Denise Hitchcock, who is an absolutely wonderful person and a friend of mine, is the Sr. VP of Affiliate Relations and VP of Marketing and Public Relations for BlueHighways TV.com. She wrote about the concept of the "minute vacation" in the May 2006 newsletter for BlueHighwaysTV.com.  Denise and her husband, Stan, are fond of taking back-roads trips, and Denise recorded her thoughts about a trip earlier this year in which they found a great little Meat and Three in North Georgia. You can read the entire version here, but first check out this excerpt from the article:

Hang gliders, waterfalls, historic trails and lunch counters.

Sometimes when life is hectic, and there seems to be no time to spare for a proper vacation trip, I have adopted the philosophy of “minute vacations”.   The idea is you take what time you can spare and do something your truly enjoy – just for that period of time.

Driving back from a convention in Atlanta, where our feet ached and our minds reeled, we decided to turn left off of the fast lane home and see what we could find.  Stan at the wheel and I “riding map”, we worked our way to the northwest corner of Georgia, not really knowing what we would find.  Let me share the simple, satisfying surprises we were able to make memories of that day.

In the town of La Fayette we slowed down to ask where you could get the best plate lunch in town (meat and three). We were directed to Suzie’s Sunset Diner on the downtown square.  You could tell it was going to be good because it was packed with locals – lunch break workers and families.  The menu was hand lettered daily, because the offerings were decided early that morning.  Yeast rolls, corn bread, three different main courses and 14 different vegetables to select from all at a price that two can eat (with tip and tea) for $22.00.

Thus fortified, and in need of a walk, we drove on to Cloudland Canyon State Park. We started at the lookout to the canyon, where one plunging waterfall was visible, but below you could hear the roar of water and we climbed to the bottom of the canyon along well-marked trails and stairs (lots of stairs).  (read more)

Like Denise and Stan have found, wandering off the beaten path is a great way to take the time you have and risk a little bit to see what is around the bend. As is often the case, a Meat and Three is around that bend along with unexpected beauty that you would have missed.

Take some time during this fall season to get out and explore a little, and stop by a local Meat and Three while you're out. (Tell them about this site and/or MEATandTHREE.com, too) Then, let us know about it by telling us about your experience as well as something about the cafe or diner you visited. Include a picture of you at the Meat and Three, if you like, maybe with the owner or your family or friends and either include it in your entry or send it to info@meatandthree.com and we'll include it for you.

Thanks,

Phil Roberson (phil@meatandthree.com)

 

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