IMChoo/2 Travel Report

Now that the race report is written, on to more important things, the road trip report!

I drove to & from Chattanooga last September and some parts of that trip were great, and I hoped to repeat, but others were not so exciting.

September 2014:

1. Kind Roots, Lexington, VA. Great find, though sort of random in a strip mall YMCA
2. Ellis Soda Shop, Abingdon, VA. Too far from highway to repeat on this trip
3. Hillbilly Willy's BBQ, Chattanooga, TN. Didn't actually go here
4. Bluewater Grille, Chattanooga, TN. Yummy but indifferent service
5. Mellow Mushroom, Chattanooga, TN. Always a favorite
6. Pigeon Mountain Grill, on bike course, GA. Tasty cheese burger
7. Blue Door Cafe, Draper, VA. Closed on Mondays, so couldn't make it here
8. Shanks Bakery, Harrisonburg, VA. Didn't make it here because my drive home was running so late by this point, and they are closed now.

I decided to make this recent trip a little more exiting by pursuing a theme of "round food". The first night, I had over-sugared myself on doughnuts, so had a salad with grilled mushrooms, but otherwise, much round food was consumed

May 2015:

1. The doughnut quest
   a.      Sugar Shack, Alexandria – Maple Bacon
   b.      Pure Eats, Lexington – Peanut Butter
   c.      Blackbird Bakery, Bristol, VA – Peach-filled glazed (highly recommend this stop for all of your sweet treat desires!!!)
   d.      Julie Darling Doughnuts, Chattanooga, TN – Banana Split cream-filled
   e.      Doughnut World, Bristol, VA – Apple fritter
   f.       Apple House, Lindon, VA – Apple cider cinnamon
2. The round foods
   a.      Pure Eats, Lexington, VA - Basil and Mozz Burger
   b.      Pigeon Mountain Grill, GA - Buckeye chocolate peanut butter ball
   c.      Community Pie, Chattanooga, TN - Sweet Fig Neapoliton pizza
   d.      Cashew, Chattanooga, TN - Black bean and plantain vegan quesadilla. Yum!
   e.      Mellow Mushroom, Knoxville, TN  - Mellowterranean pizza

Looking forward to Sept 2015

For the IM trip, there are a few things already on my wishlist

1. Blackbird Bakery - Must stop here again!
2. Julie Darling Doughnuts- Thurs breakfast
3. Milk & Honey - Thursday lunch/ice cream
4. Farmer's Daughter - Friday morning breakfast
5. Hot Chocolatier - Pick up some surprises for my family
6. Maple Street Biscuits - Send support crew to pick up some while waiting in line for finisher gear.
7. Blue Door Cafe, Draper, VA - Closed on Mondays so haven't made it here on either of the two road trips