Holiday Road

Just one year after foreswearing holiday travel, we were on the road again. And while we didn't have any gourmet encounters, road food is a subject unto itself. Even we end up eating a lot of fast food on the way because a.) it's fast b.) it's hard to take a chance on that Indian restaurant in the strip mall c.) it does give you an excuse to eat a slim jim (and you know you want to).

So, next year my resolution is to do more food research for road trips. Because great little places are out there, tucked in and around the fast food joints. Such as Pop's Charburgers, right off the Heflin exit on I-20 in Alabama. We had a good diner burger and a great strawberry shake. They're supposed to have a really good egg and fried bologna for breakfast.

Here's my top five list of car snacks. All the stuff you would normally never eat, but somehow when you're driving or riding in a car, they're just what you need. Feel free to post and add your own to the list:

1. Snoballs
2. Spree
3. Slim Jims
4. Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies
5. Funyons

On one last note, I did encounter in North Carolina real homemade moonshine in a mason jar. Surprisingly, it tasted a lot like vodka, although it had a more fragrant nose. Now, this jar was about three months old, and our source swore that it had mellowed quite a bit and when fresh was much harsher. It did make my tongue tingle a bit. Personally, I'd rather drink the Catdaddy, but I appreciate all things homemade and what should be our right to make 'em.