Secrets From the Road
Photo by Natasha Wilson
You’ve got $20 at the gas station—what are you grabbing for the road?
A Coke because I need some energy, some salted peanuts—that came from my pawpaw, it’s called a working man’s lunch. You take the Coke and you dump some peanuts in it, and that way you can eat and drink at the same time.
Who’s your go-to local for the best town tips?
If you’re standing outside somewhere, I’m talking to you. I usually go to a bar during the day time when the old timers are hanging out.
What’s the longest detour you’ve taken, and was it worth it?
I had a bison charge and hit me in South Dakota. I triple bandaged my knee, and I thought while I’m on this side of the U.S. I’m gonna ride up north. I was only going to go to Yellowstone, but I decided to go to Glacier. Unbelievable. Beautiful. From there, I was thinking I should ride over to Washington and go to Olympic. Did that. Amazing. Then I thought, I want to ride down to PCH all along the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. While I was riding it, I thought why don’t I just jump on over to Crater Lake. Crater Lake was on fire, which was so cool. This detour turned into a 3,000 mile detour. Meanwhile, my leg was all jacked up. It was worth it.
What’s your road trip pet peeve?
Traffic. It’s just a buzzkill.
What’s the most recent small town you visited that completely surprised you?
Georgetown, Kentucky, right outside of Lexington.
What’s a dive bar that blew your mind, and why?
Mine. It’s called The Dive. Because I basically live there. We got everybody’s name on the bar that ever goes there on little plaques. We’re the only bar in town, so we really are the community.
What’s one restaurant you always visit on the road?
Red Hog in Louisville. It’s an old service station with the best food.
What’s the one thing you’d tell someone new to the South?
We’re the last true innovators, so you better respect us. If you need a lawnmower, you’ve probably got the parts in your yard and you’re building it. We have to make do with what we’ve got, and I think that that’s admirable in a time where people don’t know how to build anything on their own. We still do it.
