Beyond Words...
... and Beyond Meat
So I sort of knew that this would be the case in rural USA, but veggie food is not particularly overrepresented on menus. Luckily I have no problem with fish, but it would be nice to have some more choice. I thought I would be Ok in Eugene. Having settled down in some hipster brew pub, I felt sure that one of the food trucks would offer a suitable option but no, I was forced to drag myself away from my IPA explorations and go in search of a food truck that Google made clear had the best vegan Phili Cheese Steak around. Now I am not unacquainted with such things having sampled (and re-sampled) similar in Washington DC some years back. The 25 minute work seemed worth it. Obviously I forgot the 4th July-eve factor and the truck was closed. Time for sad pizza back at the hotel. At least Uber Eats works (although not so much Just Eat or Deliveroo’).
I suppose the whole attitude to plant based meat products can be summed up by the big news story on the fourth. The national hot-dog eating champion had been banned by Nathan’s from competing in this year’s contest on account of having signed a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods. Colluding with the enemy cannot be tolerated!
On the flip side, I had renewed insight at breakfast into how Americans find a way to just make everything easier. Contemplating having to slice a bagel with a plastic knife I spotted this:
Bagel guillotine - frickin’ genius!
Anyway, I assume the sourcing of veggie food will become more challenging as I head to more remote parts [Note: it does. I am currently staying in the old frontier “town” of Fort Klamath, just south of Crater Lake - very much ranch country. Just down the road there are actual cowboys. Doing actual cowboy shit. To actual beef.]
But enough of food. Suitably caffeinated and be-bageled, I hit the road again, heading south and east towards Crater Lake. The drive was very pleasant, including a brief stop at Salt Creek Falls - because you can never have too many waterfalls.
Back on track and I was a bit early to check into my cabin, so diverted to the North Entrance of Crater Lake National Park and undertook as much of the rim drive as was open. I’m really glad I did this as it was strangely unbusy (apart from crowds of frenzied shoppers in the gift shop - I beat a hasty retreat!). It was a different story when I went back the next day, but I was on very focused business then.
A first sight (and second, and third…) of Crater Lake is absolutely staggering. I think the weather probably helps (looks like someone has just poured the sky into a hole in a mountain - which I guess in a sense is what happened), but it is breathtakingly beautiful. This was the main reason for coming to Oregon - or at least for heading this far south - and it was totally worth it. Had to stop at every viewpoint of course, so lots of photos to sort though.
Evening at the cabin and I was lounging outside, supping a nice drop of Williamette Pinot, whist following the election results, waiting for it to get dark. This is a dark skies zone and it is quite spectacular. Equally spectacular was the damage that the mosquitos did whilst I was sat outside. I should know better. Experience tells me that I am a gourmet treat for anything that bites ( must remember that as I belated found out that I am staying a couple of nights in the town where the Twilight Saga is set).
Second day in Crater Lake and I have conceived a desire to descend into the crater and soothe my mossie-ravaged legs in the cooling waters. This involves getting there reasonably early and hoping to get a parking spot at the trail head for the walk down. I saw how challenging this would be on the first visit. Aced it this time - totally ninja’d a parking spot (which is a rare event as I am very much more a ninjee than ninja in the parking stakes).
The walk down isn’t too bad - it’s steep and lots of loose gravel but not too challenging. Coming back up in 80 degrees at 6000 feet was another matter. I think that can be considered a reasonable cardio workout!
As a reward, I was heading to the Annie Creek Restaurant just outside the national park who research had indicated did a Beyond Burger. I did have some doubts, given the area, that this might be some sort of beyond in the sense of meatier than meaty. But no, they serve the genuine article. Not today, of course. Out. The Hummus wrap was a very poor substitute.
Anyway, heading north again tomorrow on the road to Washington.