Bike & Ice Cream: The Best Ice Cream in America!

Here are the results you've been waiting for all summer! Where is the best ice cream in America?  Well, it took me several detours, all of my spending money,  74 days and over 3800 miles to figure it out, but I've come to a conclusion.  I have so many pictures of me and Beth with ice cream cones that our mothers weren't entirely convinced that it was a cycling trip.  We've been told that our journey should've been called "Bike & Ice Cream".  Before I announce my favorite ice creameries of my Bike & Build trip, I'll keep you in suspense and give you some more superlatives (as I did in my midway report). 

• Too Much Flavor!-   Although Sweet Action of Denver received several recommendations from locals, it was the first ice cream cone that I couldn't finish.  I had to scrape the spicy Blackberry Chile flavor off my cone, because it was simply too much for my tastebuds to handle.  On a more positive note, this ice cream shop did have the coolest logo I've ever seen, combining ice cream, pirates, and the Colorado state flag.

• Best Flavor Combination-    Despite having too thick a consistency for my liking, Glacier Ice Cream of Boulder, Colorado had some excellent flavor combinations.  My choice was Funky Donkey, which was peanut butter ice cream with fudge and oreos.  Brilliant!

• Biggest Scoops-      People within a 100-mile radius recommended Farson's Mercantile of Farson, Wyoming.  What this town lacks in the size of their population (approximately 100 people) they make up for in the size of their ice cream cones.  They claimed that they had the world's biggest ice cream cones, which Beth and I didn't believe until we received about 12 scoops in a waffle cone.  We were 45/100 miles into the ride, and ate (enjoyed!) every bite, including our first taste of huckleberry ice cream (a favorite in Wyoming!).

• Trendiest Ice Cream-     Moo's Ice Cream of Jackson, Wyoming bragged about their organic product and all-natural ingredients ("Oreo" had an asterisk...).  So trendy of them.  Unfortunately, their prices were pretty brutal, and their customer service even worse, so it wasn't a very enjoyable stop.

• Coolest Shape-    When Beth and I heard of Swan Valley Square Ice Cream, we thought that the ice cream shop was located in the town square of Swan Valley.  Rather, the actual ice cream was in the shape of a square!  We were mesmerized by the cubes atop our cones.  You'll have to make a stop in Swan Valley, Idaho to see how they do it!

• Most Innovative Cone-    At the bottom of every homemade waffle cone from Sasparilla's of Idaho City, Idaho, is a jelly bean.  It did the trick to prevent dripping and was a fun surprise when we reached the bottom of our cones!

And here are the results you've been waiting for!  The top three best ice creams that I ate on Bike & Build, and the reasons why they were the best are as follows:

                  3.  Farson's Mercantile-  When two people can eat (and enjoy) 12 scoops of ice cream in the middle of a century ride without feeling any cramps or nausea afterward, it's gotta be pretty darn good ice cream.  The flavors were simple but all perfected, and the consistency was wonderfully light and smooth.  Beth and I had no trouble polishing it off!  It's rare for quality to match such quantity.  Farson's Mercantile of Farson, Wyoming deserves all of the recognition that it gets!

               2.  Reed's Dairy-  Beth and Brandon (one of our leaders, and definitely an ice cream connoisseur)  both ranked Reed's Dairy of Idaho Falls, Idaho among their top stops.  Their flavors were incredible (for example, Gorilla Crunch was banana ice cream with peanut butter and oreos).  I tested Cookie Monster, which was cookie dough ice cream with oreos and cookie dough, and ended up with a rich combination of black tie cheesecake (cheesecake ice cream with fudge ribbons) and huckleberry cheesecake. So delicious!

               1.  Kansas State School of Agriculture-  No other ice cream even came close to this one.  Every lick was heavenly.  Their specialty flavor was Purple Fever (blueberry, and a tribute to their school colors), but I also got to try their cookie dough, chocolate brownie, cherry cheesecake, and espresso ecstasy.  The flavors were very simple, but absolutely divine.  I know it was good because the external factors that usually make ice cream taste so darn good were against it.  I was well-rested (not exhausted from riding), full (not starving), cool (not sweaty/overheated), and happy (not frustrated).  AND it came in a cardboard carton from our host's freezer- it wasn't even freshly scooped! And it still surpassed all other ice creams with flying colors.  Take a trip to Manhattan, Kansas to taste happiness.

Conclusion: Although these three ice cream places came out on top for the best ice cream of my trip, I'm sorry to tell you that they're not the best ice cream in America.  I've come to the conclusion that I've experienced lots of beautiful, delicious, interesting, fun, and wonderful ice creams, they still do not compare to what I have here on the North Shore.  Cherry Farm Creamery of Danvers and Richardson's Ice Cream of Middleton tie for the best ice cream in America.  I've tried to put all nostalgia and bias aside, but there's truly no taste like home.

& That's A Beautiful Thing.

The real world is so strange.  In the few days that I've been back home, I've experienced culture shock.  I can't beg for food anymore, I don't need to apply sunscreen every few hours, I have to pay attention to the news, I don't have to call out every pothole I see, and I have to wear underwear again. What!?  I slept in my own bed last night, and for the very first time all summer, I woke up anxious and confused, not knowing where I was.  Being in one spot for more than a night will take some getting used to...

Let me fill you in on our ride to the beach:

It was indeed as epic and emotional as I had dreamed it would be.  We took our time in the morning, watching a picture slideshow and dragging out our usual pre-ride pump-ups.  All summer, we've concluded our pump-ups with a call-and-response in which one person said (for example), "Today is Tuesday July 12, and we live to ride another day." To which the group would respond, "And that's a beautiful thing!"  On our last day, we all chimed in on both the call and the response for Monday, August 8.  I got the chills as all 33 voices reminded me of what a beautiful thing it is to live, indeed.

Waiting at the Cannon Beach cannon!

True to our CUS reputation of having the most mountainous route of the 8 B&B rides, we hit the summit of the Pacific Coastal mountain range on our final day.  In fact, we climbed a massive hill just 3 miles away from the beach.  It was only appropriate after our summer of mountains.

2 miles away from the ocean, we all gathered and waited for the entire group to ride together.  We excitedly waited by the cannon for which Cannon Beach is named.  It felt like Christmas Eve, times 100.

Parading through the streets to the ocean!

We had a police escort (to Timur's delight, sirens and all!) as we descended into Cannon Beach.  We yelled, chanted, and laughed the entire way.  The tourists lined the sidewalks and cheered for us (whether they knew who we were/what we were doing or not, I don't know...) and it felt like a jubilant parade.  Beth started shouting to me that she could smell the ocean (it was definitely low tide!), we caught sight of Haystack Rock (the iconic rock of Cannon Beach that we had painted on the back of our trailer in the beginning of the summer), and I lost it.  I started simultaneously crying and laughing uncontrollably.  The second we hit the sand, we dropped our bikes and stripped off our cycling accessories.  

Celebrations in the water

We ran into the frigid Pacific and tackled, jumped on, and hugged each other vehemently.  We chanted one of our pump-ups, all together yelling that we "Ride til we can't ride no more" so loudly that my ears rang for hours after.  The water was extremely cold, but we were so numb with excitement, joy, relief, and pride that it didn't matter.  I can't remember if I was sobbing or laughing hysterically- probably a little bit of both.  We made it.

Woooooh!

Mom was waiting on the beach with a bunch of other parents, all ready to give us dripping-wet hugs and warm towels.  The champagne-popping (and spraying!), wheel-dip ceremony, and feast afterward were all incredibly joyful.  Surrounded by people we love from both our real lives and from our Bike & Build lives, the celebrations couldn't have been happier.  

Me and Beth touring Portland

That night, I slept in a real bed.  Everybody- please appreciate the comfort of your bed every night.  It's such a luxury!  Beth, mom and I drove back to Portland and explored the next day.  Leaving everyone was very difficult (I'm TERRIBLE with goodbyes), but I'm confident that it was a "see you later" rather than a "goodbye".  I love my Bike & Build family too much for it to have been the latter.

On Sunday night, we all gave confessions, and although we still haven't figured out who ate all the muffin tops, leaving only the stale bottoms, it was hilarious to hear what fellow riders thought and did while others weren't watching.  My confession?  I don't like cycling.  I actually dislike it very much. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can be the 100th person to tell me that if that's the case then I was on the wrong trip.   And you can be the 100th person to be wrong.  Even though I didn't enjoy (and eventually dreaded) the biking aspect of the trip, I never ever even for a second regret doing Bike & Build.  It was absolutely the best summer of my life.  I'm still overwhelmed by the amount that I saw, smelt, experienced of our country.  Also important, I've discovered the best ice cream in the United States.  Even more important, I've learned an unfathomable amount about other people and about myself.  And most important, I know that I made an impact in peoples' lives who need help, and hopefully have inspired others to do the same.  

Haystack Rock

Thank you all, SO much for your love, prayers, and support.  Without you, none of this would have been possible.  I wish I could properly express my gratitude with words, but there's really no way to do so.  I'll be home for a few days before I go off on my next adventures, so stop by and I'll attempt to express my appreciation via hug!


Love love love,
Abby


P.S. Final results & conclusions on the ice cream hunt will be posted shortly!

 

A Week of Oregon (& The Plague)

Hello from Portland, Oregon!  "Or-ih-ghinn", not "or-ih-gohn", according to the locals.

Nearly a week ago, we set our tarps on a hill, soaped em up, and slipped and slid into Oregon.  Our slip-n-slide lunch transitioned into a mud fight, and so we muddily rode across the border out of Idaho into our final state.

"Rapid Fire" Slip n Slide

Post mud fight

OREGON!

Also a week ago, our group was struck by the plague.  The stomach bug.  It got one of us in Boise, and within six days, nearly every one of us had the flu for at least 24 hours.  I was one of the luckier ones who got it on a short day and didn't have to "van it" for any of our riding days.  On one day, only twelve of us rode our bikes while all of the others were shuttled to the host.  Anyone who hadn't been struck simply waited for it to attack.  I suppose it'll be comical in a week or so...

Eastern Oregon landscape

On another note, did you know that about half of Oregon is mountainous desert?  We all expected big pines and lush vegetation, but spent the first few days listening to the song of rattlesnakes and baking in the hot sun.  Despite the unfavorable conditions, at the end of every tough day, there was a wonderful host.  Throughout the week, we've been treated to post-ride rootbeer floats, homemade salsa, sweet old women, and homestays (a bed for the first time all summer!).  

Our final build day!

Yesterday, we rode our final century into Portland.  We checked off another mountain range as we skimmed Mount Hood along the way.  We had a build day with Rebuilding Together today, and afterwards enjoyed the hipster culture of this colorful city.

Throughout my blog, I've been talking a lot more about the things and places I've seen rather than the everyday stuff.  I've neglected to tell you about the 32 other people I've had the privilege to spend my summer with, who are even more remarkable and beautiful than all of the landscapes I've seen.  I haven't told you the little things that have made my days so enjoyable- like Johnny belting "Take It Easy" by the Eagles at 7am as we ride out every morning, Kareem leading us in 20 minute chants to pump us up for our rides, or Niel and Bebhinn spontaneously "dance-talking" and making me laugh so hard that I can't breath.  I could write a novel about this trip.  And still I wouldn't be able to come close to describing this summer.

I've felt so extremely torn the past few days.  Extremely excited to finally reach the finish line, and extremely sad that this adventure is about to end.  When we're all together in a group, I look around at all of the faces of these people I love so much and have to hold back tears at the thought of my new family separating.  It's extremely bittersweet.  But in Bike & Build world, it's all about the extremes.  We're never in the middle- we're either extremely hungry or full, hot or cold, happy or frustrated, tired or...well, I guess just tired.  The extremity of Bike & Build has made it an unforgettable experience- one that I feel EXTREMELY blessed to be a part of.

Alright, enough sap for now.  I need to save some for 2 days from now, when we hit Cannon Beach!

Love love love,

Abby

Potatoes & Peaks

I only have a few minutes left before my temporary Boise Idaho library card expires, so I'll have to be brief. 





Rafting Crew!



Whitewater rafting on our day off in Jackson was fantastic- a real-life roller coaster, and SO much more fun than soggy, smelly waterparks.

 

On top of Teton Pass

After Jackson, we had our most difficult climb yet through Teton Pass.  At the top of the 6-mile pass, we all waited to cheer eachother on as we struggled upwards.  It rivaled Boyleston Street at the end of the Boston Marathon.  After we all made it up, we had a dance party at the Peak.

Idaho!

Shortly after, we rolled down into Idaho.  Right away, it was absolutely gorgeous.  There's a whole lot more to Idaho than potatoes (although potatoes were served for 4 consecutive meals at host sites).  We learned that quickly, as we climbed the Sawtooth mountain range.  Surprise!  Alas, as we wound through these mountains, we tended to ride along some glorious rivers.  The rivers of Idaho have been the most gorgeous thus far- their clarity and shades of blue-green are rivaled only by the waters of the Caribbean.

We had a build day with Habitat in Idaho Falls- it was probably my favorite thus far.  I had the opportunity to chat with the homeowner for whom we were building, and was completely inspired by this superwoman.   We also had an amazing host in Idaho Falls. The pastor of the church we stayed at held a summer BBQ for us at which we all played volleyball and hung out on his deck.

Classis prom stairwell picture

The next evening, we had a thrift-store prom in Challis, Idaho.  During the week leading up to prom, we all scavenged in various thrift stores to find costumes (or actual prom dresses if we were lucky). 

Frosty morning in Stanley

After Challis, we camped in Stanley.  Our campsite overlooked the jagged Sawtooth mountains- one of the most gorgeous views thus far.  Unfortunately, the misery of camping took some of the pleasure away for me.  Camping is, without a doubt, one of my least favorite activites.  Especially when you wake up and it's 31 degrees outside and everything is frosty.

A more recent event was Christmas in July in Idaho City.  We blasted Christmas songs as we got ready in the morning, ate sticky buns, sang carols on the bike, and did a Secret Santa during our family meeting later that day in Boise.

 We had a relaxing day off in Boise, during which we explored the town, shopped, (over)ate, and even got into the infamous Bronco Stadium at Boise State University.  Despite the heat, we had a lot of fun walking all over town.

Oregon tomorrow!!!!

Colorado, Utah, & Wyoming

Howdy from Jackson, Wyoming! It's been so long since I've had internet access that I've gone through 3 states, 2 and a half mountain ranges, and an entire journal since I've last blogged.  Therefore, I'll give you some of my highlights from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming in bullet form.  In Bike & Build world, we refer to everything by location instead of calendar date or weekday.  Therefore, I'll fill you in based on where I was when it happened.

• Denver, CO:  1st view of the Rockies. Home of Rachael (one of our leaders), who we had to race to keep up with as she sprinted the last 25/100 miles home at 22mph (vs our usual 15ish mph).  Quirky, alternative city with lots of nice people.  Ran into my UNC friend Stephan, who is biking from San Francisco to DC with Journey of Hope.  Built with Habitat for Humanity in Golden, CO.

• Boulder, CO:  On the way there, stopped in Golden for a free private tour of the Coors Factory! Got stuck in a 5-minute hail storm off the mountains.  Had a great day off exploring the University of Colorado and spending too much money on the ritzy Pearl Street.

• Estes Park, CO:  Climbed a 30-foot rock with the peer pressure/help of some of the guys- definitely something I'd never even attempt in real life.  Day 1 in the Rockies, which included some breathtaking views and also some breathtaking climbs.  Stayed at Eagle Rock School, an alternative high school tucked away in the mountains.

• Trail Ridge:  Climbed to over 12,000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The magnificent views distracted us from the difficult climbing.  Descended 4 miles in the pouring rain at 40 degrees- SO cold!  Saw 4 big elk with enormous antlers.  Crossed the Continental Divide!

• Steamboad Springs, CO:  Passed Chimney Rock (hello, Oregon Trail!).  Hung out in hillsides covered in wild flowers.  Descended for 7 miles into Steamboat Springs.  Rode down an Alpine Slide.  Drove out to the middle of nowhere to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where we soaked in big, natural rock waterfalls and hot tubs under a starry sky.  Worked with the Rotary Club to build a mountain bike trail (Habitat canceled on us). participated in a Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt around town.  Napped and then saw the Harry Potter 7 II premier at midnight (and then got 2.5 hours of sleep before our 75-mile ride. Worth it.).

• Vernal, Utah:  After riding through the desert (and hearing/seeing a live rattlesnake on the roadside!), our route collided with another Bike & Build route, South Carolina to Santa Cruz (SC2SC). Took pictures with them at the Utah Border and then hung out with them that night.  Awesome to see another 32 people pedaling in the same uniform with the same goal!

• Flaming Gorge, Utah:  Detoured an extra 12 miles to see the Flaming Gorge Canyon.  Despite a challenging ride through the Uintah Mountains, the detour was worth it.  Saw several big-horned sheep hopping around.  Jumped off a 30-foot cliff into the river.  Camped nearby, and saw an explosion of color as the sun set to the west, setting the eastern canyon wall aflame.  A thunderstorm rolled in, adding lightening and a rainbow to the pallet.

• Jackson, Wyoming:  Rode a century through sage brush and nothingness and passed several Oregon Trail historical markers.  Saw a few wild horses, but most were up in the hills due to all of the rain.  Saw the magnificent Grand Tetons waiting for us in the distance.  Enjoyed the playful, cheerful summer mountainside rivers and wildflowers.  In Jackson, hung out in the Wild-West style downtown.

Day off in Jackson! Time to go white-water rafting!

Love,

Abby