#Truck Camper Portland

[traveltrailershill]

Discover Your Perfect RV: A Guide to RV Dealers in the Portland Area

Portland, Oregon, is not only known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes but also as a gateway to outdoor adventures. Whether you’re heading to the coast, exploring the mountains, or camping in the woods, having the right RV makes all the difference. At Cascade RV, we’re proud to be among the top RV dealers in Portland, Oregon, offering a diverse selection of RVs, trailers, and campers to fit every lifestyle.

Why Choose Cascade RV?

When looking for RV sales near Portland, Oregon, it’s essential to select a dealership that understands your needs. Cascade RV stands out due to:

Extensive Inventory: From travel trailers to small RVs, we have options for every type of adventurer.

Expert Guidance: Our knowledgeable staff is dedicated to helping you find the perfect RV that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Comprehensive Services: Beyond sales, we offer maintenance and support to keep your RV in top shape.

Types of RVs Available in the Portland Area

Travel Trailers: Ideal for families and those who enjoy a bit more space. Our RV trailers for sale in Portland include various models that combine comfort with convenience.

Truck Campers: For the more adventurous, truck campers are easy to maneuver and perfect for spontaneous trips. They offer flexibility without sacrificing comfort.

Motorhomes: For those seeking the ultimate convenience, motorhomes provide everything you need in one vehicle. Explore our selection to find the right fit for your adventures.

Small RVs: If you prefer something more compact, we have a range of small RVs for sale in Portland that offer easy towing and parking without compromising on essential amenities.

Used RVs: Our inventory includes quality used RVs for sale in Portland, Oregon, allowing you to enjoy the RV lifestyle at a more affordable price. Each unit is thoroughly inspected for quality and reliability.

Exploring Portland with Your RV

With your new RV, the adventures around Portland are limitless. Here are some must-visit destinations:

Columbia River Gorge: Known for its breathtaking scenery and hiking trails, this area is a short drive from Portland and offers numerous campgrounds for RVs.

Oregon Coast: Experience the stunning coastline with its beaches and charming towns. Many RV-friendly campgrounds line the coast, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Mount Hood National Forest: Ideal for camping and outdoor activities, Mount Hood is accessible and offers various campgrounds suitable for RVs.

Tips for Buying an RV in Portland

When searching for RV dealerships in Portland, keep these tips in mind:

Research Local Dealerships: Explore reviews and ratings of RV dealers near Portland, Oregon, to find a trustworthy option. Cascade RV is well-reviewed for its excellent service and inventory.

Know Your Needs: Consider how you plan to use your RV. Will you be traveling solo, with family, or as a couple? This will guide your choice.

Set a Budget: Determine your budget before visiting dealerships. This will help narrow down your options and avoid overspending.

Inspect Used RVs Thoroughly: If you're considering a used RV, ensure it undergoes a thorough inspection. Look for signs of wear and tear, and ask about maintenance history.

Test Drive: Always take the RV for a test drive to get a feel for handling and comfort.

Cascade RV: Your Trusted RV Store in Portland

As a leading RV store in Portland, we pride ourselves on offering not just vehicles but an entire lifestyle. Our team is passionate about RVing and is here to provide you with expert advice and support throughout your buying journey.

Visit Us Today!

Ready to find your ideal RV? Whether you're interested in camper trailers for sale in Portland or looking for a comprehensive selection of RVs for sale near Portland, Oregon, Cascade RV has you covered. Our friendly team is eager to help you explore your options and answer any questions you may have.

Conclusion

Finding the right RV can transform your travel experiences. At Cascade RV, we’re dedicated to helping you discover the perfect vehicle that suits your adventures around Portland and beyond. With a wide selection of new and used RVs, expert guidance, and comprehensive services, we are your go-to destination for all things RV in the Portland area. Visit us today and start your journey toward unforgettable adventures!

FAQs for RV Dealers in Portland

1. What RV dealers are available in the Portland area? There are several RV dealers in the Portland area, including Cascade RV, offering a wide range of new and used RVs, trailers, and campers.

2. Where can I find RVs for sale near Portland, Oregon? You can find a variety of RVs for sale at local dealerships, including Cascade RV, which features both new and used options to suit different budgets.

3. What types of RVs do dealerships in Portland offer? RV dealerships in Portland offer a diverse selection, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, and motorhomes, as well as small RVs suitable for various lifestyles.

4. Are there used RVs for sale in Portland, Oregon? Yes! Many dealers, including those in the Portland area, have a wide selection of used RVs available. These units are inspected for quality and reliability.

5. How do I choose the right RV dealer in Portland? Consider factors like inventory variety, customer reviews, service offerings, and the dealer’s expertise. Visiting multiple RV dealers near Portland can help you make an informed decision.

6. What are some popular RV models for sale in Portland? Popular models vary, but you can often find a selection of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and small RVs that cater to families and solo travelers alike.

7. Is financing available for RV purchases in Portland? Yes, most RV dealers, including those in Portland, offer financing options to help you purchase your RV. The financing team can assist you in finding a plan that fits your budget.

8. Do RV dealerships in Portland provide maintenance services? Many RV dealerships in the Portland area offer maintenance and repair services to keep your RV in optimal condition after purchase.

9. What should I consider when buying a used RV in Portland? When buying a used RV, check its condition, maintenance history, and any warranties available. It’s also advisable to have a thorough inspection done before purchase.

10. Where can I find camper trailers for sale in Portland? Camper trailers are available at various RV dealers in the Portland area, including Cascade RV. Our selection includes new and used models to meet your camping needs.

11. Are there small RVs for sale in Portland? Yes, many RV dealerships in Portland offer small RVs designed for easy maneuverability and efficient living, perfect for couples or solo travelers.

12. How can I find the best RV sales near Portland, Oregon? Research local RV dealerships online, check customer reviews, and visit in person to explore their inventory. This will help you find the best deals and services available.

13. Can I trade in my current RV at a Portland dealer? Most RV dealers in the Portland area accept trade-ins, allowing you to apply the value of your current RV toward the purchase of a new or used model.

[leafened]

turns out the random redditor i messaged about remote drawing who invited me to his secret jungian order lives in portland so i already have a freak of a friend lined up. i'm also getting a cheap vintage camper shell for my truck tomorrow. can't believe i move in 10 days

[lindsaystravelblogs4]

March 13-15 Portland

Wednesday

We drove to Portland today.  We discussed staying at Nelson, but when we arrived, it was not quite as we remembered it so decided to drive the extra hundred kilometres (almost) to the bigger town.  We had lunch at a pub (can't recall which one) to delay our arrival at Portland because check-in was supposed to start at 2pm – but we were probably in and trying to set up by then.  We were allocated a site with a huge fire-hose and hydrant box right in front of us and I had great trouble getting the van on  to the site.  In the end, a guy came over to help.  He was actually a truck driving instructor and he had us on the site and lined up nicely with a few minutes – otherwise, we could still be there backing and filling to no avail.  It was so easy for him but I was really struggling trying not to drive on a site three vans over.  He just told me to drive right across all three sites and then guided me on with no trouble at all.  Of course, it is quite embarrassing and much harder to do when you have a dozen other campers watching your efforts.

Once we were set up, we drove around Portland, exploring the harbour area and out along the bay for about twenty-something kilometres.  We saw lots of birds around the port, but very few in the coastal area.  Once back in the caravan park, I walked around looking at more birds and the guy who helped us park came up and we had a great conversation about the birds and animals that visit or inhabit the park – and how this has changed in recent years.  He has lived in the area all his life and used to collect eggs when he was at school fifty-odd years ago.  He said he had a collection of eggs from every bird species that bred in the area except for the Peregrines – he never managed to get one of them.  He lent his collection to his brother for some sort of ‘show and tell’ at school and his brother dropped the case and broke nearly every egg in his collection. That was the end of his egg collecting days.

Portland is obviously a centre of the timber industry – mainly pine, but not exclusively so.  We passed, or were passed by, dozens of timber-laden trucks as we drove along but there were numerous mills with massive stockpiles of logs and once we reached Portland, we saw one depot that must have contained many tens of thousands of logs, probably hundreds of thousands of them, and a pile of woodchips that must have been several thousand cubic metres in volume – hundreds of metres long and twenty or thirty metres high.

Thursday  

We drove out to the Cape Bridgewater lighthouse and explored some of the nearby coastal area.  I saw lots of gannets flying past but almost all of them were too far away to take a worthwhile photo. 

We walked in to look at the so-called petrified forest.  It is not a forest at all, but it looks a lot like one in a number of places.  I will post a couple of photos about it.

We also went out to the Cape Nelson lighthouse and called in at a few more viewing places near it before eating our lunch beside a park closer to town.

In the afternoon, we did a long forest drive, zigzagging along many forest tracks and quite a few laneways that were significantly less than forest tracks.  We have seen a lot of pine plantations in South Australia and Victoria, but Victoria also has quite a bit of eucalypt forest and we drove quite a few kilometres in that too.  I was glad that Heather was navigating because we twisted and turned so many times that I would probably have had to navigate by the stars if she hadn’t done such a great job.

Friday 

A lost day?  Neither Heather nor I can recall what we did on the day and neither of us have any photos.  I did send a few emails, but not in the middle of the day so I have to assume we just spent the day around the van.  I do recall that we washed the car one day in Portland so maybe it was on this day.  It was a pretty rough and ready job, just hosing it down and using the soft broom to brush it down a bit.  It didn’t take long to build up a lot more dust so we repeated the exercise on our last day in Camperdown – and we gave the van a bit of a lick and a promise that day too.

[trenthillger]

Top Reasons to Choose RV Rental in Portland For Your Adventure

Embarking on an adventure is one of life's greatest pleasures. Whether you and your family are planning a cross-country road trip, exploring the great outdoors, or you are simply seeking a break from the daily grind. However, the choice of how you travel can significantly impact your experience.

So, while planning for your next short trip, choose the RV rental in Portland to enhance your adventure.  In this article, we will provide you with the top reasons why you should consider renting an RV for your next journey.

Top Reasons to Select RV Rental In Portland

Freedom to Roam

One of the most captivating reasons to choose RV rental is its freedom. Unlike traditional vacations involving fixed itineraries and hotel bookings, an RV allows you to plot your course. 

You can change your plans on a whim, explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, and follow your curiosity. With an RV, the journey becomes part of your adventure, and you're not tied to a strict schedule.

Comfort and Convenience

RVs are home on wheels, with all the necessary comforts and conveniences. They come in various sizes and configurations. Even smaller models of RV also offer sleeping quarters, a functional kitchen, a bathroom, and a comfortable living space. 

Moreover you can cook your meals, enjoy a hot shower, and relax in a cozy environment no matter where your travels take you. It's like having a mobile hotel room with all the desired amenities.

Cost-Effective Travel

Traveling in an RV can be surprisingly cost-effective, especially for families or groups. With an RV, you eliminate the need for hotel stays, which can quickly add up, especially during longer trips. 

Additionally, having a kitchen onboard allows you to prepare your meals, saving you money on dining out. While there is an initial rental cost, you'll likely find that RV travel can be budget-friendly, especially when considering the convenience and savings on accommodation and food expenses.

Family-Friendly Adventures

RV travel is perfect for families seeking unforgettable adventures together. Kids love the excitement of RV trips, and the extra space and amenities onboard make the journey more comfortable. 

If you want, you can also bring bikes, outdoor toys, or board games to keep children entertained during stops. Traveling on an RV also allows you to explore various family-friendly destinations and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Pet-Friendly Travel

For pet owners, RV travel is a fantastic way to bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Many companies providing services like RV rental in Portland offer pet-friendly options. It provides comfortable and safe space for your pets during the journey. 

Further, you can explore pet-friendly hiking trails, beaches, and parks, ensuring your pets have a memorable adventure.

Environmental Considerations

Modern RVs are designed with environmental considerations in mind. They often come equipped with energy-efficient systems and amenities that allow you to minimize your carbon footprint while on the road. Additionally, having more control over your waste makes it easier to practice responsible camping and reduce environmental impact.

Variety of RV Options

RV rental offers various options to suit your preferences and needs. Whether you're looking for a compact camper van, a spacious motorhome, or a cozy travel trailer, you can find an RV that matches your style of travel. This versatility ensures that you can choose the perfect vehicle for your adventure.

Conclusion

When it comes to embarking on an adventure, RV rental in Portland provides a unique and rewarding experience. It grants you the freedom to explore at your own pace, enjoy the comforts of home on the road, and create lasting memories with loved ones. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and savor the freedom and adventure RV travel offers. Dolo Entertainment offers RVs, trailers, trucks, and tents for people to enjoy their adventurous trips. Rent out your RV with Dolo Vacation Rentals and earn while you relax. Contact us now.

[exhibitphotopdx]

Mexico and a Beach

Monterey Bay at low tide releases hundreds of years of decay.  Fish eating other fish and pieces eaten by crabs and all of it mixing with oxygen to surrender their scent to the ocean breeze.

Driving north of Santa Cruz through pumpkin country on the coast road.  Another forgotten coastline though so close to The City as to be within lunch break distance.  As Portland labors under a winter storm flowers bloom here and young Mexican couples take selfies in the flowing yellow sea.  I was reminded of another coast road a thousand miles away, much further south and lost to the past, of winding turns and sparkling blue-green shallow bays.  Holly and Dana had been alternating between singing and snacking in the back seat of our 4WD while Edmund and I held down the beers and conversation up front.  As we rounded a bluff, a particularly fetching half moon of sand opened below us — a pickup truck with a huge camper shell the only inhabitant under a copse of palms at the south end and an empty campsite at the north end beckoning.  I hadn’t seen any kind of pullout or road but slowed a bit to scan the hillside.  “There” said Edmund, tracing a zigging line down the south end of the cliff.  On either side of the beach steep cliffs pushed into the water and fell at least 150’ into blue.  I kept an eye out for anything else but as we got to the southern curve there was a dirt pullout and a rough road leading off the edge of the cliff.  I kept some speed as I pulled off — these tight corners often produced a speeding bus or truck — and so hit the first drop at about 25mph, which was WAAAAY too fast.  The drop combined with a fast lefthand turn to hug the cliff face and we all lost contact with gravity for a moment before the SUV slammed back down.  I’m pretty sure I hit the ceiling twice and the noise of the cooking and camping cases loosely netted to the roof rack was deafening.  The girls began screaming.  I would have screamed, too, had I not been completely absorbed in the task at hand.  The “road” spun itself against the cliff at a remarkable angle and several immediate washouts had me trying to launch a tire off the last outcrop and up onto the even-steeper angle of the cliff to get us around them.  Braking was impossible — the loose dirt would slide us forward with no control.  So I gassed it and felt the drivers-side lift impossibly high.  I hoped the cargo net would hold — I hadn’t packed it for this and could imagine all our equipment strewn down the hillside for hundreds of yards.

Below the washouts, the road evened out slightly, seeming much more stable.  I managed to grind the brakes to a complete halt.  Something felt like a broken tooth at the end of the pedal.  My head hurt from contact with the ceiling.  The girls were still screaming.  I took a deep breath and turned in the seat.  “That is NOT helping.  If anybody wants to try the rest of this, I’ll get out right now.  No?  Then shut up.  If YOU want to get out, I’m fine with that, too.  But I think I see the way down from here.”  Edmund brushed beer off himself and took a long drink.  His slightly-tan English skin had gone back to a normal deathly white.  The girls gulped but quieted.  I took another deep breath.  Letting off the brake, I started picking my way down the remaining 100’ or so of vertical.  There were at least two weird sounds coming out of the truck but nothing was exploding and I felt like the first thing to do was get down.  At the pickup truck, two campers had emerged and were clutching each others arms and pointing in amazement.  There were a few sliding skidding stops but the rest of the path was less dramatic than the first 50’ and in 15 minutes we were parked under the palms at the north end of the beach.  The other campers walked up to join us.  They brought me a cold beer.  “Sorry we don’t have enough for everyone but we figured the driver could use it.”  Looking back at the cliff and tracing our path it looked totally improbable from below.  I wasn’t sure I could make it back UP and the remains of a VW Bug covered with cactus seemed to augur poorly.

“How, exactly, did you get a top-heavy pickup in here?” was the question on my mind.  They grinned.  Low tide.  Drive around the bluff on hard-packed sand and take an easy beach road out.

We stayed nearly a week.  Camping chairs thrown nipple deep in the warm shallows and tiny fish nibbling between our toes while we drank cold Corona and cooked over a beach fire.  At night the water was no less warm but gained luminescence and we marveled at the trails we left to mark our passages.

[jimhair]

She told me two homeless men were paid $500 to construct the camper for her truck, and the materials were also about $500. The shell is completely covered in quotes from the Bible and decorations she hand painted using commercial house paint. The interior walls and ceiling were filled with her paintings. On the bed inside were three boxes of donations of clothes and other items she will distribute. Mrs. M., Portland, February 2022 #earth #america #human #family #christian #homeless #advocate #documentary #street #photography #hasselblad #camera #schwarzweiss #blancoynegro #blancinegre #bnw @ilfordphoto #film #blancetnoir #白黒 #Hēiyǔbái #siyahbeyaz #shirokuro #blackandwhite #filmisnotdead #istillshootfilm #portland #pdx #nw #oregon #photojournalism @hasselblad @hasselbladculture 22020106 HP5 Hasselblad 500 c/m 120mm Makro-Planar https://www.instagram.com/p/CZj3ESglKWq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nwrbposts]

In Search Of Air Bags Firestone &Trailer Hitches?

Is your truck in need of a load lift?

Your truck may squat if you have a camper, a large trailer, or other heavy payloads. Your truck may sway side to side as a result of the camper. If this is the case, Firestone Air Bags may be required. A wireless air compressor system is also installed to allow you to adjust your bags on the fly. Call us right now to get a quote and set up an appointment.

A trailer hitch on the back of your truck can be used for more than just towing; it can also be used to transport coolers for fishing, hunting, or picnicking. They're also great for getting a good bruise on your shin if you're not paying attention. You may require a specific hitch depending on what you're towing. You'll have to pay close attention to the size of the balls. It's a good idea to have a few different sizes of balls, though the most common is 1 7/8 inch. A 2-inch or larger ball may be required for larger trailers.

Talking about the best Air Bags Firestone OR, Tailor Hitches, NWRB is the one we can rely on.

We keep a large stock of the most popular items on hand so you can see them before you buy them! If we don't have it in stock, it's probably in our Portland warehouse! Bug Shields, Husky Floor Liners, Seat Covers, Dash Mats, Mud Flaps, Chrome Door Handles, PIAA Bulbs Wiper Blades, Bike Racks, Snow and Ski Racks, Cargo Carriers, Grilles, and Vent Visors,  Fender Flares, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis, Performance Chassis. To get the best Air Bags Firestone OR, Tailor Hitches, visit https://www.nwrb.com/

[sarakuper]

Mt. Hood & Portland, Oregon

Stops #10 & #11, Aug 9-13

For the fourth morning in a row we packed up and hit the road. We’ve been on the go go go ever since I got back from NY and we have been looking forward to settling into a spot and having some downtime.

I’ve noticed our travel days can be rough and Sean and I often get hangry (anger caused by hunger). I also learned that I really dislike shopping at Walmart, but damn it’s so cheap. Either way, we decided after this stop that we will no longer food shop there. With their low prices and ample space for parking a trailer we will see if we actually stick to that.

While en route to Mt. hood we also had to stop at an auto parts store because Sean wants to fix something that’s leaking in the truck. After several stops along the road we finally hit the last hour of our drive and a storm rolled in. We saw Mt. Hood in the distance hiding behind dark clouds. All of the sudden the sky is raging with lighting and thunder. It too another 10 minutes before the rain reached us, but when it did it hit hard. The lightning was far in the distance, but we had a clear view of it. And damn, there were some epic lighting strikes. Jaxon was hiding in the back seat as best as he could, squeezing himself behind the bottom of his dad’s seat as much as possible. He’s such a daddy’s boy 😝

When we arrived at our camp spot we nestled ourselves in between the trees and scoped out the rest of the grounds. This camping spot is beautiful, but sadly there are signs warning of closures because too many people leave trash behind and don’t dispose of their waste properly. You have to bury your poops 6 inches deep, at least! And always pack out your trash. It’s a shame that people don’t follow these protocols. Anyway, I made quesadillas on the first night and they actually came out so yummy! One of the things we bought was a rotisserie chicken and we spent 5 minutes shredding it to keep in a container so we could add it to any meal. Why didn’t we think of this earlier? It’s so convenient and also so tasty!

The next morning Alexis and Dou (Mamadou) arrived to camp with us for the next three nights. I spent the morning cleaning the camper and Sean worked on the car. We are so excited to have company to be able to socialize with people other than each other. Unfortunately, just before they came, water fell off the awning of our trailer and right into my lap as I was working on my laptop. I put rice on the keyboard and as per google’s suggestion, leave it off for 48 hours. For this reason I’m super happy we have internet at this campsite... Once Alexis and Dou arrived I taught them how to play kaluche while Sean worked on the truck. Man, I forgot how slow this game moves when you play with people just learning. It reminded me how much I sometimes hate this game 😂.

Later in the evening we hiked over to Trillium Lake, about 1 mile from our campsite, to fish and relax on the water. Dou had never fished before and was so pumped to, even though him and Sean got no bites. I guess the Kuper curse follows me around! Everyone else around us was catching fish left and right...

The night ended with lots of food, snacks, and kaluche until we all fell asleep. We planned to spend the next day in Portland, and that’s exactly what we did.

Portland is such a cool city! We were all impressed and fantasized about moving there. It was way more diverse than I expected and while I could tell it’s similar to Denver in that it’s changed a lot in the last 5 years while several more people were moving there, it was also clear that it’s managed to keep its originality. After a very fattening brunch we headed to the weekend market where we shopped, people watched, and ate some more. I accidentally left my camera in the trailer back at our campsite, so I was only able to capture some moments with my phone.

At the market I got a henna tattoo from an awesome lady named Aisha. I chose an elephant because I cant get those majestic creatures off my mind ever since Africa!

We watched some live music, drank smoothies, and even ate ice cream stuffed donuts. Alexis kept saying how full she was but would then eat more. Preggo life.

Coincidentally my cousin Jesse from NY was also in Portland with his wife Kristen and kid Owen! We met up with them in the late afternoon to catch up.

That night Alexis and Dou made us some quesadillas as we hung out and just laughed a lot.

The next morning we did not wake up early like we said we would for a hike. Instead of setting an alarm like we planned we woke up whenever our bodies felt like getting up and slowly made our way to the trailhead. Tom Dick and Harry Mountain trail was 9 miles out and back with 1,700 feet elevation gain, and the views were beautiful!

If you haven’t noticed yet, Alexis and Dou are expecting a baby in Jan and so I encouraged us to feel her belly in pictures. Sean opted out 😅

When we got back to our site it had finally been over 48 hours since I started letting my MacBook dry out, and so I tried turning it in. Big mistake. I learned later that only fried more parts inside. That time it turned on, but the display was busted. After that it did not turn on again. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been super bummed about this ever since it happened. I feel like my computer is my outlet for so many things. It holds about 20,000 photos currently, at least half of those are from my childhood. It’s my way to download my photos in the highest quality now that I finally bought a DSLR camera, and using tumblr has been like writing a journal- reflecting on everything and showing everyone makes me feel good. And now I don’t have my laptop to do that with. It’s not the same from my phone for so many reasons. So yeah, I’ve been pretty moody. At this point I made the plan to bring my computer into a tech company that could fix it in Portland. We planned to drive through Portland to head to the coast anyway, but instead of heading north along the coast into Washington, we will now have to go back to Portland to pick my laptop back up, and hopefully fixed. 

Anyway, it was so great to have Alexis and Dou with us, the four of us got along great... but also Sean and Dou have the cutest bromance. Anyway, they loved the camper trailer living and are thinking about getting one for their little fam. I can’t wait until that baby comes too!! They will have such beautiful mixed babies, me and Sam (our other bestie) have been waiting for this to happen for a while! Also I cannot get over Alexis pregnant. She is so small and yet so large. I even took a selfie with her belly 😍

Thanks for reading, love you all. 

[tessatechaitea]

Black Condor #1

After this caption, I'm going to pretend that I didn't buy this comic book because this guy looks fucking hot.

If there was a Comics Code Authority symbol on the front, why then am I now sporting a boner?

After getting his powers of flight, Black Condor decides he's not going to use his amazing new power that is super unique and totally worth two hundred years of painstaking research and sacrifice for his grandfather or his grandfather's organization (called The Society, I think. Even though the building really just looked like S.T.A.R. Labs). Also, he's probably going to destroy them. The one thing I think I remember about this book is that Black Condor operates out of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. I don't remember if he battles the Jersey Devil though. He'd better! Glancing at the cover to Issue #2, I see he battles the Sky Pirate. Don't tell me you don't know who the Sky Pirate is! Because I was just going to ask you who he is and I don't want to be disappointed when you shrug and say, "Who the fuck knows?" Oh, I remembered another thing about this comic book as I was reading the part with the bad guys escaping into the Pine Barrens: Black Condor is a reluctant hero! That doesn't mean these bank robbers are going to get away with their crime. It just means Black Condor is going to punch them in the face while sighing and saying things like, "I didn't ask for this!" and "Stupid great power bringing stupid great responsibility!" Intermission time: here's a fun game from Wyler's, the company nobody remembers:

I could only find one thing wrong: the fact that this kid gives a shit about baseball.

A reluctant park ranger, bored out of his mind while lazily searching for some missing campers, hears about the bank robbers and thinks, "I'm having enough trouble today! I hope I don't get mixed up in this!" Which is completely the wrong thing to think when you're in a comic book. Idiot. He instantly gets mixed up in it.

Ugh. Empathic sense must be the worst super power for a reluctant hero.

Black Condor's empathic sense leads him to the two missing campers. They're a bickering couple that I'm sure he'd rather leave to die in the woods. But he's a hero, even if only reluctantly. So he has to help them find their way back to camp. And after doing so, that means in nine pages, Black Condor did more heroic and selfless things than the Teen Titans in one hundred and twenty issues! Maybe that's why I kept buying this series. I was super impressed by how good this guy was at his job. Black Condor stops by the Park Rangers Office to check on his friend Ned but discovers he hasn't checked in for a bit. That's because Ned was kidnapped by the bad guys because they needed his truck. The person who tells Black Condor that Ned hasn't checked in is Eileen, a woman who just ruined her underpants with her love honey. At least I'm assuming she did because look at that chest.

She's thinking of a way to accidentally suck his cock.

Look, if two people walking down the street can somehow accidentally get one person's chocolate bar in another weird idiot's open jar of peanut butter then I'm certain it's possible for a dick to accidentally get sucked in much the same way. Excuse me. I'm off to go jerk off to Reese's commercials on YouTube. BRB! Look at that picture of Eileen again. It might be another Wyler's advertisement: "Can you find the two hermit crabs hiding in Eileen's skull?" Ned's truck ran out of gas and now the bad guys are stuck in the Pine Barrens where they're terrified of being ass raped by the Jersey Devil. This comic book was written in 1992 so they didn't know it wasn't a great idea to mention rape in a comic book. Also, they didn't mention it but I'm writing about this comic as if it were 1992 so I don't know any better right now which is why I imagined they brought it up. Also if you check Wikipedia after I get around to editing it, you'll find that the Jersey Devil totally loves to rape the asses of hikers. Anyway, it was nice knowing you, people who followed me after Gail Simone reblogged my Scarab #7 review! I'm sorry I was problematic! I try so hard not to be and then WHAM, my stupid brain goes, "Hey! This is funny!" And then my brain also says, "That's not funny and even if it was, it's not funny enough to deal with the backlash, brain. Maybe say the Jersey Devil likes to give purple nurples!" But then my brain replies by saying, "Oh, go ahead! It's not like you're ever going to enter politics anyway! Besides, you once wrote that terrible story about A Dolphin's Tale 2 or 3 that's super gross!" Then my brain poked my brain with its brain finger and said, "It was not! You take that back! That was satire!" And then I lost my place and I forgot which brain was on which side so my brain just said, "Satire is dead, idiot. Even if smart people understand who you're really making fun of in the satirical piece, the stupid idiots you're making fun of will just think you're agreeing with them! It's just not fucking worth it, brain." Then my penis said, "Hey brain, have you watched a Reese's commercial while imagining the chocolate bar was a penis and the open jar of peanut butter was a butthole?" And then my brain was all, "What? That sounds awesome. I'll delete the stupid rape thing after we watch some commercials." Then I watched some commercials. So, now that I'm back from my nap, where was I?! I think I was going to do something? Oh, probably finish reading this comic book!

Oh look! They are worried about getting butt raped by the Jersey Devil! Grandmaster Comic Book Reader!

What's really weird is that nobody had even mentioned the Jersey Devil when I wrote that they were scared of it. I'm so good at reading comics! Man, I wish I was good at something that mattered! Like finger banging! The lead bad guy shoots one of the other bad guys because every story about bad guys is basically a Coen Brothers movie. Black Conder hears the gunshots and thinks, "Ned!" I wonder if Black Condor is in love with Ned? I was hoping he'd be in love with Eileen, especially after I mentioned her love honey. I sort of developed a crush on her after I imagined her soaking wet underpants. Is that weird or is that why so much fanfic exists on the Internet? Black Condor arrives to save Ned and the female hostage and the bad guys suddenly believe the Jersey Devil has arrived to do some untoward things to them! Really untoward even! Luckily it's just Black Condor, reluctant hero, and heroes don't do untoward things! Now that I've said untoward three times (four times!), I'm hoping I used it correctly. It doesn't even sound like a word anymore. Black Condor saves Ned and captures the bad guys by using his "blow up a gun with his mind" power. That's a great power if a little specific. Maybe he can do that with other things too! I don't know how that fits into the whole condor theme. Maybe I just don't know as much about condors as I thought I did. Or maybe I need to update the condor Wikipedia page: "Condors can blow up guns with their minds, if they've recently filled their belly with love honey." Black Condor #1 Rating: B. This was a really solid if a bit uninspiring start to this series. I guess I can see why I kept buying it. The guy has a great look, sleek and sexy. Plus he's heroic in the way the Teen Titans never were. And he's mysterious! The art was a bit weird at times but that weirdness also created some really striking panels. I might read it now and think it's uninspiring but putting it up against a lot of other comic books I've reviewed on this blog, it would probably be a solid A on story telling and character development alone. Plus, I mean, he stopped some baddies! I was like, "DC heroes are allowed to do that?! What a revelation!" Anyway, that's all. I'm going to go walk around Portland with an open jar of peanut butter now.

[fourwheelcampers]

ATTN: PORTLAND CUSTOMERS Did you know we have a new camper dealer in Beaverton, Oregon? We do! They are called 10-40 Overland and will be attending (displaying campers) at the Big Fall RV Show at the Portland Expo Center this week/weekend. (Sept. 13th - 16th, 2018). If you might be in the area and want to see some pop-up truck campers, please stop by and say hello. They will be offering some small show specials for any new camper orders placed at the show. Hope to see you there. . Show Details: . https://www.pdxrvshow.com/show-information/ #fourwheelcampers @fourwheelcampers #1040overland (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnme_bcBfa4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xoaaf6c0nsc8

[carsai-precisionparts]

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[susanhaley1111]

Sunday 8/29 Fairview to Philomath 100 miles

We made it!!! About 3 miles from their house the truck went into "limp mode" and then wouldn't move at all on a hill. WTF. The transmission fluid was low and hot. Dana had some fluid, filled it and after several attempts, got us going.

Andrew and the kids met us at the end of the end of the driveway. So cute!!

Portland still has issues with protests and many homeless encampment. Also noticed graffiti everywhere.

Andrew and Kori have a lovely property. We were able to park on one side of the circular driveway. Dana and Andrew spent a few hours getting power to the camper. It was quite warm in the afternoon so nice to get som AC going.

They have blackberries everywhere. Also apple, pear and tiny plum trees. By evening a doe and her 2 babies were out in the field. We saw lots of deer poop in the field. This will be a fun place to spend a few weeks.

[inyourbestwriting]

We’ve been back a week today, but I thought I’d share some highlights from our family trip to Oregon.

It’s the most wonderful state, so beautiful, laid-back and friendly. I’d totally forgotten our recent obsession with Wild Wild County, (an armchair trip of many sorts in itself which I would highly recommend) which added a whole new dimension to my appreciation for being there. No Rajneeshees remain, but Oregon delivers in many other ways. 

We started in Portland. Things I had heard about Portland before we left: coffee, rain, donuts, hipsters. We had no rain but plenty of the other three. The Willamette River runs through the centre of the city which itself is actually very industrial. Countless steel bridges criss-cross the Willamette joining east and west. It went through a growth explosion in the 1840s, to the extent that tree stumps were left in situ until manpower could be spared to remove them. Hence the name Stumptown, which I learned thanks to the coffee roasters who use the same one.

If I could use three words to describe Portland, it would be industrial but human. Despite its brick-and-steel landscape, it’s super duper friendly and with a very strong sense of itself. It doesn’t seem to shout about it, and just gets on with its Portland business happily unto itself. We loved it. 

Zair and Bella’s highlights would be 1. The bike ride we took along the river (with the two of them sharing a little wagon pulled along by Sami). 2. Our trip to Voodoo Donuts which is a dream come true whether you’re one year old or Homer Simpson. Bella chose to eat hers by taking her face to the donut, and not vice versa. Finally, 3. Exploring the many floors of Powell’s City of Books, where we each got to choose one book (and sit on the floor reading a hundred more). It’s enormous, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, one of the sales assistants writes down the section and row on a slip of purple paper and sends you off on a treasure hunt.

Mei, our lovely friend and sometimes-babysitter joined us as she has friends there. Her highlights would be the coffee, of which she returned with her bodyweight, the pie, and the bikes. 

Sami and I loved how friendly it was. Thanks to Mei, he and I got to go out for dinner one night to a place called Ava Gene’s, where we ate as many wonderful things that tasted of summer as we could. Corn! Peaches! Tomatoes! I’m so glad we did because all I’ve heard this week are the end-of-summer doom-mongers telling me it’s nearly over. 

Following Portland, we drove down to Bend. It’s a little town in an area of the state called the High Desert, and it also has a river running through it, this time the Deschutes. It’s very green and also very, very friendly. We stayed in a little house next to which lived a couple called Ben and Maeve, who - as well as deer (“reindeerd”) - in their garden, had a treehouse, a chicken named Pepper and the most incredibly preserved 70′s Apollo camper van, complete with shagpile carpet, integrated bar cabinet and full pop-up, light-up vanity unit for getting ready on those special camping nights. 

One afternoon we floated slowly down the river on huge rings. Zair lay peacefully on top of Sami while Bella tried everything she could think of to get into the water. We (I) drank more coffee and ate more Ocean Rolls than were good for me from the Sparrow Bakery. Sami and I managed a morning hike along the creek near the Tomalo Falls. (Next time - and I’m sure they will be one - we’ll go to Crater Lake and Cannon Beach, for a Goonies fix. Also, I’d love to see it all in winter). Mei spent an afternoon on a bike she’d hired and came back happy and very hungry.  

We visited some of their twenty two (!) breweries, which were all super easy-breezy and child-friendly, especially the Crux Fermentation Project, which has a great big outside space for food trucks and playing, where Zair made more friends in an hour and a half than I think I have in my life.

Finally, we took the kids for the inaugural family trip to IHOP one morning, where Zair chose the birthday cake pancakes for the sprinkles, and as I already mentioned, visited Blockbuster. Baby Bella got sick and had to see a doctor, who I’m pleased to report are even friendlier than your other average Bend residents. 

Ten out of ten for Oregon!

[vivaeltaco]

Crater Lake & Regina’s Birthday!!

Our next stop was the famous Crater Lake, known for its size and volcanic activity, we were excited to check it out! We arrived late in the afternoon after a long stretch of driving and checked into camper registration. We did a quick tour of the campground and decided that we still had enough daylight to check out the famous lodge and the lake itself! We drove over and we couldn’t believe how massive the lake was! (Of course, our pictures will do no justice) We found out that the national park service only allows their tour boats on the water and no kayaks or paddleboards are allowed. We were a little disappointed, but we decided to take advantage of the rest of the day with a short hike to the top of Watchman’s Tower, which the rangers use to spot and signal for forest fires. We had an incredible view of the park from up top. Our plan was to watch the sunset 🌅 and then make our way back to camp. One problem...sunset wasn’t for another 2 hours - FAIL. So we made our descent back to the truck and went back toward the lodge and at this point we were starving so we shared a bowl of clam chowder by a large fireplace and then back toward the campsite 🏕 We spent the night doing some cooking, cleaning, and even a little two stepping around the fire before we called it a night.

In the morning, we quickly got ready and set out with our bikes for a ride around the lake. The total distance around is about 32 miles so this would be no easy trek and to add to it all, it’s uphill both ways so no matter what, it’ll be an insanely tough ride. After powering through the first 6 miles (mostly uphill), we pressed on and slowly but surely made our way around the giant lake. Everyone who was on a bike were using road bikes, while we only had our mountain bikes with us which made it more difficult. Thankfully, the down hill slopes were worth it and at one point we even hit 32 mph 😬 After 3 hours and 42 minutes (but who’s counting 😉), we finally made it back to the original parking lot and rewarded ourselves with a Powerade. We kept our 👀 out for bears 🐻 but never saw any unfortunately. Our plan for after was to hike to the bottom of the cliffs and get into the water, but unfortunately the rain was coming in so we made our way out of Crater Lake National Park and up towards Salem, Oregon close to Portland for the night.

After arriving in Salem, we got a much needed shower at our Airbnb and set out to explore the little town. We stopped off at Vagabond Brewery, shared a couple $2 tacos, washed it down with a beer and set back toward the Airbnb for the night. We also did 2 sets of laundry which was a huge help since we were running out of clean clothes by this point. We spent the rest of the night eating some ice cream and watching “The Lobster” on Netflix before passing out. In the morning, we were off to Portland!

[toddlazarski]

A Definitive Taco Truck Tour

Shepherd Express

Before 2010, when The Fast Foodie trademarked the name “Globaco” in some kind of full shark-jumping signifier of the epochal food truck wars, and long before today’s scene of the Zocalo food truck park, complete with the backing of real estate developers and an “incubator” program; before food truck festivals, Food Truck Friday, Food Truck Thursday, Takeout Tuesday, changing locations necessitating hungers be equipped with GPS-capabilities, before $12 crepes, $5 mushroom tacos, takeovers, residencies, Food Network validation, before the food truck was a hip wedding menu option—almost all somehow worth it, all ridiculous but inevitable, overdone but delicious—there was the taco truck.  

Really since, probably, 1974. That is when Raul Martinez converted an ice cream truck into King Taco and parked it outside of an L.A. bar. Lines formed, a legend was born, offshoots ensued, and it was a first step toward fixed, consistent locations. A metaphorical flag seemed planted. The dawn of an era, certainly, but really it was but the next step in a lineage that flows organically, pragmatically, from roaming street tamale vendors that date to as early as the late 1800’s. Also, more simply, from lunch carts at construction sites. Any time humans move, mass, and build, portable kitchens will surely follow. Today, in an era of mobile offerings listing the likes of Mochaccino cupcakes, how much said kitchens choose to raise their fists in culinary challenge to brick-and-mortars really just seems a matter of ambition and philosophy.  

But a quest for such bygone spots is not just an act of nostalgia. It’s far from slumming or the loaded, problematic idea of authenticity. It’s a harkening of a simpler time, before we gussied menus and overshadowed the farmers at farmers markets with lines for $8 waffles, before mobile grilled cheeses required “Cedar Valley 2 Year Aged Cheddar,” before what Ta-Nehisi Coates, in a skeptical essay penned in the Atlantic in 2010, termed with some derision, “nuevo-food trucks.” 

If you know where to look, when to stop, how to navigate crinkly handwritten placards of exotic sounding mouth meats and such, can make yourself heard over grumbling generators attached to rickety Freightliners, glimpses of this old world still abound. Quick, cheap, consistent, doused in multiple salsas, chased with frigid Jarritos, this is a pursuit of no-frills, flavorful, long-stewed quick meal. You don’t have to live every moment like it’s a beer commercial afterall, with an Instagrammable converted camper, with clever alliteration names, hyper-specification, like it was Austin, like it was Portland, pesky cities of smug overachieving and some oblique pursuit of “weirdness.” Sometimes you just want a taco. Through a hungry and thorough survey of Milwaukee summer streets, these are your best bets for such movable feasts. 

12. El Charrito

Some slithery cooked onions and half of a huge charred jalapeño side a taco plate—the only real indicator this is anything but standard, cheap workaday Mexican fare. But that might very well be what you’re after, especially after shopping at the never-ending Restaurant Depot, or cranking on the sprawling hard hat site that is the new Michels Corp development that one of the four El Charrito’s sits beside. If so the pastor is a satisfyingly seasoned pork filling, tender and mostly drowning in blood red adobo-rich sauce. The asada might land on the dry side, but that actually makes it rightly fit for salsa water-falling. A chorizo torta, with not quite crisped but not too greasy meat, is a big-hearted lunchtime bomb of a sandwich just this side of nap-inducing, held together precariously by a griddled bolillo roll, souled up with the usual filler of cream, lettuce, tomato. Side anything with the special stewy charro beans—pintos in a smoky, soupy broth—to fill out a full appetite. Otherwise it is limited-menu, no-frills starter platter fare starring prominently two-buck, double corn tortilla tacos, packed with the salty meatstuff of your preference, peaked with heaps of onion and cilantro, sided by exactly the well-executed baseline taco truck spirit that flattops-on-wheels should always embody. 

11. Tacos El Amigo

Perhaps as a nod to the neighborhood’s encroaching condo sprawl the menu here sports the likes of nachos, wings, pulled pork, other Philly sandwich type stuffs. Also, perhaps in protest, the dark truck appears in raggedy, noisy form, the service comes sans smile, and the vibe is that of the Black Hat character on the 1st and National scene.     

Skip the drunk college kid fare, also the singular allure of what proves to be a docile shrimp taco. Rather the milanesa torta hits all pleasure points for a quick lunch or a hunger-necessitating buzz from too many nearby craft cocktails. Inside the pale, soft bolillo roll, breaded, lightly fried chicken cutlet hunks form a well-rounded flavor squad with pinto beans, avocado, mayo, and melty queso. Or try the pastor, which is tender and scooped in smoky hunks that are a bit sweet, minimally saucy. There is also the always helpful campechano - a taco filling combo of the eater’s own calculus, for those who can’t decide. Chorizo and asada is a personal favorite. But they even have hot dog on the meat list here, so a choose-your-own adventure might be endless.  

10. Taqueria Buenavista 

Despite consistency woes, and worse, a reliance on lettuce-and-tomato taco topping sacrilege, this rolling outpost of the ‘Stallis taqueria deserves much matchmaker credit for my introduction to this verde salsa, a comforting friend now oft-found about the southside taqueria scene. The emulsified sauce is a spicy viscous goo: part oil, part cream, plenty of green pepper capsaicin zing, and a whole lot of soul. It can perform the soft miracle of making dry pollo good, or further enhance a stew-y birria that is by itself a saucy hangover comfort blanket. Really anything at the spot—regularly stopped suggestively outside of the Piggly Wiggly, seemingly nudging, prodding, asking: “why cook yourself?”—is mostly canvas for the bite-back salsa.  

9. Las 7 Estrellas

Even an unabiding love for the singular offering of albondigas couldn’t sell me on any exceptionalism at the brick-and-mortar branch of this new-ish Bay View spot. Then the truck popped up nearby, and seemed aggressively approximate to Buenavista—a decidedly unchill encroachment of competition. Nonetheless, there is our local Home Depot, and there are Saturday to-do lists, and there is a unique “order ready” system that finds a siren wailing once your number is up. Ringing like Pavlov’s perro, it is an indicator that it’s time to get your fingers greasy, the cuticles a bit burnt, especially by way of pambazo. This is a soft-bunned bruiser of a sandwich, the bread of which is dunked in fire-y hot sauce, griddled, and then lined reasonably with meat, lettuce, crema. The salty chorizo, or a saucy, pineapple-flecked pastor are ideal.    

Or there is tripa, cabeza, lengua—more proletariat cuts for less Americanized palates. No matter the filling, the bun will bleed delicious salsa onto your fingers, staining skin, implicating eaters, making it obvious you did more than make a productive run for yard work supplies.

8. Taqueria El Paso

The good guy in the white vs. black hat rivalry in the 1st and National zone of moving taco trucks, El Paso belies it’s mildly racist caricature—brown skinned man in a sombrero and pancho, holding a burrito, grinning under a mustache amongst desert and cactuses—with smiles, a welcome picnic table, and even friendlier meat cuts. Look no further than the alambre. It’s a gargantuan two-meal styrofoam plate of melty queso, variably crisped asada bits, salty, suggestive bacon hunks, onions and peppers, and beefy, grounded flavor scoops for personal taco crafting. Spike it with the spark plug orange-red salsa, which also works well with a dry, salty, scrappy take on pastor. 

Bold, or, possibly too-drunk Walker’s Point feasters might combine these two and venture a stomach for the El Paso Special: steak, pork, bacon, onions, peppers, mushrooms, cheese, pineapple. It is basically like an alambre on steroids, which is a dish that is already itself like a Mexican skillet on HGH. Maybe American obesity is a bit inspired afterall.  

7. El Tapatio

Speaking of American appetites, a white person order, the Taco Bell-ification of our view of Mexican cuisine, the oft-called “gringa” is a popular truck option mistakenly easy to sleep on. It’s basically a quesadilla—a large, griddled flour tortilla, lined with gooing cheese and whichever meatstuff. Simple, basic, here it is the everything you want in one bite, especially with the asada. Deep, greasy, fatty grilled steak flavor, aggressively chopped, almost pulled, sticks and makes close friends with half-soft queso. Smoky rojo elevates it well beyond the realm of packaged ‘Fire’ sauce and into something that reeks of an old country. The same can be said about the pastor, another in the line of adobo-seasoned pork offerings, one with murmurs and rumors of pineapple, something sweet, something smoky, chopped and sauced to the point of making salsa optional, the taco package happily sassy as is. It’s maybe the best such version around, and is offered generously, heaping. 

It’s a truck along the lines of Charrito—in fact they also have 4 roaming kitchens about town, and a minimal menu. But you can tell by the milling eaters huddled across the street from Koz’s: these are the basics cooked slowly, carefully, everything seemingly done, welcomely, much better than it has to be. 

6. La Mazorca 

Sometime early next summer, when the troves of “Actually, Milwaukee’s Not So Bad” headlines make their way through the national press to preview how to spend time here during the DNC, there will certainly be an article fronted by a picture of Mazorca, the entirety of the new Zocalo food truck park. Perched against not-quite gentrification—the shell of Camacho’s bar and a discarded sidewalk syringe loomed over a recent Sunday afternoon visit—it is still adorably cutesy, the taco truck made for Instagram. It’s almost worth an eye-roll. As a tree grows in Brooklyn, so a food truck grows in a gentrifying warehouse district. The tacos themselves also come overly-crafted, like a contoured Mexican experience: the pastor is pre-topped with avocado cilantro salsa, the birria with pickled red onions, the bistec is marinated in “Wisconsin beer” and topped with pintos and tomatillo salsa. It’s a tad unfortunate, a bit prefab-feeling. Especially as the two fire-colored squirt bottles of salsa and endless to-go containers pack so much arbol sizzle, creamy piquant buzz.

It’s also not that unfortunate, because said tacos are indeed bursting with vitality, high-end flavor. The pastor especially oozes with adobo essence and juicy grilled-ness, the birria is a perfect texture template for an overly avuncular orange salsa pour, the steak strips are smartly seasoned and thin and unimpeachably beefy. 

On a true crawl of southside streets, amidst grime and espanol-only ordering, a trek here can seem like selling out, like going Pirates of the Caribbean. But then you walk out, past the patio lights and bumping “Wonderwall,” and realize you’re sucking air, craving water, and wondering why your mouth is still on fire. Serious tacos come in many backdrops. 

5. El Comedor

The on-paper listing of the aptly named Torta Suprema here is absurdly gluttonous, borderline-stunt-ish: ham, mozzarella, chorizo, milanesa. That’s not a choice of meat types, it is the lineup. Additionally, unannounced, coming off the bench, there are refried beans. Then you see it, scoop it, can’t stop. And you realize it’s actually an exercise in restraint, with thin, minimal layers of each ingredient laid carefully atop one another, all beautifully constructed for integrity, neatness, consistency, the whole beast cut in half for easy, no-fallout management. Of course it is still absurdly gluttonous. It is two kinds of pig—crumbly, greasy chorizo and fatty golden ham slices, with chicken—golden-fried strips of barely-breaded breast, all tied together with stretchy, melty virgin-white mozzarella gliding throughout, every bite contrasting soft and crisp, as the fluffy bolillo has been gently charred both inside and out, and lined with mayo, lettuce, tomato.  

There’s, also, somehow, a Cubano, the same sandwich with American cheese and turkey added to the fertile fray. And, according to handwritten cardboard signs, there are occasional special mole offerings. But Comedor is definitely, foremost, the rolling torta king, the truck on 13th and Hayes good enough to make it forgettable that their brick-and-mortar big brother is mostly known for its pastor. Which, when you try it here, is a succulent, juice-running, half-crispy shimmering pork take, delicious and welcoming of fiery red or fresh green salsa. No matter though, the most important impression you’re taking away is really that other half of torta, for the fridge, and then for a brilliant late-night snack. 

4. La Flamita

 Flamita might serve the greasiest chorizo around, the finest, tiniest dice of any meat on any menu, and the most over-stuffed of all taco truck tacos. There’s also a big, bad alambre— an asada, bacon, cheese, pepper, onion melange of heft and farmland machismo.   

But, on Sundays, between 3pm and midnight, when pastor tacos are $1, when the crowds gather, when the knives are being sharpened by big laughing men glimpsed through the little window, it’s trompo time on 20th and National. It’s the only time of the week they use the vertical spit of Lebanese, Greek, Turkish descent. As if coming to life for everyone else’s day of rest, it wields slithery wedges of reddish-brown and amber, the half-charred pig flavor dribbling juice, the tacos decked with huge wedges of pineapple, splashed liberally with onion and cilantro. 

Some bites come on like bacon, some like semi-fatty shoulder, taste profiles bounce between rich, fruity, bracing, and, if you’re doing it right with the orange sauce, tingly and blood-flowing. They are little six-bite nuggets of life affirmation, pillowed by double corn layers, gleaned for less than it costs to park downtown for an hour-and-a-half. 

3. Marta’s Tamales

There is no way to half-ass tamales. A labor-intensive dish of corn husks, steam, and up-at-dawn love, it would be like your doctor just sort-of practicing medicine. That’s why if it’s in the name, if it is in the taco-slinging game, there’s certainly legit pedigree. So it is with the Christmas-lighted truck on Cesar Chavez, amidst the cacophonous intersection by El Rey. You can tell the seriousness from the crumbly, heavily seasoned, ground-beefy asada, from an inspired, neatly shredded, soupy barbacoa, rich with faraway spices and earthy, funky sweet-savory balance. Big appetites and food pic takers will be drawn to the pambazo. The chorizo and potato mix is especially hearty, filling, crisped with lettuce wedges, the entire drowned-roll concoction crowned with a sea of crema and a little mountain of crumbly cotija. It’s a sandwich basking in photo op. Then there are elotes—the favorite Mexican street dish of corn smeared in mayo, cream, cheese and spicy pepper seasoning—served either on the cob, or, for those dainty or with a too-nice-an-interior to spill queso, in a dish.   

And what of those tamales? Bulbous and piping hot, try the puerco, which is tender pale chunks chock with a potent red-hot chile pepper mash. It is 2-buck brilliance. And somehow almost an afterthought.

2. La Guelaguetza

Rick Bayless once famously opined that the best taquerias are those attached to grocery stores. So it would follow that Guelaguetza, it’s extra long frame situated outside El Rey at 13th and Burnham, is a natural extension, a vomitorium, if you will, of the always-bustling, teeming, slightly-stressful emporium of meats, seasonings, breads, and everything that you could possibly imagine inside. Pig’s feet? Yes. Jewelry? It’s by the checkout counter. Take, for example, the fact that a recent trek found radishes and fresh cucumber offered along the counter salsa bar. Like they belong to a CSA and aren’t sure what to do with all their extra stuff. Sometimes though, there is a downright ferocious onion-habenero pickled mix. In a world of menu repetition, it’s such small touches that add up, that get you a top-2 ranking. It helps that they have a trompo, one of the very few in town. This spit yields pale, red-hued chopped pork scraps, a touch fatty but beautiful, with whiffs of adobo-seasoning, maybe cinnamon, something bright and sweet and indefinable in each balanced bite. There is also a deep-stewed, earthy barbocoa, with intense, unrelenting beefiness. There are, maybe, if you know how to ask, homemade tortillas. And, of course, there is an alambre. It is best as a piping, queso-gooey gumbo of steak, chorizo, crumbly bacon bits, peppers, onions, and the subsequent happiest grease slither of DIY-taco mix possible. Or try try one of their specials that might team ham with pastor. Either way it’s sided by a baked potato, seemingly as that something extra, to give the feel of going to grandma’s house, her wanting to show that she loves you very much, wants you to eat, and to get fat.  

1. Taqueria La Costena

There is a filter on Instagram—Nashville, Ludwig, whatever—that brightens, lightens, accentuates, makes pop all the colors and vividness of the happy summer days of life. The tlayuda here, once you pour some thick smoky rojo salsa atop, seems to exist in this doctored state of beauty all on its own: dazzling green avocado, pristine and pure crema, milky queso, sheeny tomato and lettuce flecks, the whole thing framed by they earthy tones of a griddled tortilla and pinto beans. Red, white, green, it looks like the Mexican flag, waving loudly, begging to be scooped, one triangle wedge at a time, folded like a NY-style slice, and devoured. Top it with perfect crumbly chorizo—like a little but ambitious cousin of piquant pepperoni—to complete the Mexican-pizza experience. It’s a destination-worthy dish. But really the fake-wood paneled, slant-roofed mini house is more, much more than just an adorable tlayuda outpost between St. Luke’s and the Domes. 

They also have a specific take on pastor: drier, but still liberally seasoned, small-diced, with half-blackened bits, the result yielding moist, just-grilled flavor that allows the meat itself to shine. The same can be said about the smoky, beefy barbocoa. Or even the asada—-so often rote, so often a shoulder-shrug of a meat offering, here is tender, juicy, and seems to fully reveal a careful hand at the flattop. It’s indicative of a subtle touch, a deft hand, offered with friendly delivery. Everything here is more than enough reason to stop the car while cruising 27th Street. It’s actually inspiration to get in the car, to get a car-meal, in the first place. 

[runsonsweetpotato]

wausau24

about a month ago, my teammate kayci and i were out mountain biking. this was a fun and new discipline for us both. someone asked if i would ever race. "never" i replied, "i want mtb to be just for fun". kayci gave me a look like she knew i was a lie...

...and i was a lie and a half. 

the day after, erica from half acre posted that she was looking for 2 ladies to complete here 4 person team for a 24 hour mtb race in wisconsin. kayci and i both saw this and immediately agreed to join. we had one bike between the two of us, but double the excitement and ignorance. we went to palos south of the city as much as we could. we rode friends bikes and my bike and any bikes we could. about a week before the race we decided we would share my bike. this worked out so well - we didnt even have to adjust seat height. 

wausau24 is a 24 hour mtb race in wausau, wisconsin (they have 6hr and 12hr options too). teams are made up of solo, 2, or 4 riders for each of the distances. the day before the race we packed ericas car and headed out. kayci was about a week off of a beautiful ride from seattle to portland and i was a week off of intelligentsia cup. we were both well rested and stoked. 

we arrived to a scene that looked like an overrun family barbeque. campers and trailers and tents and popups and holes dug for fires and dogs, so many doggos of so many variety. we hung out for a while then said goodnight. mid 50s is perfect sleeping weather. 

the race had a late start of 10a. breakfast from a food truck, then suit up. we decided erica would go first because of the mass start. she has the most mtb experience. she lined her bike up about 200m from the start and waited at the line. a hoard of people came barging out of the woods, grabbed their bikes, and took the fuck off. so cool. erica rolled in at about 1h25m and did an epic slide out onto her bum. she recovered, tagged my hand, and i was off.

the course started with some wide double track. the first few trail sections were flowy and smooth. a bit sandy and loose, but down and uphill berms made up for that. i ate it once and threw my front wheel out of alignment - but was able to fix it and keep going. i drew blood, shits happening. i met a lady named lynn who was doing the 24h solo. she was a steady and smooth rider. i followed her for a bit and mimicked her lines and movements. the course opened back up into double track for a while. i rode this part as hard as i could. next couple of trails were killer. rock garden after rock garden. they started with some roots and small rock clusters. then there was a sharp turn into a very long rock garden. i was super nervous about this but was able to get through about 30% of super technical stuff. never ashamed to walk when it got rough. after the rock garden, the last few trails had some roots, smaller gardens, and nice gritty gravel floor. this opened into double track again into the finish line. 1h24m. nice. now to wait...

megan and kayci crushed of course with a 1h34m and 1h31m laps respectively.

once they finished, we chatted about doing double laps. i felt as if i was just warmed up about 2/3 through the lap and doing a double may benefit times. kayci agreed. both of our next laps were doubles and both yielded faster times. my second lap i rode about 70% of the rock garden and kayci even did her double in the dark, which, damn girl.

[photo: erica chianese]

my night lap was decidedly our slowest as a team. i was really dreading it and super sleepy and unprepared when erica rolled in. this was a big mistake. the saving grace of this lap was a man named dave whom i followed for half of my time out there. he was doing 24h solo and didnt mind the company. we chugged along at a safe and reasonable pace. thank you dave.

after my night lap i went to sleep and woke up around 730. erica had just started her final lap, and to our surprise, we were only 8min behind first place. going into the evening laps were were in a big deficit, but had made up a lot of ground. we could have one more lap after erica. i wanted to do it.

erica rolled in a bit before 9a and i tore out of the transition zone. “how come you dont call me anymore” by prince was sung at full volume the majority of this lap. it soothed me. it evened my motions. this was my fastest lap at 1h20m.

we came in 2nd place in our category of 24hour 4 person female team and we are dang proud of it. this race threw us on our asses and challenged us in new ways. the technical ability required meant speed only got you so far. even if you had the power to lay it down, losing it on corners or grabbing brakes too often would mean sure loss of speed. this type of racing forces you to work on your relationship between you and your bike, not just your ability to ride it. as erica said, it got to be a dance - a conversation between you and you bike, and the land. ugh i think mtb racing is fun.

finish: 2nd place in team category

http://www.primetimetiming.com/2017/Wausau24/teamdetails.php?teamid=109