first day on the road trip (day 1)

My brother, Ivan, and I had no clue what we wanted to do and see on this first day. The only thing we could agree on was that we were NOT going to drive all the way to Charlotte, NC. We both are tired from our work week and didn't want to rush around. Also, pretty much in agreement that it was I-95 until past Washington, D.C.. Then we stopped at 3 different tourism centers to take almost every brochure offered to us.

We decided to bypass many Civil War sites (Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksberg) to focus on getting an Econolodge just north of Richmond. The capital of the Confederacy, Richmond is a little more than halfway to our destination. If we stick to the plan, we'll get up and, after breakfast at Aunt Sarah's Pancake House, head west to Appomattox Court House, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. After geeking out there for a while, it's further south for us, via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

McLean house, April 1865.

Photographed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan.



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the bookmobile, part 1

I've had a few suggestions from people who lived or went to college in North Carolina. I got great advice from the other Porkway founder, my buddy Ian. He made a road trip through the state a few years ago and has offered some tips.

However, if you want something more codified, you can't go wrong with Bob Garner. He's a genuine Tar Heel with many 'cue books. This is the one I'm taking along with me.

buy from Barnes & Noble

buy from Amazon



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hellhounds on the bbq trail...

This is a fairly accurate geopolitical representation of New Jersey. I'm located in a particularly dense, yet beautiful part of this state, around about the dot labeled 'Hackensack'.

To those who just laughed at the thought of Bergen County being described as beautiful, just think of the last sunrise over New York City you saw. Or maybe a sunset over the Meadowlands. Take a hike up and down the Palisades or grab a burger at White Manna (see aforementioned 'Hackensack'). Technically, the last thing isn't 'beautiful', but it's really freaking delicious.

There's a lot in New Jersey, including great barbecue - in our state and local competitions, some restaurants and, most definitely, in many of our backyards. However, we don't have a barbecue tradition. This doesn't mean we don't know how to smoke meat. We've just never had to.

Hopefully, there'll be a lot of big and small 'cue joints along the way, lots of scenic vistas and history to take in by the bucketful. I hope you'll follow me and my brother Ivan on this journey.



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