"Choose your suitor, Eileen. Your kingdom awaits."
Today was unexpectedly easy. We departed 30 minutes behind schedule, but it made it up and then some on the road, arriving in Boise ahead of schedule at 7:00 MST. Outside of some construction, we were able to cruise well above the posted limit. Flow of traffic was easily 80-85 mph. For a long road trip, we couldn't have asked for an smoother introduction.
Our first stop was Union Gap, home of Los Hernandez Authentic Tamales. While I found this hole-in-the-wall spoken very fondly of online, it apparently was featured on some food television show, making this the most famous restaurant in all of the greater Yakima area.
Tamales? Check.
Fortunately for us, this place was closed all day on Monday and Tuesday, making us the first customers of the entire week. Senor Hernandez was hard at work filling back orders from the week; apparently these tamales are so good, people place orders in advance in multiples of a dozen. They only serve two items year-round - a pork tamale and a chicken tamale - but from April to July they have a speciality tamale that has made them the darling of tamale circles throughout the NW. Unfortunately for us, they were out of the special local asparagus and cheese variety, except for an order for a dozen he was back-filling. Several other groups behind us had also come from Seattle for this tamale alone and were saddened by this poor fortune. But Sr. Hernandez came to the rescue, deciding to not only not fill his order, but to offer us all an asparagus tamale on the house. Free food always tastes better, but even if I were to pay the steep normal price of $1.45 per, I would say this was one of the best tamales I've ever had. Scott Lee agrees, this is the highlight of the day.
When we got to our hotel in Boise, we were immediately struck by it's beauty. Part 00's remodel, part 70's throwback, this Doubletree hotel is all parts Boise charm. In fact, Scott and I are recommending this be the future site of the Hansen-TBA wedding. I mean, look at this meeting space...
After a mildly-needed break, we ventured into Downtown Boise to find food. Tonight's meal came recommended not only by Ms. Hansen, but also Ms. Annie Holt and Ms. Yelp.com. In what appeared to be a three-restaurant shared building space, we chose the Red Feather Lounge, which specializes in local fare, over pub food and new pho (whatever that is). Our waitress, a rather attractive alt-girl complete with requisite hip Boise tattoo sleeve and gauged ears neglected to charge me for my three-course prix fixe meal - consisting of a unique grilled kale caesar salad, local grass-fed lamb chops, and brochettes with an amazing caramel sauce (highlight of the meal) - either because a.) she is not smart, b.) she was fishing for a large gratuity or c.) loves two Asian travelers and wants desperately to please them. Obviously, I included the first two options for effect. In any case, free food, part ii.
That wraps up our first night in Boise. To which Scott Lee concludes, "I don't see that many. City of Trees my ass".
Tomorrow's Agenda
Route: Boise > Boise
Estimated distance: None
Estimated time: None
at my summer camp before bed, we went around the cabin and said what the highlight of the day was for each of us. that way you go to bed happy and sharing feelings. i think you two should do the same, and then share with us.
ReplyDeleteI never went to summer camp as a kid, but as an adult counselor, I've heard peers having to tell their kids, "wakey wakey, hands off the snakey!"
ReplyDeleteMeghann still makes us share feelings at the end of the day. (Weird, I know, turns out Meghann DOES have more feelings than just about baseball, cheese and cycling.) We did this in Argentina and although I was skeptical at first, it was a lovely addition to the trip.
ReplyDeleteI can just see it:
Scott: "Mike, what was your highlight of the day?"
Mike: "I really thought it was great when I got lost on the hike, had to set of my flares, which burnt out rather quickly, and was left with my bear-rape whistle, which you heard and were able to find me. That was good. Thanks for saving my life."
These are good suggestions. That is good advice for handling Kurt. Good call Debbie.
ReplyDelete