Riff Raff Coffee Travels

 Iselton is lucky to have two coffee shops!  The Isleton Coffee Company is down town and I have been waiting for them to open for awhile.  (Of course I was gone for a few months...) I only met one of the owners, Ruby who was very nice.  I will return again soon to meet the other. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they use Ravens Brew coffee which I first ran across in Alaka before I became a coffee drinker. This shop has a very nice selection of locally produced pastries that are just the right size.  Most shops serve the " bigger is better" factory foods.  The pastries at the Isleton  Coffee Company will satisfy your sweet tooth, satiate your appetite and leave you room to eat your regularly scheduled meal. Stop in at the Coffee Company at 43 Main St, Isleton, CA 95641 4.6 - ☕️     5.0 - 🥐

  My coffee stop on Wednesday was at Java 160, located in Isleton, CA off HWY 160.  This shop was non-existant when I was in town last fall.  They have a nice decor and a friendly staff.  I had a delicious "dealer's choice " but I am not sure what it was.   They do have food available and I shall have to try it in the future. 4.4 - ☕️      ?.? - 🍽

  So, this small local bistro is found in the Rockville area of west Fairfield.  Most importantly, it is not a franchise from the north! Their black coffee is good, and they have a nice selection of fresh baked goods.  I don't  believe they have a lot of practice in Espresso drink making, but they are trying. The vanilla latte rated a 3.8 - ☕️

  The Black Dog Espresso can be found at  45 South Central Boulevard Quartzsite, AZ 85346.  They have a very happy and polite staff.  They quickly made a hot, sweet, caffinated, and delicious dealer's choice latte so that I could get back on the road.  I tasted hints of carmel and vanilla.  The final swig though tasted of Irish cream.  It left me quite satisfied and ready to drive! 4.5 - ☕️

 Today I made coffee where I was dry camping at the SKP camp ground in Benson.  I ground some medium roast beans and gently percolated it to perfection.  I then enhanced the flavor with my homemade creamer.  I walked around the sculpture garden  while enjoying this delicious brew.

 The Wake and Bake coffee shop in Benson is a great place to start your day! Situated on the Main Street right across from where Amtrak stops with Hone's Benson Fuel.  Thi, makes it convenient for gas patrons, shoppers and those riding the rails.  They have a variety of fresh baked goods made on the premises,  as well as fresh made breakfast sandwiches.  The Barista did a fine job making a latte that was reminiscent of an almond joy.  Just a side note, they do produce some of their flavoring syrups in house. Finally!😃😉  They had the first croissants I have tasted on this trip, flaky and soft at the same time. 4.6 - ☕️   4.8 - 🥐

 The Mad Mule in Benson AZ provided Thursday afternoon's refreshing beverage.  As it was 78F I had them make me up an iced latte.  Thursday's flavor was carmel vanilla, very refreshing.  They must be associated with another shop though, as their cups had a different label 😏? No fresh baked goods this day. 4.0 -☕️

 The Burro, a coffee cafe in Claude, TX is a real gem!  I was heading west watching the sun rise in my rear view mirror when I glimpsed a sign, I was directed to rest a bit. Dealer's choice netted me a delicious honey badger latte, wow was it good!  They serve food here and I had a nice veggie omelet.  They also sell books, nicknames nacks, and pastries.  A worthwhile stop any day. The Burro, 116 Trice St, Claude, TX 79019-3908 4.8 - ☕️. 4.8 - 🍽

  When there are multiple shops to choose from, how do you decide?  Do you use the online rating?  Not me, I look at the building to make the decision.   #sozos had the most character so I took my chance and went in.  The fresh baked goods smelled wonderful!  I selected a blueberry muffin and dealer's choice for my latte (that is when the batista gets to decide the flavor)  Both decisions were good ones. SOZOS can be found  at 211 North Oak St in Sallisaw, OK  4.2 -  ☕️  5.0 - 🍪

   I detoured off the highway as the cleaning staff was unable to keep up with the individuals that were trashing the rest areas. This ended up being a very fine thing for me as I found the Holy Grounds Community Coffee shop.   It was a very fine peppermint mocha latte accompanied by a freshl made from scratch chocolate chip cookie period not too bad the deal I'm here to tell you it is worth stopping. 6 You can find this fine establishment at 620 East Broadway Avenue in Forest City Arkansas.  4.1 - ☕️ 5.0 - 🍪

   Upon recommendation from somebody who thinks about this more than I do, I am adding pictures of the places where I buy the coffee as well as the coffee cup information and the location I hope you like it period  They can be found at 801 South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville Tennessee.  I chose dealer choice and was given a wonderful Irish latte as it happened to be Saint Patrick's Day when I was there.  4.3 - ☕️

   The coffee on day 2 was picked up in Terre Haute Indiana at the Jave Haute. #javahaute  I purchased a drink called the bees knees upon a recommendation from friends. It was a sweet treat with vanilla and honey and white chocolate.  I quite enjoyed it I must say. 4.o - ☕️

 As I travel around I am sampling coffee here and there.  I will note the places and any thoughts I have about the stops.  Enjoy or disregard as you see fit.  My first coffee shop on day one was at the outside side bar artisan coffee shop in Grand Haven Michigan.  It was chosen on a whim because it was near a place that I had to stop on my way.  ⁸I highly recommend this place they were quite friendly the plac.e was clean and my latte was delicious.  4.2 - 🍵