Hel-lo! “Where the hell did Tee go?”
Well, it’s summer break, so Tee went on yet another adventure. A long 7 week-trip to be precise. And yes, she’s finally back!
How are you doing? Hope you’re having a great summer yourself. If you’re not, go get one. Now! Summer is not over yet. At least here in the Great Plains.
Honestly, I needed a nice long break. This time it had to be different. It had to be a mighty long and memorable one. A quiet, meditative one. A road I-had-not-traveled one. A food-sampling one. After letting Wulf go, I needed to let be and just breathe. Adjusting to new normal isn’t easy. Sitting on old normal was a pain. Traveling helped. Whether we passed arid deserts with blinding sand storms, turned on the wipers when it started to pour in the mountains, drove at snail-pace where there were sign postings of cattle, elk, and deer crossing, or whether we inched our way bumper-to-bumper in between traffic stops in the heart of city centers, we were living in the moment.
Talking about traveling, I always wanted to learn about America. You see, I’ve been here in the US for about 15 years, but I’ve yet to visit many states. I always wondered how brave hearts on highways and freeways biked or Winnebago-ed their way on long windy, cross-country road trips from coast-to-coast, from dawn till dusk, come storm, rain, or shine. Well this time, we were the brave hearts. We ditched the airports and got on the wheels. (pssst: Mr. Chi-Town is one cool driver! I, on the other hand, was a hot multi-tasker who assumed roles anywhere between a Garmin monitor, a hotel planner, a Starbucks and gas station locator, restaurant reviewer, snacks provider, CD changer, conversation partner, just to name a few.)
So where was I? Yes, we were in lovely Steveston. After visiting Steveston, we returned to Trafiq Café & Bakery. This café I tell you can make anyone who walks in (and walks out) naturally high. The aroma in the café itself is high caloric. It’s kind of sweet and when combined with the aroma of brewing java, it’s intoxicating.
As soon as we walked in to the café, I saw Mr Chi-Town swoon. You know he loves raspberries. And this raspberry-chocolate torte literally said to him that it’s his birthday. I mean, honestly, I was taken by the pretty art work on top of each slice. Who wouldn’t? Take a look at this looker.
See what I mean? See that little raspberry on top? I picked it up and popped it into my mouth! And I loved loved loved my cappucchino. Why? Because it was topped with dark-dark cocoa powder.
The luscious raspberry cream and topping were spot on. However, I wished that the chocolate layers were ‘dark dark.’ Ah well, who am I to be picky? There ain’t no Trafiq in the Plains.
Take a look one more time, you all.
A dark-dark chocolate cake layer would have kicked this torte up three notches. But that’s just me.
One thing for sure. Mr. Chi-Town left feeling berry high. I, on the other hand, felt kind of cheated. You know why? The tiramisu I was looking forward to had been taken off the menu this summer.
Bummer!
Road trips help. There’s something about gliding on the road with no hurry nor worry to get anywhere. Taking breaks to gas up or grab some snacks and coffee for the road can be nice, too. That’s when we get to stretch, meet, and chat briefly with the locals before continuing the journey. We bumped into these four-legged ‘locals’ on a pickup truck in front of a Starbucks somewhere in Arizona. These ‘friends’ were in their own doggie world. If only I can do the Cesar Milan thingy… <shhh-shhh>
Mind you, these ‘friends’ were not on leash. How sweet! Dogs are like desserts, aren’t they? They make people smile — even when they seem so absorbed in their own little doggie journies.
Will return with Part 8 when that doggie sweetness high subsides.
Much love,
Tee