The Random Adventure: White Castle Edition.
When Plans Fall Apart? Adventure Is Always The Answer.
I was living in Pittsburgh at the time, home of the Steelers, Primanti’s sandwiches, a whole lot of Bridges, and a bizarre phenomenon called “Tunnel Traffic”.. (I don’t know why people slow down THAT much for a tunnel but hey.)
A date had canceled on me unexpectedly that evening, so finding myself with suddenly no plans I decided the best way to recover my evening was to simply have a date with myself! Now, being quite the hot date that I am, I would accept nothing less than a trip to White Castle.
Clearly, I have high standards.
White Castle is a place of myth and legend, they even made a movie about it! (Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. It’s pretty funny!) I’m not sure what makes them so wonderful, the novelty of the steamed burgers? Their actually thick shakes? Growing up we didn’t have a White Castle within a 3 state radius and in Pittsburgh the closest was over by Harrisburg, a good 4-5 hours away. Through mountains, valleys, unpredictable Central PA weather, and the risk of encountering unpredictable Central PA deer at 80mph.
Worth it.
I took this trip and made some time for myself, for—myself. I loaded up old playlists of music I haven’t heard in YEARS. Jamming out and remembering where I was and what I was doing when I first heard a song in particular, as if I was going back through old bookmarks. The Cranberries, White Zombie, Pearl Jam, LIVE, Wu Tang, Goo Goo Dolls, The Crystal Method, and Stabbing Westward were some of my companions in my journey. Each song a flash of memory, a little reel—some happy, some sad, but all lived.
Before I knew it I was pulling into the 24hr White Castle and ordering a giant crave case, some nugs, fries, and of course a large chocolate shake. (Honestly I don’t even know what it is, but their shakes are top tier as fast food shakes go.) This was pre-covid so I didn’t have to take a loan out for this haul.
I ate on the way home, arriving home stiff legged and with a slightly numb rear end, but satisfied. There would be other dates, other Saturday nights, but you know...not every adventure needs some grand plan, sometimes, the best ones start with a craving and a long drive.
-KC