Athens, Georgia
December 4–8, 2021
December 4–8, 2021
I spent a few days in Athens and got to see my good friends Julie and Fritz. For the first time since starting this trip, I actually spent my nights outside the camper, sleeping in the comfy bed in their guest room. Julie and Fritz are my kind of dog people, so, rather than considering the dogs’ presence an imposition, they were overjoyed to have the canine company. In fact, Mochi (and even Miso!) spent much of the time sleeping in their bed, rather than with me.
I love traveling alone, but it was pretty sweet to have a knowledgeable tour guide through the “Classic City.” Julie and I ate at Viva! Argentine Cuisine and Cafe Racer, got drinks at The Old Pal and the Hi-Lo Lounge, took the dogs to Wiggley Field (the best dog park ever with the best name ever), visited a bunch of pop-up artist markets, and went out to her friend Paul’s house three times to let my boys romp with his adorable pack. We even go to attend a latke party at the home of some of their friends. My final night in town, Julie, Fritz, and I went to fancy dinner at The National and did not mess around. I’m still drooling over the boquerones, cranberry basque cake, and Market Fresh cocktail, three high notes from the meal.
On my way out of town on Wednesday, I stopped by Fritz’s and Julie’s shop, Half-Shepherd Market. I gleefully splurged on watermelon rind pickles, local triple-cream cheese, spice mixes from Spice Walla (made by the same people who run Buxton Hall BBQ in Asheville), anchovies donostiarra, duck fat caramels, and more. My truck is now graced by the face of Kilgore, one of the marvelous old half-shepherds who gave the shop its name.
I love traveling alone, but it was pretty sweet to have a knowledgeable tour guide through the “Classic City.” Julie and I ate at Viva! Argentine Cuisine and Cafe Racer, got drinks at The Old Pal and the Hi-Lo Lounge, took the dogs to Wiggley Field (the best dog park ever with the best name ever), visited a bunch of pop-up artist markets, and went out to her friend Paul’s house three times to let my boys romp with his adorable pack. We even go to attend a latke party at the home of some of their friends. My final night in town, Julie, Fritz, and I went to fancy dinner at The National and did not mess around. I’m still drooling over the boquerones, cranberry basque cake, and Market Fresh cocktail, three high notes from the meal.
On my way out of town on Wednesday, I stopped by Fritz’s and Julie’s shop, Half-Shepherd Market. I gleefully splurged on watermelon rind pickles, local triple-cream cheese, spice mixes from Spice Walla (made by the same people who run Buxton Hall BBQ in Asheville), anchovies donostiarra, duck fat caramels, and more. My truck is now graced by the face of Kilgore, one of the marvelous old half-shepherds who gave the shop its name.
