A Vegetarian Road Trip Across America. What I’m Seeing Doing and Eating Part3 and a Giveaway

 

Its official, I am a Portlander now! I completed my cross country trip and arrived in Portland, OR 2 weeks ago. Phew! This is the final post of my road trip series, and was written during the last leg of my journey. This is a bandwidth intensive post because there are lots of pictures. If you have trouble loading the pictures, please email and let me know veggiebelly AT gmail.com

If you havent already, read part1 and part2 of my vegetarian road trip across America.

Notes from the Road

Total miles traveled – 3,791
States covered so far - Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon
Cities visited - Cleveland OH, Chicago IL, Madison WI, Wisconsin Dells WI, La Crosse WI, Sioux Falls SD, Rapid City SD, Sheridan WY, Cody WY, Jackson WY, Boise ID, Portland OR
Mood – tired, eager to get to Portland, but feeling rather triumphant that I will be completing a cross country trip soon
Most Memorable Moment – watching the Old Faithful geyser erupt at night into a star studded sky
Most shocking thing I saw – a highway billboard that said “Help manage our wildlife populations. Wear fur.” Wyoming.
“I am not in DC anymore” moments – 1.seeing atleast 15 taxidermist shops 2.seeing a drive through liquor store 3.facing no traffic at all at any time of the day 4.staying in a house with a real wood burning fireplace
Best meal so far – Homemade idlis that my dear friend Sandhya bought when she visited me in Yellowstone. They were the softest idlis I’ve ever had! Such a treat to picnic with them by Lake Yellowstone. The fries at the Boise Fry company were insanely good. Not a meal technically, but it was so superb!
Craving – curd rice, a veggie bowl from Chipotle

A Magical Weekend at Yellowstone National Park

 

The Old Faithful Geyser erupts every 90 minutes or so.

Geyser basins at Yellowstone.

The Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone

The Old Faithful Inn, built in 1903 using wood from Yellowstone National Park was the most unique, cozy hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Their historic dining room, gigantic stone fire place and rustic log cabin type rooms were all so warm and charming. I spent the evenings sitting on one of their cozy sofas overlooking the lobby, sipping herbal tea, and listening to the cello playing in a distance. It was like being transported back in time.

The mesh box like thing with the long iron handle above is an old pop corn maker. Back in the day, they put popping corn in it and put it in the fire place at the Old Faithful Inn.

Above: The historic restaurant at Old Faithful Inn.

My good friend Sandhya, author of the blog Vegetarian Nirvana, joined me for a few days on this leg of the trip. It was wonderful to share my Yellowstone experience with her. Like me, she is also vegetarian, and came well prepared for her trip.

Finding vegetarian food at Yellowstone wasn’t difficult, but our choice was limited. We had the packaged Indian food Sandhya brought along from Trader Joes for a few meals. Dinners were usually at the grand, historic restaurant at the Old Faithful Inn where we were staying.

Above left is a hottle filled with hot water for tea. To the right – dinner at Old Faithful. A roasted vegetable stack of zucchini, red peppers, portobello mushroom and a disc of crispy polenta.

Every moment at Yellowstone was magical – from the stunning rainbow that greeted me just as I entered the park, to Sandhya’s delicious homemade idlis we snacked on sitting at a picnic table by lake Yellowstone. The idlis were sauteed with lots of mustard seeeds, green chillies and asafoetida. Just how I like it. I was in idli heaven, floating on a fluffy idli cloud.

Wyoming - They Have Real Cowboys!

 It was just like in the movies (or like on Pioneer Woman)! I drove by cowboys on horses, rounding up sheep. And the cowboys were wearing chaps, and cowboy hats and all other stuff cowboys wear. They even tip their cowboy hats and say “howdy!”. I was unmistakably in the wild west!

Beer bread mix in a bottle and Chocolate covered huckleberry fudge cupcakes.

Lunch at Bridge Creek back country kitchen & wine bar in Red Lodge, Montana – soba noodles with plum coconut ginger sauce. They werent real soba noodles, but still very tasty.

I want!

Lotus Cafe, Jackson WY

The wonderful Lotus Cafe in Jackson, WY. We stumbled upon this while walking around town. And we knew instantly that the word “lotus” promises healthy, vegetarian food.  The food was excellent; great atmosphere too.

They have a very interesting list of teas, smoothies, and organic cocktails. I had the navigator tea, whch is meant to “open the heart and release..gently cleanse on many levels. Linden leaf, roasted dandelion root, jasmine flower, St Johns wort, hawthorne berry, elder flower, lotus petal”.

Next we had a thai green curry with brown rice. And a blackbean and veggie burrito, mole sauce and blue corn chips.

If you are ever in Jackson, WY, the Lotus Cafe is a must visit for vegetarians and vegan. You will love it.

The Boise Fry Company - When You Are in Idaho, You Have to Eat a Potato!

I have to thank my car’s GPS for pointing me towards the Boise Fry Company. Their fries were phenomenal and what better place to eat deep fried potatoes than Idaho! I love their fry bar concept. You pick what kind of potato you want, what kind of cut, and few minutes later you get a bowl full of amazing fries. You then have a choice of about 25 kinds of salts and sauces for your fries. It was so much fun and so cheap!

We had a regular cut purple potato fries, curly cut laura potato fries and po’balls which are like tater tots. We doused each one in different combinations of salts and sauces. I loved their smoked hickory salt and their rosemary garlic salt. I still think about these fries!

Commonly Asked Questions About My Road Trip Across America

I already did an FAQ about this trip in my previous post. I’ve received more emails with questions, so here is another installment.

How did you take pictures of yourself when you were alone?
I put my camera on a tripod and triggered it using a remote control. Or I hand my camera to other people to take a picture of me.

What kind of music did you listen to on your drive?
I knew I’d need a lot of music for this trip, so I made playlists on itunes before leaving. I mostly listened to Indian music. I am a huge fan of A.R.Rahman and had his Hindi and Tamil songs playing a lot. When I didn’t feel like listening to music, I switched to Bill Bryson’s audio book, “Notes from a small island”. I also tuned in to local radio stations once in a while for information on weather and traffic.

How do you stay healthy on long trips?
I try to drink lots of water to stay hydrated; it also helps digestion. I like to eat as much fresh fruits, salads and vegetables as I can. I have a tendency to catch colds easily, so I take a high dose of vitamin C, like Airborne, every other day when im traveling. I find that the vitamin C really helps me.

Any tips for girls traveling alone?
-          Use common sense and instinct. If something doesn’t feel right to you, don’t do it.
-          Wear a wedding ring, even if you aren’t married.
-          Talk about a husband, even if you don’t have one.
-          Walk with confidence even if you are lost.  
-          Split your money in 2-3 places – like an inner pocket, your purse and your suitcase. That way if one gets lost, you still have money in other places.
-          Lock your car.
-          Always keep an eye on your belongings. If you have to put your backpack or handbag down, between yours legs is the best place.
-          Trust people. Most the people you will meet in your travels and good human beings. Interact with them for a richer experience.

For more FAQs see my previous post.

 

 

Road Trip Giveaway

I’m Sharing the Goodies I Picked Up Along the Way!

One randomly picked lucky winner will receive the following things I picked up in various states on my trip:

1.Woodenknife fry bread mix. Marketed by the Lakota tribe, this mix makes it easy to make your own Native Indian fry bread or Indian tacos. I had the fry bread made from this very mix in South Dakota, and it was delicous. Read more about my fry bread experience here.
2. The Cheese Factory Restaurant Cookbook. The best vegetarian cookbook I’ve seen! I ate at the Cheese Factory Restaurant, and the food was superb. The recipes in this book are easy and so full of flavor that you will love it!! Recipes include rattle snake tofu, their famous mushroom stroganoff, split pea and smoked seitan soup, Mexican “ouchies”, kasha and brown rice pilaf, dal, Greek eggplant salad and much much more.
I’ve eaten their food, so trust me when I say this is the best vegetarian and vegan cookbook you will lay your hands on!
3.Wild Huckleberry Pancake Mix
4.Yellowstone Pink and Yellow Spoon Rest 
5.Kick Butt Hickory Spice Rub – great on tofu! 
6.Wild Plum Jelly 
7.Wild Black Rice – Minnesota style super long grain black rice
8.Wall Drug cook book – put together by the people at the Wall Drug store. Not a vegetarian cookbook, but there are tons of fun recipes like cheese puffs, quick coffee cake, whole wheat zucchini bread, brownie shortcake, vegetable burritos, noodle garden salad etc 
 9. Corn Meal Wasna – buttery corn meal candy with sugar, raisins, cranberries and chocke cherries.
10. Chokecherry Tea

How to enter the giveaway

‘Like’ Veggie Belly on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Subscribe to my RSS feed

Do one or more of the above. Then come back here, post a comment and let me know that you have.

If you are already following me through facebook, twitter or RSS feed, just leave a comment telling me so and you are entered in the giveaway!

Giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26th 2011, 9pm PST.  One random winner will be picked. I will ship anywhere in the world.

This giveaway has ended, winner is comment #19, Betty!

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Comments

comments

129 thoughts on “A Vegetarian Road Trip Across America. What I’m Seeing Doing and Eating Part3 and a Giveaway

  1. Me! Me! ME!!!! Please pick me.. As alwasys excellent pictures and what an experience! Really jealous of you ..for firdtly having the guts to do this ( all by yourself) and for all the places/people/food you experienceed…! I wish someday I can also do this..!!

    Have fun in Portland!

    Rgds,
    Soumya

    [Reply]

    Soumya Reply:

    Oops..i forgot to tell you that I already ‘Like’ you on Fb..

    [Reply]

  2. I soo enjoyed following you on this road trip on facebook and now finally reading all about it! This is in my wishlist of things to do sooner..:) Hope Washington state is your next destination once you get settled in Portland. I already like Veggie Belly on FB and follow you on twitter too…so there you go! :)

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  3. Welcome to the Pacific Northwest, Portland is a great place for foodies :) Loved every word and picture of your vegetarian road trip, and picked up great tips as well! Look forward to more great recipes and pictures here. (I already follow you on twitter and facebook)

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  4. I’ve been following you on facebook and subscribe to your feed as well. I found out about your blog through Mahi, who’s also quite the foodie :) I love your blog and I share it with all my vegetarian friends. I always look forward to reading the blog and seeing all the amazing photos and descriptions.Thanks ! :)

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  5. I’m already subscribed to the RSS feed! :)

    I’ve loved these posts about your roadtrip. Aside from the fact that I’m super jealous you’ve moved to Portland, it’s been a lot of fun to follow along.

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  6. All your trip posts are just wonderful! I dont know if I will ever do a cross country trip but you have certainly inspired me to try. All the very best settling down in the new environs. And oh yes, pick me for gift please!

    [Reply]

    Hansa Reply:

    And I follow you on FB and subscribe to your RSS feed :)

    [Reply]

  7. Hi there! I just subscribed to you on FB (yesterday – so im not sure if that counts, lol) and today on twitter. I’ve enjoyed reading through your trip across America entries as well as the rest of your blog. Your pictures are beautiful as well btw! Thank you for sharing with us as well as holding this giveaway.

    Take care,

    Alexandra

    [Reply]

  8. Follow your RSS feed!

    Yellowstone is one of my favorite places to visit and Portland is one of my favorite cities! Enjoy! Check out the Tin Shed in NE… they have some awesome veggie breakfast options.

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  9. Hey Salanator
    Can’t believe it was just a couple of weeks ago we were ‘road trippin’ through some of the most exquisitely beautiful parts of the U S. Thanks for the ride. Also for the idli shout out. I’ll excuse myself from the give away, I already got wonderful memories rom the trip.

    [Reply]

    Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:

    I am so glad you came along! It was so much fun :)

    [Reply]

  10. I love your blog, like you on Facebook already and just started following you on Twitter.
    If you are ever in upstate NY I highly recommend the Garden Cafe in Woodstock ; )

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    Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:

    You are the winner!! please email me your address veggiebelly@gmail.com

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    Betty Reply:

    Thank you so much! I will enjoy my prizes so much ; )

    [Reply]

  11. I too have been a faithful follower on Facebook. I enjoy your recipes because of their simple instructions. I can’t tell you how much my family appreciates it when I make your flavorful food.
    glad you are finally settled. great pictures! L

    [Reply]

  12. I have been to Yellowstone! Its truly beautiful. Your post just reminded me of the wonderful hot springs, mooses and wild buffaloes!
    I follow you on twitter and you are already subscribed!

    [Reply]

  13. I am already a fan of you on facebook .. what an adventure you’ve had!!! Great to experience the US through you. Hope you have many more great adventures!!

    [Reply]

  14. I already liked you on FB and subscribed to your RSS feed. (I don’t Tweet.) :)

    Thanks for your great work, sharing your adventures and wonderful meals with us!!

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  15. I already follow u on all…
    Loved all ur posts on ur road trip.
    So, didja get ‘em boots? I really liked them:)
    And those fries… uuuummm! What is the ‘burn baby burn’ sauce? looks interesting, is it really THAT hot?

    [Reply]

    Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:

    like all the burn-your-backside-off-so-hot-you-will-die hot sauces, this one wasnt hot at all :)

    i didnt get the boots, they were way too over prices. now im on the look out for similar, cheaper ones.

    [Reply]

  16. I am a fan of your facebook page! I stumbled upon your Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Mango and Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce recipe on pinterest and have been hooked ever since! :)

    [Reply]

  17. Count me in, Sala! Loved your road trip diary and I have been known to mix up some veggie belly recipes from timt to time. :)

    I miss the west, and I hope you have many fun and inspiring adventures in Portland.

    [Reply]

  18. Liked you on facebook!

    Looks like a lovely trip – hopefully I can do a road trip at some point.
    Random question – What grinder do you use to make dosa/idli batter? I’ve been using a Magic Bullet so far, but I need something that can handle bigger batches and therefore be more efficient.

    Thank you! LOVE your blog by the way

    [Reply]

    Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:

    i use a heavy duty wet grinder. a vitamix will be good too.

    [Reply]

  19. Hi Sala,

    First of great work and interesting blogs!
    I am from Australia and never been to US but I must say I just the feeling of reading a book and picturing that in my mind.
    I check your page everyday to find out if you have added any.
    Keep up the good work, I am sure you have inspired many women.
    I will like your FB page not for the giveaway but for your good work.
    God bless.

    [Reply]

  20. Wow…..love this series…it is like watching TLC to me….food, places, cultures and much more….love it….kudos to u on doing this and muah for u r energy…..already a huge fan or u can say A.C of u r space…always bowled by the pics….

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  21. I follow you on facebook and love your blog. Thanks so much for sharing your trip, looks like you had some wonderful experiences. Your photographs are amazing. Also enjoyed the photographs of your Mom’s kitchen. Thanks for enticing me to cook more vegetarian meals for my family.

    [Reply]

  22. I have enjoyed hearing about your cross country road trip. I “liked” you on facebook. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Love all the veggie food talk!

    [Reply]

  23. I thoroughly enjoyed your road trip and thank u for virtually taking us along through wonderful write up and beautiful photos. pictures of Yellowstone national park are so beautiful and magical!
    already following u on twitter and FB.

    [Reply]

  24. I ‘like’ you on Facebook, please enter me in the competition.

    I love your recipes, and your travelblog was extremely interesting. I can’t believe you were able to find so many vegetarian restaurants and tasty dishes through your road trip. Great job and all the best in Portland! Hugs, Sang :)

    [Reply]

  25. The other day I was talking about your trip with M. He said it’s bravo of you gal! You already know how much we love your blog and following everywhere. :) Pics and trip posts are just good and change from usual post. btw, I’ll be waiting for my courier. ;-)

    [Reply]

  26. I am really enjoying these posts. I have always dreamed of taking a cross-country trip, ever since I was a teenager. Alas, I am now 30 and still have not done it, but maybe someday.

    I am a subscriber to your RSS feed. :)

    [Reply]

  27. I’ve been following your blog and “liked” you on FB for awhile. I’m always looking forward to what you’ll post next. Hope you pick me for the giveaway!

    [Reply]

  28. I already like you — and on Facebook too! ;) — and I subscribe to your feed. Sounds like an amazing trip. Congratulations on the successful end to your journey and best wishes on your new beginnings!

    [Reply]

  29. Hi Sala,

    came to know ur website only a month back.Awesome pics and wonderful recipes.I read ur road trip 1,2 and 3.Thanks for sharing ur great experience on road.Hey yes! I’m following u on Facebook.All the very best for ur future endeavours.

    Regards,
    Malini.

    [Reply]

  30. Would have loved to join you for part of or the whole trip, if you will, because I know I would never have ventured on something of this magnitude on my own! Don’t know if I can, in the future. Needless to say, I’m one of your non-vegetarian followers on FB, who is enjoying and, more often than not, even opting for vegetarian fare lately…flavors of the earth and what not, and definitely makes me feel more grounded and good. Enjoyed reading all three parts of your traveling food log.

    [Reply]

  31. Ran across your beautiful blog the other day and ended up paging back through all your posts since then. I’ve bookmarked so many things — can’t wait! Can’t wait to finally visit Yellowstone, as well…

    Following on Twitter now.

    Cheers!

    [Reply]

  32. I’m already following you everywhere. :-) Not in a creepy way. Also, do you know where I can find cheese curds in DC?

    [Reply]

    Sala @ Veggie Belly Reply:

    Ive seen cheese curds at wegmans. Also the cheese/dairy stands at farmers markets will have them.

    [Reply]

  33. Hi Sala,

    Congrat’s you are such a brave girl to do this alone! Thumps Up!!! Keep rocking…..!

    I also like ARR’s music. and was really excited to see him perform in toronto.

    When r u going to post something from kitchen again? missing those posts….

    Take care, and I really admire your courage. Keep it up gal!

    [Reply]

  34. Hi Sala,
    Loved reading your cross country trip and the photos posted. It was a joy to read through all of it.

    Cheers,
    Ann.

    I already like veggiebelly on facebook and twitter.
    Have a fun :)

    [Reply]

  35. I found your blog through a google search for vegan chive recipes. I moved to DC about a year and a half ago–sorry we never had a chance to meet up! Love your blog; the recipes sound good and the photos are gorgeous. I’d love to live your road trip vicariously through the goodies you picked up, so I added your blog to my Google Reader. Hope Portland is a wonderful new life for you. :)

    [Reply]

  36. Hello! I am new to your website…lovely! Took a moment to ‘like’ you on F.B. planning to follow your posts. Have to admit envious of your road trip fun :-D Nothing wrong with living a little vicariously, eh? Hope your website continues to catch on!!!

    [Reply]

  37. Lovely description and the pictures were treat to the eyes! This reminds me of the unique fun that u have when single and leaves me jealous of u… ‘like’d ur page on FB,the very first day i saw it..

    [Reply]

  38. Looks like you’re still erring on the side of amazing as far as your trip is concerned! I’m definitely subscribed to your posts & <3 you on FB (though I despise twitter). I'd love to get a bundle of goodies from across the countryside!

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  39. Well, I already do most of those things, but added your RSS feed. I like getting it by email, but wanted to play this game. :) Great road trip photos and so exciting to see that there are veggie options even in places like Wyoming!

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  40. Lovely pictures! We too drove from Salt Lake city to Minneapolis once..and your post reminded me of the good time in Yellowstone.. miss it much now! The true beauty of America can be seen only on road trips.. since then we have done various road trips in the US. Thanks for this post.

    [Reply]

  41. Hello. I’m a college student, and have officially committed to a vegan diet after 2 years of being vegetarian. Your recipes have certainly helped me ( and my poor, empty wallet) manage my meals and discover tons of new flavors/dishes. Thanks! I’ve liked you on Facebook btw. :)

    [Reply]

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