Hillsville...

[DDT (12)]

Hillsville...

RainZane came to its inevitable conclusion, and those with things to do and places to be... Well, they did what they had to do. As with every other day that week, everything outside was wet... and slick... And when it wasn't actually raining, threatening skies promised there was still more to come. I couldn't help wondering if perhaps we should have already begun construction of an Ark...?

This ponderous gypsy who is always 'at home' wherever he is, did what he typically does in these circumstances... He kept the room for another day and evening! Since I'd be staying in a motel anyway, it made little sense to risk life and limb just to move to a different location. When one has no deadlines, schedules, appointments, or places to be anytime in the near future, there is, quite simply, no urgency at all to get someplace else... Being essentially 'homeless' means an endless succession of temporary lodgings along the way, and this place was as good as any other.

I stood under the protective portico at Ground Zero and said farewell to the many good friends and new acquaintances as they departed. I felt no envy for what lay just ahead for any of them... Just as I'm sure they felt no envy for this solitary wanderer with no particular thing to do or... You know, all that usual, normal stuff... It was soon time to go online and see if anything new might inspire movement... Well, how about that?

Our girl, not having moved since she was parked just prior to the 'Early Bird Special', was, naturally, ready for some action. Her rider, not so much... He'd stayed up past his bedtime every night that week, and he'd spent his days socializing in between naps, so he was in no such hurry. We reached an accommodation... Two days of riding over into West Virginia, then a two week stay at an Airbnb back in Hillsville, VA.

Yep, once situated I went in search of groceries, then I tried my hand at some biscuits & gravy again. Well, toast and gravy... In spite of a rather extensive shopping list in hand, I'd still managed to miss picking up biscuits when I'd gone to the Food Lion half a mile away! Oh well, the gravy did turn out surprisingly good. No small thing, that, either. I'd thought I'd hit my stride in North Carolina last year, but then I'd suffered a major setback in Arkansas a few months later. Maybe my gravy-making mojo only works on the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mountains...?

DDT (12)

[RNFWP]

That's a nice stretch of the BRP right in there. Need to take care of that biscuitless conundrum. Good gravy does wonders for a slice of toast but it aint no biscuit.

Wish I'd been there for the RainZane story telling. Reports sound like some great "catching up" was to be had.

[Farside]

  Great seeing you Bruce at the Raizane event. It was a soggy week. I left out Friday at 5:30 am and got home at 5:30 pm. Only little rain about 50 miles from Knoxville. Then dry all the way to the Pan-handle about 800 miles in all. Safe travel while you journey about. Let me know when you believe you'll be in Montgomery and I'll see you at Jan's.  

[..]

 

Colorado Springs for tonight. Pikes peak in the morning.

[Mooskee]

My younger son and I have a tradition when riding together. If there is a Bob Evans restaurant within shouting distance, we are compelled to pay them a visit. This comes to mind because I LOVE their sausage gravy and biscuits.  Problem is I like a lot of their other stuff too. I end up waddling out of there. That sausage gravy is probably a heart attack on a plate, but it might be worth it.
Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates; "Why are you clutching that biscuit?" Me, "It's a long story." St Pete, "Well you've got forever; let's hear it."
DDT meanders up holding toast..........

[thedon]

Great seeing you again Bruce. Until next time and we never know where that will be.

[The emperor has no clothes]

One never knows where respectable biscuits and gravy are to be found. I used to think the only good stuff came from the South (or Southern cooks). But that theory has been put to rest. I’ve had great stuff in a hole in the wall in Durango, CO. I just recently had some good stuff at a place in Kenai, AK. I can make pretty good stuff. But my homemade biscuit repertoire is a little lacking. I doubt I’ll ever master them. But, I’ve found those frozen Pillsbury ones aren’t too bad.

(The name Hillsville makes me a little worried for your safety. Deliverance’s dueling banjos in the background ?)

[old2soon]

     I had made reservations at the Baymont Inn Paducah Ky couple weeks prior to Inzane. Stopped in there Friday night as I did NOT need another near 700 mile day. Yeah Yeah I know old2soon gittin old! The shower alone moves this place up a couple notches and bed were comfortable the A/C blew cold but farted and rattled and coughed a mite BUT I've slept in noisier trucks. Went down Saturday bout 0620 and sign said chow tween 0700 and 1100 hrs!  But eggs sausage biscuits and coffee were there hot and ready. Nice lady informed me the gravy would be ready in about 10 minutes. And I'm here to inform y'all the gravy was heavy with crumbled pork sausage and veryveryvery tasty!  So Bruce ya ever wanna spend the night in Paducah I'd reccomend this particular temporary abode! Salt and pepper were provided BUT I did NOT see any type of hot sauce not even the cheap stuff!  RIDE SAFE.

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

Yes, that stretch of the BRP is nice... and we rode it from Sparta, NC, to Roanoke and our arrival at RainZane. While I think all stretches are nice in their own way, some will disagree. Oh well, it's still considered one of the top rides in all of North America by this rider who aims to sample them all.

Biscuitlessness is a pitiful condition for sure! I do plan to remedy my own condition this very day! Two weeks is a long time to stock-up for, especially with such limited carrying space on a Valk Tourer. Still, I've learned over the years how to deal with that, and one of those is to figure on at least two trips. After a day or two, the original list can be fine-tuned and gaps filled-in. I do have some work to do, though...

This InZane was a disappointment for those who came to ride much. For those of us who came to socialize, however, it was perhaps one of the best ever! In between my frequent naps, I found myself engaged in most pleasant and often very enlightening conversations... all of which left me mighty happy I did make it after all... Sorry we missed you, though...

DDT (12)



Keith,

Great seeing you, as well, my friend! Lots of back-slapping, ear-bending, and belly-laughing, and I'm truly happy neither of us missed out on that. I'll be in Montgomery August 21st & 22nd for a doctor visit. I won't be able to dawdle, though, as I have something important in Florida to do on September 2nd... If you can make it, I'll look forward to seeing you at Jan's, where we can... You know...

DDT (12)



Paul,

You and Allan are truly drinking deeply from the cup of life. I understand you had a meet-up with another devotee of adventure recently... Sweetcheeks sent me a pic of y'all at some scenic overlook... Live large, my friends... this ain't no dress rehearsal!!!

DDT (12)



Dave,

Getting to know you this time was a very unexpected bonus to attending for this rider! Yes, biscuits are a vital part of any biscuits & gravy experience... Sadly, I'm having to temporarily postpone total gratification, but not for long!

I know others who share your passion for Bob Evans' B&G, and I concede they are rather good... Other than the women in my family, of course, the best I recall ever having was at the Jubilee Restaurant in Kickapoo, IL. Hmmm, I think I may have just stumbled upon my next target destination when this rental ends...

DDT (12)



Don,

Same here, my friend! BTW, thanks for all the effort you put in on our behalf at these events. You and your fellow staff members all do a remarkable job for us all, and it is very much appreciated! As for when or where our next encounter might be... Heck, your guess is as good as mine... probably better, in fact!

DDT (12)



Rob,

Yeah, among the many discoveries during my 'Vision Quest' has been the debunking of many, many of the 'facts' I held dear throughout much of my life. B & G is, as you pointed out, not a geo-specific phenomena at all, and I, too, have had some marvelous servings of that delicacy throughout North America! Good grub is good grub, and good news travels fast...

Making good biscuits from scratch is very much a lost or at least rapidly disappearing art. I never got to anything like that level, myself, though. For me, making biscuits from scratch means 'scratching where it itches' while making it to the beginning of my digestive process via the refrigerator, oven, table, plate, and onto a fork.' I'm quite content with those flaky Pillsbury Grands, but most any canned biscuit will do. Heck, I've even been known to substitute toast in a pinch! Hope all is well up yonder!!!

DDT (12)



Dennis,

Me too! Yes indeed, I have, as unlikely as it sounds, on rare occasion found some downright upright B & G at motel breakfast bars! When I do find that, more often than not it reminds me more of my own failures than of anything worthy of note... Oh well, there is usually a Hardees/Carl Jr's along the way. I consider them to be the Gold Standard of fast-food breakfasts...

It sure was good seeing you at this event. Your absence at the last several has been one of the few downsides I've had at any of them. Thanks for the anecdotes and tall tales that you shared, and for the intimate conversations we squeezed in, also. I hope to see you again down the road someplace...

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

    You git up around Island Lake Il. look up daprez. Grinds and seasons his own pork sausage AND wunderbar biscuits from-drum roll please-SCRATCH!   And There IS lotsa REAL BUTTER used in the making of them thar biscuits!   RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

Bruce - make your way to Kansas City ks, and Mrs. Scooperhsd will make you possibly the best B & G you've ever had... I find most restaurant's  B & G "lacking" in sausage for my tastes.

[John Schmidt]

Hey old friend, you have a new admirer in Nancy. Plus she couldn't believe anyone could possibly put that many miles on a bike. I told her she's led a protected life. 

See ya down the road!

[DDT (12)]

Dennis & Scoop,

WOW! Two generous offers of some world-class B & G! I'm gonna continue to attempt improvement with my own renderings, but... I'll keep those most tempting offers in mind! Heck, it ain't like I'm headed anywhere in particular any way...


John,

Nancy was a hit with our crowd too! A truly nice lady...  It was really good to see my favorite 85-year-old newlywed again! BTW, do y'all plan to start a family right away? As always, I enjoyed our conversations, my friend, and I definitely look forward to our next ones!

DDT (12)

[f6gal]

Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates; "Why are you clutching that biscuit?" Me, "It's a long story." St Pete, "Well you've got forever; let's hear it."
DDT meanders up holding toast..........

   That's hilarious.

[DDT (12)]

Toast... Kinda...

Well, I'd decided to wait no longer and go fetch some biscuits the other day. Then I spotted some hamburger buns I had on hand, so... With just a teensy bit of imagination... Yep, I was able to rationalize a delay in my shopping plans and make do with... a 'giant pseudo-biscuit'. Of course, I did butter the bun and stick it in the toaster-oven for flavor enhancement first, and then...

OK, it still wasn't the same as a Bonafide biscuit, so the very next day I did do what needed doing all along. Being lazy sure has a side effect of firing the imagination and fanciful thinking capabilities of anyone willing to engage. It usually doesn't produce the desired outcome, but at least I now have yet another reason to continue doing this... I'm going to have a doozy of a tale for St. Peter when the time comes!!!

DDT (12)