Book and Food Reviews

As a part of our eating across America we bring you a food review from Wilson, KS (Czech capitol of Kansas).  The Midland Hotel  provides a delicious menu.  We had the daily special of fried, chicken fried steak (translate – more grease), which was tender and moist.  Add to that mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad and corn.  Needless to say we were feeling quite stuffed and satisfied as we walked out. 

 The hotel is interesting.  Built in 1890, it was restored through a community effort.  The furniture is all in mission style and was built for the hotel when it was restored.  Beautiful place and we suggest that if you are traveling across Kansas it’s a good place to stop on the weekends.  There is a tavern in the basement, which seemed inviting and would be a fun stop for a drink.  Again on the weekend. 

It was a damp and slightly cool evening so it lead to building a campfire.  Good old boy scout John with the help of lighter fluid, created a great fire.  It was so inviting that we found some hot dogs in the freezer and managed to get a good layer of charcoal on them in order to slather with mustard and eat. (According to hot dog etiquette you should not use ketchup after the age 18).  Really, I heard it on Martha  Our dogs thought we were nuts to sit outside and they watched us from inside the trailer. 

Then the Hermons invited us to a pizza dinner.  Homemade pizza!  If you are invited to a pizza supper at my house, it comes courtesy of Papa John’s.  Again we stuffed ourselves, can’t resist good pizza.  Dessert was an apple dumpling made with a secret ingredient – Mountain Dew.  Yummy. 

Enough food reviews and on to the books. I’m reading a book by Penelope Lively (winner of the Booker Prize for Moon Tiger) called Cleopatra’s Sister.  Interesting but I liked Moon Tiger better.  Another college prof as a character.  They are an interesting lot apparently.  Shari, take note and throw in a professor in your book.  My choice of books is directly related to what’s available at the thrift stores along our route.  After visiting the Goodwill in Hays, KS today, I’m very concerned about what I’ll read the rest of the trip.  May have to visit a full price bookstore.