Maid-Rite drive-ins have been feeding the Midwest since 1926. That’s a lot of sandwiches.

The restaurant chain is headquartered in Iowa, but has additional locations in Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio. Carry out beer is not available in all stores, but it should be.

There’s nothing better than good food on a family road trip. While the bigger chains are convenient and often necessary, it’s always nice to try someplace local. What are some of the regional favorites in your area?

This post is part of Uptake’s Tuesday Roadside Attractions Series. If you have a photo of an odd, funny or interesting roadside attraction that you would like to see featured here please submit it via the link in the sidebar with subject line: Roadside.

I was invited to Albuquerque, New Mexico a few weeks ago to enjoy the 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I was ecstatic. I have ridden in a hot air balloon once before and couldn’t wait to do it again, and I was even more excited about the chance to photograph the visual spectacle of 500 balloons launching over the Sandia mountains at one time.

My camera broke in transit – strike 1 for my fantasy strip.

Wind and rain kept the hot air balloons grounded during my entire visit – strike 2.

And yet I had a fabulous time in Albuquerque and am eager to go back. Despite a lackluster experience with the 40th Balloon Fiesta, I discovered an old city surrounded by unique natural beauty and brimming with rich cultural traditions. I also had the best margarita(s) of my life.

Let’s start with the margaritas.

El Pinto (or The Spot in English) is one of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque and arguably one of the city’s most successful businesses. What began as a family restaurant serving New Mexican cuisine has become a destination for locals and tourists, boasting an extensive chile garden and their own line of salsas. El Pinto is now the largest restaurant in the state, but guests still enjoy a level of hospitality associated with a family business. And really – you have to have the margaritas.

(Check out this video tutorial of how to make the perfect margarita.) Read More »

Give up? It’s art!

Now for the hard part. Where is said art? Clues below:

If you are familiar with Mark di Suvero then you probably recognized this as his work. The guy likes his salvaged steel (who doesn’t?).  This piece is called “Are Years What?” and it is dedicated to American poet Marianne Moore.

The city that features “Are Years What?” is home to LOTS of art. Lots. Some pieces can be found in museums and some are  monumental. Others can be found on a plate.

The city is also well-know for what currently passes as politics.

If you guessed Washington, D.C., then you are a master of trivia and art. Or you just looked at the tags. Either way, you’re a winner and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

This post is part of UpTake’s Public Art Series.

Photo: cometstarmoon via Flickr

Hello, true-believers! It’s time for more traveling and internet fun! Try to contain yourself.

Here’s how it works. People send emails to the contact link in the sidebar, and then we look at them and put our favorites in this list for you, the reader. We also find stuff on the Twitter, which, apparently, all the kids are using. Sometimes we find information on Facebook, but most of the time we just tend our farm and fight ninja zombies.

And that’s how computers work.

Here:

BREAKING: Two Pakistani planes receive bomb threats, via MSNBC

CNN, “What’s next in airport screening?”

To which Time replies, “It’s gotta be the shoes.”

Global Grasshopper lists 10 beautiful spots for autumn vacations.

USA Today wants to know if you would use refilled hotel toiletries?

The Disney Blog reports that Disney Cruise Lines are sponsors of environmental summer camps in the Bahamas.

Gadling reflects on 9/11.

Nerd’s Eye View looks at travel from A to Z.

Disney’s Aulani on Oahu is almost open!

Help Cape Town save the rhinos!

Bondi Beach in Australia is NatGeo’s photo of the week.

Lonely Planet helps you eat elsewhere.

Yahoo! shows that idiot tourists can be from anywhere.

Frommer’s on hurricanes and travel.

And there you have it, fellow travelers — stuff from the internets. Enjoy, and travel safe!