When we spend six months working in the outback of the American West, we tend to want to go shopping when we come to a town of any size. And that is exactly what we have done. After we got parked at the KOA in Flagstaff yesterday, we went to eat at our favorite restaurant in town, Piccazo’s Organic Italian. They have absolutely the best meatballs with marinara sauce you have ever tasted, AND you get most everything on the menu GLUTEN FREE! Pizza. Lasagna. Desserts. We got two pizzas and meatballs, and an extra order of meatballs to bring home for another day. And of course, there was enough pizza for leftovers, too. I am in gluten free heaven! From there, we went to Basha’s Grocery store to get a couple of cases of New Belgium beer. Jim loves it, and it is not available in the south, so we always get some to take with us when we head east.
I also found a beer store here that sells New Grist beer, which is gluten free and is pretty dang good. Although I don’t drink often, when I want a beer, I want a beer. And, I can use this beer with Bob’s Red Mill Baking Mix to make a really good beer batter for frying stuff.
I wanted to get a bottle of Herra Durra Tequila, which is hard to find in the south as well (at least in the places I have been in the south it is). They didn’t have Herra Durra, so I got Corzo instead. The guy at the store said it was good, so I trusted him on that. I haven’t opened it yet as I am taking some prescription meds that prohibit me from drinking alcohol right now, but I will have it when I am ready for it. I do like to have a shot of tequila with my beer every now and then.
Today I went to the doctor, same one I went to in April. I have an itchy rash (Yes, I know, TMI) which they diagnosed as a skin infection today, and gave me some pills and a topical cream for it. I tell you, if it doesn’t work, you will be reading a headline like this soon: “Woman jumps from moving truck on I-40”. The itch is driving me crazy, I tell you!
While I was out by myself, I sneaked over to the fabric store, Odegaard’s. I found this cutie cute cowboy fabric. I only got 1 yard of each of these, and I am already sorry I didn’t get more.
NO trip to Flagstaff is complete without a stop at New Frontiers. FabGrandpa picked up these figs, some date rolls, and some organic pecans. I got some chard, some lacinato kale, and some gluten free goodies at the bakery.
Also, I got stocked up on my Bio-Kleen dishwashing liquid. I ran out a while back and bought a different brand, and have been sorry ever since. I really didn’t like the smell of the new stuff–I gave it away before we left the North Rim. Some rice noodles, some gluten free cereal, and some Teff flour and we were out of there!
The last stop was at Best Buy. I was surprised that FabGrandpa didn’t find anything at all he wanted there. But I found this tiny flash drive, 4 GB USB, and it sooo cute and pink!
So, tell me, if you lived 200 miles from the closest shopping, what you YOU buy first when you went to town?
Judy Bell says
New underwear! 🙂 I really need to find a store here in Texas before I go on my cruise. 🙂
Fab Grandma says
Judy, that is a very good answer! 🙂
Sandra Merrikin says
What do you use teff flour in? I bought some but haven’t used it yet.
Fab Grandma says
I haven’t used Teff in anything yet, just saw it and have wanted to try it. I will let you know how it goes.
Cheryl says
What is Teff flour?
Fab Grandma says
I don’t know for sure what Teff IS, but it IS NOT wheat. Just another grain.
Susan Adcox says
No question what I would buy. You would find me in the wine department! But all of your buys look very nifty, too. I especially like the fabric. It’s kind of retro, from the days when cowboys were the coolest.
Fab Grandma says
oh, the wine! if didn’t already have two bottles I would have bought some.
Linda Sewell says
I would buy a coke and a pack of cheese crackers with peanutnut butter
Fab Grandma says
I could both of those at the camp store at the Grand Canyon. I want stuff like fresh mozzarrella cheese, fresh basil, ice cream, and a good meal eaten out. I have two choices at the North Rim–the lodge dining room, which can be quite pricey, and Kaibab Lodge, which has very little that I can eat.
Sallie (FullTime-Life) says
Thought provoking post Karen. I don’t really consider myself a shop-a-holic at all — can go days and days without wanting to see a store — but like you and your beer, when I want to shop I want to shop. We’ve stayed at a couple places not quite as remote as where you do, but 60 or so miles from the nearest real shopping. And after 3 o4 4 months, I just need to be somewhere else where I can see a movie or go to a grocery store any *&N& time I want to! Without a list.
I always envy your beautiful pictures of the Canyon rim and then I see something about how remote you are and I feel better ;>)))…. I really admire you guys (and everybody else) who is willing to sacrifice shopping for all of our good (all of us wimps who just want to spend a week or so in your beautiful area)….
For me, my first shopping would be for fresh fruit and veg and wine…. I imagine Bill would hit the Home Depot or the electronic store too!
geogypsy says
I went to Arbys. Oh yea, and Flag RV. Plus the Wickenburg (not exactly Big city) thrift stores today. I like your fabric choices. Be safe on the road.
Thim says
Silly girl, we used to live (full-time, year round) 100 miles from the nearest city, 50 miles from the nearest hospital and doctor’s office. And grocery store.
We had a little “corner store” out in our part of the world, but the produce (what little they carried) was horrible. The milk was always soured and the meat was never good either. :::shiver::: I grew up drinking a lot of powdered milk, and we always had a locker at the butchers full of frozen pork and beef. We would go 50 miles one way, once every two weeks to grocery shop. My Mom (and all the women I knew) stocked a HUGE pantry, with a deep freeze next to it.
After we moved away from there to Seattle (talk about culture shock!) I vowed I would NEVER again live like that. I saw too many people die (literally) because they were too far away from medical services. I remember too many times after a storm when we would be without power or telephone service – sometimes for weeks at a time. The roads were horrible, everything had to be ordered via catalogs, and local pastime was gossiping about your neighbors.
So the first thing I would buy is a MAP – to get the heck out there, and back to civilization!!! 😉
Fab Grandma says
hahahaha! you made me laugh with that, Thimbelle. Yes, it is a silly notion to live so far out, but I do love it up there.
Susan Shepard says
Krispy Kreme Donuts….Hot Now!!!!!!
Cheryl says
OK, you guys are scaring me – we are moving to the Northern Neck in less than 3 months!!! I guess I should find comfort in the fact that within 15 min there is a Food Lion, Dollar Store and library and the hospital and a Walmart are 1/2 hr. away? Fredericksburg and Richmond for shopping are close to 1 1/2 hours away. My stomach was doing flops before these horror stories!! YIKES!!!
Fab Grandma says
Cheryl–I have lived in the Northern Neck, and believe me when I tell you that it is not remote. You do have a variety of restaurants, places to shop, and grocery stores with a short drive. You also have easy access to fresh veggies and fruits all spring and summer there. And crabbing and fishing. Norfolk is only 80 miles away, and like you said, Richmond and Fredericksburg are close by. You will be fine there.