So I, again, crossed the unusually low and slow Catawba River in the time of drought where the Catawba Tribe would cross at Nations Ford 200 - 300 years prior. I glanced down and up river then gunned the engine across the Carolinas dividing line, entering Charlotte with windows down, hair wild in the breeze.
Not just a trip to see the Pops, but a trip full of doctor appointments at Levine where they work diligently to keep me alive despite my lack of fortitude and my brokenheart.
But what's on my mind as I continue north and pass the giant baseball, what's on my mind is boiled peanuts, the caviar of the Carolinas.
I would soon be having brunch with my cousin down from new york. And I imagine he has never had boiled peanuts before. That got me to thinking about my other cousin who came down from New York and tried boiled peanuts upon my request demand. I think one member of the family enjoyed the peanuts and the rest did not.
And then there was that time I took boiled peanuts to New York - I took green peanuts to New York and I boiled them in the crock pot. I took them to my surprise 50th birthday party dinner for everyone to try and again we had mixed reactions. It's just not a huge hit with the Yankees.
In this frame of mind, I pulled over at Sweet Lew's and got a bucket of boiled peanuts to carry with me. Sweet Lew's BBQ is reported to have the best boiled peanuts in Charlotte.
I was disappointed.
The peanuts were tough, not cooked long enough, not salty enough. And while I was there, I ordered some ribs, but they "wouldn't be ready" for another hour. All in all, a disappointing stop at Sweet Lew's. (I got some hash and rice, but it was nothing great.)
I then pulled over at the downtown farmer's market, but alas, they had no boiled peanuts, only raw ones.
When I later met my Yankee cousin, my hands were empty. I had nothing to offer. It was quite a welcome to the Queen City.
IF he returns, what should I offer?
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