Freemon's ( Most Excellent Burgers)

 When asking the locals about the what to do and see in Creede, Colorado, the first thing they say is The Reportory Theater, and the next thing they mention is Freemon's.  We will hit the theater next week, but this week we decided to try out Freemon's and see for ourselves just why Freemon's is a must see destination spot around the area.

Freemon's is located on highway 149, about 16 miles away from Creede, and on the way to North Clear Creek Falls (fodder for another blog.)  At first we drove right because there was no sign indicating we had arrived, and we didn't know what we were looking for.  Off to the side of the road was a low slung log building, with a front porch and plant steps.  On the screen door were posters, flyers and announcements for every yard sale, funeral and fundraiser for miles around, but the door was open in welcome and we went in.

 Inside the place was abuzz with activity.  A line of a dozen or so locals were waiting to order from the menu on the wall which bore only a few choice;, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and  beer battered or waffle fries.  I think there was a grilled chicken option for the discriminating diner!  There were folksy people crowded around the handful of tables, all chatting and guffawing as if they all knew each other, and they likely did.  It was a very home town establishment.  

   

Here is a random table of locals.  These guys were on their way up to the Falls  and had to stop for a burger.  They loved that I took their photo!

This is my bacon cheeseburger! I took a bite before I remembered to photograph it.   It had a toasted and buttered bun, the good kind like you get from Costco,  a large patty well cooked, bacon, lettuce, tomato slice, pickles and a mess of fried onions.  The fries were especially good, but I don't know why...they just were!

This is the front porch that was devoid of people due to rain.  It would be wonderful in the sun!

Freeman's also sells a few groceries, mainly milk, eggs, bread,  and match's; that kind of thing.  There was also the predictable shelves of handicraft items, made by the locals that appeared to be in little demand.  Obviously the good burgers were the draw.      

On the way back from the Falls, we made a return stop at Freemon's for ice cream,  They are known for their good ice cream.

This little lady, Sarah has been working at Freemon's for 6 years.  She's  enjoyed her 50th wedding anniversary...and she is still scooping creamy ice cream and frying great hamburgers.  Freemon's was was definitely worth the drive.. 

Tanque Verde Swap Meep - the Biggest in Arizona

What is going on here?

Lance and I were at the laundromat doing chores (not every minute of retirement is nirvana,) and found a local newspaper, a small weekly rag that promote local events, and found there is a colossal flea market known as The Tanque Verde (green tank) Swap Meet that we just had to go to see.

 After driving a few short minutes southwest for a few miles we found what is likely the biggest swap meet in Arizona.  Before our gaping eyes we saw hundreds of booths full of  worthless bobbles, gadgets and gismos, food items, yards sale leftovers, hot dogs, tacos, snow cones, made in China bric- a-brac, leather boots, western hats, baseball caps, tarot cards, antiques, cheapo  Mexican souvenirs,  discount tires,  expensive tires, appliances, leather sofas, rocks and polished stones, Elvis and Marilyn stuff, graphic tees by the millions, rice water, lemonade and beer, cider, coca cola, athletic shoes and sandals with tire tread soles,bras, 8 track tapes, jumping beans, key chains, gold chains, black velvet paintings, posters, metal art, woven rugs, hair pieces, back packs, fanny packs, tools, car parts, hub caps, DVD's, CD's, LP's, HD's, but no CPC's or LSD.  It is a family swap meet after all.  

 I undoubtedly missed some things, but I was distracted by the terrible singers that were performing on the stage near the food court.  It didn't matter how bad they were, because the buzzing of the gigantic speakers muffled out their voices.  I was hoping to hear a mariachi band or two, but no, just amateur hopefuls twanging away their fifteen minutes of fame.  It was great!

I asked about how the swap meet came to be.  In 1975 a college student

had an idea to get together a few individuals with stuff and have a multi vendor yard sale/swap meet in a vacant lot.  It worked and grew to dozens of vendors.  Whole families gravitated to the idea and soon were making their living hawking all their wares.  Tucson folks were literally flocking to the flea market/swap meet.  Then, a problem happened with city zoning laws or other such red tape, and ruined it all.  The college guy, by this time had employed his mom, his sister and other relatives to help him organize and operate the enterprise, and felt so responsible for these hundreds of families that would lose their livelihood that he found several acres, purchased them with his own money and opened up the biggest, baddest, bawdiest swap meet in Arizona.  His persistence paid off and it is a spectacle today, 24/7.

A high light of the day at the flea market was the 40 cent churros.  My friend Susan asked about churros, so possibly others need to become acquainted with this yummy Mexican confection!

  A churro (fritter in spanish) is a common treat at fairs, rodeos, circuses, anywhere there is a crowd and a Mexican vendor.  They are about a foot long column of deep fried pancake batter with ribs running lengthwise. They are rolled in cinnamon sugar and wrapped in a piece of waxed paper.  They are screaming delicious and for 40 cents I would have liked to eat 3 of them; but alas, I simply could not bear the guilt of it!