After months of planning, one of my Austinite friends and I met up at a halfway point in Elizabethtown, NC. Although he and his partner had recently purchased a plot of land in VA, they transformed a bus into a mobile tiny home and drove to a quiet beach in NC for the winter.
My friend chose the restaurant since he follows a vegan diet. My sister, nephew and I are omnivores, so we definitely found something delicious. Starting with the wine.
My sister and I both got a wine flight, consisting of five choices. As much as possible, I avoided sweet wine. My sister was the opposite. I often tease both of my sisters and mother of liking “alcoholic Kool-aid.” Only my nieces, other nephew and I have a good wine palate.
My first three wine choices were no brainers: Merlot, Cab, and Red Blend. I included the Pinot Gris only because the description included the word “spice,” even though I’m not a white-wine drinker. My last choice was the worse, Noble Muscadine. I’ve created a new foodie rule: never order/buy any wine that includes the word “war” in its description.
During lunch, my friend and I reminisced about the non-profit where we met. I was so surprised that he still volunteers with them once a week remotely. In general, we’d both moved on and continued to pursue happiness. I shared with him my creative projects: filmmaking, blogging, digital illustration, and podcasting.
He and his partner are doing their best to reduce their carbon and plastic impact, among other things, which is why they are going to develop their land in an eco-friendly bed and breakfast with a vegan menu.
At the mention of veganism, my sister and I shared how Mom had made vegan potato salad for our niece during Christmas. My sister had also made a Christmas batch of vegan egg rolls, which she offered to make for my friend’s bed and breakfast once it was up and running. I’m holding both parties to that future plan.
After lunch, we toured the hallway, which was covered with celebrity-autographed photos. My friend and I posed with Snoop Dogg. Then, we said goodbye to my friend and took a stroll around the area where some animals were.
We didn’t get close enough to get spat on, but I may have to implement the strategy female llamas use when they aren’t interested in a male. New year, new strategy!