The most epic breakfast

Monday, February 17, 2025

We moseyed out of our motel about 10am, heading for Benny’s restaurant for breakfast.

We decided not to repeat at John’s because of not repeating. Breakfast menus are so hard because they never have all the things you want in one grouping. You can get pancakes with eggs (why? If you are having eggs, have eggs. If you are having pancakes, have pancakes) but you can’t seem to get pancakes and hashbrowns. Everyone knows the reason for breakfast in a restaurant is for the hashbrowns. Anyway, after a lot of deliberating, we figured out that Keith could have one of my pancakes and I could have most of his hashbrowns. I ordered and the waitress said they were out of bacon, but I could have all sausage instead of half/half (I like bacon. I don’t much like sausage). I asked if I might substitute hashbrowns for both of the meats. She said they were out of hashbrowns. Um. Okay. Keith ordered country fried steaks (and hashbrowns). They were out of country fried steak.

When we got to John’s, it wasn’t as crowded as it was the other afternoon. We sat at the same table so we could have a same picture of me.

We were faster in figuring out what to order/share to get everything we wanted. A few minutes later, the waitress returned and said they were out of pancakes. We laughed out loud. There had definitely been a run on breakfast food that morning. She offered French Toast instead and I said okay. I am not a big fan of restaurant French Toast, but okay. When she delivered our food, I got a pancake, because that is how much batter they had left. It was the size of the plate. I forgot that about restaurants. I also got French toast. And Keith ordered sour dough toast, so I could eat a slice with my eggs (it’s not there yet on the picture). We had so much food it was insane. We kept rotating plates to share. Every single thing was gone when we were done, and we were stuffed! It was all delicious. That cook can really make hashbrowns and cook eggs. If you are ever in Twentynine Palms, go to John’s.

As we drove across the Mohave Desert, I was just delighted at the sight of this so long train in the distance. I hope you can see it.

We stopped at the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark. We saw the cinder cone from a distance on Saturday, but didn’t stop. Today we drove over to see it. The volcano last erupted about 10,000 years ago. It sits in a lava field of about 29 sq. miles. It is about 250 feet tall. Route 66 used to run right past it, and it was a big deal when driving Route 66 to climb a volcano. We just looked at it. It said it was a moderately difficult hike and would take 5 hours. Not for us. It was hot today and I would have needed a parasol. As we walked from the parking lot to the viewing place, I was judgy of the family at the picnic area (who were plenty loud to hear everything they said). Do not bring Snapple if your children are not allowed to drink Snapple. Tell them before they get to the picnic lunch in the middle of nowhere that there are finite choices – or better yet, no choices at all.

I saw a couple things on the trip down that I missed getting a picture of. The first was of the lion statues in the middle of nowhere. There are a pair, although they are about a quarter of a mile apart.

The second was of Cafe. I was asleep. Keith asked if I was hungry. From sleeping, I said not really. I opened my eyes and saw Cafe going by. I sat up. I would eat at Cafe. Cafe in the middle of nowhere. Cafe the only thing for miles and miles and miles. Too late. We were past Cafe. Men do not turn around, even for Cafe.

We saw lots of good rocks. We even saw Joshua trees!

This rock looks like a frog, or a cartoon alien.

We are back in Las Vegas. Different location – not upgraded to a giant room. It is nice enough, but I was enjoying my blue house at the last place.

We went grocery shopping. They had two new flavors of soda! I really wanted to find a small bottle of each, but no; twelve packs only. I had lemon Coke Zero in an airport this summer….Amsterdam, I think, and I am still waiting for it to show up locally. It was very good.

Keith picked out his lunches (while working) and I got myself a bag of popcorn. (We still have ham and cheese for my sandwiches) He got two tiny 84¢ pies for two breakfasts. He ate one tonight.

We stayed in, because driving and breakfast were enough of a thrill for today. 🙂