I’m certain that eating and drinking establishments are the single most popular destination for riders. It’s not like I see a lot of bikes or scooters parked at the bank or hardware store. Can’t remember the last time I saw a motorcycle at the drug store. My experience confirms the magnetic attraction to places you can sit down, unwind, and consume.
This is a good thing. One of those wonderful unexpected gifts of riding like increased awareness and appreciation of life. For me it is most often presented as the simple breakfast. Often I dine alone during an early morning ride happy and content to sit in a diner or restaurant eating and watching the world go by. Other times I share a meal with a fellow rider. This past Wednesday morning I made a peaceful early morning ride into town to have breakfast with a non-riding friend.
Arriving in town early presented the opportunity to park in front of the stylish Abercrombie and Fitch store.
I’m unsuited and unable to go into the place unwilling to purchase simple attire adorned with the A&B logo. If that’s not enough the loud music blasting from the front doors complete the job though I suppose I could keep my 32 dB earplugs in.
Just down the street in the landmark Corner Room restaurant. It’s been here a long time. Their Web site says since 1855.
I think they opened when the Farmer’s High School first opened and have remained in business in that location since. I visited my first summer as a student in 1972 and the turkey club sandwich is just as good today as it was then. But I’m waxing nostalgic now.
This morning I had breakfast with my friend Howard and his dog Charles – a fellow photographer, hiker, backpacker, canoe paddler and dog owner.
This picture was made last summer during an early morning rendezvous at a local lake. Strangely enough those trips also include a post paddling breakfast.
Our discussion over breakfast included some rider killers like backpacking, hiking, and canoeing. It’s the time of year when rivers here are full of water and the water ride is swift. A quick check of the river gauge shows the flow just about right for a weekend trip along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, one of the state’s beautiful waterways.
But it means not riding. Tough choices.
Steve,
I notice the early bird special is only Monday through Friday. Great price though.
I also have taken to having breakfast at a local diner but sadly only every few weeks or so, with a friend.
We take our time and take on the problems of the world.
Spirited and satisfying and leaving us hungry for the next conversation already.
Tim
Tim: Having breakfast with a friend is almost the only time I have now to sit quietly and talk. Lunch time is loud and noisy. I relish the slow pace of near dawn dining.
You and Paul took me to the Corner Room for lunch the very first time I visited, how many years ago, I can’t guess. Maybe we’ll dine there for breakfast this summer as I head west. I don’t often get a chance to breakfast out mostly because the wife just doesn’t want to venture away from the house on those “non-work” mornings. However scrambled eggs layered with Canadian bacon, cheddar, and green salsa sorta’ make up for it.
Hi Frank. If you wrap a 10mm wrench with bacon someone will eat it. Once at a party they had mellon balls wrapped in prusciotto! EEeuuuu! –
Paolo Ruby
Tough choice, true, but canoeing is not as easy to just go out and do, and consequently doesn’t get done often, so it can be a nice treat once-in-awhile.
John