Road Trip or Day Trip…Or Both??

Most of you know I wanted to take a day trip every week while I am off for the summer!   Well, it hasn’t happened because of this crazy busy schedule I’ve had since Memorial Weekend.  This past weekend, it dawned on me that I could make some of these trips “day” trips by adding a side trip coming or going.   

I was headed to Detroit this past weekend and thought, “How about if I stop at Grandpa’s Cheese Barn on the way home?”  It was going to add just about an hour to my trip, but it is something on my list and I thought…I can do this!

Once I decided to do it, I went online to check out the hours for Grandpas Cheese Barn and guess what?  This darn rain had caused Grandpas Cheese Barn to CLOSE temporarily!!!   (see picture below!)   Epic Fail!!   I will get there some day, but this past weekend was not the time!

*Note to my followers...always check before heading out to make sure conditions are right!!  I learned this last year and grateful that I remembered!

On my way up to Detroit, I did take the advice of a friend and stop for a Kewpee burger!   What in the hell is a Kewpee burger?   Well, it’s a pretty darn tasty burger!   SUPER cheap, SUPER old fashioned, and SUPER busy place 24/7.  

As I approached the Lima exit, I was getting hungry so it was perfect timing for a burger.   I pulled into the parking lot, and found the outside of the building to be simple.  The drive-thru line was wrapped around the building.   I opened the door to a huge line…there are two entrances and there was a long line from each door. 

After about ten minutes, I reached the counter and ordered my cheeseburger, fries and Diet Pepsi.  The final tab, $5.29.   Prices were crazy cheap!   16 oz drink, was only 60 cents!  20 oz drink 75 cents!   32 oz drink $1.00!   If you want Miracle Whip on your burger, it’s an extra 10 cents!  

The workers were all in white shirts, white pants, white aprons, and most of them looked like they had worked there for a long time!   It was a well-oiled machine!  

I found a seat at the counter that was a row of seats facing the parking lot.   My back was to the restaurant which I now wish I had done differently, but with the crowd, I felt guilty taking a table for four, when there were single seats available.   

Don’t worry Kewpee Burger…I’ll be back!!   I ate in the restaurant alone and I have added that to my Day Trips!!

As I hit the road earlier on Sunday morning, I considered getting a Kewpee burger on the way home.  (yes, it was pretty tasty!)   As I got closer to the exit, I realized I was getting hungry and really probably craving breakfast.   I stopped at Cracker Barrel because I had a gift card!!   They have nice bathrooms and I decided I could use a dining break.

I arrived at the hostess stand and proudly said, “Table for one please.”  The young girl did exactly what I had dreaded.  “How many?  Just one?”  UGH!!   “Yes, just me…”   All of a sudden, my brave woman self was knocked down a peg.   First of all, why is it such a big deal for someone to eat solo???  Second, why does it bother me???

I’m not sure about either of those questions but regardless, I sat at a table for four, alone, and ate a tasty breakfast!   Grandma’s Special in honor of my weekend of celebrating Katie and Baby T!  

I survived!   I still have leftover $$ on my gift card and I left as a #grownasswoman.  The hostess was young, not very sophisticated, and certainly not aware of my situation.   So…I’m giving her a pass!

Maybe I should have gone back to Kewpee Burger…Perhaps these little meals on my own don’t really equal a Day Trip by the standards I had set for myself, but for now, in this busy summer, I’m taking credit for them!!