Let’s Go Explore
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
February 27, 2016 9:58am CST
An interesting thing happened at my physical therapy appointment yesterday. I found a new hobby. When it was my turn to be seen, I was greeted by my therapist who asked, “How are you?” I replied, “I’m hungry.” Since he was expecting me to tell him something about the injuries he was treating me for, we both laughed.
But during the discussion that took place, we each complained that we cannot find a Tony Roma (BBQ) restaurant anymore. I said I really felt like eating BBQ. He asked about Lucille’s, but I find their food too full of black pepper. He then pointed out that there is a BBQ place called Bad to the Bone nearby. He even drew me a map on the back of the sheet containing the new exercises that he gave me.
The place wasn’t as close to the therapist’s office as he had seemed to imply, but I found it before I gave up looking. Not only was the food excellent, it was just the way I need it. They do not add extraneous ingredients. The menu said the pulled pork was just that, plus Carolina BBQ sauce. I asked the waitress if they added pickles, onions or ranch dressing to the sandwich. Nope. Just BBQ sauce and meat. It was fresh, perfectly cooked and tasted fabulous.
But eating BBQ is not my new hobby (although I will return to this location). This very homey place was in a terrific shopping center. It had style and class. It almost felt like a little village. I had no clue that it was there, less than twenty minutes from my house. What else am I missing? So I decided to become an explorer. Every Thursday, weather permitting, I am going to go out looking for fun places to frequent that I do not now know exist. I’ll ask people I know to make suggestions, like I received from my therapist yesterday.
How do you find interesting new places to explore? Or, do you just go back to the same old same old all the time?
26 people like this
26 responses
@Drosophila (16568)
• Ireland
27 Feb 16
I try to leave the country once a month... Ireland just gets too depressing other wise
5 people like this
@Drosophila (16568)
• Ireland
27 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace because travelling is still very cheap in EU? it cost me 40euro to fly to London next week. so ya, not breaking the bank :)
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
@Drosophila Wow. Perhaps that is because your area has shorter distances. I cannot even fly in my own state for that low of a price. It costs about $200 to fly from my local airport to San Francisco.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
How can you afford international travel so often, if you don't mind telling? Travel is so expensive now, not like before.
4 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
I think if people don't give me ideas, then I'll ask Siri. 
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Feb 16
I am sure there are many places around here that I didn't know existed. I've been hibernating since November. That BBQ sure sounds good.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace ...Sure. Hope you enjoy yourself out there.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
I did some hibernating due to my injuries in November. But I think I am ready to go have fun again, at least this type.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
I keep Tuesdays for socializing, Wednesdays for movies, Fridays appointments, Saturdays chores around the house and gardening for Sunday. This left Monday and Thursday, but Mondays are nuts on the road.
1 person likes this
I cannot believe it.I remember a great place for the ribs in Orland (FL), it was not Tony Roma, I think to remember that the name was Damon's.@LadyDuck (502190)
• Italy
28 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace There were plenty some years ago. It is true that many chain Restaurants have closed also here in Europe. Only those near the big cities are open now.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
@LadyDuck I think companies that expand to a large number of sites soon lose the plot. It is different to run a huge number than fewer. I wish they would have a few more than they do now, but at least I found a great local place.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
There are a few Tony Roma's left, but only a few, and they are close to LA. Stinks.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
27 Feb 16
How nice for you. I love little villages and found many when traveling in California. I usually find them on our go anywhere car rides, but have friends who tell me of new places they've discovered. I do have a few favorite spots which I visit whenever I can, both in CT and in FL.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
Now that this is a hobby, I'll ask all sorts of people.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
27 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace I usually do, but not always.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
But you have a town center. If I had one, that is where I would hang out.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
@Asylum I hope to find someplace to use the same way you do your town center.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
28 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace
It is fun going to new places and seeing what they have to offer.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
That us what I plan on doing. Glad it seems to work.
1 person likes this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
29 Feb 16
I usually go to restraunts that have a buffet, so that my husband and I have plenty of variety to chose from. We both have heath issue and have to watch we eat.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
I have food issues that rule out buffets. I am very sensitive to the bacteria that grows in food that sits for awhile.
@silvermist (19701)
• India
2 Mar 16
@ElizabethWallace It is nice that you came to know of a new place to explore from your therapist.I do usually go to new places,often suggested by other family members or friends.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
2 Mar 16
@ElizabethWallace Next week,I too have decided to check out a new restaurant here,which my son recommended.It has been some days since I went to one.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
3 Mar 16
@silvermist We have to treat ourselves from time to time.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
2 Mar 16
It's nice when other people share what they know. It makes it easier for us all.
1 person likes this
@KnehKnah (3582)
• Philippines
29 Feb 16
Wow, that BBQ sounds delicious!
Re, exploring a new resto or places to dropby. I like doing it too, given the strength, and not alone please. A nice stroll will do, with my dearly beloved (or a daughter).
And because we can't afford to spend on classy restos, a simple snack bar will make us happy already. There we can have a smoothie & maybe a tuna sandwich too. Quite apart from the usual rice with chopsuey toppings, etc.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
My strolling will almost always be alone. I live that way and family and friends are not nearby. My neighbors are not as friendly as I had hoped they would be when I moved here.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
How far away are other towns? Are they just a short drive, or a trek?
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
1 Mar 16
@JudyEv Wow. That is a ton of stuff to do. You are very centrally located. Good for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar 16
@ElizabethWallace There are at least 30 or so attractions within a 30 minute drive. This includes wineries, Gnomesville, several touristy towns, picnic areas and natural attractions. Bunbury is a city just half an hour away too and has a host of attractions of its own including a dolphin discovery centre, mangrove swamp, various museums and art galleries. The south-west corner of WA has more people and towns than the drier areas east and north.
2 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
1 Mar 16
@elizabethwallace How wonderful that you managed to find a perfect BBQ place, and that too not far from your residence. Well, my hubby and I try to catch up on some tips shared by the members at our local Community Center. Ant then of course, we look up on the internet to discover new places/restaurants to visit.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
1 Mar 16
I heard about a new place for organic produce near me from people in my writers' group.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
2 Mar 16
@Gabugs Yes, they told me that it is a great place. It's very close to me too.
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
2 Mar 16
@ElizabethWallace Organic? That sounds wonderfully heathful.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
27 Feb 16
That's a great idea. I bet you are going to have lots of fun with that. My husband and I as you know like to camp and fish so we do go to some of the same places over and over. What we try to do is visit one state park and lake that is new to us each trip. We live in a very small town surrounded by corn fields so we have pretty much covered our town both on foot and on bike.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Feb 16
My home is surrounded by homes, nothing interesting nearby, except the glorious Pacific Ocean. I do, however, like little quaint "villages" or Main Streets.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
28 Feb 16
@ElizabethWallace I do too, I can explore towns like that but first we have to drive to them. My town was established in 1834 so we have a downtown that has mostly very old buildings. As a matter of fact some years ago Tom Hanks did a movie that used a bank here in our town. The movie was called Road To Perdition. It was filmed in 2001 we moved here in 2002 but had been coming to this town to fish the river for many years before we moved here.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
@fishtiger58 California did not develop in the same way as Illinois. We really have very few towns with centers.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
Now that I have lots of time to do whatever I want, doing new things is on my to do list.
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Mar 16
It is sunny, blue sky, and warm in Calgary today! It is barbecue day! Actually, my son is outside barbecuing milkfish!
@garymarsh6 (23979)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 16
I think it is great that you are going to be adventurous and head out looking for new experiences. I like to try new places. That black pepper would suit me down to the ground I love black pepper and I am usually quite heavy handed with it.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
I like black pepper, but cannot tolerate a heavy hand.
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 Feb 16
You'll have to tell me where this place is. While my husband can no longer eat barbecue of any kind, it would be fun to know about this shopping center. Have you ever explored Balboa Island? It is pretty interesting, too. 
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
The center is in San Juan Capistrano, on Rancho Viejo Rd at Calle Arroyo. I've explored Balboa Island in the past. It is a tough walk, since parking is quite far (at least as I remember). It's also a little crowded, isn't it? I don't quite remember, but I do think it is really pretty.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Feb 16
I did lots of that when I took foreign language students to visit Europe.
