Drama at the Waffle House
After heading south on 231 out of M-town, we rolled through the hills of Tennessee. The sun was casting its last light across the mountians. I was riding shotgun with dad. I threw open the window, screen and all and just breathed it all in. How often do you get to just cruise down country roads- on your way to nowhere, on the way to somewhere. Those few moments of silence and beauty were priceless. Speaking of mileage and country roads- we have been down quite a few country roads- we are clocking about 800 miles on the RV and close to 400 on the beetle. That is some serious asphalt in search of bbq.
Once past Huntsville, we thought it a good idea to possibly feed ourselves. And for the first time, every one was in agreement that it wouldn't be bbq. It was as if we didn't know what else existed in the world outside of pulled pork and ribs. The more we procrasitnated, the more hungry we became. It was late, we were tired- so we decided that the next exit, no matter what's on it- that's the one. Well, you have to love the consistency of the prolific amount of Waffle HOuses in the south. There was one on that exit, so in that direction we headed. Pulling into the truck arena next door, the RV died again. After many frustrating restarts, we got it safely located behind the Econo Lodge. Screw it for now, we need to eat.
Walking into the Waffle House we sensed a bizarre energy. There was only one person in the whole joint, some girl sitting at the bar. The waitress standing behind the counter looked a bit anxiously perplexed. Mom and I got in the queue for the restroom. When the door opened this huge woft of high octane air rushed out of the bathroom. The exiting waitress said, "Smells like somebody spilled paint thinner in there". Didn't think much about it. Went back to our seats. As our waitress came over, she was preoccupied by the customer who had just left. Concerned that she was too "lit up" to go anywhere. I just thought she was drunk. We all sat mesmerized in our nagohide booths staring out the window at the fate of some jacked up chic contemplating crossing the highway. Seriously, it was like watching OJ in that damn white van- commentary and yelling ensued behind the glass walls of the Waffle House. Somebody knew somebody who knew a sheriff's deputy and called him out right away. He arrived Johny on the spot, seemed to be a nice compassionate fellow who could engage with the woman very calmly. After scouring the joint for evidence, they found a bottle of STP Fuel Injector in the woman's restroom trash bin. Somebodies been 'huffin' (Terrry had to explain the finer points of huffing). There was additional walking and talking, in the car out of the car. We went back to our waffles and chicken melts and blts. We never did realize the outcome of the drama, but it made for fine entertainment.
I'm not sure, is huffing even illegal?
Terry and I took the beetle off the coach and sped down I-65 to Birmingham before guilt of abandonment could catch up with us. We arrived at Nicole's around 10pm. She was not kidding about the banners- the adorned the driveway- with balloons and everything. Apparently she scheduled the high school band for our arrival, but we were too late and she had to cut them loose- it was a school night and all. We talked for a bit. Took the longest hottest showers and crawled into a REAL bed. Ahhhhhhh, sweet serenity.
The morning was full of coffee and more gabbing- children on big wheels and tea parties. Once mom and dad gave word that they were headed down the road. We got in gear and prepared for our next stop on the tour- Dreamland BBQ. People in Alabama will tell you the Dreamland is THE best- and even though it has extended beyond it's original location, we still had to try it. The original shack in Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide Roll), only served ribs and pulled pork and something to drink- they don't even mess with cole slaw or beans or potato salad- now that is some serious pork love. After figuring out how to seat 8 adults and 4 kids, we asked our nice waitress just to hook us up- out came 2 slabs of ribs, 2 pulled pork sandwiches (1/2 lb of pork each), 1 roasted chicken, smoked sausage, beans and slaw- there was already a loaf of wonder bread on the table along with the sauce (which was warm and tasty). I could have eaten both of those sandwiches- even topped with sliced pickle- the pork was delish- probably my favorite. I could have also eaten some of that sausage on one of those alleged cathead biscuits. As if we hadn't had enough, the banana pudding was ordered and promptly devoured- I don't even like that stuff.
What kind of sugar down spiral am I going to be on when i get home? Not looking forward to that withdrawal.
It's great being with old friends (and new little ones). I'm going to sign off and join in on an early Maker's cocktail and maybe a nap before our venture out tonight to mystery q joint.
We are almost at the end of the line, and even the piece of me that wants to be done and be home with my pooches- will miss all of this- even the smell of my clothes as I pass through the egress.
