Ready for an Outer Banks Weekend, 9/5/25
Sep 05, 2025
In Search Of....
There used to be a show hosted by Leonard Nimoy (aka, Dr. Spock) called In Search Of.... Each week he would investigate subjects such as Bigfoot, Noah's Ark, or The Devil's Triangle. Every episode would arouse your curiosity only to leave you hanging, providing zero conclusive evidence. My wife and I do something similar and our number one mission is a search for the perfect cole slaw. Each time we order it we wait, dreadfully, like sheep heading to slaughter. Preparing ourselves for the disappointment and regret that is destined to greet us. It's always too chopped, too bland, or (ugh) too old.
Our quest, having started years ago, continued on August 31, 2025 at the Bold Rock Cidery in Nelson County, Virginia. We didn't think this place in the middle of nowhere would lead to a miraculous discovery, or would it? Not wanting to ruin a nice meal in an idyllic setting I ordered something else. Bonnie, feeling lucky I suppose, ordered a burger with cole slaw on the side. When we got our food I refused to even look at the cole slaw. I wasn't in the mood for disappointment. As we dug in I noticed something about Bonnie. She started to glow. My first assumption was that her old boyfriend was approaching, but then she started pointing with enthusiasm at the cole slaw. What happened next is all a blur. We high-fived, we hugged, we danced, we received odd looks from customers nearby. It was fresh, delicious, roughly cut, and sprinkled with toasted coconut. The secret ingredient is pineapple. Actually, not much of a secret. They call it Pineapple Coconut Slaw. It's still perfection. I'll be back.
Visiting a U.S. National Park—for the retro architecture
I drive past the Wright Brother's Visitors Center often and I've always wondered why the architecture didn't blend in with anything. I assumed it was a weird one-off from back in the 1960's. It turns out it was part of a large initiative by the parks system. Read more below.
During the mid-20th century, the National Park Service launched the Mission 66 initiative: a bold plan to ditch rustic "Parkitecture" and go modern. It took decades for parkgoers to warm up to the audacious style. So the NPS set out to rescue the flailing parks with a 10-year, billion-dollar effort to modernize them. It was dubbed Mission 66—as in, revamp the visitor experience by 1966, the 50th anniversary of the park service. The effort saw the construction of centralized hospitality villages, what the NPS director at the time called “zones of civilization in a wilderness setting.” It introduced the then-novel concept of the visitor center, borrowing ideas from the shopping centers springing up around the burgeoning suburbs. And it brought mid-century-modern architecture to a park system where most buildings fell somewhere on a spectrum between ramshackle hunting cabins and Bavarian chalets.
-National Geographic
To Jet-Ski or Not Jet-Ski, That Is The Question
For those people who hate jet-skis you might want to consider the fact they may save your life. They are fast, agile, and easier to deploy than a boat with similar horsepower.
What I'm Reading
What You're Made For: Powerful Life Lessons From My Career In Sports, by George Raveling.
George Raveling died this week on 9/1/25. Coincidentally, I'm reading his book. I wouldn't have bought the book unless I heard him on Tim Ferriss' podcast. His life story and experiences are epic, made even more amazing coming from a man who was incredibly well-grounded.
If you only listen to one podcast be sure to listen to this one.
Need A Vacation?
As a special offer we have a promo code for 20% off at our Wintergreen condo. The resort is in a beautiful setting with great views and relaxing environment. You can book at www.alldownhillfromherevacay.com and use promo code: ALLDOWNHILL2025. Offer is good on rentals through January 5, 2026.
THINGS TO DO
The Duck Gallery Presents Noah Snyder: The Surfer and the Sea, 9/12/25, 5:30pm
Noah is a fascinating person and an incredible artist. I had the pleasure of interviewing him a couple years ago. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6harGcnoyQdkUhApojSn8X?si=PpKp1MbkSxaRac21W6W2UQ
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GTsow3kW3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Have a great weekend,
John Van Lunen
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