Eating our way across America

 

Lemon Meringue Pie, Clanton's Cafe Vinita OK

One of the pleasures of RVing is the opportunity to eat at a variety of restaurants, cafes and diners.  We have enjoyed watching the YouTube videos of foreigners, many on a first time visit to the US, and their dining experiences. But most don't frequent diners and restaurants in smaller towns as well as cities.  They are missing the best, IMHO.

We make it a point when possible to stop at local restaurants on each trek.  During our most recent we stopped in Tucumcari NM, Albuquerque NM, Shamrock TX, Vinita OK, Lebanon MI, Litchfield IL.

The Europeans have discovered Buc-EEs, Waffle House  and Denny's and we stop at these from time to time. During this trek we had breakfast at a Denny's in Tucumcari and a Waffle House in Lebanon MO.

Here's a partial list: 

Jubelt's Restaurent & Bakery Litchfield IL

Clanton's Cafe Viniti OK

U Drop In Cafe Shamrock TX

Owl Cafe Albuquerque NM

Del's Tucumcari NM

Chicken Fried Steak, Clanton's. Served with a house salad

Bakery Case, Jubelt's.  Quite a lot of pies and breads, too. 

Lunch at Jubelt's.  Homemade bread. The blueberry muffin was also excellent!

Lunch at U Drop In.  Meatloaf Sandwich and Brisket Sandwich
 with Ada Lou's Pasta Salad. Route 66 Root Beer, too!

(c) 2026 N. Retzke

We arrive July 2. Happy July 4th!

 

A View from the Campground

After a long, yet uneventful trek, we arrived at our campground. 

(C) 2026 N. Retzke

Wow! What a scorcher!

Looking West at Sunset across Lake Michigan Original Photo (c) 2026 N. Retzke

The trek began at 103F and that was the temperature for the first few days. The Kool-Kat heat pump could not keep up. When parking in full sun there is a lot of heat gain with all of the glass. We put reflectix in all of the windows excepting the side door. This helps. 

I run the 3-way refrigerator on propane when moving and we added a sealed container of ice in the freezer and to the refrigerator.  I have two temperature sensors in the refrigerator.  One is on the lower shelf and the second is on the bottom shelf.  These provide remote readout of the interior temperature.  Opening the refrigerator door to read a thermometer would be self-defeating.    Opening the refrigerator door in elevated temperatures rapidly heats the interior. We cook meats and re-freeze to avoid spoiling.  Milk is sensitive and is a good barometer for determining if the refrigerator has become too warm.  Of course, only pre-cooled items are put in the refrigerator.  

Here's a photo of one of the data from one temperature sensors. This shows a week of temperature cycling. When on propane the upper door temperature is 48-50F.  Spikes occur when the door is opened. The extreme door temperatures of 71F occurred when unloading the refrigerator.   The sensors communicate to my phone via bluetooth. 

I do have a "sunshade".  On occasion I'll use it to create shade at the front of the vehicle.  One disadvantage is the time it takes to set up.  Not really practical during short stays.  

Sunshade and Reflectix in the window. 

When we arrived at the final destination it was only 100F and 78% humidity.  Because of the humidity it was uncomfortable. 

(c) 2026 N. Retzke  - No AI used for this post