We Take Ourselves With Us

So, let’s start this with a brief discussion of excursions.   We made a decision not to book through NCL for our flight or excursions, thinking we could save some money and break away from the herd on the ship in doing our own thing.   We were right on both counts.   After searching out things to do in Ketchikan, the Ketchikan Kayak Company that offered an ocean kayaking trip.   Having never kayaked in my life, electing to have my first kayak trip on the open ocean sounded like a very well-considered thing to do,   so, reader, we booked it. On Wednesday morning, then, we grabbed a quick breakfast in the buffet, threw our day’s supplies into my cool, new (and supercheap) lime green waterproof backpack, and walked right off the boat and into a panel van driven by Ryan.   A reflection: it’s amazing how much trust we put in people—see a guy holding a laminated paper sign, say hi, and immediately let him drive one and one’s family into the deep woods of Alask...

In planning our Southern Summer trip, I had compiled a list of restaurants we should try to hit--some old, some new, all uniformly beloved.  High on that list was Biscuit Love, a newer restaurant in the Gulch district that grew out of a popular Nashville food truck.  When we got there Tuesday morning, we were surprised to find the line NOT out the door; this changed by the time we left: it was around the block.  For very good reason! As the name suggests, Biscuit Love revolves around biscuits.  We ordered the SEC, the Princess, and the East Nasty, plus a side of Bonuts--fried biscuits filled with lemon mascarpone and served with blueberry compote.  The biscuits were fall apart yummy, and we later agreed that the fried chicken at Biscuit Love was among the best we ate all trip.  Worth standing in line in the hot sun for ... you bet! And, even better, when one doesn't have to!  (Points to whomever recognizes the Wisconsin Duc...