Reading an article about the roads between Tucson and Tombstone, we decided
to take four days this spring and ride them. We had tried last year, made it as
far as Tucson, but high winds made it too dangerous to ride any further, so we
will try again this year. We have been blessed to have ridden so much when an
article is printed, we often have been there, and could have given better advice
on roads and where to eat ourselves. But to each his own, and where some eat
gourmet food starting with a Mc, and some suffer through pretty food on a large
white plate, we somehow find what we like the best. And have had very few, if
any bad meals that I can remember. Some have not been our first choice, but
turned out better than expected, while others just got us through to the next
stop. But of late, it seems the trendy thing to do is to tour wineries, and as
anyone with half a cerebrum will tell you, gas and alcohol don’t mix, add in two
wheels and you have a recipe for disaster. Yet so many of the trendy rider
types chase wine tasting, or craft beers for their menus. And to add to it,
lately I have seen craft sodas, which outside of home brewed root beer, taste
like it was brewed in an old Castrol can, and priced like synthetic.
Trendy...but how many just go for the ride, and are willing to sample the local
cuisine? And never know what they are missing?
In Tucson we ate some really great health food the first night, some
reasonably good Mexican another, and found, it wasn’t lost, we just had never
been there, a great home made bread place with killer sandwiches. Which we wish
we had found the first night rather than the last lunch. But we ate locally,
and found variations on a theme for food, not the same franchised slop at your
next freeway exit. Our variation of a wine tour, with no harmful after
effects. Drinking and riding, like James Dean told us, “the life you save may
be my own.” Living life is trendy enough....
Things have changed, and still are changing since I took my first road
trip, and looked for food. Diners and roadside cafes used to dot the roadside,
now you can get gas and a Subway sandwich, and claim to have been there. And at
every franchised stop meet the teenagers of America, they are the ones who
populate the jobs there, their first job, and not their last, and the service
and attitude reflects it. So for us, as it was and hopefully will continue to
be, it is local, wherever you are is local, family owned places to eat. Where
the portions are big, the food fresh and tasty, and the service is good. The
water glass is always full, and the waitress knows you are drinking diet, not
classic. She may call you Honey or Sweetie, even if your wife is along. A
personal touch, and the tip should reflect it. Some quick road food memories
from an article I just read...where does your reading take you? Back or ahead?
Does it entice you, influence you, or do you just turn the pages? But it will
always come down to personal taste, a nephew reminding me of how he misses
Alberto’s after moving to Texas and eating Tex-Mex. At least it doesn’t have Mc
in front of it. The berto part should be the tip off here....
So while we ride to eat, and eat to ride, we get to see how it is done
other places, why green chili is the best in New Mexico, and lobster the best in
New England. Why fish tacos are best in San Felipe, and real subs come from
Jersey, not Jersey Mike’s. How BBQ differs from Kansas City to Birmingham to
Memphis, and different in each local house too. With exceptions thrown in like
Rey Azteca in Somerset, Pennsylvania, two gourmet cooks from the interior of
Mexico. In Pennsylvania? But the key here is you are out and trying new places
to eat, riding on new roads, and seeing the US of A first hand, rather than from
the Food or Travel Channel. Or from the pages of a book or magazine. These
things may encourage you, but nothing like being there. So going back to Tucson
has us eating great bread for lunch, then on to other new places. All based on
an article I read....
How much does you Bible reading influence your life and style? Have the
scriptures just become words you read over and over, or have you let the spirit
guide you in your reading? Each one of us will be different, I like short
devotions that make me consider what the spirit is saying, some must read a
chapter a day, while others brag they read through the Bible in a year, every
year. But do we ever ask the spirit “what do you wish to show me today in my
reading?” Or has the Bible become just another Christian exercise? Do you read
more and enjoy it less? Have you become devoted to a famous author, and miss
out on what is going on in other ministries? Does what you read in the devotion
encourage you in Jesus and point you to the spirit for guidance? Are you new
and confused, or old and bored, just looking for more Jesus, and the words on
the pages just aren’t making it? Why is it we can find the best restaurant, but
cannot be satisfied in our daily bread when reading? Have you ever considered
what Jesus has for you today?
When riding, eating, touring, and choosing what to read, the external
factors play a part. But it is the spirit that gives guidance and helps us make
better choices. One verse influenced by the spirit can take me all over the
Bible and bless me, yet trying to stay on schedule with my small group keeps me
up to date and falling behind. Are there perils to following what or who is
popular? Do we order off the menu or get the daily special Jesus has planned
for us? Do you pray before reading, and meditate after? Do you carry Jesus
with you, considering what you read that day, or is it just another trip to the
Biblical gym, a scheduled exercise? Do you study to be approved by who?
We must be careful to recognize that popularity doesn’t mean it is right
for that time. Authors, churches, trends, and movements are ever present, but
should never take the place of being guided by the holy spirit. Popularity must
be checked and watched carefully, and balanced by the spirit. Only Jesus knows
what we need today, what diner is open, what their special is. How long the
lines are and why. We check travel websites before we go, read articles and ask
others, why don’t we ask God in the spiritual things? Are you in the word or is
the word, Jesus Christ in you? Is your Bible time yesterday’s leftovers, or is
it fresh and new every day? Are you reading a McBible or a Bibleberto? Ask
Jesus today before you read, never mind the study or the assignment, ask and see
where he leads you, not some group leader. And find insight anew when
discussed, and the spirit guiding you to a better relationship in Christ.
Trends come and go, so do people. Only Jesus stays the same, exciting and new.
And so we will be off to Tucson, unless God shows us different. And he
may, and our choice will be to choose. Make him your first choice today, and
watch as all things will be added unto you. Who knows who you will meet along
the road. The spirit knows.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com