I’m very picky when it comes to Italian food - just ask Jess, Nat or Gary. If it’s not Sidoti made, don’t count on me to choose Italian food for dinner. So it was a big deal when I found some Italian food at Bove’s Italian Restaurant in Burlington that came close to my secret family recipe. I even texted my dad to let him know I found “gravy” that was close to his. Now, my dad’s is still the ultimate, and no one can, or will be able to beat it, I promise you that. However, it was quite a good alternative since I’d been on the road for awhile.

Also, as a big music lover, we got to rock the trifecta music night on our final night in Burlington. A soulful jazz vocalist and pianist serenaded us before we entered the holy land for Phish fans at Nectar’s (where the band got their start) with some funky reggae music. The night would not have been complete without some dancing, so Red Square more than satisfied our desired to throw down on the dance floor (Natalie was even challenged to a dance off. This goes without saying, but she won. No wait, she demolished her challenger).

Burlington surprised this energetic bunch of foodies and music lovers. 

If only we had more time to enjoy the city…

-Ben

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No… It’s Sauce Boy!

Rumors had been flying around our Mutual of Omaha trailer all day about the man, the myth, and the Italian chef legend: Mark Bove. This guy is so serious about his 3rd generation family-recipe sauces that the Burlington community dubbed him “Sauce Boy.” And although he did not arrive to the Airstream sporting an Italian cuisine-themed superhero cape and macaroni necklace like I had hoped, Mark did save the day by bearing generous gifts of sauces galore for the crew.

Red pepper sauce, marinara sauce, vodka sauce, wild mushroom and wine sauce, roasted garlic sauce and basil sauce (my favorite). Let me just say folks, the rumors are true. These sauces can make a styrofoam pool noodle taste good. Apparently even the Food Network caught wind of Vermont’s sauce celebrity and invited Mr. Bove to a throwdown with Bobby Flay! So take it from us… Bove’s restaurant is a must-taste while in BTV.

Sauce Boy, you’re my hero.
-Natalie

Chocolate Fudge Brownie: The three words that make my taste buds fire up like nothing else. 

The second we got into Burlington, Vermont I was scoping out the city because I wanted to know where the closest Ben and Jerry’s was at any moment. I even contemplated a 30 minute taxi ride to the factory so I could make it to the iced cream mecca of the world. I’m sad to say that I only ate (or should I say devoured) Ben and Jerry’s once while when I was Burlington, but it was by far the best iced cream I’ve ever had. I was in all my glory.  

I was also searching for someone named Jerry to help me complete the iconic duo, but while we were setting the up the Mutual of Omaha Airstream, we realized that Ben and Gary had an even nicer ring to it, so watch out Ben and Jerry - you may have some fierce competition. Gary and I are a powerful team of iced cream connoisseurs and one liners. 

Still craving more, 

-Ben

I’m a sucker for “the magic” of a new setting. When the lighting falls just right (dawn or dusk) and I’m surrounded by a breathtaking view (in this case, Lake Champlain), my heart flutters with the adventure of wondering “is this real?” I feel like the explorer who first discovered Tahiti or a beautiful island off the coast of Italy. 

Enter: Burlington, Vt. 

I had never been to Vermont and to be frank, all I could think of was maple syrup. But the moment all 6 wheels of the Mutual of Omaha Airstream slid to a halt in downtown “BTV,” I was in love. It was like the sister city to my own hometown of Athens, Ga—the older sister who sat at the edge of a massive body of water. To top it all off our first stop was The Farmhouse, a Church Street eatery and watering hole known for its local offerings… 

So here we are sitting outside, giddier than a first date, feeling like we had just discovered the secret gem of America.

Has anyone else ever felt this way about a new town?

Jess