2 whole chickens, cleaned and remove gizzard crap!Give a healthy dusting of pepper, paprika, oregano, basil, parsley, and onion powder/salt. (You want the bird to have a nice red/green seasoning color).Then, cover with a nice amount of your favorite Italian dressing, (Good Seasons is awesome!) or extra virgin olive oil. Use your hands to rub in all seasonings and oilsâ¦Stuff birds with garlic cloves (10), chopped onion 9about half/red), and pepperoncinis!Place marinated âcrowsâ neck-to-neck.  Cook indirectly for about an hour. If you use a Weber; place coals on left and right (about 20 per side) and the crows in the middle.  Cook for 30 minutes, then give your grate a half turn, and finish for an additional 30 minutes or until the legs slightly tear and drop.  A cup of soaked hickory chips is a nice touch!Let stand for about 30 minutes!  Remove produce, carve and serve.  These chickens make for great sandwiches!As always; plenty of cold beer and dancing naked women with asses like Cocoâs or Kim Kâs are essential!Eat, Drink, Burp, Fart, Repeat!TDFB
Here is the recipe for my Andriaâs style meatloaf:
Ingredients:
2lb ground beef
1 cup milk
2 tsp chopped fresh basil
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp ground mustard
¼ tsp pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 egg
¾ cup of crushed saltine crackers
¼ cup diced onion
½ cup diced green pepper
¼ cup Andriaâs steak sauce
14 slices of bacon
BBQ sauce
Here are the diced peppers, onions and chopped basil:
And to make this meatloaf even betterâ¦I smoked it wrapped in a bacon weave. You know how it goes, everything is better with bacon.
Now, the first task is to mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl except for the bacon and BBQ sauce.
Place the raw meatloaf in the refrigerator and get out the bacon. The next step is making the bacon weave. If you have never done this before, you will only need these steps to get the idea:
First, lay down 7 strips of bacon vertically, side by side.
Second, fold every other bacon strip in half (it does not matter where you begin).
Third, take the 8th strip of bacon and lay it across the middle, horizontally over the vertical strips of bacon and just below the bacon folded in half. Make sure the horizontal bacon is real close to the folded strips of bacon.
Fourth, unfold the bacon so all vertical strips are in their side by side position.
Fifth, fold the opposite strips of bacon up over the horizontal strip of bacon.
Sixth, place another horizontal strip of bacon and repeat the process until complete.
Now, take the meatloaf and pour it in the center of the bacon weave. Form the âloafâ on top of the bacon.
Carefully roll the bacon weave over the meatloaf.
While the weave did not come apart during this task, it may have been easier if I would have used saran wrap underneath the bacon weave to roll the bacon over the meatloaf.
Make sure the bacon overlaps each other and the ends are rounded off too.
***Editorâs note ~ While that doesnât look all that cool considering itâs in a bacon weave, realize that the loaf is actually upside down at this point. Â The underside of what you see here will be the top of what you cook***
I found that thin slices of bacon work better for this because a thicker cut of bacon would result in a loose weave, which tends to come apart on the grill.
Speaking of the grill, I set up my smoker at 230 degrees with cherry and hickory wood chunks. This recipe also works for indirect grilling too. Another thing, I would usually add rub, but I wanted to try without it first to get a taste for the meat and the effect the Andriaâs.
When the grill is up to temp, I gingerly place the loaf on the grill, opposite of the charcoal.
As always, the vents are all the way open on the lid. In addition, the vents are placed directly over the meat to let the smoke pass over the meat and escape out the vents. I do this because trapped smoke can make meat taste bitter. So now itâs time to cover the lid and check on it in an hour.
After an hour in the smoker, the bacon has turned a light brown and it has taken the shape of the meatloaf.
The bacon weave looks really good right here. I check the water level and add more wood chunks before I put the lid on. I tend to use Scottâs advice to do as much as I can while I have the lid open, so I donât have open it often and lengthen the cooking process. In another hour the meatloaf will be done.
An hour passes and the internal temp of the meatloaf is 173 degrees. Anything over 170 degrees is well done for beef. However, before I plate it, I fire up my gas grill to high heat. For just a few minutes I grill the meatloaf over the hot grill to crisp up the bacon. Otherwise, it comes out of the smoker soft and slightly chewy. In the last minute on the grill, I brush on some BBQ sauce. Now itâs time to plate it.
Total cook time was about 2-1/2 hours. This turned out to be my best looking meatloaf. Itâs done to perfection and I canât wait to dig in.
Even with the crappy knives I have, the bacon holds intact with a clean slice. It doesnât tear or pull the rest of the bacon when I cut into the meatloaf. And look at that smoke ring!
This was some great BBQ and it was every bit as good the next day when I made a meatloaf sandwich. The Andriaâs definitely added some unique flavors. When making your next meatloaf, try it instead of ketchup or BBQ sauce. You may get the pickiest of eaters to actually like something you grilled.
1/2 cup shortening1 1/2 cups sugar2 eggs1 tablespoon cocoa2 Â 1-oz. bottles red food coloring1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon vanilla1 cup buttermilk2 1/2 cups sifted flour1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon vinegarCream shortening and sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring and stir into creamed mixture.  Mix salt and vanilla with buttermilk. Add this liquid alternately with flour to the creamed mixture.
 Blend soda and vinegar.  Fold this mixture into batter (do not beat.) Turn batter into 2 prepared 8 inch or 9 inch cake pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min. (9" pans) or 35-40 min. (8" pans).  Cool, then fill and frost.FROSTINGBlend 5 tablespoons flour with 1 cup milk.  Cook into a very thick paste, stirring constantly. Let stand at room temp. until cool, then remove crust.  Measure 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla into bowl.  Cream until very light and fluffy.  Gradually add flour milk paste, beat about 10 min. until sugar is completely dissolved and mix is consistency of whipped cream.Listener Recipe!!! Courtesy of Robert Cagley.
TurKING
What you will need: 1-fresh turkey, paprika, extra virgin olive oil, your favorite poultry seasoning/rub, fresh ground pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, peperoncinis, 1-red onion, 10-15 cloves garlic, a charcoal grill, charcoal, hickory chips. (optional - mini carrots) Hopefully your spices are in shakers, it makes it a lot easier.
-Clean defrosted bird in warm water and remove ALL gizzards and neck parts. Pat dry and remove water.
-Place bird on large tray/pan with breast up.
-Cover lightly with a dusting of paprika, you want it LIGHT pink, NOT red!
-Cover lightly to heavy with your favorite poultry seasoning/rub. If the rub is salty BE CAREFUL!
-Apply a liberal dusting of parsley, and light dustings of oregano and basil.
-Dust with fresh ground pepper.
-Make sure you cover the entire (exposed) bird with all ingredients.
-Lightly pour on your olive oil. Do not drown but lightly pour. You don't want to wash off all the seasoning. Yes, I've tried applying the oil first but it seems to make the bird oilier. Rub in oil covering all areas.
-Rinse your hands, they should be greasy-gross by now.
-Pour in a light to moderate amount of olive oil in to the "gizzard chute."
-Add in a liberal amount of seasoning/rub...
-Chop up your red onion; half it, then half that. Depending on bird size you may be able to fit the chopped whole onion.
-Add your skinned garlic cloves and about 10 peperoncinis. You will have to shove em in... If you like carrots, replace half the onion amount with baby carrots. (boil baby carrots for about 10 min before stuffing)
-Salt again with your rub and add another splash of olive oil. Take the two "gizzard chute" flaps and fold up to cover.
-I like to let the bird "lay in state" for at least 1 hour before cooking.
On the grill: If you use a Weber; make two nice mounds of coal on the left and right. Keep the mounds thin but high. (about 25 per side) You want to cook indirectly - off the flame. Get fire hot but controlled and place the bird BREAST UP in the center. (grab by legs) You do not want to burn the skin, you want to brown it. Adjust fire accordingly. after one full hour of cooking, rotate grill so legs are where neck was - half turn. Add in a cup of pre-soaked hickory chips. Cook another hour watching heat.
Gas grill: Cook in center using heat from outside burners
-Depending on weight and temp, it has never taken me longer than 3 hours. 2:15 is average.
-Grab the bird with hot hands by the body NOT the legs!
*Watch the legs. When the legs drop and skin stretches/slightly rips you are done*
*A turkey can cook for up to 20 minutes after leaving the fire, do not over cook*
I believe a grilled turkey has less "sleepy stuff" too.
Serve with a nice Chardonnay or Lodi Zin!
Carve, eat, burp, fart, poop, sleep, repeat!
Happy Thanksgiving,
TDFB
This recipe came from a 98 Rocker! I've been perfecting and varying for almost 3 years now.
My wife calls it a Potato Bake.
What you will need: Foil, 1 - glass casserole dish, 2 - med pots, 3 - 14oz cans of green beans (I like fresh better), 2 - 14oz cans of peas, 1 - 6oz can of fried onions, 1 red onion, 5 gloves garlic, 3 red tomato, bacon bits, pepper, Parmesan cheese (can is fine), Italian salad dressing, 2lbs of bacon, 1.5lbs of shredded Colby Jack cheese, and 8-10 servings of instant potatoes. (I hate real mashed potatoes)
-Add to pot; A couple of big squirts of dressing, skin and thinly slice garlic, quartered tomatoes, 2 - quarters onion.
-On med-high heat start reducing above ingredients, add 3 cans of beans when tomatoes start to soup, pepper.
-Liberal dusting of Parmesan and bacon bits. Add another 3-4 big squirts of dessing, stir and let simmer covered on med. (canned beans are quicker, fresh take about an hour)
-Microwave 10-12 strips of bacon (micro bacon is the best) do NOT over cook, oven will finish.
-Remove excess fat from bacon
-Shred cheese
-Prepare spuds
-Cover caserole dish with cooked spuds evenly
-Drain and add peas over top of spuds
-Add cooked beans by scooping from pot (don't pour in extra juice)
-Add bacon strips
-Add fried onions
-Add shredded cheese
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. All you are doing basically is melting the cheese.
Cut in to squares and use spatula to serve.
Eat, burp, fart, poop, sleep, repeat!
Happy Thanksgiving,
TDFB
2 - slabs of pork baby back ribs1 - can of pineapple juice (46 oz)1 - 20 ounce bottle of Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce (not glaze)Quarter ribs, place in LARGE pot. Add pineapple and teriyaki. Add a splash of your favorite hot sauce, a healthy dusting of black pepper, oregano, and crushed red peeper. Bring to a boil. Reduce to low instantly! Let simmer for about an hour to hour and 15 minutes. You want the ribs gray and soft. Place in pan or rack; let cool. In large baggy or bowl with lid, add your favorite bbq sauce and a few big squirts of honey. Knead around with hands and get em all goopy. Place on low fire grill to LIGHTLY brown (no longer than 15 min) and bake on sauce while adding remaining sauce!  I donât care what anyone says about boiling ribs â DO IT! Weâre not in Kansas City, we donât cook on old water heaters, or have 3 days to wait for dinner!Eat, burp, fart, repeat! As always; lots of cold beer and naked women that resemble Kim K are mandatory!  Happy 4thTDFB
People LOVE these things, figure on 3-5 per person!
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You can buy shelled and deveined/precooked - but I think fresh are best if you want to do the work...
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0) Soak desired amount of toothpicks in water 20/30 minutes prior cooking (just in case)
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1) Shell, devein, clean, and pat dry large shrimp/prawns
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2) Trim fat from bacon slices (depending on prefference) then half or third cut bacon slices. The more bacon the better and the more bacon the more manly. Don't skimp on the bacon... Roll shrimp in bacon just like a pig in a blanket. Use toothpick (through shrimp center) to fasten... I think Farmer John is the worlds most superior pig strip!
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3) Â In bowl; mix about a cup of favorite BBQ sauce with 3 tablespoons of honey. Add a splash (or two) of Kikkoman teriyaki sauce. Mix well!
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4) Off flame - lower heat (250-275 tops) place shrimp on grill, start brushing sauce. Continue rolling/turning shrimp with basting every time. You want to cook the bacon, not burn it. When bacon is to your liking, so are the shrimp. Cook time about 20 minutes. Make sure you slather on lots of sauce!
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5) Let cool, leave toothpick. Although you'll want to, don't eat toothpick!
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As always: Real men cook on charcoal, never wear safety goggles, have plenty of cold beer handy and naked women dancing!
3 - tablespoons stone ground mustard (Plochmans is great)
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4 heaping tablespoons of Pappy's seasoning
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1/2 cup burgundy wine
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1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and nice splash of Worcestershire sauce
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Pierce holes in top of tri-tip (non fat side) I don't care what anyone says about hole-poking the meat - do it!
Lightly salt and pepper both sides of tip... Mix all above ingredients (minus the tip) in to blender.
Blend to puree. Pour marinade in to Ziploc, place tri-tip inside baggy. Squeeze and knead for about 5 minutes, done! Let tip marinade for at least 4 hours. (same day cooking leave on counter) It's best to do before bed or early in the morning. If you marinate overnight, remove from refer and place tip with open baggy on counter for at least 4 hours prior grilling.    Â
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Grill temp 350 - 375. Be a man and use charcoal. Cook indirectly (fire on one side) Place tip over fire for 7-10 minutes (fat side up) Flip for an additional 5-7 minutes (fat down) Grill for appearence, then move to off-flame for remaining 40ish minutes or so... With tri-tip, a weller done tip ALWAYS has more flavor! You want the meat to have a "ring." The outer char is what holds the flavor. ALWAYS cut a tri-tip LONG ways against the grain, cutting it this way really does make for a more tender finish. Tri-tip also loses the "red" after cutting, so if you like it a little rare, slice while cooking to get a small peak!
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Hickory smoking chips (about a cup) with Kingsford work really well. Mesquite is good but a bit hot and sweet.
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Always have tons of cold beer and naked women dancing while you grill. Make sure your wife is out of town - I'm kidding.
Summer is upon us, and that means it's time for road trips. Even with gasoline prices nudging the three dollar mark, there's no better way to spend a summer day or weekend than taking part in the American tradition of a great drive. With that in mind, Gadling has put together 39 great drives across the U.S. you'll want to check out. So grab your keys and get out on the open road!
Duluth, Minnesota to the Canadian border
Heading northeast out of Duluth you'll find one of America's most beautiful waterfront drives. At Two Harbors, four lanes turn to two and the birch forest closes in. The next 130 miles include tunnels, waterfalls, a spectacular lighthouse and numerous other surprises that will make your day. Music: Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan.Â
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
An hour northwest of Denver, Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road in the United States, topping out well above timberline at 12,183 feet. The road is safe and easy to drive, but it's only open during the summer months due to heavy snowfall. Be sure to check with the National Park Service for road conditions before making this trek. Music: Rocky Mountain High, John Denver.
Underground Chicago
Lower Wacker Drive is unlike any other street in the United States. For one thing, it's underground. For another, it runs north, south, east and west. Immortalized in movies like the Blues Brothers, it allows you to cross under one of America's busiest cities in a matter of minutes with virtually no traffic. Enter north of the river under Michigan Avenue or south of downtown at Congress Parkway. Music: Sweet Home Chicago, Robert Johnson.
Flint Hills, Kansas
The 45 miles from Emporia to Florence along US 50 in the Flint Hills will take you by surprise. This is America's last remaining tallgrass prairie and looks like much of the heartland used to look. Go in the springtime and you'll think you're in Ireland. Return in autumn for a completely different experience. Music: Dust in the Wind, Kansas.
Down on the Bayou, Louisiana
It's 85 miles from Baton Rouge to New Iberia, Louisiana but a more interesting 85 miles you won't find anywhere. Head west on Interstate 10 over the Atchafalaya Swamp before descending into Lafayette, the capital of Cajun culture. You'll want to enjoy a meal here before heading south 20 miles on US 90 to New Iberia. Follow the signs to Avery Island, a unique wildlife refuge and the home of Tabsco-brand Louisiana hot sauce. Music: Zydeco Gris Gris, Beausoleil.
An Island in the Sky, Texas
The Chihuahan desert of west Texas is a stark, unforgiving place but in Big Bend National Park miles of sand and cactus give way to a lush pine forest high in the cool crisp air of the Chisos Mountains. This sky island is as different from the surrounding terrain as an island is from the sea. From Fort Stockton, head south on US 385 to the park entrance at Persimmon Gap. From here it's still 35 miles to the Chisos Basin. In the summer months, it's best to make this trip late in the day to avoid the extreme desert heat. Be sure to fill the tank....this is big country. Music: Into the Great Wide Open, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Merrit Parkway, Connecticut
In the far, far suburbs of New York City you'll find one of America's most beautiful highways. The Merrit Parkway runs from the New York - Connecticut state line approximately 37 miles to Milford. It is one of just a handful of American highways to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to it's natural beauty and many stone arch bridges. Music: I Can't Drive 55, Sammy Hagar.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Head north from Portland on Interstate 205 and pick up Washington state highway 14 before heading east to Beacon Rock State Park. Stop and climb the easy trail to the top for great views of the Gorge. Continue on to White Salmon and cross the bridge to Hood River, Oregon. From here it's a straight shot back to Portland on Interstate 84. Stops at Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam are pleasant diversions. Music: Given to Fly, Pearl Jam
Pasadena Freeway, California
Also known as California 110, this is the state's oldest freeway. It has twists and turns, bridges and tunnels, mountains and canyons and more excitement than its better known brethren in southern California. From downtown Los Angeles, follow the signs to Pasadena. When you reach the City of Roses, turn around and do it again. Make sure the top is down. Music: I Love LA, Randy Newman.
The Bridges of Parke County, Indiana
Parke County, Indiana has more covered bridges (31) than any other area of the United States. Most are accessible to passenger cars. If that's not enough to entice you, rumor has it that there's no better place to sneak a kiss than on a covered bridge. Head west 67 miles from Indianapolis on US 36 to Rockville. From here, take any of the five covered bridge routes on a journey back to a time when life was simpler and the pace was slower. Music: Small Town, John Mellencamp.
North Shore National Scenic Byway, Minnesota
The North Shore National Scenic Byway, along Minnesota's coast of Lake Superior, thrills drivers with 154 miles of towering cliffs, tucked-away cobblestone coves, roaring rivers and waterfalls, a 100-year-old lighthouse, and killer views of the world's largest freshwater lake.
Thermopolis to Buffalo, Wyoming
Road-tripping from Thermopolis to Buffalo, WYspools past the rich reds of badlands and grassland greens before climbing into the deep browns of the dramatically rugged, beautiful Big Horn Mountains.
Road to Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii
It can feel like tumbleweed Texas, lush Ireland or thick forests of the Pacific Northwest as each elevation--and biome--changes the scenery on Maui's road to Haleakala National Park.Highway 378 climbs 10,000 feet above sea level with exhilarating zig-zags, stellar scenery and sudden fog.
Highway One, California
Get a sampling of the stunning (and less crowded) California central coast with a trek along Highway 1 from Cambria and the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery up to spectacular hiking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. You'll find a hidden waterfall, redwoods and may even spot a migrating whale while hugging the coast.
Highway 22 and 31, Michigan
Michigan's Highway 22 and 31 wind through forest, dunes, orchards, wineries, harbors, and the quaint lakeside communities nestled along Grand Traverse Bayand the Lake Michigan shore: Glen Haven, Suttons Bay, Traverse City and Petoskey. Chicago's turn-of-the-century elite families left a legacy pastel-colored Victorian mansions overlooking the gorgeous blue-green bays.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway, Colorado
You don't need a trip through Rocky Mountain National Park to enjoy stellar alpine views. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, just outside Denver, Colo., claims to be the highest paved road in the country at more than 14,000 feet. The road to get there spins through valleys and climbs through the Arapaho forest, framing up perfect views of snowy peaks.
Highway 135, Indiana
An easy drive from Indianapolis, Indiana's Highway 135 loops and roller-coasters through covered bridges, state parks, Brown County's art colony and the dense hardwood hills of Hoosier National Forest between Nashville and Houston. You'll be craving bluegrass music, guaranteed.
Great River Road, Minnesota
Cruise below sandstone bluffs that border the Great River Road as it follows the Mississippi River south of the Twin Cities and through historic small towns on its way to Red Wing, Wabasha (remember "Grumpy Old Men"?) and Winona, Minnesota. Best bet: Go in March for world-class bald-eagle watching or in the fall for prime apple picking and antiquing.
Needles Highway, South Dakota
One of the nation's most skillfully engineered scenic byways perfectly frames up views of Mount Rushmore like a postage stamp. South Dakota's Needles Highway also spirals down pig-tail bridges, nudges past granite needles and purposely slows down drivers so they don't miss the Black Hills scenery--or the mountain goats.
Lake Superior Circle Route, Wisconsin/Minnesota/Michigan
This gorgeous stretch of road circles through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. This scenic tour takes you through picturesque villages, over crystal clear rivers, by spectacular waterfalls, over the highest mountains in the midwest, along panoramic beaches, and through towering forests. In addition, enjoy some great cafes, bakeries, and quilting shops.
Carson Pass Scenic Byway: Jackson to Woodfords
The Carson Pass Scenic Byway travels along through alpine forests and meadows and over the towering Caron Pass in the central Sierra Nevada region. Spectacular views of rocky peaks and lakes, coupled with volcanic landscapes, deep canyons and dense forests make this seventy-five mile long scenic drive as varied as it is beautiful.
Manitowoc Scenic Drive, Wisconsin
This drive tours the Lake Michigan shore from Sheboygan to Algoma, passing sand dunes, high bluffs, lighthouses, farms, and museums. The area's flavor and history are closely tied to the lake through fishing, sailing, and ship building. Stop at one of the many specialty shops along the way to get a souvenir.
Door Country, Wisconsin
A drive through Door County, Wisconsin will provide you with views of over 250 lighthouses. In addition, 130 miles of the rustic Lake Michigan shoreline, limestone bluffs, and rocky shores will keep you awestruck for hours. If you need to stretch your legs, consider taking a tour of one of the many cherry or apple orchards who call Door County their home. Finally, wrap up your trip with a visit to Peninsula State Park, one of the largest state parks in Wisconsin.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park, located in northwest Montana, boasts some of the finest mountain scenery in the country. A drive through this mountainous terrain will provide you with views of more than 50 major glaciers and over 200 lakes. Top that off with a tremendous variety of trees and all colors of wildflowers in summer, and you have a natural setting of excellence.
Kettle-Moraine Scenic Drive, Wisconsin
This 115-mile drive follows the Kettle Moraine, a long ridge of forested hills that mark where two great arms of the last glacier butted up against each other. The route follows the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive developed and maintained by the Kettle Moraine State Forest staff. Along the way you're likely to learn more about glacial geology than you ever thought you'd know.
Amish Country: St. Charles-Harmony-La Crescent-Spring Grove, Minnesota
A stretch of road provides a 77-mile ramble through the wooded hills and intimate hollows of southeast Minnesota's "bluff country." Crossing the great rift valley of the Root River at Lanesboro, the drive passes through Amish farm country near Harmony and loops north and east through small towns and secluded valleys to the Mississippi River.
Sonoma-Napa Valleys Scenic Drive: Santa Rosa to Hopland, California
A scenic drive and wine tasting extravaganza! This 132 mile scenic drive loops through the wine country of Sonoma and Napa and follows three California highways. Winding through rolling mountains and dense forests, the scenic drive also passes through Clear Lake, the largest natural lake entirely within the state. Along with wine tastings, there are numbers state parks and sites including Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga.
Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Scenic Drive: Marin City to US 101, California
This California scenic drive starts on the Marin Peninsula just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and follows Highway 1 up the beautiful Pacific coast. The highway passes through historic sites, redwood forests, wave carved coves, quiet sandy beaches and much more. From Muir Woods to Point Reyes National Seashore there are tons of state parks and beaches to visit and be awed by.
Monterey, California to Morro Bay, California
Traveling through California from Monterey to Morro Bay is a scenic drive that tops them as the best of the west. Beginning south of Monterey, the highway takes you along the Big Sur where the Santa Lucia Range meets the Pacific Ocean. This scenic drives offers an abundance of marine life, sandy beaches and breathtaking views.
-- The above was written by Kathryn Gierok, Seed contributor. Ocean Parkway, Long Island, New York
Starting at Jones Beach in the west, you can cruise East along the Atlantic Coast dune line of Long Island. Multiple beach stops along the way include Tobay, Gilgo and Oak Beach. It's straight, desolate, with magical salty ocean breezes.
Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, Northern California
There's only one road that takes you through the sparse and exclusive community. Breathtaking views of the Pacific bluffs on one side and the Santa Lucia Mountains on the other. Multiple state parks for camping, hiking and sightseeing all along Highway 1.Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Miles and miles of (super) natural rock sculpture. Endless arrays of wildlife, especially endangered and protected herds of buffalo. If you're lucky enough to ride West towards Sturges during bike week, you'll have an escort of 150,000 bad-ass bikers.
Independence Pass, Aspen, Colorado
One of the highest paved roads in the country, with an altitude of over 12,000 feet. Hairpin turns in bad weather combined with unforgettable views of the Rockies give you Ansel Adams beauty and pure adrenaline in the same ride.
Ecola State Park, Oregon Coast
Also an extension of the Pacific Coast Highway (named Route 101 in Orgeon). Breathtaking views of the Northwest Pacific Coast. March starts the spring run of brilliant whale watching.
2nd Avenue, New York City
After 10:00 PM, take the RFK Bridge (formerly the Triboro) into Manhattan with the stunning New York City skyline on your left. Take the FDR drive South, get off at 116th street. Make a left onto Second Avenue. Roll down the windows, crank up the tunes, drive all the way downtown and feel the city rhythm under your wheels.
Florida Keys, Route A1A, South Florida
A one lane road into and out of paradise. Traffic and roadwork can get ugly, but what's the rush? Warm breezes, lazy palms and the bluest of blue water as far as the eye can see in every direction. Spring breakers on the move add a party flavor.
Interstate 15 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Classic road trip stuff. Grab your friends, pack all the necessary accoutrements, rent an old convertible and be the American Dream. Start in the afternoon, get that magic Sierra sunset and hit the Strip by nightfall.
I-87 North, Upstate New York
In September/October, the entire Adirondack region is afire with Autumn color. Beautiful side exits take you to Saratoga, Woodstock or Fort Ticonderoga. Stop for an hour to go apple picking - it's a must.
The Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
This might be the most incredible drive in the United States. The first half is all flora, fauna and waterfalls. The ride back through volcano country is psychedelic, martian-like and wrought with peril if not taken seriously. The remote rainforest village of Nahiku is heaven on Earth.
What you need:
One Turkey any size (thawed of course)
Your favorite poultry seasoning, black pepper, paprika, parsley, oregano, 10 garlic gloves, half red onion, 10 peperoncini's, about 2 cups virgin olive oil, hickory wood chips, and a bbq!
Preparation:
Take thawed bird and clean thoroughly. Remove and discard all gizzard parts and neck. Place bird (back down) on large pan/cookie sheet. Chop half onion - then quarter, remove skin from garlic cloves, get pepperoncini's ready.
Season entire bird with a liberal (sorry McCain) dusting of poultry salt. Lightly dust entire bird with paprika, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. You want the bird to have a festive color! Next, pour on 1.5 cup(s) olive oil and massage in oil, hitting every crevasse, in between wings, legs, everywhere! You want your seasoning/oil to cover the ENTIRE bird. Really rub in the seasoning, your hands will wash! Everything that runs off - scrape up and put on bird. Put produce in the naughty hole, add 1/2 cup olive oil and hand full of your poultry seasoning. Stuff your hand (or whatever else you want) in there and rub around!
Wash hands and repeat a light dusting with poultry seasoning.
On the Grill:
Soak 1 pint glass of hickory chips before lighting!
Cook indirectly! On a Weber; coal separators work best. If not, make two piles on the left and right side (about 30 coals per side) Get coal light white and controlled flame. Add wood chips. Place bird in middle OFF of the flame. Rotate bird (half turn every 30 minutes) You want it to be a golden to dark brown color, not BLACK! Depending on size and temp, this bird will only need about 2.5 hours on the grill. If you want to cook lower and slower that is fine too. I've found the longer it cooks the tougher... If you use a therm, temp should be about 350-370. If your bird has a therm you can leave it in. If not, when the legs drop and skin cracks it is ready!! On a Weber with liftable grates, you can add coal if needed.
On a gay grill, I mean gas grill: Same thing! Hopefully you have 3 or more burners to keep bird off of flame. Most gas grills have chip trays, keep the chips damp!
After removing bird from grill (with oven mitts) cover in foil or place in oven for about 30 minutes before cutting (if cooked properly) Slice, serve, eat, burp, fart, repeat!
Smoked turkey goes great with a Lodi Zin, light Cab, chilled Riesling, or other light white.
Always wear protective riding gear. Welding mask optional. Kiss the Cook logo on apron should be below the belt. Drinking Wild Turkey while cooking turkey is a true tradition. Real mashed potatoes and homemade stuffing suck!
Happy Thanksgiving,
TDFB