Reviews, Travel

Red Truck Rural Bakery – Marshall, VA

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Thanks to DriveShop and Mitsubishi, we had a Rally Red 2015 Outlander for a week that begged to be driven (check out our review here). And thanks to a grey, rainy day, our original outdoor plans were nixed, so we decided to head west to add some color to our day at Red Truck Rural Bakery in Marshall, VA.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Red Truck, meet Red Mitsubishi. #DriveMitsubishi

Red Truck Bakery is an iconic bakery and market that has historically only had one small location in Warrenton, VA. Luckily for us, they had their grand opening of the new, larger Marshall shop. How grand was the opening? I dunno, maybe you should ask Academy Award Winning Actor, Robert Duvall:

The trip out west on Route 66 is much different than the mess that I normally sit in every weekday. The small town of Marshall is about an hour outside of Washington, DC; once you get past the cookie-cutter residential developments of Prince William County, you start to feel the calming sensation of being surrounded by green stuff–you know, actual nature, like trees, hills, mountains. So, despite the rain, we had a comfortable ride in the Outlander along with some pleasant scenery to take in.

When we arrived at Red Truck Bakery, we were met with an exterior that was charming and blended in well with that small town vibe. Parking is easy, as they have plenty of space out back, but there was also ample street parking available. We parked on the street thanks to my stellar parking abilities (aka a backup camera).

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

That small-town feel follows you inside, as the staff and customers were all friendly and eager to provide recommendations on what to order. It’s the kind of place where you get the impression that everybody knows each other, even if they don’t.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

The wall of deliciousness.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

These fellas would have made a fine picnic had it not been for the rain.

When it comes to the actual food, the choices were quite overwhelming for us first-timers. First, there’s a glowing case of baked goods–all of which were fighting for our attention–as well as two refrigerated grab-n-go cases with sandwiches, drinks, and other goodies. On top of that, there is this wall of jars and bottles of packaged goods from other local and lesser-known companies. Who knew a mini food mecca could exist in a small town bakery?

Tina tried their (highly coveted) Veggie “Beetloaf” Sandwich (roasted beets, sweet potatoes and ground walnuts). She was instantly a fan and for me, as someone who doesn’t really like beets all that much, I enjoyed the few bites I had. It doesn’t taste as “beety” as it looks, and rather has more of an “herby” taste.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Veggie “Beetloaf” Sandwich: roasted beets, sweet potatoes and ground walnuts.

For us meat eaters, you can’t go wrong with their Chicken Salad Sandwich. Or as I will forever call it, the Kitchen Sink Salad Sandwich (as they put everything but) in this jam-packed sandwich, including fresh local roasted chicken, grapes, apples, celery, raisins, walnuts and a hint of curry, with local Bibb lettuce.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Chicken Salad Sandwich: fresh local roasted chicken, grapes, apples, celery, raisins, walnuts and a hint of curry, with local Bibb lettuce.

Sandwich Tip:  The sandwiches are pre-made and are grab-n-go, so they can sell out fast. So, it’s highly reccomended that you give them a call to reserve what you want. Luckily, we called ahead and got the very last Veggie Beetloaf Sandwich. 

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Peach pie. Maybe the last of the season…

Our dessert included peach pie and a cookie, but was completely overshadowed by one of the best cranberry-orange walnut muffins we’ve ever eaten (sorry, not pictured). I can’t remember getting this excited about a muffin before… I mean, it’s just a muffin, but it’s not.

We didn’t try them (still not sure where I discovered that willpower), but the pumpkin scones with maple glaze beckoned like an old friend, while the ham scones looked as if they could be my new future best friend. Until next time, scones…until next time.

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Overall, we really enjoyed this little gem of a store and highly recommend giving them a try. The Marshall shop is also in proximity to two of our favorite wineries, Barrel Oak Winery and Aspen Dale Winery, so Red Truck is a convenient place to grab a picnic lunch before heading out for a day of wine tastings. And if you do go, leave the willpower at home and take ALL the scones home with you.

Red Truck Rural Bakery
8368 W. Main Street
Marshall, VA 20115
RedTruckBakery.com
Twitter: @RedTruckBakery
Facebook

Red Truck Bakery - Marshall, VA #getinmymouf

Disclaimer:  We were not compensated by Red Truck Rural Bakery in any way for this post. We really like ’em and you should too!

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Car Reviews

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC Review

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

This post is made possible through a partnership with the awesome folks at DriveShop and Mitsubishi Motors, who provided us with a vehicle to test drive for a week. You can follow the conversation on social media with the hashtag #DriveMitsubishi.

This is a companion post to our trip to Red Truck Bakery in Marshall,VA. For delicious baked goods in a small town, check out that post. If you’re interested in the wheels that got us there, you’re in the right place.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

Thanks in part to The Fast and the Furious franchise, my teenage memories of Mitsubishi cars are comprised mainly of street racing Eclipses and Lancer Evolutions. Not being a street racer and also not being in the market for a new car over the last decade, I haven’t really paid much attention to what Mitsubishi has been up to, so I was interested in the opportunity to try out the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC.

Specs

MSRP (as tested):  $29,645
MPG Estimate: 24 city – 29 highway
Engine:  2.4L MIVEC SOHC 16-valve, 4 cylnders
Power:  166 hp @ 6000 rpm  | 162 ft-lbs. @ 4200 rpm
Transmission:   CVT
Color:  Rally Red
Options:  SE Premium Package (sunroof, leather seats, roof rails, 710w Rockford Fosgate sound system, power remote tailgate, power driver’s seat, woodgrain interior trim panels)

Comfort

The comfort and driving position of the front seats were good, which made commuting a little easier than my 2006 manual transmission compact car. Although we didn’t travel too far, I wouldn’t anticipate any issues with taking the Outlander on a long road trip. Since I did all the driving, I didn’t have to sit in the back, but my co-workers commented that the rear seats were a little stiff for their liking.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

Overall, the interior is quite spacious, which gives the feeling you’re in a much larger SUV. In fact, with all of the second and third row seats folded down, I could easily lie down and take a nap on my lunch break. Not that I did that.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

Amenities

The entertainment system is probably due for an upgrade, but it was easy to use (which is sometimes lacking in the newer, more complex systems in other brands). The Rockford Fosgate speaker system sounds incredible thanks to the nine speaker system, including 10 inch subwoofer in the back.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

It was also easy to fall in love with the optional remote power lift gate. Emphasis on the remote part. Sometimes I opened the lift gate for fun, just because I could. It made trips to the grocery store and Costco slightly more exciting.

Although we did not take advantage of the third row of seats, it was actually beneficial on those aforementioned trips, as the seat backs helped keep our groceries from flying all over the place, while I tested out the vehicle’s cornering ability (well-within all applicable traffic laws, of course).

And as is becoming the norm with most mid and upper trim levels, a backup camera and heated seats are standard on this trim level. A week later left me wondering how on earth I was ever able to own a car without a backup camera and heated seats.

Performance

First of all, you won’t see this car in Fast & Furious 8 (or 9 or whatever they’re up to now). But that’s okay, because you’ll buy this car for the gas mileage. My daily commute, which is a 33-mile round trip mixture of highway, stop-and-go traffic, and dance parties (thanks, Rockford Fosgate!), consistently returned gas mileage around 25 MPG. Our mostly-highway trip to Red Truck Bakery resulted in a respectable 28.8 MPG, which easily rivals my my 2006 compact car. Although acceleration from a stop leaves something to be desired, throwing the shifter into sport mode provides ample juice for a lane change at highway speeds.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

I was also impressed with the steering feel and handling, as this vehicle drives more like a car than a compact SUV. I’m not a fan of loose steering (reminds me of driving a boat), so I was pleasantly surprised to still feel the road in a vehicle of this size.

Dog Friendliness

Given that this is an SUV, this is likely a great vehicle for anyone with a decent-sized dog. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of opening the power lift gate in front of Cooper. And since any inanimate object that moves on its own completely BLOWS HIS MIND, he was convinced that the car was possessed and wanted nothing to do with it. Again, it was through no fault of the Outlander and completely Coop’s own neuroscis (he also growls at bags floating in the wind). Sad, because he would’ve fit perfectly in the back, but a good reminder for dog owners to always have new vehicle purchases approved by their pups.

Who Should Buy This Car?

This vehicle would be perfect for a price-conscious consumer with kids and a need for a third row of seats. The MSRP is $29,645, but online prices at some local dealerships are closer to $25,000 for Outlanders with similar MSRPs–which seems almost insane when you think about how much vehicle you’re getting. Plus, the 10-year / 100,000-mile power train warranty and solid gas mileage will help keep future costs down. I should also mention that the 2016 Outlander has hit dealers this month, so any remaining 2015 vehicles are likely to garner some significant savings. Haven’t had a chance to try 2016’s model yet, but from what I keep hearing, there are quite a few improvements over the 2015 model.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC

Disclaimer:  As noted above (you did read the whole post, right?!) we were provided this vehicle courtesy of DriveShop and Mitsubishi. Other than being allowed to test drive this vehicle, we were not provided any monetary compensation for this post. As always, all opinions remain our own.

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Travel

10 Hours in Annapolis, MD

GET IN MY MOUF | Annapolis, MD Waterfront

I’m busy. You’re busy. He’s busy. She’s busy. We’re busy.

Everyone is always so busy around here…

No matter how busy you are, you can surely spare just ten hours for a trip to the waterfront in Annapolis, MD. It’s a great place to escape the “busyness” of the Washington, DC area, without having to spend too much time in a car.

We were recently invited on a #DCTravelBlogger day trip (thanks, Jessica!) to explore the city with Susan Steckman, Vice President of Communications for the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau (AAACVB). Susan was a wonderfully sweet tour guide who helped ensure every minute of our short trip was packed with delicious food and beverages as well as interesting sights and historical information. And of course, we must give a shout out to the wonderful #DCFoodBlogger crew, as Tina and I had a blast hanging out with such a friendly, talented, and fun group of people.

So, below is a recap of our adventure, which can also work as a loose itinerary for anyone looking for a quick day-trip to this historical city on the water.

Take a trolley tour

GET IN MY MOUF | Discover Annapolis Trolley

This is a very touristy thing to do, but you don’t live in Annapolis, so you ARE a tourist. Don’t fight it. Step on the trolley with Discover Annapolis Tours and embrace the chance to not only learn about Maryland’s capital city, but to also get the lay of the land. The tour covers a wide area, so keep an eye out for sites, restaurants, and shops that you might want to visit later on.

Visit an Irish Pub

GET IN MY MOUF | Galway Bay

GET IN MY MOUF | Galway Bay

GET IN MY MOUF | Galway Bay

Did you know that there are more Irish pubs per capita in Annapolis than in Ireland? You probably didn’t, because I just made that up. However, when you walk the streets, it sure feels like every other restaurant is a pub. So, to not stop into one for lunch and/or a pint would be blasphemy. We lunched at Galway Bay Irish Pub (you might’ve seen them on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives), opting for crispy fish and chips and a no-filler jumbo lump crabcake. The wildcard surprise, however, was a sampling of the pub’s proprietary egg nog. The restaurant doesn’t stock any during non-holiday months, but we were fortunate enough to be treated from the owner’s personal stash.

Have a glass of wine 

GET IN MY MOUF | Great Frogs Winery

GET IN MY MOUF | Great Frogs Winery

GET IN MY MOUF | Great Frogs Winery

Sure, you could enjoy a glass of wine at many of Annapolis’ great restaurants and wine bars, OR you could visit Great Frogs Winery, the ONLY winery in Annapolis. Enjoy a tasting or two in their rustic, yet restored barn only a short drive from Annapolis Harbor. They have a wine for every palate, but the stars were clearly their dessert wines, so don’t forget to take a bottle home.

Take a boat ride

GET IN MY MOUF | Annapolis, MD Waterfront

This is a must. I don’t care if you have to beg, borrow, or steal a yacht—If you visit Annapolis, you better find a way on to the water. After all the eating and drinking of the day, we had a relaxing ride on the Harbour Queen with Cruises on the Bay by Watermark. This narrated cruise of the Annapolis Harbor and the banks of the U.S. Naval Academy, schools you on the history of the Naval Academy and Annapolis’ role as an historic seaport. So, not only do you get a chance to get out on the water, but you also learn something. Don’t be afraid of knowledge.

Have dinner on the water

GET IN MY MOUF | Carrol's Creek Cafe

GET IN MY MOUF | Carrol's Creek Cafe

GET IN MY MOUF | Carrol's Creek Cafe

There’s no better way to end the day than having a nice meal on the water. Tucked in the Annapolis City Marina, Carrol’s Creek Cafe is easily accessible via one of the city’s water taxis. Beautiful ambiance, fresh seafood, waterfront view and a setting sun are hard to complain about. Scallop lovers will enjoy their house-specialty appetizer: A plump scallop rolled in shredded phyllo, fried crisp, and served on a bed of wilted spinach, lump crab and prosciutto ham with a shrimp cream sauce. We also enjoyed an herb encrusted Rockfish fillet, roasted and served over sun dried tomato pesto risotto, sautéed baby spinach, jumbo lump crab, and sauced with a beurre blanc. Luckily we left room for dessert, which included a smooth espresso crème brûlée for me and a rich flourless chocolate molten lava cake for Tina.

Treat yo’ dog!

Annapolis might also be the pet-friendly capital of the east coast. Not only will you find plenty of pet shops and dog-friendly restaurants with patio seating, you can even take your dog on many of the boats and water taxis. Cooper didn’t make it out on this trip, but we’re already planning another visit to take full advantage of his future favorite city. Plus, he heard how good the Annapolis Ice Cream Company is and hasn’t stopped bothering us about it.

Disclaimer:  We were guests of AAACCVB and the establishments mentioned above as part of a #DCTravelBlogger promotional trip. As always, opinions remain our own.

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