This is one of several wrap up posts where I talk about highlights from our trip.

One of the best things about travel, for me at least, is the food. On this trip we really went out of our way to try food from local establishments - especially regional specialties when available. Below are some of my favorites and a brief explanation of each.

Frozen custard from Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard in St. Louis, Missouri. Our first food post on the road. Located right along historic Route 66 on the way out of St. Louis. The building has ‘icicles’ hanging off of it.

Freshly popped movie popcorn at the Route 66 drive-in theater in Carthage, Missouri. Difficult to locate, but very much worth the experience. Good popcorn and old-fashioned intermission film.

Soda and sandwiches at POPS Diner on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma. A modern Route 66 diner experience. Thousands of soda bottles lining the walls. Good sandwiches, good location. There were tornadoes coming through the area so we continued west.

Chocolate milk shake at the Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tasty milk shake and great Route 66 kitschy atmosphere. Lots of collectibles and knick-knacks. Juke box, the whole nine yards.

S’mores over the Jetboil, cooked on our portable camping stove in New Mexico. Not the most efficient way to make s’mores, but it’s certainly better than not having any s’mores at all.

French toast for breakfast in Oakland, California. Crashing with friends certainly has some great benefits! Blake was kind enough to whip up this awesome breakfast - includes a recipe for French toast.

Wine tasting in San Francisco, California. One of Kate’s old camp friends, Mitch, allowed us to stay for a few days and he took us to many of San Francisco’s fantastic eateries, including two wine tastings.

Clam chowder at the Newport Chowder Bowl in Newport, Oregon. Delicious and creamy clam chowder in the Nye Beach area of Newport, Oregon. Did I mention that it was creamy? Quite tasty.

Ice cream and cheese in Oregon’s cheese country. Tillamook County, Oregon is known for cows that produce great cheese and ice cream. We visited two cheese companies, and one of them makes cheese and ice cream. Mmm… samples.

Organic, fresh and local pizza at Hot Lips Pizza in Portland, Oregon. The weather was not great during our time in Portland, Oregon - but the pizza was fantastic! Very crunchy pizza and atmosphere.

Mini doughnuts from the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company at Pike’s Market in Seattle, Washington. Hot from the fryer and thrown into a brown paper bag for easy on-the-go snacking, these were a real treat.

Veggie dogs from a street vendor in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. After a long morning of exploring Vancouver this veggie was looking for a satisfying lunch when I practically walked into this street vendor. Fantastic!

A proper ice cream sundae in the (alleged) home of the ice cream sundae - Ithaca, New York. Warm brownie covered in ice cream, smothered in whipped cream and a cherry garnish… delicious.

The vegetarian mecca that is Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, New York. Amazing vegetarian food and cookbooks. Tofajitas (tofu + burrito = tofajita) for dinner with great bread and a cookbook to go.

A tofu noodle bowl at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The new home of the New York Yankees serves great veggie-friendly fare! Yes, it’s true, there are advantages to rain delays.

One of my all time favorite desserts - the cannoli - from Mike’s Pastry in Boston’s North End. Hand-made on the premises, these cannolis are the best I’ve ever laid my hands on.

A Fourth of July barbeque with camp friends includes great portabello mushroom burgers in Rhode Island. Found this recipe in the Moosewood Celebrates cookbook. Even the non-veggies were jealous! Recipe included.

Great Rhode Island seafood at Iggy’s Doughboys in Warwick, Rhode Island. Authentic Rhode Island clam cakes and stuffed quahogs provide for a fantastic summer picnic. The doughboys make a great dessert.

Another Rhode Island tradition, the crushed ice drinks from Del’s Lemonade. We found a Del’s Lemonade truck at the beach in Warwick, Rhode Island and procured some Del’s to help keep cool.

The Downeast Lobster Experience at Stewman’s Lobster Pound in Bar Harbor, Maine. Sitting on the patio looking out over Bar Harbor as the sun sets while digging into a fresh Maine lobster is a very memorable experience.

A trip to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, Vermont. We learn about how the great Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is made and even ‘test’ a few samples. Walk the flavor graveyard and read about the flavors that were retired.