Follow your stomach: The best road diners in America

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For as long as there have been truck drivers, there have been roadside attractions to assist them in their long-haul journey. These attractions range from areas for them to rest to diners that offer inexpensive yet excellent dishes. The “diner” in fact has become an American standard; and is as much a part of this culture as French fries and burgers. In fact, it can be argued that diners, with their classic lines and signature fonts, bring a sense of nostalgia and have helped define popular culture. A single definition for these staples cannot be made; but many food enthusiasts and average Joes alike know a good diner when they see one.

Listed below are some of the most highly recommended diners, as suggested by several food magazines and food blogs:

Cookin’ From Scratch in Doolittle, Missouri

Along the old Route 66, this diner is a favorite of many truckers. Newbies should just look for an El Camino with a big chicken on top, and take that exit. This diner specializes in pan-fried chicken, which are cooked piece-by-piece in iron skillets. This process gives the signature crispy, non-greasy exterior that Cookin’ From Scratch is known for. Individuals should try “The Big Pig,” the diner’s signature dish, which is a piece of juicy pork tenderloin.

Image Source: theguardian.com

Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery in Shipshewana, Indiana

This diner is known for their fresh baked pies and homemade bread. This eatery is located in the heart of Amish country, so materials are locally sourced and fresh.

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Space Aliens Grill & Bar in Bismarck, North Dakota

Some diners are not only recognized for their food, but for their funky exterior as well. A classic example is the Space Aliens Grill & Bar. Keeping up with its name, the owners of this diner made the exterior as sci-fi and “alien-y” as possible. But that’s not the only reason for stopping by. The diner is also known for its succulent ribs.

Image Source: theguardian.com

Many modern foodies may consider diners as “old news,” but the truth of the matter is, diners will be part of this society for quite some time.

Pete Scamardo is a food enthusiast who loves trying popular dining areas. For more related posts, subscribe to this blog.

New study ranks the most affordable housing markets for millennials

Contrary to how they're portrayed in media, the millennials aren't buying their own homes because of a desire to buck tradition: they want to buy one when they're sure they can afford it, and not before.

Millennials, young adults between the ages of 18 to 34, are ethnically diverse, more educated than their parents, typically struggle with student debt and limited job opportunities, and are less likely to enter into traditional marriages. These factors, combined with the unstable housing market of recent years, have led to this generation shying away from home ownership.

However, current housing affordability highs and mortgage interest lows have made owning a home a possibility for many of them.

A new study by RealtyTrac, a real estate information company and real estate marketplace, identified the most affordable housing markets for this demographic.

Topping the list of most affordable housing markets to buy is the Augusta-Richmond metropolitan area in Richmond County, GA, where the median home price is $64,100, followed by Fayetteville in Cumberland County, NC, with a median home price of $97,500. Other markets on the list include the following:

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• The Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Marietta metropolitan area in Dekalb County, GA

• Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida.

• Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington metropolitan area in Philadelphia County, PA

• Baltimore and Townson metropolitan area in Baltimore City, MD

• Conway, Little Rock, and North Little Rock metropolitan area in Faulkner County, AR

• Columbus in Franklin County, OH

• Council Bluffs and Omaha metropolitan area in Douglas County in NE, IA.

• Milwaukee, Waukesha, and West Allis metropolitan area in Milwaukee County, WI

One of the biggest obstacles millennials when buying a home is coming up with down payments. While monthly payments might be well within their budgets, an $11,000 down payment on a home, coupled with closing and escrow fees, might seem to be too much. First-time young homebuyers should consult with a real estate professional to help them clarify their financial standing and discover opportunities for home ownership that they might not be aware of.

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Travelers' best kept secret: North Cascades National Park

Travelers who wish to escape the noise of the city and experience the beauty of nature without the crowds should consider visiting North Cascades National Park.

North Cascades National Park is located in Washington, just three hours away from Seattle. Despite its proximity to the city, the area has remained largely unspoiled and is frequented by less than 400,000 visitors per year, a far cry from the more popular Smoky Mountain National Park, which is visited by more than nine million visitors annually.

Despite rare appearance on lists of the country's most popular national parks, North Cascades National Park's breathtaking alpine landscape holds some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. The park encompasses 504,781 acres and ranges mountain peaks as high as 10,000 feet, valleys that plummet to below 500 feet, more than 300 glaciers, numerous rivers, over 500 lakes and ponds, and numerous types of forest.

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Flora and fauna

A traverse of the entire park from west to east is an experience in extreme changes in terrain, climate, and elevation. The west side of the park is a temperate rainforest, while a dry continental climate characterizes the east. The upper portion is covered in snow from fall to spring. The combination has resulted in the park having one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.

The park is home to 75 species of mammals, including gray wolves, black bears, and pikas, about 200 species of birds, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, as well as 28 species of fish and 21 species of reptiles.

The park contains at least 1,630 vascular plant species, including Douglas fir and western red cedar trees in the lowlands and Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pines at high altitudes.

Activities

Visitors to the park can enjoy a number of activities: hiking (the park has more than 400 miles of trails), alpine trekking, kayaking, fishing, boating, camping, and horseback riding are just a few examples.

Admission and wilderness permits are free.

Travelers who want to experience North Cascades National Park should plan their visit for between mid-June and late-September, when the weather in the park is at its best and most of the trails are free from snow.

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