Yuge News

I count those of you that read this blog as friends.  And if you're my friend then you no doubt share my passion for the places in this country (you too Canada) that are not on the radar for the average tourist.  Everyone knows about Rocky Mountain National Park, but who finds out about and takes the time to go experience something truly amazing like "The Tank" in Rangely, CO?  Yes, the Grand Canyon is amazing, but how much better would your experience be if you knew about a hidden fry bread taco place in Flagstaff to hit after visiting the park?  Now you can share those hidden gems, the off the highway spots in your state or wherever you find yourself, with the rest of us by being a part of a new project we are launching call 'Merican Meandering.

'Merican Meandering is a crowd sourced travel site that highlights the experiences of everyday folks like you and me as we explore this country's hidden treasures.  Let me share one of mine.

One lazy Sunday, a few months ago, my lady and I decided to hit a new place in the neighborhood for brunch.  And as you can imagine we encountered a flustered wait staff and a twenty minute wait for a table.  So instead of huddling on the sidewalk with the rest of the hungry hoard we decided on a short walk through the neighborhood.  It was during that stroll on our return to breakfast that we passed a house near the corner of 44th and Zuni with a sign out front that announced "Red Beans and Rice." Needless to say I was intrigued.

Chickee's Lil Kitchen is a nondescript kitchen lean-to with a couple parking spots on a side street in Northwest Denver.  Actually its just a small window in the back of a house with a hand-written menu that dispenses an unlikely combo of Cajun goodness and breakfast burritos.  Getting my hands on some red beans and rice proved a challenge.  It seemed like every time I had a craving something came up, or when I drove down there they were closed.  But, persistence personified, I finally got my hands on a steaming container of New Orleans, right here in my fair city.  I ate like a Donner Party member right there in my truck, using the center consul as a table.

The whole experience was pure pleasure!  And very few people have any idea that you can get great Cajun food in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Denver.  Especially not someone visiting town who might be tired of eating Chipotle.  That is why we need to hear your stories.

I bet you have a place just like Chickee's in your town.  Is there a secret swimming hole in the mountains near your house you want to share?  Maybe its a clown museum in a small town that your itching to visit.  Or the worlds largest honey badger in a museum you want to see. You could tell all your local peeps and coworkers about the honey badger, but you'd really want to tell the whole world.

All you have to do is go and experience those spots in your area that you wanted to check out anyway and write a short blog or photo essay about what you discover, attach it to an email and send it in. Our goal is to have every area of the country represented and set it up so a Yankee like myself can click on Alabama and plan my trip there around a BBQ place that is only open three days a week, but is mind blowing.

If you would like to be a part of this new adventure email me at marvtrap@gmail.com.  Not only do you get to experience something new, but now you get to share it.  Please join us!