Coffee Appreciation Post

Coffee Reflections of Who We Are and Who We Want to Be

We covered our love for paper maps in the previous blog, so let’s take a moment to appreciate the other half of our story; coffee.

A recent coffee while enjoying New Hampshire

Ryan and I could not be more opposite when it comes to how we take our coffee but yet, maybe it’s a reflection of who we are. Ryan prefers his black; no sugar, no cream, no nonsense. One time he tried my “froofy” coffee and he claims part of his soul died.

I, on the other hand, prefer at least a good flavored creamer. Previously, it had to be whole milk creamer. Now, a few years later and a sensitivity to dairy, I’ve found the wonderful world of coconut milk creamer.

But here’s what’s great about traveling with coffee; it’s pretty universal. Find any diner across the country and there’s very likely a good cup of joe and a plate of french fries at your disposal regardless of your destination. There's always exceptions to the average cup of joe. For example, there’s a lovely little coffee shop called Bread & Roses Bakery in Yachats, OR where if you ask for a latte to go, you will be directed to the coffee cart down the way because they only serve lattes in a ceramic cup at this establishment. You won't find a finer latte on the Pacific Coast.

Side note: I also saw my spirit elder there. She was absolute perfection. Approximately late 70’s, silver medium-length hair with shocking purple undertones, khaki wide-leg trousers, a fitted blazer and underneath a very, likely original Sex Pistols white tee. She sat in the coffee shop sipping her latte and read the newspaper with a quiet confidence of someone whose seen more than one adventure. I was in awe and #lifegoals were set.

The famed "we need a mug" from the Hand Hotel

To what extent do we love coffee?

The first time we visited Fairplay, CO everyone managed to get quality gifts at the Hand Hotel except Ryan. So, nothing would do but to travel back to Fairplay the next year without securing a new coffee cup back at the Hand. Coffee cup secured after a lovely evening at the historic hotel, we were able to carry on with our trip questioning whether we loved coffee or coffee cups.

Nah… we just love coffee.

We love walking into a diner at the wee hours of the morning for our favorite bean drink before making informed decisions about the menu offerings. We’ve poured over road trip plans, including the trusty map, with java in hand. We sipped it together in the morning hours prior to children waking, quietly. We discussed aging parents, home repairs, current events and memories gone by over, you guessed it, coffee. At home we wake early on the weekends and head to our local haunt, the Buttermilk Cafe, where the waitress knows your name and the long table fills with regulars discussing harvest, grandkids, local football games, politics and classic cars.

The long table locals

Some of our favorite coffee spots (in no particular order):

• The Golden Burro, Leadville CO

• Stauf's, German Village of Columbus OH

• Bread & Roses Bakery, Yachats OR

• Buttermilk Cafe, Germantown Hills IL

• Eli's Coffee Shop, Metamora IL

• CTX Roasting Company, Peoria IL

• Zion Coffee Shop, Peoria IL

• Old Route 66 Family Diner, Dwight IL

• Kix on 66, Tucumcari NM

Next time you need to justify a road trip, make it a journey to collect a new mug or discover some new beans. Coffee is not only a social drink or morning fuel, it’s a destination.

Safe travels,

Andrea