DISCOVERING FOOD NAMES AS YOU TRAVEL

 By Mary Emma Allen

As Jim and I travel around the country, I find it fascinating to discover places with names of foods.  Sometimes the town, county, or geographical landmark will have a connection with the particular food.  In other instances, it will simply have been the whim of someone and the name caught on.

Either way, it could make someone hungry!  Also, as a food writer, these names catch my attention.

Sacajawea Statue in Salmon,ID, Credit: Karen Ballard. Idaho Travel Council

Salmon, ID does seem rather logical when you consider the fishing done in that spectacular mountainous area.  We've visited friends there and explored this land where Lewis and Clark trekked.  In fact, we've crossed their trail in places and I've written travel articles about it.

We crossed the Continental Divide, stood where Lewis and Clark looked west from a high trail, saw Sacajawea's statue, learned about present day attractions, as well as those with historical connections.

Credit Covington Chamber

Hot Coffee, MS seemed very unusual.  We haven't visited that town but met someone who grew up there and eventually returned.  Later we found it written up in National Geographic magazine.

Tea, SD is the home of friends.  When we first saw their address, Jim and I wondered if it was a misprint.  However, Tea is a real town.

Fall Colors at Strawberry Reservoir,. Credit Utah Travel Indstry

Strawberry Area of Utah makes me think of this berry, but I don't know that they're raised there.  It's a rather desolate, but interesting part of the state, as one crosses from the Salt Lake Valley to Vernal, near Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado border.  You pass the Strawberry Reservoir, where Jim and I have pulled off and enjoyed picnic lunches.

This area has memories other than pleasant ones.  Just west of the Strawberry area lies Daniels Canyon, where Jim and I encountered a triple trailer truck one winter evening as it crossed into our lane.  Although I experienced a broken back and Jim a damaged knee and other injuries, we are fortunate to be alive.

Hershey, PA, of course, is named for the company that manufactures chocolate.  Years ago, when our daughter was about 12 years old, we toured the factory and saw how the various candies were made.  This is an especially fascinating place for youngsters.

Orchard City, Orchard Mesa, Fruitvale and Fruita, CO exist in fruit raising country.  We traveled through there in September just as many of the trees were laden with ripening fruit.  Even the air had the delicious aroma.  Of course, we couldn't resist stopping and purchasing fruit to take along on our travels to Utah.

Rice Lake, WI puts me in mind of the wild rice found in adjacent Minnesota.  When we visited friends in that state, Angie prepared a delicious wild rice casserole. That reminds me that I must get the recipe from her. 

Sturgeon Bay, WI and Troutdale, OR must be connected with those types of fish. Did fishermen settle here?

Mapleton, UT and OR, whether named after the trees or what is produced…maple syrup and sugar…brings to my mind this delectable food.  Then there is a Mapleville, RI.

Dill City, OK probably was named for someone with that surname.  However, it makes me wonder if dill pickles weren't manufactured there.  Or did someone in its history have an interesting story about dill weed or seed?

Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver, CO. Credit Denver CVB

Cherry Creek, SD calls to mind the delicious fruit my family enjoys.  We picked cherries at my grandmother's when I was a child and canned them each summer.  Now we often purchase them to eat out of hand.

There's also a Cherry Creek area of Denver, CO where the city originated.   There's much historical lore connected with the creek and this part of the city.

What towns do you know associated with foods?  Of course, there also are place names associated with animals, birds, plants, and people.  I've always found these names fascinating and wondered how they came about.  This is just another reason traveling can be so interesting.

�2008 Mary Emma Allen

(Mary Emma Allen lives in New Hampshire but loves to travel, exploring new places and discovering new foods.  She often gives workshops about writing and blogging during her trips.  Visit her latest blog about children's books, One Book Two Book, www.onebooktwobook.com. For she's a children's author, as well as travel writer.  Contact her for more information about Tales of Adventure & Discovery; me.allen@juno.com))

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