Two Restaurant Busts - The Search Continues

 

Song:  New Horizons

Group:  The Moody Blues

The other day...

I had a craving for BBQ.

As I am still in search of the perfect BBQ...

I decided to drive North of Colorado Springs to a highly rated one

in a small mountain town.

I ordered two 1/4 pound BBQ shredded pork sandwiches...

and one 1/2 pound sliced brisket sandwich...

along with a side of beans and three bags of chips...

and an iced sweet tea.

While it was okay...

this just wasn't what I was looking for...

as my favorite type of BBQ is Texas style...

and this was more of an Alabama or St. Louis style (sweeter...not so much tang).

As I was driving back...

I couldn't even believe it myself...

but after eating a pound of meat...

I was still hungry...

...and so, just as I was entering old town Manitou Springs...

I stopped in at KFC to buy a 16 piece bucket of chicken...

and although I nibbled at it some on the way home...

I saved the bucket of chicken to eat on the morrow

(I ate the whole bucket in one sitting the next day.

I don't know what it is...

but sometimes...

my hunger is such that I will eat twice my normal amount...

and no...

I still don't gain weight.

The key is not eating within 6-10 hours before bedtime...

and if you wish to lose weight...

perform endurance exercise within 2-3 hours before bedtime as well).

On my way home from KFC...

just leaving Manitou Springs.

I had a nice drive home...

especially with this sunset...

as I continued looking at it as I drove perpendicular to it.

Today...

I just wanted to try a local sandwich place...

just a 20 minute drive from home in the small town just South of Cripple Creek...

Victor...

a very small old mining town.

It was 70 F (21.1 C)...

and I drove with the windows open and enjoyed the views

until I arrived at Victor...

20 minutes later.

Just a few minutes from the town of Victor in this photo.

The very old and small town of Victor.

They really should have a dedicated heat shield behind this wood stove.

I had tried their Miner's Pastie...

a meat pie.

Although it was okay...

I thought it should have had more spices added.

I had gotten a ham and cheese sandwich.

Not only was the bread too vertically large

(I had to make like a python and almost unhinge my jaw to take a bite)...

but, it simply did not wow me...

it was rather flavorless.

It was disappointing...

as it was the second restaurant in a row which would prove to be but a one time visit.

I thought that both being in a more isolated community...

that they would have to be good in order to continue to get return traffic

from their rather small communities...

but...

it seemed to be more of a case of having a semi captive customer base...

and so...

either they didn't feel the need to improve...

or perhaps...

they couldn't survive competition with a much larger customer base...

and that is why they had chosen to open their restaurants there.

After leaving Cripple Creek on my way home.

Just before my mountain ridge turnoff.

-------------

Just like with the many small or large disappointments in life...

they make us appreciate even more...

the good times.

They are all part of the adventure that is life.

And so...

the search for the best restaurants continues.

It will be part of a long process...

but an interesting gourmandic journey nonetheless.

I still just love the country drives while playing my favorite music.

It is all part of running towards life...

instead of having disappointment or our own lassitude drag us down...

or running away from life out of fear.

Do not live the life of a rabbit...

fearing to stray from your safe underground den.

Brave the skies...

and soar free.

Know what makes you happy...

and go out and get it.

It is all worth it.

Acknowledge death...

for it comes for us all...

and so...

gives us a sense of urgency.

Extract everything out of life before then.

That is our mission...

if you choose to accept 

(dun dun...dundun dun dun dundun dun  :)

Smoked Brisket Tacos At The District Saloon

 

Song:  Drift Away

Artist:  Dobie Gray

As it was about 8 PM...

and I had again gotten a craving for tacos...

I decided to try The District Saloon in Cripple Creek...

as not only is it less than 15 minutes away...

but it has some unique tacos I had never had before.

I was heading down my mountain here...

in anticipation of a great meal.

Once again...

a cow was just crossing the road...

so...

I stopped for it as it walked on without a care in the world

(I certainly do not mind...it is all part of the flavor of my community).

I had arrived at one of the many restaurants in Cripple Creek...

and The District Saloon is now my new taco place of choice.

I picked this table...

and in a few minutes...

the waiter arrived.

I had seen that they had smoked brisket tacos...

and as I had never seen this type of meat in tacos before...

I knew I just had to try them

(they were out of the steak fajita tacos...

but I am glad...

as the smoked brisket tacos were the perfect tacos).

Above my seat there was this chandelier made of deer antlers.

I am so glad I had chosen the Smoked Brisket Tacos.

These were fantastic!

They are now one of my favorite types of tacos.

These were very large (finally...man sized tacos)...

they were stuffed full with fresh ingredients...

delightfully spiced with traditional flavors and sauce...

and the smoked brisket just worked so well in these tacos.

I will be going back to The District Saloon in the future...

and I will be taking my guests there as well.

The flavors were so amazing...

and the freshness of the ingredients led to a satisfying crunch with each bite.

I am so happy to have found another great place for tacos (my new favorite place)...

right in town.

I love Mexican food...

and my favorite type of Mexican food...

is the taco.

These tacos are such a great example of how delicious a taco can be...

simply and absolutely...

soul satisfying.

For dessert...

I just had one scoop of vanilla ice cream with caramel drizzled on top.

It was very good as well...

superbly rich and creamy.

I am going back to try some more of their delicious tacos...

for they have many different types...

and the kitchen in the saloon is open everyday until 9 PM

(the saloon portion is open until midnight).

The District Saloon is now my favorite place for tacos...

and as it is less than 15 minutes from home...

I shall be visiting there often.

Another new restaurant opened up in town not too long ago.

There have been a lot of new restaurants opening in town lately.

There was a Japanese restaurant in town...

but it closed a few years back...

but...

they mentioned they will be back sometime in the future.

I hope so...

I love Japanese food as well.

The Chamonix hotel and casino is the largest and most modern casino in town.

Even though it is summer...

it still gets chilly at night...

just the way I like it.

This particular steak restaurant is one I have no plans of visiting...

not only because I already have a favorite steak restaurant in town...

but this one is made for high rollers.

Even were I a billionaire...

I wouldn't spend such money for a steak...

especially with such an excellent steak house 

already existing at the Golden Nugget Casino in town...

and with it having suburb steaks at a fraction of these prices.

After walking around a bit...

I then departed for home.

I always feel so happy after having found another excellent restaurant...

especially one so near home...

and with such superb and varied tacos.

I have found my new favorite taco place to fill all of my taco cravings in the future

(they have other types of food...

but I will just be going there for their tacos...

as they are simply the best).

-----------

Just the simplest of things in life make me so happy...

just so deeply satisfied.

Some people are the opposite...

where every little thing irritates them...

and they get in the habit of looking for things in life

that "trigger" them.

What obnoxious beings.

Statistically...

I've got...

maybe...

ten years of good life left.

I am going to fill that limited time with all of the 

happiest and most magical times I can...

and this includes highly memorable meals.

That is what we all should strive to do...

for without magical memories made...

we are merely existing.

In Search Of The Best Roast Beef Au Jus Sandwich

Song:  Ready To Take A Chance Again

Artist:  Barry Manilow

Today...

since I had rested in bed until late morning...

and my back was feeling better...

I decided I would go into Woodland Park to their large hardware store...

as I wanted to pick up waterproofing supplies for the fence and retaining walls on my property

(As I will later explain...

I will be using a tried and true...

over one hundred year old wood preservation method...

instead of using modern waterproofing mixtures...

as they are not only absurdly expensive...

but they also do not last nearly so long as does the old method...

but just for the fence and retaining walls...

as they are already a dark wood...

and this method further darkens the wood).

So...

before leaving for town...

I researched for a place that had roast beef au jus sandwiches.

I just love this type of sandwich...

and as I had a craving for one...

I thought I would go to a highly rated pub

 which served a type close to what I was looking for

( I just went for the food...

as I do not consume alcohol).

This is the pub which has a pot roast au jus sandwich.

Right next door to the pub is a gun store from which

 I will most likely buy my 10mm semi auto Glock...

with mounted flashlight (in a month or two)...

and a chest holster vest with a built in multiple mag holder (I will buy multiple mags as well)...

and several boxes of 10mm ultra high power...

hard case Bear Loads.

I will open carry it when I take Bandi out to her forest bathroom area...

and when I trike around my mountain.

Just some months ago...

a lady hiker was killed by a large mountain lion near Pikes Peak...

and just a couple of weeks ago...

another hiker in Woodland Park was killed by a large moose...

and there have been numerous run ins with bears throughout the year.

I entered the pub...

and they automatically give every customer a large glass bottle of chilled water.

It was a very nice touch...

as I just love tinted glass of all colors.

They keep the complimentary water in a chiller.

As I sat at the bar...

(it was lunch time...and all the desirable tables were taken)...

I just looked upon one of the large screens at the Soccer World Cup.

Although I am not a big sports fan...

it kept me occupied until my food arrived.

I ordered battered mushrooms with ranch dip...

as an appetizer.

I didn't particularly like their version of battered mushrooms.

They were more like mushroom falafels.

My Shredded Pot Roast Sandwich Au Jus.

My sandwich was okay...

but it was simply not what I was looking for.

It was filling...

and the meat was tender...

but...

the Au Jus was not nearly so filled with flavor as I have had before.

Even though it was a good effort...

I will just continue my search for the best Roast Beef Au Jus sandwich.

While my food cravings don't completely occupy my life...

to have strong cravings which can then be sated...

adds such a deep richness to life.

To have the satisfying effect of having sated a strong craving...

is to feel a source of deep energy rising from your center...

and flowing through your core and out your legs and arms.

And...

it is a source of body happiness for days on end.

And if it is good enough...

a soul satisfying meal is fondly remembered for a lifetime.

And...

yes...

I am a typical man in this respect.

We all LOVE good food.

It is a fundamental deep seated drive and craving...

which simply must be satisfied...

for without which...

we become tigers on the hunt...

and go on the prowl...

willing to travel long distances to have that one magical meal.

I can tell you one thing for certain...

upon my death bed...

as my most magical moments...

and my greatest loves in life are relived...

my most memorable feasts are going to be there as well.

What I really did love though...

was this orange cream soda (I had two).

It was so fresh and flavorful.

I also loved the bottle wrap design.

The colors and art work were just superb.

Such a flavorful orange cream soda deserved to be represented 

by such a classy product piece of art as is its signature label.

And...

this is the reason why...

just look at the ingredients.

It was the best orange cream soda I have ever tasted.

As I had spent over an hour sitting on a bar stool...

my back felt on the verge of seizing...

and so...

instead of going to the hardware store and loading tens of pounds of equipment...

I just decided to head home.

My view from just outside the pub...

just before going to my car for my drive home.

--------

Right now...

I have my windows open with a cool mountain breeze

flowing through my room.

As I will just have to take it easy for a day or two longer...

I will just relax in bed and watch some old shows or movies.

And so...

another lazy day.

 

Bistro 28 - Mexican Food Excellence From The Grocery Store

 

Song:  Pleasant Valley Sunday

Group:  The Monkees

Today...

I went to the post office to pick up a couple of packages.

On my way back...

I decided to stop in at The Market in Cripple Creek

(10 minutes from home).

They are under new ownership and management.

I had only gone there in the past for fruit pies...

as everything else was overpriced.

I had heard that the new owners lowered the prices and have added new products.

I was pleasantly surprised with the new selections...

and with the prices.

I decided to try a Mexican food kit

(it included all the ingredients...

just put them together and bake)...

and I bought some fruit pies.

On my way home...

...and I was just a little ways from home here.

I had never before seen a meal kit...

of any type.

They are not frozen...

but kept in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.

When it says they are ready in 5 minutes...

they mean to put all the ingredients together.

It still takes 35 minutes in the oven at 350 F.

But...

I must say...

it was so worth it.

I had taken out a couple of sauces to put on the "tacos"

(They were supposed to be enchiladas...

but I made them into tacos)...

but after one bite without any sauces...

I just put the sauces away.

There was no need for any sauce since they were just so delicious as they were.

All six of these scrumptious tacos had only cost $10...

and they were so outrageously delicious.

I had never had anything like it anywhere.

The sour cream sauce was thick and filled with diced mildly spicy peppers.

I had at first thought the sour cream sauce was cheese as the consistency

was such that it resembled melted cheese.

It made a perfect meal for me...

and quelled my previously unsatisfied desire for Mexican food.

I may now have some Mexican food to make at home...

just 10 minutes away.

These are some of the pies I had bought from The Market in Cripple Creek

(I eat these just occasionally...as I don't usually eat dessert).

----------

I have been receiving many large boxes from a delivery van from Walmart.

The first delivery comprised of 15 large boxes filled with many bulk items

I like to keep stored in my storage closet near the kitchen.

I took the rest of the day collapsing the boxes...

and carrying the supplies up the driveway to the front door, and then storing them...

as they had delivered all the boxes in front of one of my garage doors.

But...

 I am not complaining...

free delivery! 

The next day...

I loaded the car with the collapsed boxes to dispose of them at the refuse collection point 

at the community center.

A couple of days later...

I received a few other boxes which had equipment for Milo

(I will go into detail about Milo...later).

In a few days...

I will be assembling the contents of the boxes...

but...

I must first rest my back.

I had strained it moving all of the supplies around...

as some of the boxes weighed between 30 and 50 lbs...

and one weighed 100 lbs.

I am excited to try my new BBQ.

I will first attempt to make a steak...

and a brisket...

and I will then try to smoke some salmon and sausages...

among other meats and veggies.

--------

I was going to drive West to areas famous for the wildflower blooms.

However...

there are numerous wildfires...

some covering 10s of thousands of acres...

 in many places throughout the State...

especially West of here.

Some highways are even closed...

and so...

it looks like I will have to wait until next year to see the wildflowers in bloom.