DinerToure with Cabin & Trail
I had never gone to a Cabin and Trail meeting or on one of their outdoor excursions before last Wednesday. Yet I cannot remember the last time I felt so outside.
It was a pleasure to escape campus and try some inexpensive local grub, just a bonus on top of everything else that was great. Upon leaving Robinson Hall at 6:50 a.m., I was worried that I would feel awkward or that I was intruding on a weekly ritual, but I right away felt welcomed. I had originally thought that the DinerToure toured several different diners every morning — talk about ambitious — but I learned that the people of DinerToure are reasonable. That question received some chuckles (I chuckle now just thinking about it) but not much more.
In any other circle of friends, such an inquiry could’ve resulted in dumb jokes and I could’ve felt way more out of place. But no — I only checked my phone once the entire time I was there!
We went to the Four Aces Diner, a sort of flimsy-looking shack by the Ledyard Bridge, painted a shade of Clifford-the-Dog red. I had never been before; I rarely get the chance to head off campus. I didn’t really know what to expect as our van of 12 (plus another full car) drove around the diner and into the parking lot, but I quickly learned that the interior vibe matches the character of the exterior. The place is fun, unique, and comfortable.
Comfort is the word to describe my DinerToure experience. The furniture had a noticeable energy but the atmosphere wasn’t aggressive at all. Our waitress was very friendly with such a large group for such an early hour. The red booth chairs were pleasant; not too saggy and not too big. The menu offered a plethora of clever names and colors.
And the food — the food! — was great. I am not the type of eater who sees something on the menu and knows right away that that will be what he orders; I have to look through everything to make sure I don’t miss something good. Despite the unique dishes only found in a diner, I conservatively ordered two eggs and hash browns, though I added onions and peppers to the hash browns as my way of “spicing it up”.
It turns out I was more creative than I even realized. Upon receiving my check I discovered I had unintentionally ordered the “early bird special”. I was more than content with my food; I was more full afterward than I would have guessed based on what I first saw on my plate. Looking around at what my peers ordered, however, I know that if (hopefully when) I go back I’m definitely going to pick something more adventurous.
I encourage anyone who has an itch to escape campus with a neat group of people once a week (usually Wednesday mornings) to check out Cabin and Trail’s DinerToure. They couldn’t have been more welcoming. Leaving at 6:50 felt early, but trust me when I say it’s all worth it at the end of the day.