Sunday, February 8, 2015

The 100 mile piece of cheese.

Yesterday was my birthday and I was determined not to remain in the cabin and let some flurries keep me there. I had woke up and had a hankering for a piece of cheese, not any cheese but a good hunk of cheddar, not any cheddar but the fine cheddar from the Granville Country Store. The store is located in Granville Massachusetts which is about 50 plus miles one way from home. The ride is a beautiful one under normal circumstances but yesterday it was snowing and some places it was a white out. This was my day and my craving so nothing was going to stop me.

As we moved along the winding roads I stopped to take a few photos. Some of the streams that I fish were almost completely covered in thick ice as well as snow. We saw a few snow machines and a few folks on snow shoes. We then came upon these big strong fellas enjoying some hay. Some investigating lead me to find out they were going to hooked to a sled and were going to transport ice blocks which were being cut from a nearby pond. It was how it was done years ago.


We arrived at the Granville store, which was busy for such a day. I walked up to the counter and had the lady cut me two pieces of sharp cheddar from the large block of cheese. This cheddar is made in upstate New York near the Canada border. It has been made by the same farmer/cheese maker for years.

It is wonderful eating by itself, with crackers or fruit. But I love it in macaroni and cheese. My craving was satisfied this birthday, and the trip was worth it.




26 comments:

  1. oh, that's awesome! good to give in to a craving, and especially good on your birthday. :)

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  3. Replies
    1. Kindman,
      Thanks.
      I appreciate that. I hope you'll continue to be part of it.

      Delete
  4. Great ending...for a moment I was expecting to hear...sorry we're all out!

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    1. DrewLooknFishy,
      Thanks.
      That's funny, but it happens sometimes.

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  5. Brk Trt!!! Awesome story!!! Happy Birthday !!!!!!!! Glad you go to enjoy!!!! See ya when winter thaws out!!!!!

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    1. TROUTI,
      Thanks.
      Pete, look out the window...guess what? Oh my!

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  6. Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      It was a wonderful day, would have loved to be on a stream. Soon hopefully.

      Delete
  7. Sounds like a big Happy Birthday is in order. I'm astounded by a man that will drive 100 miles in a snow storm for cheese. I've been watching the National News and I know you guys are getting blasted. Must be damn good cheese.

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    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      Mark if you tasted it I know you would say it's worth it. More snow, and no where to put it.

      Delete
  8. Happy birthday and as a present I hope the streams start to thaw for you!!

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    1. RI brook trout,
      Thanks.
      That would be nice. Only a few days of moderating temps would help break it up. Not in the forecast though.

      Delete
  9. Spectacular post. I drive 2 hours from time to time for a specific brand of potato chips. Amazing that you did it in a snowstorm...I applaud the extra effort! (& happy birthday too!)

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    1. Michael Agneta,
      Thanks.
      Mike chips are another item worth long trips. There is a market in Bird-in-Hand PA that has some of the best chips in the world.

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  10. A man on a quest--great reading. Way to go. And way to go with the sharp cheddar instead of just cheddar.

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    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      It's got to have a bit of a bite to it Jim.

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  11. the best cheese..nothing like a sharp cheddar with a warm piece of apple pie..oh my god...heaven! and happy belated birthday Alan!

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    1. penbayman,
      Thanks.
      Mike your so right. I have the cheese, you have the pie?
      ( I'd settle for clam chowda)

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  12. Alan
    Love sharp cheddar, but the brand I get is from the local supermarket; I have found that if one wants to get the very best in different foods they need to either order or pickup the product. A good example of what I am referring to is the blackberry jelly sold in Cracker Barrel; I ask our server the other day in a our local Cracker Barrel where I could buy that type jelly in jars, and he told me that the Cracker Barrel sold it in the gift shop. I bought a jar because it has that rare taste that most jellies in a supermarket can't duplicate-----I know your cheddar cheese purchase has that unique taste that can't be found anywhere else, and caused you to drive through a storm to purchase it. I would have driven miles for my jelly; it is that good especially with their homemade biscuits.
    I hope you guys stay safe during this winter storm. I heard today that some roofs in Boston have buckled. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      I too have a passion for jams and preserves, and like you said they are not all the same. We have one here called Stonewall Kitchen Maine wild blueberry that is my favorite. Cracker Barrel puts out a nice breakfast.

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  13. Happy birthday Alan! Fresh made cheddar is the best. I had some mac and cheese tonight for dinner.

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    1. Howard Levett,
      Thanks.
      I recieved a package from Colorado...it indeed was a Happy Birthday.

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  14. A happy belated birthday to you, Alan. Looks like you've got enough to enjoy for a couple of days. An admirable quest!

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