Taste Test – Snack Crate (Road Trip – USA)

This month’s Snack Crate is a USA box entitled “Road Trip”. These should be snacks we are somewhat familiar with, let’s see. A total of twenty three snacks this month including the drink.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The drink this month is a standard ginger ale from Kentucky. Alex liked it but I do not care for soda. Alex-8 Joe-5

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Cougar Mountain Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie from Washington State was a classic case of something looking way better than it tastes. We were both anxious to try the cookie. I found the peanut flavor to be too strong for my taste and I just did not enjoy the texture or flavor. Alex-7 Joe-6

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Sifers Valomilk from Kansas were chocolate cups with a gooey marshmallow filling. Alex-7 Joe-6

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Better Made Barbecue Chips from Michigan – I do not like barbecue chips but Alex does. Alex thought they were way too salty. Alex-7 Joe-6

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Owyhee Idaho Spud Candy Bar – fluffy chocolate nougat infused with coconut flakes. OK but I would have preferred without the coconut. The nougat was extremely soft almost marshmallowy in texture. Alex-7 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Salt Water Taffy from New Jersey – typical of the type Alex-7 Joe-6

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Cactus Candy fro Arizona were delicious gummy like candy with a delicious flavor. Flavored with real prickly pear cactus flavoring. Alex-8 Joe-9

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Pumpkin Spice Moon Pie from Tennessee were graham cracker and marshmallow filling flavored with pumpkin spice. Alex-7 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Joey’s Black and White were soft cake like cookies coated with a rich chocolate and vanilla icing, out of New York. Alex and I both quite liked these, the icing was very rich. Alex-8 Joe-8

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Blu Monday candy out of Kentucky – Chocolate coating with a sweet filling. Think of a peppermint patty but without the mint flavor. Alex-6 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes from Ohio – chocolate covered peanut butter balls; delicious like a high end peanut butter cup with the proportion of peanut butter much higher Alex-8 Joe-9

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Anastasia Coconut Patties from Florida – Key lime flavored coconut nougat Alex-7 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Berger Cookies from Maryland had a thick fudge coating on a vanilla cookie. The fudge was very rich with a nice chocolatey flavor Alex-8 Joe-8

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll – this crunchy candy bar with nougat center and covered in caramel and peanuts is from Michigan. Alex-7 Joe-7

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Aunt Sally’s Creole Pralines from Louisana cluster of caramel and peanuts Alex-6 Joe-6

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Annabelle’s Abba Zabba from California is a chewy taffy surrounding a peanut butter center Alex-6 Joe-6

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Goo Goo Cluster – Candy from Tennessee caramel, peanuts and marshmallow coated in chocolate Alex-7 Joe-7

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Little Boosie’s Louisiana Heat Chips – these rapper themed chips from Miami, Florida were actually not very spicy and were an OK rippled chip with very mild spice flavor.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Chesapeake Crab Chips from Virginia were crunchy nice tasting chips. I did not detect any crab flavor more of a crab seasoning flavor. Alex-7 Joe-8

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Garrett Popcorn – a delicious popcorn mix, both the caramel and the cheese flavored corn were top notch. Best in Box! I don’t know if this is typical but the cheese corn outnumbered the caramel 5 to 1. Alex-9 Joe-10

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Asia TransRainbow Belts from Hawaii sweet and sour sugary candy Alex-7 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Tuna Jerky from Hawaii – The fish flavor hits you as an after taste, when you first try them the appearance and texture is like a piece of beef jerky Alex-6 Joe-7

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Elk Jerky – Tastes like any other slim jim type of meat stick. Good but nothing unique, this one was from New Mexico Alex-9 Joe-8

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

This was our highest Snack Crate box and one of our highest overall boxes for both Universal Yums and Snack Crate. Maybe it is because it has flavors that we are more used to being from the United States. Be sure to check out our previous posts on Universal Yums and Snack Crate Boxes under Taste Tests.

Alex 7.22 out of 10
Joe 7.13 out of 10

Alex favorite snacks – Elk Jerky and Garrett Popcorn
Joe favorite snacks – Garrett Popcorn

Assateague Island National Seashore – Maryland and Virginia

Assateague Island National Seashore is located on the East Coast along the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland and Virginia, Assateague Island is the largest natural barrier island ecosystem in the Middle Atlantic states region that remains predominantly unaffected by human development.
Assateague Island encompasses a 37-mile-long barrier island, adjacent marsh islands and waters in Maryland and Virginia, and the Assateague Island Visitor Center on the Maryland mainland. 41,346 acres of land and water are within the seashore’s boundaries. The island consists of three public areas; Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Of course the main attraction of the park are the feral Assateague Ponies and the introduced Sika Deer.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Evidence of the horse’s presence is also prevalent in the park.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

After several family trips to the seashore I decided to really experience the park with some buddies of mine. We hiked to a backcountry campsite deep into the park for a five day stay. A couple of caveats first the path to the backcountry campsite is on loose sand and after 4 or 5 miles hiking with a heavy back it can be quite tiring. And the reason your pack is so heavy is that all of the water in the park is brackish and so all water for drinking and cooking must be carried in with you. The park is also a prime spot for Lyme disease and one of my hiking partners did contract the disease while in the park. The experience is very much worth it though. Sitting on the beach with no one else for miles or sitting near the marsh and watching the horses is one of the most relaxing and contemplative few days of my life.

Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park

Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park is one of the finest examples of a preserved/restored civil war era town. The visitor center is on top of a bluff overlooking the town which sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. You park by the visitor center and after getting some park information hop aboard the free shuttle down to the town.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Once in the town stop at the armorer’s house for a short orientation film and some exhibits. You can also work on your junior ranger activities.

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These few acres of land due to its strategic importance was witness to steady flow of historical events. One of the nation’s first armory was located here and was active from the early 1800s to the start of the civil war.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The railroad came through town in 1836.

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One of the seminal events of the civil war was John Brown’s raid on the armory in 1859. The original site of John Brown’s “Fort” is now under a railroad embankment but the original building is about 150 feet away.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Many other historic buildings are available for exploration.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hiking opportunities abound in the park whether you want a pleasant stroll along the canal,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

or if you are a serious hiker there are three major national trails going through Harper’s Ferry; The Appalachian Trail, The Potomac Heritage Trail and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

If you have a junior ranger with you finish your trip with some role playing and a junior ranger badge.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

One of the best historical parks in the NPS system.

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield commemorates the site of the bloodiest single day in US Civil War history. The battle of Antietam or (Sharpsburg)was important in many ways. Robert E.Lee made his first attempt to invade northern territory and was narrowly defeated by a superior Union force despite heavy causalities. After the battle the Union General George McClellan was relieved of overall command because of his failure to pursue Lee with his superior force.

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The most important consequence of the battle was that Lincoln was able to use the victory to announce the Emancipation Proclamation. Although it did not actually free any slaves at the time the symbol was undeniable.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The battlefield itself is excellently presented with a good visitor center and a nice driving tour winding its way through the key areas of the battlefield. The park also has some wonderful walking opportunities.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Burnside Bridge was the key site of the battle. Park above the bridge for a great overview of the area and then take the short walk to the bridge.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

During summer weekends you may catch some re-enactors.

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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Great Falls Park is where the Potomac River cascades over jagged rocks through Mather Gorge.

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The main visitor center for the park is on the Virginia side of the river and is where most of the infrastructure and hiking trails are located. On the Maryland side of the river is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park and the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. There are a dozen unique passport to the National Park cancellation stamps so be sure to check the park web site for details. There are a lot of hiking and walking opportunities here as well, the most fun is the Billy Goat trail where you literally go up a cliff face like a mountain goat.

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For the less adventurous there are plenty of nice easy strolls that make for a very pleasant summer afternoon.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Be sure to check out the locks and restored buildings.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Just a few miles from the Washington DC metro area is this wonderful series of parks offering both history and a relaxing rural setting.