.
We did have somewhat of a mission. Get to the Gettysburg outlets for work boots for my husband, and some Hanes/Bali/Leggs shopping for me. My husband really needed new boots for the outdoors work. We have always found them at the footwear outlets, since he goes through them about once a year. PA doesn’t charge sales tax on clothing, something that for years made our trips home to his family include a side trip to Bon Ton or Hess’s or Boscov’s.
Mondays at the outlets are pretty quiet. We had driven up Rte. 97 into Pa in about an hour and did our shopping. I did score something I have wanted for quite a while. A mortar and pestle. Now, I can grind spices, or make pesto the old fashioned way. I just have to find someplace to store it.
We were making a loop. Gettysburg. Thurmont. Frederick. And home. After the outlets, off to stop at Catoctin Mountain Orchards for some fruit. We did decide to indulge in lunch at one of those long time restaurants in that part of Frederick County.
The Shamrock.
Right on Rte. 15 north of Thurmont and south of Emmitsburg. Celebrating their 50th year in business. Family run. It checks off one of my list of things to do in my 60th year. Eating at small business family owned restaurants and diners.
I did not take pictures inside. One thing I try not to do while traveling.
We then hit Gateway for my husband’s Hershey Ice Cream fix (salted caramel with truffle cone), and for me to find some interesting candy to take to book club (which unfortunately was canceled).
The candy hit? A little bit of nostalgia.
After the visit to Gateway, we headed around the back road to Catoctin. For peaches, apricots, plums and nectarines. Apple cider (a simple Buy Local item for those not inclined to cook much). The view today.
Worth the trip just to wander down Rte. 15 and check out the orchards and farms. The last destination. Frederick Wine House, across from Wegmans. The only location I know where you can buy Big Cork Wines. Dave Collins was winemaker at Breaux. He now is working in his new venture in Maryland, Big Cork.
Getting ready for Buy Local Challenge. Easy choices. Big Cork Wine. Catoctin apple cider. And, we found Bedlam Rose from Black Ankle.
Three items for the nine day challenge. Easy to use daily. Along with all that lovely fruit. You don’t have to know how to cook to complete the challenge successfully.
Today I scored:
Nectarines
Peaches
Apricots
Plums
Apple Cider
Chardonnay from Big Cork
Rose from Black Ankle
If I added cheese, tomatoes, corn, watermelon and cantaloupe from the farmer’s markets, I would have more than enough to succeed in the challenge.
hocofood@@@
AnnieRie Unplugged 