Since I'm sure you don't want to see pictures of boxes and empty rooms, I thought I'd share a state treasure I've discovered here...
I have always liked coffee. It has been a constant in my life since the days of college finals where my roommates and I would take a half gallon of Blue Bell ice cream and dig a hole in the middle, filling it with M&Ms and top it all off with coffee. (actually it may have been Kaluha but that is another post entirely.) We'd then take our spoons and eat directly from the carton. This concoction fueled many a late night study session at Texas A&M!
When you are so far from home, you see things and process them based upon your past experiences. For the first few weeks I would drive by the numerous roadside stands and wonder how a snow cone stand could possibly stay in business in Alaska, let alone so many of them! Who would want a snow cone in the middle of Alaska? I certainly couldn't understand the attraction that would have upwards of 4-6 cars lining up in the drive-through windows of these stands all hours of the day.
After about two weeks of rainy weather, we had our first day of sunshine and I was able to see for myself what these snow cone stands were advertising. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they weren't snow cone stands after all! Coffee on every corner and at every major intersection served from cute little houses with names like: "Hooked on the Bean", "Lotta Latte," " Express Espresso."
With my first sip, the heavens parted and I heard of chorus of angels. Oh, my heavens it is good! Joe will remember the fishing in Alaska: I will remember Kaladi Brothers Coffee.
It has become a ritual to drive through one of the coffee huts while I'm running errands or exploring the area. Around 2 p.m., I find I'm looking for errands to run in town so I can treat myself to another frothy latte. I'm enjoying trying the different stands and getting to know the kids working there.
During my trip home this week, I was sitting in the drive-through of the local Starbucks. Everyone was ordering their Grande Mochas and their skinny-soy-double espressos. It suddenly occurred to me how enjoyable it was to pull up to one of my coffee huts and order "the regular." It just seems so much simpler. Of course, my addiction has resulted in Joe referring to the huts as "Crack Shacks." Hopefully, that name won't catch on!
