The Lone Prince of SLOdippo goes on yet another SLO-dipitous journey [note: very loosely based on an old Persian story of the "Three Princes of Serendipity "].
I wandered out one day, along with my Princess, to the Wilds of Baywood, & on a typical Monday, visited upon the farmers & merchants that spontaneously appear in white tents hawking their plethora of products. After procuring a whole host of wonders, we then proceeded in a serpentine coast hugging path toward endless vistas that centered on one volcanic plug. The last vista involved an hours toil on the shifting barely vegetated sands in the Wilds of Los Osos, which seriously depleted one's calories. In dire need of liquid sustenance, we then randomly selected the local discount store. After gazing upon a random selection of fermented liquids, one caught the eye. It was not only made with local apples, but hailed from some craftsmen in the Quiet Village of Atascadero town. It was said to be original...or the OG version.
After taking refuge in our simple palace by the sea, a singular sip & snort from the humble squat brown bottle made one's senses tingle. Savoring every drop of this golden brew, one could only wonder how to somehow find more. It was far easier than finding a blind lame camel in a far off land and involved a net thrown over the nearby lands north of us.
On our next SLO-dipitous journey we directed our Camel-less Conveyance north over a high mountain pass named Cuesta. Our intention was at first to sample some exotic rare French pastries in A-town & then explore what the surrounding old edifices contained in this age of Plague. The pastries were quite masterful, and provided further sustenance toward our further journey.
After using a pocket divining device, the location of the golden brew revealed itself. It was hiding just off the old El Camino Real trail in a thicket of warehouses.
While in theory, it was way too early for their door to open, once I ordered my Carmel-less Conveyance to halt, the door seemed to magically open as if on cue.
As I cautiously & rather skeptically approached, the master of Cider magic revealed himself, as Cody the Cider King. Cody the Cider King was both kind and wise, and while it was rather unclear as to why he opened the door, to my wisened mind, it was apparent that it was meant to be.
Cody the Cider King, extended a hearty welcome, as if he had known me well in a previous incarnation. For every inquiry on the magical brews, he offered several wise replies....and better yet, some rather amazing samples.
Never before did I know what magical creations can be done with the variety of local Apples, amazing skill, & various scents & colors that one could barely guess at. One brew was more amazing and magical than the next. One would have guess that one pinkish brew involved some berries, but Cody the Cider King kindly redirected me to think more creatively. Indeed, it involved red beets, fennel, & numerous apples.
Some brews involved sweeter apple varieties and some involved those on the more sour side.
Some involved hard spirits, like whiskey, and some were aged in the old barrels that used to make them.
Under Cody the Cider Kings kind tutelage, I rapidly gained a bare novice's appreciation of a whole new universe of DARPA-level Cider appreciation.
My mission was at first to grab one of almost every bottle that I initially saw, but after gaining this seemingly arcane new wisdom, we both settled on my favorite several variants, not to be confused with the variants of ill repute that are a bane to all.
While the Cider Kings make no claims of the health benefits of combining fine French Baked goods with the Ciders of Wonder in A-Town, on the way toward our palace, I spontaneously decided to halt at the Cuesta Grade, got out and walked almost straight up & down the mountain for nearly two hours.
We then were rewarded with an expansive view over our entire nearby realm, with copious views of numerous volcanic plugs of lore....the far one was barely visible, but was somehow key to this whole SLO-dipitous mini-adventure.
After somehow achieving this near miracle of spontaneous near self-flagellation, I then headed home, with my precious new Ciders tucked carefully in the trunk of my Camel-less Conveyance.
As the sun set on the palace's patio, I opened a fine bottle, that Cody the Cider King had given me, and while overlooking my near coastal realm, the tart sweet ambrosial brew, soothed my aches, pains, and some concerns about the plague...and life seemed to be for the briefest of moments, without overwhelming worry.
I extend thanks to Cody the Cider King & the other Wizards of Bristol for the parts played in two of my SLO-dipitous journey's.
May other's SLO-dipitous journey's be as unforgettable, as these adventures in the land of greater SLOdippo.
Please stay tuned for further lore involving the "Lone Prince of SLOdippo". read more